Directive 2006/25/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of  5 April 2006  on the minimum health and safety requirements regarding the exposure of workers to risks arising from physical agents (artificial optical radiation) (19th individual Directive within the meaning of Article 16(1) of Directive 89/391/EEC)
Date: 2006-04-05
Institutions: Council of the European Union, European Parliament
Subjects: labour standard, non-ionising radiation, occupational safety

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DIRECTIVE 2006/25/EC OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL

of 5 April 2006

on the minimum health and safety requirements regarding the exposure of workers to risks
arising from physical agents (artificial optical radiation) (19th individual Directive within the
meaning of Article 16(1) of Directive 89/391/EEC)

THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE
EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European
Community, and in particular Article 137(2) thereof,

from the Commission (1),
Having regard to the proposal
presented after consultation with the Advisory Committee on
Safety and Health at Work,

Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and
Social Committee (2),

After consulting the Committee of the Regions,

Acting in accordance with the procedure laid down in
Article 251 of the Treaty (3),
in the light of the joint text
approved by the Conciliation Committee on 31 January 2006,

Whereas:

(2) The communication from the Commission concerning
its action programme relating to the implementation of
the Community Charter of
the Fundamental Social
Rights of Workers provides for the introduction of
minimum health and safety requirements regarding the
exposure of workers to the risks caused by physical
In September 1990 the European Parliament
agents.
adopted a Resolution concerning this action pro-
gramme (4),
inviting the Commission in particular to
draw up a specific directive on the risks caused by noise,
vibration and any other physical agents at the workplace.

(3) As a first step, the European Parliament and the Council
adopted Directive 2002/44/EC of 25 June 2002 on the
minimum health and safety requirements regarding the
exposure of workers to the risks arising from physical
agents (vibration) (16th individual Directive within the
meaning of Article 16(1) of Directive 89/391/EEC) (5).
Next, on 6 February 2003 the European Parliament and
the Council adopted Directive 2003/10/EC on the
minimum health and safety requirements regarding the
exposure of workers to the risks arising from physical
agents (noise)
(17th individual Directive within the
meaning of Article 16(1) of Directive 89/391/EEC) (6).
Thereafter, on 29 April 2004, the European Parliament
and the Council adopted Directive 2004/40/EC on the
minimum health and safety requirements regarding the
exposure of workers to the risks arising from physical
agents (electromagnetic fields) (18th individual Directive
within the meaning of Article 16(1) of Directive 89/391/
EEC) (7).

(1) Under

the Treaty the Council may, by means of
directives, adopt minimum requirements for encouraging
improvements, especially in the working environment, to
guarantee a better level of protection of the health and
safety of workers. Such directives are to avoid imposing
administrative, financial and legal constraints in a way
which would hold back the creation and development of
small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

(4)

It is now considered necessary to introduce measures
protecting workers from the risks associated with optical
radiation, owing to its effects on the health and safety of
workers, in particular damage to the eyes and to the skin.
These measures are intended not only to ensure the
health and safety of each worker on an individual basis,
but also to create a minimum basis of protection for all
Community workers, in order to avoid possible distor-
tions of competition.

(1) OJ C 77, 18.3.1993, p. 12 and OJ C 230, 19.8.1994, p. 3.
(2) OJ C 249, 13.9.1993, p. 28.
(3) Opinion of the European Parliament of 20 April 1994 (OJ
C 128, 9.5.1994, p. 146) confirmed on 16 September 1999 (OJ
C 54, 25.2.2000, p. 75), Council Common Position of 18 April
2005 (OJ C 172 E , 12.7.2005, p. 26) and Position of the
European Parliament of 16 November 2005 (not yet published
in the Official
Journal), European Parliament Legislative
Resolution of 14 February 2006 (not yet published in the
Official Journal) and Decision of the Council of 23 February
2006.

(5) One of the aims of this Directive is the timely detection
of adverse health effects resulting from exposure to
optical radiation.

(4) OJ C 260, 15.10.1990, p. 167.
(5) OJ L 177, 6.7.2002, p. 13.
(6) OJ L 42, 15.2.2003, p. 38.
(7) OJ L 159, 30.4. 2004, p. 1. Directive as corrected in OJ L 184,

24.5.2004, p. 1.

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(6) This Directive lays down minimum requirements, thus
giving Member States the option of maintaining or
adopting more stringent provisions for the protection of
workers, in particular the fixing of lower exposure limit
values. The implementation of this Directive must not
serve to justify any deterioration in the situation which
already prevails in each Member State.

(7) A system of protection against the hazards of optical
free of
itself
radiation should limit
excessive detail, of the objectives to be attained, the
principles to be observed and the basic values to be
applied, in order to enable Member States to apply the
minimum requirements in an equivalent manner.

to a definition,

(8) The level of exposure to optical radiation can be more
effectively reduced by incorporating preventive measures
into the design of workstations and by selecting work
equipment, procedures and methods so as to give
priority to reducing the risks at source. Provisions
relating to work equipment and methods thus contribute
to the protection of the workers involved. In accordance
with the general principles of prevention as laid down in
Article 6(2) of Council Directive 89/391/EEC of 12 June
1989 on the introduction of measures to encourage
improvements in the safety and health of workers at
work (1), collective protection measures have priority
over individual protection measures.

(9)

Employers should make adjustments in the light of
technical progress and scientific knowledge regarding
risks related to exposure to optical radiation, with a view
to improving the safety and health protection of workers.

(10) Since this Directive is an individual directive within the
meaning of Article 16(1) of Directive 89/391/EEC, that
Directive applies to the exposure of workers to optical
radiation, without prejudice to more stringent and/or
specific provisions contained in this Directive.

(11) This Directive constitutes a practical

step towards

creating the social dimension of the internal market.

(12) A complementary approach that both promotes the
principle of better regulation and ensures a high level of
protection can be achieved where the products made by
the manufacturers of optical
radiation sources and
associated equipment comply with harmonised standards
devised to protect the health and safety of users from the
hazards inherent in such products; accordingly, it is not
necessary for employers to repeat the measurements or
calculations already undertaken by the manufacturer to
determine compliance with the essential safety require-
ments of such equipment as specified in the applicable
Community Directives, provided that the equipment has
been properly and regularly maintained.

(13) The measures necessary for the implementation of this
Directive should be adopted in accordance with Council
Decision 1999/468/EC of 28 June 1999 laying down the
procedures for the exercise of
implementing powers
conferred on the Commission (2).

