The following text refers to IEC 60335-2-27 Ed 5.0. Household and similar electrical appliances - Safety - Part 2-27: Particular requirements for appliances for skin exposure to ultraviolet and infrared radiation. One should ensure that this version is current at the time of reading and verify whether or not national deviations exist.
At present, the scope of this standard is limited to UV Tanning appliances.
Exclusions to the scope include;-
IEC 60335-2-53 ed4.0 (2011-04), "Household and similar electrical appliances - Safety - Part 2-53: Particular requirements for sauna heating appliances and infrared cabins"
IEC 60335-2-23, "Household and similar electrical appliances - Safety - Part 2-23: Particular requirements for appliances for skin or hair care"
IEC 60335-2-113 Ed 1, Household and similar electrical appliances - Safety - Part 2-113: Particular requirements for cosmetic and beauty care appliances incorporating lasers and intense light sources."
Clause 32 of this standard provides guidance on the evaluation of radiation, toxicity and similar hazards, and specifically the radiation from UV appliances shall be limited.
UV appliances shall be aged by supplying them at a rated voltage prior to measurement of 5 hours for fluorescent lamps and 1 for high intensity discharge lamps (where both lamps present, age for 5h).
The appliance supplied at rated voltage and half the maximum exposure time allowed by the timer.
The irradiance produced by the UV appliance shall be determined at a plane commensurate to the location of an occupant.
| Exposure of Occupant in Appliance | Measuring Instrument Location |
Exposure from below |
Placed on surface on which person lies. |
Arranged over person- full body exposure |
Placed on surface of half-cylinder of radius 300mm, mounted directly on the surface on which the occupant lays. and aligned along the centre line of the surface. |
Arranged over person- facial exposure |
Placed on surface of half-cylinder of radius 150mm radius in case of facial exposure, mounted on a 50mm high base which is in turn , mounted directly on the surface on which the occupant lays. and aligned along the centre line of the surface. |
Upper and lower radiating surfaces |
Measure each part separately, whilst other part covered. If the distance between two surfaces is less than 300mm (or 200 m for facial exposure), the measurement is made at the surface of the upper panel. |
Upright standing position, exposing from all sides |
Placed on the surface of cylinder with radius 300mm. positioned in centre of appliance. During measurement, the opposite side of the cylinder should be covered. |
Without defined exposure position, such as appliances to be placed on a table |
Placed parallel to the emitting surface at the shortest recommended exposure distance. If the minimum recommended exposure distance is not indicated, place directly on the emitting surface. |
Exposing a sitting person- full body exposure |
Placed on surface of half cylinder with radius 300mm located in the position of the body part to be exposed. |
Exposing a sitting person- facial exposure |
Placed on surface of half cylinder with radius 150mm located in the position of the body part to be exposed and placed on a 50mm high base. |
The measuring instrument should measure the mean irradiance over a circular area having a diameter not exceeding 20mm. The angular response of the instrument shall be proportional to the cosine of the angle between the incident radiation and the normal to the measured area.
The spectral irradiance should be measured 250-400nm in intervals of 1nm using a suitable spectroradiometer having a bandwidth no greater than 2.5nm.
The measured spectral irradiance should be weighted against the CIE Erythema action spectrum, attached.
Appliances shall have a total irradiance not exceeding 0.003 W.m-2 for wavelengths between 200-280nm.
A type classification is defined based on UVA ad UVB contributions to the erythemal irradiance, defined thus:-
| UV Type Appliance |
Effective Irradiance
250-320nm (W.m-2)
|
Effective Irradiance 320-400nm (W.m-2) |
| 1 | <0.001 | ≥0.15 |
| 2 | 0.001-0.15 | ≥0.15 |
| 3 | <0.15 | <0.15 |
| 4 | ≥0.15 | <0.15 |
| 5 | ≥0.15 | ≥0.15 |
Type 3 only is suitable for home use.
There exist different limits set by certain regional or national authorities.
In Europe:-
UV Type Appliance |
Total Effective Irradiance
(W.m-2) |
Effective Irradiance 280-320nm
(W.m-2) |
Effective Irradiance 320-400nm
(W.m-2) |
Effective Irradiance 200-280nm
(W.m-2) |
Maximum Dose per Exposure
(J.m-2) |
Maximum Dose per Year
(kJ.m-2) (NMSC) |
| 1 | 0.3 | <0.001 | ≥0.15 |
0.003 | 600 | 25 |
| 2 | 0.3 | <0.15 | ≥0.15 | 0.003 | 600 | 25 |
| 3 | 0.3 | <0.15 | <0.15 | 0.003 | 600 | 25 |
| 4 | 0.3 | ≥0.15 | <0.15 | 0.003 | 600 | 25 |
| 5 | not allowed | not allowed |
not allowed |
not allowed |
not allowed |
not allowed |
It should be noted that the maximum dose per year is weighted, contrary to all other cases, against the NMSC action spectrum (taking account of effects of long term exposure). In Finland the maximum does per year is modified to 5 kJ.m-2 weighted against the erythema action spectrum.
| UV Type Appliance |
Total Effective Irradiance
(W.m-2) |
Effective Irradiance 280-320nm
(W.m-2) |
Effective Irradiance 320-400nm
(W.m-2) |
Effective Irradiance 200-280nm
(W.m-2) |
| 2 | 0.7 | 0.001- 0.15 0.007 < UVB/UVT <0.03 |
≥0.15 |
0.003 Peak spectral irradiance 1.0 x 10-5 W.m-2.nm-1 |
| 3 |
≥0.15 0.007 < UVB/UVT <0.03 |
<0.15 | 0.003 |
In the USA, CFR 1040.20 defines also a limit for the (200-260nm)/ (260-320nm) short wavelength irradiance ratio, 0.003 for all types.
Furthermore, according to clause 7:-
UV appliances intended for commercial use, such as in tanning salons, shall be marked "not for household use".
Appliances having fluorescent UV lamps shall be marked with the fluorescent UV lamp equivalency code in accordance with IEC 61228.
Appliances having a luminance exceeding 100 000 cd.m-2 shall be marked with the substance of the following:
WARNING: Intense light, Do not stare at the emitter.