ABOUT US

In November 2010, a dozen or so like-minded consumer electronics companies met in London to discuss the emergence of energy-based at-home “well-being” devices and the consequent need for relevant manufacturing standards. Subsequently, the Home Use Device Working Group (HUD) was created as an informal association in 2011.

HUD initiated proposals with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) to start the development of new standards for laser- and light-based technology devices where the greatest potential for safety concerns were anticipated. HUD involvement culminated in the publication in April 2014 of a new edition of the parent laser IEC 60825 standards that established a new class of laser, Class 1C, of particular relevance to home-use devices.

A second new international standard defining specific design and engineering controls and testing methods for laser and intense light source products was published in April 2016. The development of these first two new standards is consistent with recent European Commission decisions and directives on consumer laser products, in particular, the decision by the EC to regulate all laser and intense light devices (infra-red, visible light and ultra-violet) intended for use on the human body as active medical devices, under the new Medical Device Regulation (Annex XVI). Following three transitional years, full entry into force is expected by May 2020.

Under the new Medical Device Regulation “Annex XVI”, devices will be regulated by so-called Common Specification. These specifications are still to be drafted by the EU Commission and it is of utmost importance that industry influences the writing of them. HUD and some of its members are actively working with the European Committee of Domestic Equipment Manufacturers CECED (from 2018 onwards APPliA) to advocate for legal certainty and SMART legislation for Personal and Beauty Care appliances through pro-active involvement with regulators and pro-active influencing of standards and specifications.

Since its inception, HUD members have also been active presenting scientific and clinical studies at international cosmetic dermatology conferences and canvassing professional medical opinion about elective domiciliary treatments.

HUD collaborators have published numerous online and print articles on home-use device safety in medical and beauty profession magazines and HUD key opinion leaders have authored or sponsored numerous peer-reviewed clinical articles in recognised international journals on the efficacy and safety of home-use, light-based devices for hair removal, acne and skin rejuvenation.

HUD members have actively engaged with the US FDA on directed energy consumer products; with the French government to allay concerns raised by the Commission on Consumer Safety (Commission de la sécurité des consommateurs); and have contributed to the dialogue at the European Commission level on the classification and use of energy-based consumer products.

Current and past corporate members of HUD: Babyliss (France); Braun/P&G (Germany); Calor Groupe SEB (France); Cosmetique Active International, Group L’Oréal Clarisonic (France); CyDen (UK); Current Body (UK); Dezac Group (UK); HoMedics Europe (UK); Home Skinovations (Israel); Iluminage (USA); Intenzity (Denmark); Philips Consumer Lifestyle (Netherlands); Quasar (China); Shaser Bioscience (USA); Stetic Sense (Spain)and Walgreens Boots Alliance (UK).