Toys that can emit light and shine are collectively referred to as optical toys. Luminous toys, also known as flash toys, are simply devices that can emit light and are used by children to play with. Luminous toys are usually made of non-toxic and environmentally friendly plastics, with internal light sources that emit light, such as lasers or LED lights. It can emit colorful light, flashes, etc., which is very easy to attract children's attention. Compared with traditional toys, optical toys are more playable and enjoyable, but the damage caused by optical toys, especially laser toys, is more destructive and irreparable. In recent years, toys containing lasers or light-emitting diodes (LEDs) have become increasingly popular among children, such as laser flashlights, laser sticks... These laser products account for an increasing proportion of toys. According to statistics, 60% of electric toys contain lasers or LEDs. The harm of light radiation sources on toys to the human body includes photochemical injury and photothermal injury. Medical data shows that the human eye can tolerate only 0.5 milliwatts of laser irradiation, while some unqualified laser rods have an output intensity of 3-5 milliwatts, which is 10 times the tolerance of the human eye. The consequences of direct exposure of such light sticks to the eyes, especially those of developing children, can be imagined.

In order to prevent harm from light radiation to children and protect their safety and health, the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) has put forward comprehensive and detailed requirements for toys equipped with lasers and light-emitting diodes. China has also announced mandatory standards for electric toys.

This article aims to promote the requirements and rules of these standards for different types of optical toys, so that enterprises can better understand the requirements of the standards and regulations in the design and production process. It calls for joint attention to children's light radiation safety, and at the same time, enterprise products should avoid accidents, market supervision failures, export recalls, and other situations.

IEC/EN/AS/BS 62115 series standard optical radiation related testing items and requirements: The optical radiation safety requirements are based on clause 19.2, referenced in Appendix E; Appendix E classifies light radiation into: laser, LED, UV, scintillation light. Different types of light have different requirements, and flickering light is a common requirement; Toys under 3 years old cannot contain lasers.

19. E.2 The requirements for LEDs are as follows:

Light radiation within the range of 315nm, measured at a distance of 10mm from an accessible location, should have an irradiance of less than 0.01W/m2;

The light radiation in the range of 315nm-400nm, measured at a distance of 200mm from an accessible location, should have an irradiance of less than 0.25W/m2 and an irradiance of less than 0.01W/sr;

The light radiation in the range of 400nm-780nm, measured at a distance of 200mm from an accessible location, should have a radiance of less than 0.04W/sr or meet the requirements of Tables E.2 and E.3;

The light radiation in the range of 780nm-1000nm, measured at a distance of 200mm from an accessible location, should have an irradiance of less than 16W/m2 and an irradiance of less than 0.64W/sr;

The light radiation in the range of 1000nm-3000nm, measured at a distance of 200mm from an accessible location, should have an irradiance of less than 8W/m2 and an irradiance of less than 0.32W/sr;

If the LED light source data is complete, it can be evaluated through the light source. If it is incomplete, the actual test shall prevail, and the evaluation shall include all luminous positions.

19. E.3 The requirements for lasers are as follows:

According to IEC 60825-1 evaluation, it must be classified as Class I laser safety level (cannot be 1M or 1C).

19. E.4 The requirements for UV and UV are as follows:

Light radiation within the range of 315nm, measured at a distance of 10mm from an accessible location, should have an irradiance of less than 0.001W/m2 for toys aged 3 and below, and less than 0.01W/m2 for toys aged 3 and above;

The light radiation in the range of 315nm-400nm, measured at a distance of 200mm from an accessible location, should have an irradiance of less than 0.02W/m2 for toys aged 3 and below, and less than 0.2W/m2 for toys aged 3 and above.

19. E.5 The requirements for flickering light are as follows:

If the luminous frequency is modulated and the flicker frequency is between 4Hz-60Hz, a warning message must be clearly marked on the toy packaging and body: "Warning: This toy products flash that may trigger epilepsy in sensitive individuals."

Key summary: For optical toys. If it is incoherent light (including LED and UV), specific requirements in IEC 62115 should be considered, as detailed in Appendix E (note that it is not IEC 62471). If it is a laser, consider IEC 60825-1 directly, and the result must be a type of laser. Many people currently only consider IEC 60825-1 for toy lighting, which is an outdated version of thinking, unscientific, and unreasonable.