(14) Adherence to the exposure limit values should provide a
high level of protection as regards the health effects that
may result from exposure to optical radiation.

(15) The Commission should draw up a practical guide to
help employers, in particular managers of SMEs, better to
understand the technical provisions of this Directive. The
Commission should strive to complete this guide as
quickly as possible so as to facilitate adoption by the
Member States of the measures necessary to implement
this Directive.

(16)

In accordance with paragraph 34 of the Interinstitutional
Agreement on better law-making (3), Member States are
for themselves and in the
encouraged to draw up,
interests of the Community, their own tables illustrating,
as far as possible, the correlation between this Directive
and the transposition measures, and to make them
public,

HAVE ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE:

SECTION I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1

Aim and scope

1. This Directive, which is the 19th individual Directive
within the meaning of Article 16(l) of Directive 89/391/EEC,
lays down minimum requirements for the protection of
workers from risks to their health and safety arising or likely
to arise from exposure to artificial optical radiation during
their work.

2. This Directive refers to the risk to the health and safety of
workers due to adverse effects caused by exposure to artificial
optical radiation to the eyes and to the skin.

(1) OJ L 183, 29.6.1989, p. 1. Directive as amended by Regulation
(EC) No 1882/2003 of the European Parliament and of the
Council (OJ L 284, 31.10.2003, p. 1).

(2) OJ L 184, 17.7.1999, p. 23.
(3) OJ C 321, 31.12.2003, p. 1.

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3. Directive 89/391/EEC shall apply fully to the whole area
referred to in paragraph 1, without prejudice to more stringent
and/or more specific provisions contained in this Directive.

(g)

radiant exposure (H): the time integral of the irradiance,
expressed in joules per square metre (J m-2);

Article 2

Definitions

(h)

radiance (L): the radiant flux or power output per unit
solid angle per unit area, expressed in watts per square
metre per steradian (W m—2 sr-1);

(i)

level: the combination of irradiance, radiant exposure
and radiance to which a worker is exposed.

For the purposes of this Directive, the following definitions
shall apply:

(a)

optical radiation: any electromagnetic radiation in the
wavelength range between 100 nm and 1 mm. The
spectrum of optical radiation is divided into ultraviolet
radiation, visible radiation and infrared radiation:

(i)

ultraviolet radiation: optical radiation of wavelength
range between 100 nm and 400 nm. The ultraviolet
region is divided into UVA (315-400 nm),
UVB (280-315 nm) and UVC (100-280 nm);

(ii)

visible radiation: optical radiation of wavelength
range between 380 nm and 780 nm;

(iii)

infrared radiation: optical radiation of wavelength
range between 780 nm and 1 mm. The infrared
region is divided into IRA (780-1 400 nm), IRB
(1 400-3 000 nm) and IRC (3 000 nm-1 mm);

(b)

laser
(light amplification by stimulated emission of
radiation): any device which can be made to produce
or amplify electromagnetic radiation in the optical
radiation wavelength range primarily by the process of
controlled stimulated emission;

(c)

laser radiation: optical radiation from a laser;

(d) non-coherent radiation: any optical radiation other than

laser radiation;

(e)

limits on exposure to optical
exposure limit values:
radiation which are based directly on established health
effects and biological considerations. Compliance with
these limits will ensure that workers exposed to artificial
sources of optical radiation are protected against all
known adverse health effects;

(f)

irradiance (E) or power density:
the radiant power
incident per unit area upon a surface expressed in watts
per square metre (W m-2);

Article 3

Exposure limit values

1. The exposure limit values for non-coherent radiation,
other than that emitted by natural sources of optical radiation,
are as set out in Annex I.

2. The exposure limit values for laser radiation are as set out
in Annex II.

SECTION II

OBLIGATIONS OF EMPLOYERS

Article 4

Determination of exposure and assessment of risks

In carrying out the obligations laid down in Articles 6(3)
1.
and 9(1) of Directive 89/391/EEC, the employer, in the case of
workers exposed to artificial sources of optical radiation, shall
assess and, if necessary, measure and/or calculate the levels of
exposure to optical radiation to which workers are likely to be
exposed so that the measures needed to restrict exposure to
the applicable limits can be identified and put into effect. The
methodology applied in assessment, measurement and/or
calculations shall follow the standards of the International
Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) in respect of laser radiation
and the recommendations of the International Commission
on Illumination (CIE) and the European Committee for
Standardisation (CEN) in respect of non-coherent radiation.
In exposure situations which are not covered by these
standards and recommendations, and until appropriate EU
standards or recommendations become available, assessment,
measurement and/or calculations shall be carried out using
available national or international science-based guidelines. In
both exposure situations, the assessment may take account of
data provided by the manufacturers of the equipment when it
is covered by relevant Community Directives.

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and/or

assessment, measurement

calculations
2. The
referred to in paragraph 1 shall be planned and carried out
by competent services or persons at suitable intervals, taking
particular account of the provisions of Articles 7 and 11 of
Directive 89/391/EEC concerning the necessary competent
services or persons and the consultation and participation of
workers. The data obtained from the assessment, including
those obtained from the measurement and/or calculation of
the level of exposure referred to in paragraph 1 shall be
preserved in a suitable form so as to permit their consultation
at a later stage.

4. The employer shall be in possession of an assessment of
the risk in accordance with Article 9(1)(a) of Directive 89/391/
EEC and shall
identify which measures must be taken in
accordance with Articles 5 and 6 of this Directive. The risk
assessment shall be recorded on a suitable medium, according
to national law and practice; it may include a justification by
the employer that the nature and extent of the risks related to
optical radiation make a further, detailed risk assessment
unnecessary. The risk assessment shall be updated on a regular
basis, particularly if there have been significant changes which
the results of health
could render it out of date, or if
surveillance show it to be necessary.

3.
Pursuant to Article 6(3) of Directive 89/391/EEC, the
employer shall give particular attention, when carrying out the
risk assessment, to the following:

Article 5

Provisions aimed at avoiding or reducing risks

(a)

the level, wavelength range and duration of exposure to
artificial sources of optical radiation;

(b)

the exposure limit values referred to in Article 3 of this
Directive;

(c)

any effects concerning the health and safety of workers
belonging to particularly sensitive risk groups;

(d)

any possible effects on workers’ health and safety
resulting from workplace interactions between optical
radiation and photosensitising chemical substances;

1. Taking account of
the
availability of measures to control the risk at source, the risks
arising from exposure to artificial optical radiation shall be
eliminated or reduced to a minimum.

technical progress

and of

The reduction of risks arising from exposure to artificial
optical radiation shall be based on the general principles of
prevention set out in Directive 89/391/EEC.

