Advanced UV for Life
Guidelines, Laws, and Standards in the Field of UV Radiation
UV radiation plays a significant role in many areas of our lives, from natural sunlight to industrial and medical applications. To maximize the positive benefits of UV radiation while ensuring health protection, there are numerous guidelines, laws, and standards. These regulate the safe use and handling of UV radiation, both in the workplace, in technical facilities, and in industrial and consumer goods.
Legal regulations and standards set clear guidelines to promote the safe use of UV radiation. They include requirements for UV devices, workplace safety, and the quality and labeling of UV products. These regulations ensure effective protection of people and optimal use of UV technology.
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EU and USA
Regulatory Differences in General
Some general differences can be observed between Europe (EU) and the USA in the regulation of UV standards. However, it is important to emphasize that the following statements are generalizations and a detailed case-by-case consideration is always necessary, as numerous exceptions and specific regulations exist in both regions.
Regulatory Approach
The EU follows a preventive, consumer-protective approach. The legislation aims to minimize risks at an early stage and ensure a high level of protection for consumers and workers. The regulation is comprehensive, detailed, and places great emphasis on safety, precaution, and transparency. Many regulations are harmonized and legally binding in all EU member states.
In the USA, the approach is more risk-based and often relies on subsequent control. The regulation is frequently less detailed and gives manufacturers more personal responsibility. The approval of new technologies or protective measures is sometimes more time-consuming, and there are fewer harmonized standards. The responsibility for compliance and control lies more heavily with the companies themselves.
Protection Philosophy
The EU relies on the precautionary principle and requires proof of safety before market introduction. There are clear limit values, test procedures, and mandatory protective measures, for example in occupational safety, technical products, textiles, or food. The authorities carry out regular checks and market surveillance.
In the USA, many protective measures are only introduced after problems occur or based on specific risks. The approval and control of new protective measures or products can therefore be partially slower, but introduction can be faster. The implementation of occupational safety and product safety is more decentralized and varies between states.
Norms and Standards
There are numerous Europe-wide harmonized standards and guidelines (e.g., EN standards, EU directives) that are binding for all member states and are regularly updated.
In the USA, there are many industry-specific or voluntary standards (e.g., ANSI, AATCC) that are not always mandatory nationwide. Federal agencies such as OSHA, FDA, or EPA provide guidelines, but implementation and enforcement are often less uniform.
Innovation and Market Access
New products and technologies can, if necessary, be brought to the European market relatively quickly after successful testing and approval, provided they meet European safety requirements.
In the USA, market access for new technologies and products may be characterized by lengthy approval processes, especially if they are classified as drugs or medical devices.
Standards in Transition
Regulatory, Technological, and Societal Developments
The field of UV technologies is undergoing dynamic change, significantly shaped by regulatory, technological, and societal developments.
A central example is the revision of the Drinking Water Ordinance in the EU, which is currently being expanded to include the approval of UV LEDs for public drinking water disinfection. The BMBF project “DINoLED” has created important foundations for developing a DIN draft for type testing and certification of UV LED water disinfection devices, with the participation of members of Advanced UV for Life.
Mercury has been an indispensable component of many UV lamps to date, as it enables stable and efficient UV emission. The EU’s RoHS directive now calls for a gradual phase-out of mercury-containing lamps.
In parallel, new UV technologies such as “far-UVC” and the use of UVC for hygiene and infection prevention – not least due to the Corona pandemic – have gained considerable attention. These developments mean that existing standards need to be adapted and new testing and approval procedures may need to be developed to ensure effectiveness, user-friendliness, and safety.
Many members of Advanced UV for Life are directly or indirectly involved in the further development of standards or in the standard-compliant implementation of products and innovations. They contribute their expertise to national and international committees, support research projects, and in some cases assist in the development of products and test procedures. This makes Advanced UV for Life a central point of contact for companies, research institutions, and authorities that are confronted with regulatory requirements and are working on technological solutions in the field of UV-LED, far-UVC, or generally mercury-free UV technologies.
Overview of some national and international standards
Germany, / EU, USA, others
An overview of relevant standards and regulations that contribute to the safe and efficient application of UV radiation.
