The newest in the series of Z136 standards, ANSI Z136.8, American National Standard for Safe Use of Lasers in Research, Development, or Testing, has arrived in response to the requirements of yet another rapidly growing area of laser use.

In what will be Laser Institute of America's latest offering in a range of vital resources for laser personnel, the ANSI Z136.8 standard arose from the increasing reliance on lasers in labs and other research-designated areas.

Highlights of the standard include guidance on a number of topics vital to R&D and testing users. These include the use of alignment eyewear, use of non-certified lasers, export controls, use of warning signs, the inclusion of sample audit forms for labs and program reviews, and deletion of some CDRH-based control measures.

Z136.8 was crafted to distinguish it from the parent ANSI Z136.1 document by detailing different laser-use locations, as well as noting two additional hazard analysis areas - beam path and beam interaction.

Please note: an appendix to this publication contains a reference to a location on the FDA website that is no longer valid. Please visit this location instead: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?FR=1040.10