2. Where the risk assessment carried out in accordance with
Article 4(1) for workers exposed to artificial sources of optical
radiation indicates any possibility that the exposure limit
the employer shall devise and
values may be exceeded,
implement an action plan comprising technical and/or
organisational measures designed to prevent the exposure
exceeding the limit values, taking into account in particular:

(e)

any indirect effects such as temporary blinding, explosion
or fire;

(a)

other working methods that reduce the risk from optical
radiation;

(f)

the existence of replacement equipment designed to
reduce the levels of exposure to artificial optical
radiation;

(b)

the choice of equipment emitting less optical radiation,
taking account of the work to be done;

(g)

appropriate information obtained from health surveil-
lance, including published information, as far as possible;

(h) multiple sources of exposure to artificial optical radia-

tion;

a classification applied to a laser as defined in accordance
with the relevant IEC standard and, in relation to any
artificial source likely to cause damage similar to that of a
laser of class 3B or 4, any similar classification;

(i)

(j)

(c)

technical measures to reduce the emission of optical
radiation including, where necessary, the use of inter-
locks, shielding or similar health protection mechanisms;

(d)

appropriate maintenance programmes for work equip-
ment, workplaces and workstation systems;

(e)

the design and layout of workplaces and workstations;

(f)

limitation of the duration and level of the exposure;

(g)

the availability of appropriate personal protective equip-
ment;

information provided by the manufacturers of optical
in
radiation sources and associated work equipment
accordance with the relevant Community Directives.

(h)

the instructions of the manufacturer of the equipment
where it is covered by relevant Community Directives.

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the risk assessment carried out

in
3. On the basis of
accordance with Article 4, workplaces where workers could be
exposed to levels of optical radiation from artificial sources
exceeding the exposure limit values shall be indicated by
appropriate signs in accordance with Council Directive 92/58/
EEC of 24 June 1992 on the minimum requirements for the
provision of safety and/or health signs at work (9th individual
Directive within the meaning of Article 16(1) of Directive 89/
391/EEC) (1). The areas in question shall be identified, and
access to them limited where this is technically possible and
where there is a risk that the exposure limit values could be
exceeded.

4. Workers shall not be exposed above the exposure limit
values. In any event, if, despite the measures taken by the
employer to comply with this Directive in respect of artificial
sources of optical radiation, the exposure limit values are
exceeded, the employer shall take immediate action to reduce
exposure below the exposure limit values. The employer shall
identify the reasons why the exposure limit values have been
exceeded and shall adapt
the protection and prevention
measures accordingly in order to prevent them being exceeded
again.

Pursuant

to Article 15 of Directive 89/391/EEC,

5.
the
employer shall adapt the measures referred to in this Article to
the requirements of workers belonging to particularly sensitive
risk groups.

Article 6

Worker information and training

Without prejudice to Articles 10 and 12 of Directive 89/391/
EEC, the employer shall ensure that workers who are exposed
to risks from artificial optical radiation at work and/or their
representatives receive any necessary information and training
relating to the outcome of the risk assessment provided for in
Article 4 of this Directive, concerning in particular:

(a) measures taken to implement this Directive;

(b)

the exposure limit values and the associated potential
risks;

(c)

the results of
the assessment, measurement and/or
calculations of the levels of exposure to artificial optical
radiation carried out in accordance with Article 4 of this
Directive together with an explanation of their signifi-
cance and potential risks;

(d) how to detect adverse health effects of exposure and how

to report them;

(e)

the circumstances in which workers are entitled to health
surveillance;

(1) OJ L 245, 26.8.1992, p. 23.

(f)

safe working practices to minimise risks from exposure;

(g) proper use of appropriate personal protective equipment.

Article 7

Consultation and participation of workers

Consultation and participation of workers and/or of their
representatives shall take place in accordance with Article 11
of Directive 89/391/EEC on the matters covered by this
Directive.

SECTION III

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Article 8

Health surveillance

1. With the objectives of
the prevention and timely
detection of any adverse health effects, as well as the
prevention of any long-term health risks and any risk of
chronic diseases, resulting from exposure to optical radiation,
Member States shall adopt provisions to ensure appropriate
health surveillance of workers pursuant
to Article 14 of
Directive 89/391/EEC.

2. Member States shall ensure that health surveillance is
carried out by a doctor, an occupational health professional or
a medical authority responsible for health surveillance in
accordance with national law and practice.

3. Member States shall establish arrangements to ensure
that, for each worker who undergoes health surveillance in
accordance with paragraph 1, individual health records are
made and kept up to date. Health records shall contain a
summary of the results of the health surveillance carried out.
in a suitable form so as to permit
They shall be kept
consultation at a later date,
taking into account any
confidentiality. Copies of the appropriate records shall be
supplied to the competent authority on request, taking into
account any confidentiality. The employer shall take appro-
priate measures to ensure that the doctor, the occupational
health professional or the medical authority responsible for
the health surveillance, as determined by Member States as
appropriate, has access to the results of the risk assessment
referred to in Article 4 where such results may be relevant to
their
the health surveillance.
request, have access to their own personal health records.

Individual workers shall, at

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In any event, where exposure above the limit values is
4.
detected, a medical examination shall be made available to the
worker(s) concerned in accordance with national
law and
practice. This medical examination shall also be carried out
where, as a result of health surveillance, a worker is found to
have an identifiable disease or adverse health effect which is
considered by a doctor or occupational health professional to
be the result of exposure to artificial optical radiation at work.
In both cases, when limit values are exceeded or adverse health
effects (including diseases) are identified:

(a)

the worker shall be informed by the doctor or other
suitably qualified person of the result which relates to
him personally. He shall, in particular, receive informa-
tion and advice regarding any health surveillance which
he should undergo following the end of exposure;

(b)

the employer shall be informed of any significant
findings of the health surveillance, taking into account
any medical confidentiality;

(c)

the employer shall:

— review the risk assessment carried out pursuant to

Article 4,

— review the measures provided for to eliminate or

reduce risks pursuant to Article 5,

— take into account the advice of the occupational
health professional or other
suitably qualified
person or the competent authority in implementing
any measure required to eliminate or reduce risk in
accordance with Article 5, and

— arrange continued health surveillance and provide
for a review of the health status of any other worker
who has been similarly exposed. In such cases, the
competent doctor or occupational health profes-
sional or the competent authority may propose that
the exposed persons undergo a medical examina-
tion.