UV Standards
| Application Area | Regulation / Standard | Scope / Description |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, UV Products, Safety | IEC 62471-6:2022 | Photobiological safety of lamps and lamp systems - Part 6: Ultraviolet lamp products |
| Lamps, Safety | DIN EN 62471:2009-03 | Photobiological safety of lamps and lamp systems |
| Workplace, Exposure, Measurement, UV | DIN EN 14255-1:2005-06 | Measurement and assessment of personal exposures to incoherent optical radiation - Part 1: UV |
| Workplace, Exposure, Measurement, VIS, IR | DIN EN 14255-2 | Measurement and assessment of exposures to visible and IR radiation in the workplace |
| Workplace, Exposure, Measurement, Sun, UV | DIN EN 14255-3 | Measurement and assessment of exposures to UV radiation emitted by the sun |
| Workplace, Terminology, Measurement | DIN EN 14255-4 | Terminology and quantities for measurements of UV, visible and IR radiation exposures |
| UV-C, Safety, Devices, Exposure | ISO 15858:2016 | UV-C devices - Safety requirements and permissible human exposure |
| Solar Radiation, Definition, Space | ISO 21348 | Definition and classification of solar radiation ranges |
| Lighting Technology, Terms, Definitions | CIE S 017/E:2011 | International Lighting Vocabulary (ILV), term definitions in the field of lighting |
| Occupational Safety, EU, Artificial Radiation | Directive 2006/25/EC | Minimum requirements for the protection of workers from artificial optical radiation, including UV |
| Occupational Safety, Germany, Artificial Radiation | OStrV (Ordinance on the Protection of Employees from Hazards of Artificial Optical Radiation) | German occupational safety regulation on artificial optical radiation |
| Occupational Safety, Technology, Incoherent Radiation | TROS Incoherent Optical Radiation (TROS IOS) | Technical Rules for OStrV, risk assessment and protective measures for incoherent optical radiation |
| Occupational Safety, Technology, Laser | TROS Laser Radiation | Technical Rules for OStrV for laser radiation |
| Machines, Industry, Radiation | DIN EN 12198-1:2008-11 | Safety of machinery - Assessment and reduction of risks arising from radiation emitted by machinery |
| Household, Electrical Appliances, Safety | DIN EN 60335-1 (VDE 0700-1):2024-07 | Safety of household and similar electrical appliances |
| Textiles, UV Protective Clothing | DIN EN 13758-1/-2 | Textiles - Solar UV protective properties (UV protective clothing) |
| Textiles, UV Protective Clothing | UV STANDARD 801 | European testing and certification standard for UV protection of textiles |
| Textiles, UV Protective Clothing | AATCC TM 183 (USA) | US standard for measuring the UV protection factor (UPF) of textiles |
| PPE, UV Protective Clothing | PPE Regulation (EU) 2016/425, EN ISO 13688 | Requirements and test methods for PPE with UV protection function |
| Occupational Medicine, Prevention, UV Outdoors | Occupational Medical Rule AMR 13.3 | Occupational medical prevention for intense UV exposure outdoors |
| Occupational Diseases, UV, Skin Cancer | Occupational Diseases Ordinance (BKV), BK 5103 | Recognition of skin cancer caused by natural UV radiation as an occupational disease |
| Occupational Safety, Prevention | DGUV Regulation 1 | Principles of prevention, including protection against UV radiation in the workplace |
| Laser Protection, Accident Prevention | DGUV Regulation 11 (formerly BGV B2) | Accident prevention regulation “Laser radiation” |
| Occupational Safety, UV, Prevention | DGUV Information 203-085 | Working under the sun - Prevention of natural UV radiation |
| Cosmetics, UV Filters, Sun Protection | EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 | Approval, Labeling, Test Procedures and Protection Classes for UV Filters in Sunscreens |
| Cosmetics, UV Filters, Sun Protection | EN ISO 24443, EN ISO 24444 (EU) | International Test Procedures for Determining UVA Protection Factor (UVA-PF) and Sun Protection Factor (SPF) |
| Cosmetics, UV Filters, Sun Protection | FDA OTC Monograph, 21 CFR Parts 201/352 (USA) | Approval, Labeling and Limits for UV Filters in Sunscreens |
| Cosmetics, UV Filters, Sun Protection | FDA 21 CFR 878 (USA) | US Regulation for Medical and Cosmetic UV Lamps and Devices |
| Cosmetics, Medicine, UV Devices | UV Protection Ordinance (UVSV) | Operation of UV Irradiation Devices for Cosmetic and Medical Purposes |
| Occupational Safety, UV, Workplaces | Technical Rules for Workplaces (ASR A3.4) | Protection Against Natural UV Radiation in the Workplace |
| Tanning Beds, Non-Ionizing Radiation, Health Protection | Act on Protection Against Non-Ionizing Radiation When Used on Humans (NiSG) | Operation of Tanning Beds and Applications of UV Radiation on Humans |
| Laser Safety, Devices, Security | DIN EN 60825-1 (VDE 0837-1) | Safety of Laser Products – Classification, Requirements, User Guidelines |
| Laser Protection, Devices | DIN EN 60825-4 | Safety of Laser Products – Laser Guards |
| Laser Safety | ANSI Z136.1 (USA) | National Standard for Safe Use of Lasers in the USA |
| Laser Safety, Photobiology | ANSI/IESNA RP-27 | Photobiological Safety of Lamps and Lamp Systems (USA) |
| Drinking Water, UV Disinfection, Systems | DIN 19294-1 | Requirements for UV Disinfection Systems in Drinking Water Treatment |
| Drinking Water, UV Disinfection, Technology | DVGW Worksheet W 294 | Technical Rule for UV Disinfection Devices in Drinking Water Supply |
| Drinking Water, UV Disinfection, Systems | ÖNORM M 5873-1 and M 5873-2 | Austrian Standards for UV Disinfection Systems |
| Drinking Water, Hygiene, UV Disinfection | Drinking Water Ordinance (TrinkwV) | Approval and Requirements for UV Disinfection in Drinking Water Treatment |
| Drinking Water, UV Disinfection | EPA UVDGM (USA) | EPA Standard for UV Disinfection Systems in Drinking Water Treatment |
| Drinking Water, UV Disinfection | NSF/ANSI 55 (USA) | Certification of UV Systems for Drinking Water (USA) |
| Food, UV Irradiation | Food Irradiation Ordinance | Application of UV Radiation for Food Treatment |
| Food, UV Treatment | EFSA Approvals, EU Regulations (EU) | Approval of UV Processes for Specific Foods (e.g., Sterilization, Vitamin D Enrichment) |
| Food, UV Treatment | FDA, FFDCA (USA) | Approval and Limits for UV Treatment of Drinking Water, Juices, Foods |
| Sunglasses, UV Protection | ISO 12312-1:2013, EC Directive 89/686/EEC (EU) | Categories and Requirements for UV Protection of Sunglasses |
Legal Notice
The information contained on this page is for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. We assume no responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of the information provided. All statements regarding legal interpretation may be interpreted differently and are not binding. Only the applicable legal norms and laws in their current version are authoritative. For legal advice and specific information on legal regulations, please consult a qualified attorney.
