Classification of laser products:
Class I laser products are not biohazardous. Any beam that may be viewed is shielded and the laser system is interlocked during laser exposure.
Class II laser products have an output power of 1 milliwatt. Will not burn skin or cause fire. Since eye reflection prevents some eye damage, these lasers are not considered hazardous optical devices.
Class IIIa laser products have an output power of 1 milliwatt to 5 milliwatts. They do not burn the skin. Under certain conditions, this type of laser can cause blindness as well as other damage to the eyes.
Class IIIb laser products have an output power of 5 milliwatts to 500 milliwatts. At higher powers, these lasers are capable of burning the skin. These laser products are clearly defined as hazardous to the eyes and will cause eye damage, especially at higher power levels.
Class IV laser products have an output power greater than 500 milliwatts. This type of laser product is definitely capable of causing eye damage. Like burning skin and igniting clothing, lasers are capable of igniting other materials.
The FDA-approved categories of laser products include: laser pointers, laser presentations, laser displays, products containing laser units (CD players, DVDs, CD-ROMs, laser printers, etc.), safety protection, and rescue products.