FDA CONSUMER SAFETY ALERT REGARDING INTERNET SALES OF LASER PRODUCTS

FROM:  U.S. FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION
Radiation-Emitting Products
Consumer Safety Alert: Internet Sales of Laser Products

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is aware that some laser products being sold on the internet may not meet federal safety requirements and should not be available for purchase by the general public. In some cases, these products are overpowered and may be unsafe if not used responsibly. In other cases, these products are intended for use only by licensed medical professionals, trained operators, or other approved users.

FDA’s Concerns

FDA is concerned about recent reports of laser products directed at aircraft—a potentially hazardous situation. The agency is particularly concerned about the increased availability of overpowered green laser pointers. Overpowered green laser pointers are those that may have been modified to emit more radiation than the manufacturer’s original product.

What FDA Can Do

FDA’s authority is over the manufacturers of laser products. These products must meet a federal standard for the amount of radiation they can emit and must be properly labeled. FDA is working to identify manufacturers of overpowered green laser pointers and other illegal laser products and will take action to prevent unsafe products from being sold in the United States. If illegal products are imported into the U.S., they may be refused entry, returned to the seller, or destroyed.

Buyer Beware

FDA recommends that consumers be cautious when buying laser products over the internet. Consumers may unknowingly purchase an illegal laser product or may lose their money if the illegal product is refused entry into the U.S. or destroyed.

Consumers should be aware that:

Medical lasers may only be sold to licensed medical practitioners.
Class IIIb and class IV laser light show projectors, identified as such on the label, may only be sold by or to individuals or firms with current, approved laser light show variances from FDA. Laser products that are advertised as uncertified components may only be sold to other manufacturers and may not be sold to the public for general use.
Laser products should have certification and identification labels stating the product complies with the federal laser standard.

Complies with 21 CFR 1040.10 and 1040.11
Complies with 21 CFR Chapter 1, Subchapter J
Manufactured or distributed by...
Date of Manufacture
Products should have a warning label advising the user to avoid exposure to the laser radiation.  Consumers who can not verify the above, or do not understand what it means, probably should not sell or purchase the products.