Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that all users of electromagnetic radiation emitting devices comply fully with IEC/EN62471 regarding Photobiological Safety of Lamps and Lamp Systems.

Electrical equipment, including electromagnetic radiation emitting devices, sold in the UK must be safe to comply with the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994. European harmonised standards, including EN62471:2008, are not mandatory, but offer one route to meeting the requirements of the legislation.

Enforcement of the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations is undertaken by Local Authority Trading Standards for consumer products, and the Health and Safety Executive for commercial and industrial products.

Where use of electro-magnetic radiation within the optical region of the spectrum could present a hazard in the workplace, employers must comply with the Control of Artificial Optical Radiation Regulations, which are enforced by the Health and Safety Executive.