Article 9

Penalties

Member States shall provide for adequate penalties to be
applicable in the event of
the national
legislation adopted pursuant to this Directive. These penalties
must be effective, proportionate and dissuasive.

infringement of

Article 10

Technical amendments

1. Any modification of the exposure limit values set out in
the Annexes shall be adopted by the European Parliament and
the Council in accordance with the procedure laid down in
Article 137(2) of the Treaty.

2. Amendments to the Annexes of a strictly technical nature
in line with:

(a)

(b)

the adoption of Directives in the field of
technical
harmonisation and standardisation with regard to the
design, building, manufacture or construction of work
equipment and/or workplaces;

changes

technical progress,
relevant
harmonised European standards or international speci-
fications, and new scientific findings concerning occupa-
tional exposure to optical radiation,

in the most

shall be adopted in accordance with the procedure laid down
in Article 11(2).

Article 11

Committee

1. The Commission shall be assisted by the Committee
referred to in Article 17 of Directive 89/391/EEC.

2. Where reference is made to this paragraph, Articles 5 and
7 of Decision 1999/468/EC shall apply, having regard to the
provisions of Article 8 thereof.

The period laid down in Article 5(6) of Decision 1999/468/EC
shall be set at three months.

3. The Committee shall adopt its rules of procedure.

SECTION IV

FINAL PROVISIONS

Article 12

Reports

Every five years Member States shall provide the Commission
with a report on the practical
this
Directive, indicating the points of view of the social partners.

implementation of

Every five years the Commission shall inform the European
Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social
Committee and the Advisory Committee on Safety and Health
at Work of the content of these reports, of its assessment of
these reports, of developments in the field in question and of
any action that may be warranted in the light of new scientific
knowledge.

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Article 13

Practical guide

2. Member States shall communicate to the Commission the
text of the provisions of national law which they adopt or
have already adopted in the field covered by this Directive.

In order to facilitate implementation of this Directive the
Commission shall draw up a practical guide to the provisions
of Articles 4 and 5 and Annexes I and II.

Article 15

Entry into force

Article 14

Transposition

1. Member States shall bring into force the laws, regulations
and administrative provisions necessary to comply with this
Directive by 27 April 2010. They shall forthwith inform the
Commission thereof.

This Directive shall enter
publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

into force on the day of

its

Article 16

Addressees

This Directive is addressed to the Member States.

Done at Strasbourg, 5 April 2006.

When Member States adopt these measures, they shall contain
a reference to this Directive or shall be accompanied by such
reference on the occasion of their official publication. The
methods of making such reference shall be laid down by
Member States.

For the European Parliament

For the Council

The President

The President

J. BORRELL FONTELLES

H. WINKLER

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ANNEX I

Non-coherent optical radiation

The biophysically relevant exposure values to optical radiation can be determined with the formulae below. The
formulae to be used depend on the range of radiation emitted by the source and the results should be compared with
the corresponding exposure limit values indicated in Table 1.1. More than one exposure value and corresponding
exposure limit can be relevant for a given source of optical radiation.

Numbering (a) to (o) refers to corresponding rows of Table 1.1.

t

H = ∫

eff

=λ

400
(E
λ

nm

.
(S)t,

.
d)

λ

λ

.

λ

td

(Heff is only relevant in the range 180 to 400 nm)

∫

(a)

(b)

(c), (d)

(e), (f)

0

=λ

180

nm

H 

UVA

  =  

t

∫

0

λ = 400  nm

∫ E 

λ 

(λ, t) . dλ . dt

λ = 315  nm

λ = 700 nm

LB =            Lλ (λ) . B(λ) . dλ

∫

λ = 300 nm

=λ

700 nm

E

B

=

.
λd)λ(B)λλ (E

.

∫

λ

= 300 nm

(g) to (l)

L

 = 
R

λ2
∫

λ

1

L

λ

(λ)

.

R

(λ)

.

dλ

(m), (n)

E

IR

=

=λ

∫

3000
E

λ

nm 
(λ 

dλ)
⋅

=λ

780

nm 

(o)

H

skin

=

t

∫

0

=λ

∫

3000
E

λ

nm 
(λ 

=λ

380

nm 

dλ)t,
⋅

⋅

dt

(HUVA is only relevant in the range 315 to 400 nm)

(LB is only relevant in the range 300 to 700 nm)

(EB is only relevant in the range 300 to 700 nm)

(See Table 1.1 for appropriate values of λ

1 and λ

2)

(EIR is only relevant in the range 780 to 3 000 nm)

(Hskin is only relevant in the range 380 to 3 000 nm)

For the purposes of this Directive, the formulae above can be replaced by the following expressions and the use of
discrete values as set out in the following tables:

(a)

(b)

λ = 400 nm

Eeff   =           ∑ Eλ  ⋅  S(λ)  ⋅  ∆λ

λ = 180 nm

λ = 400 nm

E

UVA

  =            ∑  Eλ  ⋅  ∆λ   

λ = 315 nm

and Heff ¼ Eeff · Δt

and HUVA ¼ EUVA· Δt

λ

(c), (d)

L

B =

=

700

nm
∑ λ
L

.

(B

λ)

.

∆λ

=λ

300

nm

(e), (f)

λ

=

E

B

=

700

∑

nm
.
(BE
λ

.
λ ∆
)

λ

λ

=

300

nm

(g) to (l)

L 

  = 
R

λ
2

λ ∑
L 

. R(λ) . ∆λ

λ
1

λ

=

3 000   
nm
∑ λ
E

.

