The FDA have in February 2015 published guidelines on the classification and requirements of Laser Illuminated projectors (LIPs). In such projectors, lasers are used as the light source in lieu of conventional lamps. LIPs may be used in indoor and outdoor cinemas, exhibitions, in the office and at home.

The full text can be obtained here:-

http://www.fda.gov/ucm/groups/fdagov-public/@fdagov-meddev-gen/documents/document/ucm434502.pdf

Whilst the laser optical radiation emitted by LIPs is uncollimated, and issued from an extended source, they should still be treated as laser products according to 21 CFR 1010.10 (c). Under certain circumstances, however, represented in clause III. of the guidelines, it is considered that classification of an LIP against IEC 62471 is adequate.

Clause IV, "Policy", describes the testing procedure to be implemented. This includes :-

- The measurement of accessible emission of LIPs intended for commercial cinemas at one metre from the closest point of human access, and 200mm in all other cases

- Verification that the angular subtense of the apparent source at 0.2m from the nearest point of human access is ≥5 mrad

- Verification that the un-weighted peak radiance (400-1400nm) does not exceed 1 MW.m-2.sr-1/α where α is the angular subtense of the source at 0.2m from the closest distance of human access. 

The accessible emission should be evaluated in the worst case configuration of the design that produces the highest emission and every reasonable single fault condition should be considered.

The risk group classification for pulsed emission should be determined by comparing to the corresponding emission limits for the retinal thermal and blue light hazards over a time of 0.25s.