On August 28, 2026, Han's Laser Smart Equipment Group Co., Ltd., announced the official publication of ISO 11553-2:2026, Safety of Machinery — Laser Processing Machines — Part 2: Safety Requirements for Hand-Held or Hand-Operated Laser Processing Machines.
Led by Han's Laser Smart Equipment Group, the standard is the first international safety standard for complete laser processing equipment developed under the ISO/IEC system with China taking the leading role. Its publication marks an important milestone in China’s laser industry and demonstrates the country’s growing contribution to global technical governance.
Establishing a New Safety Benchmark
Hand-held laser welding, laser cleaning and other laser processing systems have become some of the fastest-growing products in the laser industry. With equipment power reaching the kilowatt range and applications expanding across sheet metal fabrication, hardware manufacturing and machinery production, these systems are being adopted by an increasing number of manufacturers worldwide.
Unlike fixed laser systems, hand-held equipment operates in changing environments, creating additional risks related to unintended exposure and reflected laser radiation. Existing requirements developed nearly two decades ago are no longer fully suited to current technologies and applications.
ISO 11553-2:2026 responds to these challenges by emphasizing safety by design. It provides requirements covering risk assessment, safety functions, protective measures, control systems and information for use. The standard makes clear that manufacturers should prioritize inherent equipment safety rather than relying solely on operator training or personal protective equipment.
By creating a common technical framework, the standard supports more consistent safety practices among manufacturers, users, conformity assessment bodies and regulators. It also provides a valuable technical reference for market access and export compliance.
Seven Years of International Collaboration
The project was led by China, with Mr. Feng Jianguo, an expert from Han's Laser Smart Equipment Group, serving as project leader. Experts from Germany, the United Kingdom, the United States and other countries participated in its development.
The project took seven years to complete and involved more than 100 international meetings. It successfully passed 2 IEC ballot reviews, 2 ISO ballot reviews, 3 CEN ballot reviews and 2 reviews concerning compliance with the European Union Machinery Regulation framework. The project team also addressed international patent-related objections through extensive technical coordination and international cooperation.
On December 27, 2019, the domestic kick-off meeting for the ISO 11553-2 project was held at Han's Laser.
A Long-Term Commitment to Standardization
Since 2008, Han's Laser Smart Equipment Group has undertaken the secretariat responsibilities of the Subcommittee on Laser Material Processing and Laser Equipment under the National Technical Committee on Radiation Safety and Laser Equipment Standardization, SAC/TC 284/SC 1.
The Group has led or participated in the development of more than 20 national and industry standards and has now successfully led the development of one international standard. It has also received recognition as a Guangdong Standardization Leading Enterprise for its contribution to industry standardization.
Supporting Global Market Expansion
China is now one of the world’s major manufacturing bases and supply markets for hand-held laser processing equipment. The publication of ISO 11553-2:2026 provides an important international reference for product safety upgrades, export compliance and the alignment of domestic standards.
For global customers, the standard highlights the increasing importance of safety, compliance and standardization alongside processing performance and productivity. It supports the industry’s transition from simply exporting products to delivering safe, compliant and globally aligned laser processing solutions.
Han's Laser will continue to contribute to international standardization, promote safety-by-design principles and support the development of the laser equipment industry toward a more standardized, safer and higher-value future.
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