The CE marking is one of the most important symbols on products placed on the European Union market. By affixing this mark to a lighting fixture, the manufacturer declares compliance with the essential requirements set out in the New Approach Directives. For the lighting industry, these are mainly three legal acts:
- Directive 2014/35/EU on low voltage (LVD),
- Directive 2014/30/EU on electromagnetic compatibility (EMC),
- Directive 2011/65/EU known as RoHS II.
Compliance with the requirements is confirmed by testing in accordance with harmonized standards. In the case of the LVD directive, one of the most important documents is the standard PN-EN 62471:2010 relating to photobiological safety. The latest version of the PN-EN 60598-1:2025 standard, which covers all lighting fixtures, also includes provisions on photobiological hazards. It indicates the need to assess the risk associated with the effect of blue light on the retina and, depending on the risk group, obliges the manufacturer to mark this information on the product.
Why is there no risk group information on many labels/products?
Many users notice that lighting fixtures carry the CE mark, but lack information on photobiological safety class. This results from the classification rules. For risk groups RG0 and RG1, which indicate no risk or very low risk, there is no obligation to place information on the label/product. Only for groups RG2 and RG3, indicating significant risk, must the manufacturer provide this information.
How to check if the manufacturer has taken the safety standard into account?
If we want to make sure that the lack of labeling is not due to oversight, it is enough to check the product’s Declaration of Conformity. In this document, the manufacturer should reference the photobiological safety standard. This way, the user or distributor can be certain that the fixture has been properly tested and classified.
What determines photobiological safety?
The safety of a fixture is influenced by many factors. Important aspects include exposure time, distance from the light source, fixture power, color temperature and the design itself, which may cause concentration of blue light beams. The problem arises when the manufacturer relies solely on data provided by the LED supplier. Without testing the finished product, there is a risk that lighting which poses a real threat to health, particularly eyesight, will enter the market.
How does RCC support manufacturers?
At the RCC Research and Development Center, there is a specialized Photometry and Photobiology Laboratory. Here, manufacturers, importers, and distributors can verify whether their fixtures meet essential legal and normative requirements. Thanks to professional testing, it is possible to introduce products that comply with directives and are safe for users.
Why does the issue of blue light concern us all?
Each of us, both adults and children, spends a large part of life in artificially lit spaces. The statistics are clear:
- as many as 90% of working people are employed indoors,
- children spend about 200 days a year in lit classrooms,
- many hours a day are spent using devices that emit blue light, such as TVs, smartphones and computers,
- blue light contributes to the death of photoreceptor cells in the eye,
- children are more sensitive to its effects than adults,
- in developed countries, 60% of people spend at least 6 hours a day in front of a screen.
These figures show how important it is for lighting fixtures to meet photobiological safety standards.
RCC combines knowledge and experience. In addition, it has research facilities, which allows it to support manufacturers in creating lighting that is safe for health and compliant with EU legal requirements.