IEC 62471 vs IEC 62778: LED Photobiological Safety Standards Guide 2025

In the field of safety testing for LED lighting products, IEC 62778 and IEC 62471 are two closely related yet distinctly different key standards. For lighting manufacturers, exporters, and product managers, clearly understanding their differences is the first step to ensuring product compliance, mitigating risks, and smoothly entering global markets.

Simply put, the fundamental difference between the two standards is:

• IEC 62778: A revoked technical report focusing solely on "retinal blue light hazard" in the LED lighting product chain.
• IEC 62471: A comprehensive foundational standard for "photobiological safety" covering the full spectrum from ultraviolet (UV) to infrared (IR).

Core Differences at a Glance

To help you grasp key points quickly, we summarize the core differences in the table below:

Standard Details: Roles & Positions

1. IEC 62778: A "Quick Assessment Guide" for Blue Light Hazard in the LED Industry Chain

Full name: Application of IEC 62471 for the Assessment of Blue Light Hazard from Light Sources and Luminaires.

It is not independent of IEC 62471 but a specialized application guide for the blue light hazard clauses (Clauses 4.3.3 and 4.3.4) in IEC 62471:2006.

Core Value

Addresses the problem of duplicate testing caused by the long LED industry chain and diverse product forms. The standard proposes the concept of a "hazard information transfer chain": As long as the blue light hazard classification of upstream "primary light sources" (e.g., LED packages or modules) is evaluated, this classification can be transferred to downstream luminaires using them (under specific optical conditions such as brightness conservation), eliminating the need for complex photometric testing of each finished luminaire.

Core Output

In addition to assigning risk groups (RG0, RG1, RG2), for RG2-rated products, it calculates a key "Ethr" illuminance threshold and derives the minimum safe viewing distance (Xm) that must be labeled on the luminaire. This result directly links to the labeling and structural requirements for blue light hazard in IEC 60598-1 Luminaires – Part 1: General Requirements and Tests.

2. IEC 62471: The "Fundamental Law" of Photobiological Safety

Full name: Photobiological safety of lamps and lamp systems.

It is a foundational and framework standard for assessing the optical radiation safety of non-laser light sources.

Broad Scope of Evaluation

Covers a wide wavelength range (200nm to 3000nm) and systematically assesses multiple potential risks, including UV skin/eye hazard, retinal blue light hazard, retinal thermal hazard, and IR hazard.

Methodological Foundation

Specifies unified measurement conditions, strict exposure limits, and four risk groups classified by exposure time (RG0: Exempt, RG1: Low risk, RG2: Medium risk, RG3: High risk), providing a scientific basis for safety assessment of all segmented products.

Latest Standard Evolution: From IEC 62778 to IEC 62471-7:2023

A key update for all industry practitioners: The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) released the new standard IEC 62471-7:2023 in February 2023 and officially revoked IEC/TR 62778:2014.

Full name of IEC 62471-7:2023: Photobiological safety of lamps and lamp systems – Part 7: Light sources and luminaires primarily emitting visible radiation.

It integrates and updates the technical content of the former IEC 62778 for products primarily emitting visible light (380-780nm), becoming the latest authoritative standard in this field.

Impact on Manufacturers

During the transition period between old and new standards, manufacturers must closely monitor the specific versions of standards referenced by target markets. For example, different versions of IEC 60598-1 (general luminaire safety standard) may cite different blue light hazard assessment standards. Therefore, product compliance planning must be based on the latest standard dynamics.

Choose GTG Testing Group to Address Photobiological Safety Compliance Challenges

Facing the evolution and segmentation of photobiological safety standards, GTG Testing Group provides professional, efficient compliance solutions for lighting enterprises with profound technical accumulation and forward-looking standard insights:

1. Accurate Interpretation of Standard Updates

Our expert team continuously tracks the latest dynamics of global standard systems such as IEC and EN, providing clear transition paths and compliance recommendations from IEC 62778 to IEC 62471-7:2023, ensuring your product assessments always align with international cutting-edge requirements.

2. One-Stop Testing Services

We possess complete testing capabilities for the IEC 62471 series (including the latest Part 7). Whether it’s full-spectrum photobiological safety assessment or specialized blue light hazard testing for visible light products, we deliver accurate, reliable test reports to support your products’ global safety access.

3. Industrial Chain Collaborative Optimization

Well-versed in the assessment logic of the "hazard information transfer chain," we provide collaborative testing solutions for LED packaging, module, and luminaire manufacturers, helping upstream and downstream enterprises reduce duplicate testing, optimize compliance costs, and improve overall efficiency.

Photobiological safety is an insurmountable quality red line for LED lighting products. Choose GTG Testing Group—let our professional technical services illuminate a safe, compliant path for your products to enter global markets.

Contact GTG Testing Group today to obtain customized solutions for the latest IEC 62471-7:2023 standard and photobiological safety testing.