λ∆

λ

=

780

nm

(m), (n)

E

IR

=

(See Table 1.1 for appropriate values of λ

1 and λ

2)

 
 
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  λ = 3 000 nm

Eskin  =     ∑  Eλ  ⋅  ∆λ

λ = 380 nm

(o)

Notes:

and Hskin

¼ Eskin· Δt

Eλ (λ,t), Eλ spectral

irradiance or spectral power density: the radiant power incident per unit area upon a surface,
expressed in watts per square metre per nanometre [W m-2 nm-1]; values of Eλ (λ, t) and Eλ come from
measurements or may be provided by the manufacturer of the equipment;

Eeff

H

Heff

EUVA

HUVA

S (λ)

t, Δt

λ

Δ λ

effective irradiance (UV range): calculated irradiance within the UV wavelength range 180 to 400 nm
spectrally weighted by S (λ), expressed in watts per square metre [W m-2];

radiant exposure: the time integral of the irradiance, expressed in joules per square metre [J m-2];

effective radiant exposure: radiant exposure spectrally weighted by S (λ), expressed in joules per square metre
[J m- 2];

total irradiance (UVA): calculated irradiance within the UVA wavelength range 315 to 400 nm, expressed in
watts per square metre [W m-2];

radiant exposure: the time and wavelength integral or sum of the irradiance within the UVA wavelength
range 315 to 400 nm, expressed in joules per square metre [J m-2];

spectral weighting taking into account the wavelength dependence of the health effects of UV radiation on
eye and skin, (Table 1.2) [dimensionless];

time, duration of the exposure, expressed in seconds [s];

wavelength, expressed in nanometres [nm];

bandwidth, expressed in nanometres [nm], of the calculation or measurement intervals;

Lλ (λ), Lλ

spectral radiance of the source expressed in watts per square metre per steradian per nanometre [W m- 2 sr -1
nm-1];

R (λ)

LR

B (λ)

LB

EB

EIR

Eskin

Hskin

α

spectral weighting taking into account the wavelength dependence of the thermal injury caused to the eye
by visible and IRA radiation (Table 1.3) [dimensionless];

effective radiance (thermal injury): calculated radiance spectrally weighted by R (λ) expressed in watts per
square metre per steradian [W m- 2 sr –1];

spectral weighting taking into account the wavelength dependence of the photochemical injury caused to
the eye by blue light radiation (Table 1.3) [dimensionless];

effective radiance (blue light): calculated radiance spectrally weighted by B (λ), expressed in watts per square
metre per steradian [W m- 2 sr –1];

effective irradiance (blue light): calculated irradiance spectrally weighted by B (λ) expressed in watts per
square metre [W m- 2];

total irradiance (thermal injury): calculated irradiance within the infrared wavelength range 780 nm to
3 000 nm expressed in watts per square metre [W m-2];

total irradiance (visible, IRA and IRB): calculated irradiance within the visible and infrared wavelength range
380 nm to 3 000 nm, expressed in watts per square metre [W m-2];

radiant exposure: the time and wavelength integral or sum of the irradiance within the visible and infrared
wavelength range 380 to 3 000 nm, expressed in joules per square metre (J m-2);

angular subtense: the angle subtended by an apparent source, as viewed at a point in space, expressed in
milliradians (mrad). Apparent source is the real or virtual object that forms the smallest possible retinal
image.

27.4.2006

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 114/47

s
i
t
i
t
a
r
e
k
o
t
o
h
p

s
i
t
i
v
i
t
c
n
u
n
o
c

j

s
i
s
e
n
e
g
o
t
c
a
r
a
t
a
c

a
m
e
h
t
y
r
e

s
i
s
o
t
s
a
l
e

r
e
c
n
a
c

i

n
k
s

a
v
i
t
c
n
u
n
o
c

j

a
e
n
r
o
c

e
y
e

s
n
e
l

i

n
k
s

s
i
s
e
n
e
g
o
t
c
a
r
a
t
a
c

s
n
e
l

e
y
e

1
1

.

e
l
b
a
T

n
o
i
t
a
i
d
a
r

l
a
c
i
t
p
o

t
n
e
r
e
h
o
c
-
n
o
n

r
o
f

s
e
u
l
a
v

t
i

m

i
l

e
r
u
s
o
p
x
E

d
r
a
z
a
H

y
d
o
b

e
h
t

f
o

t
r
a
P

t
n
e
m
m
o
C

s
t
i
n
U

e
u
l
a
v

t
i

m

i
l

e
r
u
s
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p
x
E

m
n

h
t
g
n
e
l
e
v
a

W

x
e
d
n
I

]
2
-

m

J
[

0
3

=

f
f
e

H

0
0
4
-
0
8
1

.
a

s
r
u
o
h

8

e
u
l
a
v

y
l
i
a
D

)

C
V
U

d
n
a

B
V
U

,

A
V
U

(

s
i
t
i
n
i
t
e
r
o
t
o
h
p

a
n
i
t
e
r

e
y
e

d
a
r
m
1
1

<

α

r
o
f

2

e
t
o
n

e
e
s

]
2
-

m
W

[

:
B
E

]
s
d
n
o
c
e
s
[

:
t

]
2
-

m
W

[

d
a
r
m
1
1

≥

α

r
o
f

]
1
-
r
s

2
-

m
W

[
:

B
L

]
s
d
n
o
c
e
s
[

:
t

]
1
-
r
s

2
-

m
W

[

s

0
0
0
0
1

≤

t

r
o
f

6
0
1

t

¼

B
L

s

0
0
0
0
1

>

t

r
o
f

0
0
1

=

B
L

s

0
0
0
0
1

≤

t

r
o
f

0
0
1

t

¼

B
E

s

0
0
0

0
1
>

t

1
0
0

,

=

B
E

1

e
t
o
n

e
e
s

)
t
h
g
i
l

e
u
B

l

(

0
0
7
-
0
0
3

)
t
h
g
i
l

e
u
B

l

(

1

e
t
o
n

e
e
s

0
0
7
-
0
0
3

)
t
h
g
i
l

e
u
B

l

(

1

e
t
o
n

e
e
s

0
0
7
-
0
0
3

)
t
h
g
i
l

e
u
B

l

(

1

e
t
o
n

e
e
s

0
0
7
-
0
0
3

]
2
-

m

J
[

s
r
u
o
h

8

e
u
l
a
v

y
l
i
a
D

4
0
1

=

A
V
U
H

0
0
4
-
5
1
3

)

A
V
U

(

.

b

.
c

.

d

.
e

.
f

L 114/48

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

27.4.2006

n
r
u
b

l
a
n
i
t
e
r

a
n
i
t
e
r

e
y
e

d
a
r
m
7
1

,

≤

α

d
a
r
m
0
0
1

≤

α

≤

d
a
r
m
0
0
1

>

α

,

7
r 1
o
f

α

=

α
C

r
o
f

0
0
1

=

α
C

0
0
4
1

=
2

λ

;

