ISO 11810-1:2005 is applicable to disposable and reusable, as well as woven and non-woven materials used as surgical drapes and other patient protective covers which claim to be laser resistant.

The purpose of ISO 11810-1:2005 is to provide a standardized method for testing and classifying surgical drapes and other patient protective covers with respect to laser-induced hazards. An appropriate classification system is given. It is not the purpose of ISO 11810-1:2005 to serve as a general fire safety specification, and as such, this standard does not cover other sources of ignition. It also does not cover the issue of laser-induced secondary ignition.

All materials reflect portions of the beam and it is necessary for the user to decide whether specular reflectance may be a hazard. This measurement, however, is not covered in ISO 11810-1:2005.