0
8
3

=
1

λ

]
1
-
r
s

2
-

m
W

[
:
R
L

]
s
d
n
o
c
e
s
[

:
t

r
o
f

7
1

,

=

α
C

]
1
-
r
s

2
-

m
W

[

7
0
1

·

8
2

,

α
C

¼
R
L

s

0
1
>

t

r
o
f

s

0
1

≤

t

≤

s

μ

0
1

r
o
f

7
0
1

·

5

,

5
2
0
t
α
C

¼
R
L

)

A
R

I

d
n
a

e
l
b
i
s
i
V

(

0
0
4
1
-
0
8
3

)

A
R

I

d
n
a

e
l
b
i
s
i
V

(

0
0
4
1
-
0
8
3

d
r
a
z
a
H

y
d
o
b

e
h
t

f
o

t
r
a
P

t
n
e
m
m
o
C

s
t
i
n
U

e
u
l
a
v

t
i

m

i
l

e
r
u
s
o
p
x
E

m
n

h
t
g
n
e
l
e
v
a

W

x
e
d
n
I

s
i
s
e
n
e
g
o
t
c
a
r
a
t
a
c

n
r
u
b

l
a
e
n
r
o
c

a
e
n
r
o
c

e
y
e

s
n
e
l

n
r
u
b

l
a
n
i
t
e
r

a
n
i
t
e
r

e
y
e

d
a
r
m
1
1

≤

α

d
a
r
m
0
0
1

≤

α

≤
1
1

d
a
r
m
0
0
1

>

α

:

w
e
i
v
-
f
o
-
d
l
e
i
f

t
n
e
m
e
r
u
s
a
e
m

(

0
0
4
1

=
2

λ

;

0
8
7

=
1

λ

)
d
a
r
m
1
1

r
o
f

0
0
1

=

α
C

r
o
f

α

=

α
C

r
o
f

1
1

=

α
C

]
1
-
r
s

2
-

m
W

[

]
1
-
r
s

2
-

m
W

[

8
0
1

·

9
8
8

,

¼
R
L

)

A
R

I

d
n
a

e
l
b
i
s
i
V

(

0
0
4
1
-
0
8
3

]
1
-
r
s

2
-

m
W

[

:
R
L

]
s
d
n
o
c
e
s
[

:
t

s

0
1

≤

t

≤

s

μ

0
1

r
o
f

7
0
1

·

5

,

5
2
0
t
α
C

¼
R
L

]
1
-
r
s

2
-

m
W

[

]
2
-

m
W

[

:

E

]
s
d
n
o
c
e
s
[

:
t

]
2
-

m
W

[

8
0
1

·

9
8
8

,

α
C

¼
R
L

s

μ

0
1

<

t

r
o
f

,

5
7
0
-
t

0
0
0
8
1

=

R
E

I

s

0
0
0
1

≤

t

r
o
f

s

0
0
0
1

>

t

r
o
f

0
0
1

=

R
E

I

α
C

s

μ

0
1
<

t

r
o
f

6
0
1

·

6

α
C

¼
R
L

s

0
1

>

t

r
o
f

0
0
4
1
-
0
8
7

)

A
R

I
(

0
0
4
1
-
0
8
7

)

A
R

I
(

0
0
4
1
-
0
8
7

)

A
R

I
(

)

B
R

I

d
n
a

A
R

I
(

0
0
0
3
-
0
8
7

)

B
R

I

d
n
a

A
R

I
(

0
0
0
3
-
0
8
7

.

g

.

h

.
i

.
j

.

k

.
l

.

m

.

n

27.4.2006

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 114/49

i

g
n
k
a
e
p
s

y
l
t
c
i
r
t
s

t
h
g
i
l

e
u
B

l

.

d
r
a
z
a
h

’

t
h
g
i
l

e
u
l
b

‘

s
a

o
t

d
e
r
r
e
f
e
r

y
l
n
o
m
m
o
c

s
i

d
r
a
z
a
h

d
e
t
a
i
c
o
s
s
a

e
h
t

,
r
e
v
e
w
o
h

;

n
o
i
t
a
i
d
a
r

e
l
b
i
s
i
v

f
o

t
s
o
m
d
n
a
A
V
U

l
l
a

,

B
V
U

f
o

s
t
r
a
p

s
r
e
v
o
c
m
n

0
0
7

o
t

0
0
3

f
o

e
g
n
a
r

e
h
T

:

1

e
t
o
N

.

m
n

0
9
4

o
t

0
0
4

y
l
e
t
a
m
i
x
o
r
p
p
a

f
o

e
g
n
a
r

e
h
t

y
l
n
o

s
r
e
v
o
c

d
r
a
z
a
H

y
d
o
b

e
h
t

f
o

t
r
a
P

t
n
e
m
m
o
C

s
t
i
n
U

e
u
l
a
v

t
i

m

i
l

e
r
u
s
o
p
x
E

m
n

h
t
g
n
e
l
e
v
a

W

x
e
d
n
I

n
r
u
b

i

n
k
s

]
s
d
n
o
c
e
s
[

:
t

]
2
-

m

J
[

:

H

5
2
0
t

,

0
0
0
0
2

=

i

n
k
s

H

s

0
1

<

t

r
o
f

A
R

I

,
e
l
b
i
s
i
V

(

0
0
0
3
-
0
8
3

)

B
R

I

d
n
a

.

o

g
n
i
r
u
d

e
y
e

d
e
z
i
l
i

b
a
t
s

a

r
o

s
t
n
e
m
u
r
t
s
n

i

c
i
m
l
a
h
t
h
p
o

r
o
f

y
l
n
o

s
e
i
l

p
p
a

y
l
l
a
m
r
o
n

s
i
h
T

.
B
E

o
t

d
e
t
r
e
v
n
o
c

e
b

n
a
c

B
L

,

d
a
r
m
1
1

<

e
s
n
e
t
b
u
s

r
a
l
u
g
n
a

n
a

h
t
i

w

s
e
c
r
u
o
s

l
l
a
m

s

.
s

0
0
1

d
e
e
c
x
e

t
o
n

s
e
o
d

s
i
h
t

s
k
s
a
t

l
a
u
s
i
v

l
a
m
r
o
n

g
n

i
r
u
d

s
t
n
e
m
e
v
o
m
e
y
e

o
t

e
u
D

.
2
-

m
W
n

i

d
e
s
s
e
r
p
x
e

B
E

h
t
i

w
B
E
/
0
0
1

=

x
a
m
t

:

y
b

d
n
u
o
f

s
i

’

e
m

i
t

e
r
a
t
s

‘

y
r
e
v

f
o

n
o
i
t
a
x
i
f

y
d
a
e
t
s

r
o
F

m
u
m
i
x
a
m
e
h
T

.
a
i
s
e
h
t
s
e
a
n
a

:

2

e
t
o
N

L 114/50

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

27.4.2006

λ in nm
372

373

374

375

376

377

378

379

380

381

382

383

384

385

386

387

388

389

390

391

392

393

394

395

396

397

398

399

400

S (λ)
0,000086

0,000083

0,000080

0,000077

0,000074

0,000072

0,000069

0,000066

0,000064

0,000062

0,000059

0,000057

0,000055

0,000053

0,000051

0,000049

0,000047

0,000046

0,000044

0,000042

0,000041

0,000039

0,000037

0,000036

0,000035

0,000033

0,000032

0,000031

0,000030

Table 1.2

S (λ) [dimensionless], 180 nm to 400 nm

λ in nm
180

S (λ)
0,0120

λ in nm
228

S (λ)
0,1737

λ in nm
276

S (λ)
0,9434

λ in nm
324

181

182

183

184

185

186

187

188

189

190

191

192

193

194

195

196

197

198

199

200

201

202

203

204

205

206

207

208

209

210

211

212

213

214

215

216

217

218

219

220

221

222

223

224

225

226

227

0,0126

0,0132

0,0138

0,0144

0,0151

0,0158

0,0166

0,0173

0,0181

0,0190

0,0199

0,0208

0,0218

0,0228

0,0239

0,0250

0,0262

0,0274

0,0287

0,0300

0,0334

0,0371

0,0412

0,0459

0,0510

0,0551

0,0595

0,0643

0,0694

0,0750

0,0786

0,0824

0,0864

0,0906

0,0950

0,0995

0,1043

0,1093

0,1145

0,1200

0,1257

0,1316

0,1378

0,1444

0,1500

0,1583

0,1658

229

230

231

232

233

234

235

236

237

238

239

240

241

242

243

244

245

246

247

248

249

250

251

252

253

254

255

256

257

258

259

260

261

262

263

264

265

266

267

268

269

270

271

272

273

274

275

0,1819

0,1900

0,1995

0,2089

0,2188

0,2292

0,2400

0,2510

0,2624

0,2744

0,2869

0,3000

0,3111

0,3227

0,3347

0,3471

0,3600

0,3730

0,3865

0,4005

0,4150

0,4300

0,4465

0,4637

0,4815

0,5000

0,5200

0,5437

0,5685

0,5945

0,6216

0,6500

0,6792

0,7098

0,7417

0,7751

0,8100

0,8449

0,8812

0,9192

0,9587

1,0000

0,9919

0,9838

0,9758

0,9679

0,9600

277

278

279

280

281

282

283

284

285

286

287

288

289

290

291

292

293

294

295

296

297

298

299

300

301

302

303

304

305

306

307

308

309

310

311

312

313

314

315

316

317

318

319

320

321

322

323

0,9272

0,9112

0,8954

0,8800

0,8568

0,8342

0,8122

0,7908

0,7700

0,7420

0,7151

0,6891

0,6641

0,6400

0,6186

0,5980

0,5780

0,5587

0,5400

0,4984

0,4600

0,3989

0,3459

0,3000

0,2210

0,1629

0,1200

0,0849

0,0600

0,0454

0,0344

0,0260

0,0197

0,0150

0,0111

0,0081

0,0060

0,0042

0,0030

0,0024

0,0020

0,0016

0,0012

0,0010

0,000819

0,000670

0,000540

325

326

327

328

329

330

331

332

333

334

335

336

337

338

339

340

341

342

343

344

345

346

347

348

349

350

351

352

353

354

355

356

357

358

359

360

361

362

363

364

365

366

367

368

369

370

371

S (λ)
0,000520

0,000500

0,000479

0,000459

0,000440

0,000425

0,000410

0,000396

0,000383

0,000370

0,000355

0,000340

0,000327

0,000315

0,000303

0,000291

0,000280

0,000271

0,000263

0,000255

0,000248

0,000240

0,000231

0,000223

0,000215

0,000207

0,000200

0,000191

0,000183

0,000175

0,000167

0,000160

0,000153

0,000147

0,000141

0,000136

0,000130

0,000126

0,000122

0,000118

0,000114

0,000110

0,000106

0,000103

0,000099

0,000096

0,000093

0,000090

27.4.2006

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 114/51

Table 1.3

B (λ), R (λ) [dimensionless], 380 nm to 1 400 nm

B (λ)

R (λ)

λ in nm

300 ≤ λ < 380

380

385

390

395

400

405

410

415

420

425

430

435

440

445

450

455

460

465

470

475

480

485

490

495

500

0,01

0,01

0,013

0,025

0,05

0,1

0,2

0,4

0,8

0,9

0,95

0,98

1

1

0,97

0,94

0,9

0,8

0,7

0,62

0,55

0,45

0,32

0,22

0,16

0,1

500 < λ ≤ 600

600 < λ ≤ 700

700 < λ ≤ 1 050

1 050 < λ ≤ 1 150

1 150 < λ ≤ 1 200

1 200 < λ ≤ 1 400

100,02·(450-λ)

0,001

—

—

—

—

—

0,1

0,13

0,25

0,5

1

2

4

8

9

9,5

9,8

10

10

9,7

9,4

9

8

7

6,2

5,5

4,5

3,2

2,2

1,6

1

1

1

100,002 · (700 - λ)

0,2

0,2· 100,02·(1 150- λ)

0,02

L 114/52

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

27.4.2006

ANNEX II

Laser optical radiation

The biophysically relevant exposure values to optical radiation can be determined with the formulae below. The
formulae to be used depend on the wavelength and duration of radiation emitted by the source and the results should
be compared with the corresponding exposure limit values indicated in the Tables 2.2 to 2.4. More than one exposure
value and corresponding exposure limit can be relevant for a given source of laser optical radiation.

Coefficients used as calculation tools within the Tables 2.2 to 2.4 are listed in Table 2.5 and corrections for repetitive
exposure are listed in Table 2.6.

dP
E  =   
    dA

   [ W m-2 ]

      t

H  = ∫E(t) · dt [ J m-2 ]

0

Notes:

dP

dA

E (t), E

H

t

λ

γ

γ

m

α

G

power expressed in watt [W];

surface expressed in square metres [m2];

irradiance or power density: the radiant power incident per unit area upon a surface, generally expressed in
watts per square metre [W m-2]. Values of E(t), E come from measurements or may be provided by the
manufacturer of the equipment;

radiant exposure: the time integral of the irradiance, expressed in joules per square metre [J m-2];

time, duration of the exposure, expressed in seconds [s];

wavelength, expressed in nanometres [nm];

limiting cone angle of measurement field-of-view expressed in milliradians [mrad];

measurement field of view expressed in milliradians [mrad];

angular subtense of a source expressed in milliradians [mrad];

limiting aperture: the circular area over which irradiance and radiant exposure are averaged;

integrated radiance: the integral of the radiance over a given exposure time expressed as radiant energy per
unit area of a radiating surface per unit solid angle of emission, in joules per square metre per steradian
[J m-2 sr -1].

27.4.2006

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 114/53

Table 2.1

Radiation hazards

Radiation range

Affected organ

Hazard

Exposure limit value
table

Wavelength [nm]

λ

180 to 400

180 to 400

UV

UV

eye

photochemical damage and
thermal damage

2.2, 2.3

skin

erythema

eye

thermal damage

2.2, 2.3

400 to 700

visible

400 to 600

visible

eye

eye

retinal damage

photochemical damage

400 to 700

visible

skin

thermal damage

700 to 1 400

700 to 1 400

1 400 to 2 600

2 600 to 106

IRA

IRA

IRB

IRC

1 400 to 106

IRB, IRC

skin

thermal damage

eye

eye

eye

thermal damage

thermal damage

thermal damage

1 400 to 106

IRB, IRC

skin

thermal damage

2.4

2.2

2.3

2.4

2.4

2.2

2.2

2.3

2.4

L 114/54

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

27.4.2006

2
2

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27.4.2006

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 114/55

3
2

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e
l
b
a
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s

0
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n
o
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t
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d

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—

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y
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e
h
t

o
t

e
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r
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a
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L 114/56

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

27.4.2006

4
2

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T

n
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s

f
o

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27.4.2006

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 114/57

Table 2.5

Applied correction factors and other calculation parameters

Parameter as listed in ICNIRP

Valid spectral range (nm)

Value

CA

CB

CC

T1

λ < 700

CA = 1,0

700 — 1 050

CA = 10 0,002(λ - 700)

1 050 — 1 400

400 — 450

CA = 5,0

CB = 1,0

450 — 700

CB = 10 0,02(λ - 450)

700 — 1 150

CC = 1,0

1 150 — 1 200

CC = 10 0,018(λ - 1 150)

1 200 — 1 400

λ < 450

CC = 8,0

T1 = 10 s

450 — 500

T1 = 10 · [10 0,02 (λ - 450)] s

λ > 500

T1 = 100 s

Parameter as listed in ICNIRP

Valid for biological effect

Value

α
min

all thermal effects

α
min = 1,5 mrad

Parameter as listed in ICNIRP

Valid angular range (mrad)

Value

CE

T2

α < α

min

CE = 1,0

α
min < α < 100

CE = α/α

min

α > 100

α < 1,5

CE = α2/(α
100 mrad

min

T2 = 10 s

· α

max) mrad with α

max =

1,5 < α < 100

T2 = 10 · [10 (α - 1,5) / 98,5] s

α > 100

T2 = 100 s

L 114/58

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

27.4.2006

Parameter as listed in ICNIRP

Valid exposure time range (s)

Value

t ≤ 100

γ = 11 [mrad]

γ

100 < t < 104

γ = 1,1 t 0, 5 [mrad]

t > 104

γ = 110 [mrad]

Table 2.6

Correction for repetitive exposure

Each of the following three general rules should be applied to all repetitive exposures as occur from repetitively pulsed
or scanning laser systems:

1.

2.

3.

The exposure from any single pulse in a train of pulses shall not exceed the exposure limit value for a single
pulse of that pulse duration.

The exposure from any group of pulses (or sub-group of pulses in a train) delivered in time t shall not exceed the
exposure limit value for time t.

The exposure from any single pulse within a group of pulses shall not exceed the single‑pulse exposure limit
value multiplied by a cumulative-thermal correction factor Cp=N-0,25, where N is the number of pulses. This rule
applies only to exposure limits to protect against thermal injury, where all pulses delivered in less than Tmin are
treated as a single pulse.

Parameter

Valid spectral range (nm)

Value

Tmin

315 <λ≤ 400

400 <λ≤ 1 050

1 050 <λ≤ 1 400

1 400 <λ≤ 1 500

1 500 <λ≤ 1 800

1 800 <λ≤ 2 600

2 600 <λ≤ 10 6

Tmin = 10 -9 s (= 1 ns)

Tmin = 18· 10 -6 s (= 18 μs)

Tmin = 50· 10 -6 s (= 50 μs)

Tmin = 10 -3 s (= 1 ms)

Tmin = 10 s

Tmin = 10 -3 s (= 1 ms)

Tmin = 10 -7 s (= 100 ns)

27.4.2006

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 114/59

STATEMENT BY THE COUNCIL

Statement by the Council on the use of the word ‘penalties’ in the English version of legal instruments of the
European Community

In the opinion of the Council, when the word ‘penalties’ is used in the English version of legal instruments
of the European Community, this word is used in a neutral sense and does not relate specifically to
criminal law sanctions, but could also include administrative and financial sanctions, as well as other
types of sanction. When Member States are obliged under a Community act to introduce ‘penalties’, it is
up to them to choose the appropriate type of sanction in conformity with the case law of the European
Court of Justice.

In the Community language data base, the following translations are made of the word ‘penalty’ in some
other languages:

in Spanish, ‘sanciones’; in Danish, ‘sanktioner’; in German, ‘Sanktionen’; in Hungarian, ‘jogkövetkezmények’; in
Italian, ‘sanzioni’; in Latvian, ‘sankcijas’; in Lithuanian, ‘sankcijos’; in Dutch, ‘sancties’; in Portuguese, ‘sanções’;
in Slovak, ‘sankcie’; and in Swedish, ‘sanktioner’.

If, in revised English versions of legal instruments where the word ‘sanctions’ has previously been used,
this word is replaced with the word ‘penalties’, this does not constitute a substantive difference.