Switzerland laserpointer ban

Switzerland will introduce a new legislation for a ban laser pointers. The import should be banned. The penalty is a fine over 40'000 Swiss francs.

The law is named: Federal Law on protection against hazards
to non-ionizing radiation and sound.

The last occasion to overturn the ban on laser pointer in Switzerland, is the direct contact to a member of parliament at the federal level. The responsible political expert group at federal level has the name "SOCIAL SECURITY AND HEALTH COMMITTEES SSHC".



Unfortunately, Switzerland does not have a large laser industry and lacks a lobby which campaigns against a ban.
I hope this call here in the forum will launch a counter-campaign and prevent the prohibition law. We need the support from abroad otherwise no laser pointer will be sold in Switzerland in the future.

Link to parliamentary group for Laser Pointers Act: https://www.parlament.ch/en/organe/committees/specialist-committees/committees-sshc

Information of the Federal Authorities: Bundesamt für Gesundheit - Bundesgesetz über den Schutz vor Gefährdungen durch nichtionisierende Strahlung und Schall (NISSG)

E-Mail link to the federal Laserpointer authorities.
nissg@bag.admin.ch

E-MAIL link to the head of the "Laserpointer" parliament groups. 2 different chambers are responsible.

ignazio.cassis@parl.ch

https://www.parlament.ch/en/biografie?CouncillorId=3828

konrad.graber@parl.ch

https://www.parlament.ch/en/biografie?CouncillorId=3921

Tank you support!

Yeah, it's always hard to contest stuff like this. Lasers in switzerland must have such a niche community that it's hard to find serious people opposed to such a bill.

This planned law covers much more as laser pointer, it's about every kind of product which produce either ionizing radiation or sound. Namely, laser, solarium, ultrasonic gadgets, RFiD transponder, and much more.
The laserpointer sale for laser above 1 milliwatt is prohibited in retail store since a long time in Switzerland. Only private import is allowed for laser class 3a or above.
The laserpointer ban even for private import is supported by important pressure groups like, police officer organization, airport operator, labour unions, doctor organization. This non political organization groups have called swiss parliament members, to vote against laserpointer and to sign in a laserpointer law. Unfortunately our right and liberal politicians support also this law, because they got E-Mailed from anit Laser fraction which told them invented tales about laserpointer attacks.
And yes of corse the laserpointer ban is supported with tax money they used for anti advertising in newspapers. The only non political organization opposing this law are business associations.

Here you can read the different statements about this law, from different non political organizations. Sorry for that, only in german language.
Bundesamt für Gesundheit - Vernehmlassung

Here an example from the ugly anti laser campaign which goes along with voluntary firearm collection campaign.


As i mentioned already only the help from abroad can prevent anti laser legislation in Switzerland. We are small country we don't know technical facts about laserpointer, and can oppose in a efficient way against fairy tale stories. Would be very sad to ban this stunning and fascinating light technique for compact laser for ever in Switzerland.

CHlaser said:

This planned law covers much more as laser pointer, it's about every kind of product which produce either ionizing radiation or sound. Namely, laser, solarium, ultrasonic gadgets, RFiD transponder, and much more.
The laserpointer sale for laser above 1 milliwatt is prohibited in retail store since a long time in Switzerland. Only private import is allowed for laser class 3a or above.
The laserpointer ban even for private import is supported by important pressure groups like, police officer organization, airport operator, labour unions, doctor organization. This non political organization groups have called swiss parliament members, to vote against laserpointer and to sign in a laserpointer law. Unfortunately our right and liberal politicians support also this law, because they got E-Mailed from anit Laser fraction which told them invented tales about laserpointer attacks.
And yes of corse the laserpointer ban is supported with tax money they used for anti advertising in newspapers. The only non political organization opposing this law are business associations.

Here you can read the different statements about this law, from different non political organizations. Sorry for that, only in german language.
Bundesamt für Gesundheit - Vernehmlassung

Here an example from the ugly anti laser campaign which goes along with voluntary firearm collection campaign.

As i mentioned already only the help from abroad can prevent anti laser legislation in Switzerland. We are small country we don't know technical facts about laserpointer, and can oppose in a efficient way against fairy tale stories. Would be very sad to ban this stunning and fascinating light technique for compact laser for ever in Switzerland.

Click to expand...

That's such a utterly disgusting nanny-state fear mongering campaign. Makes me feel bad
"Yeah, let's just ban anything potentially dangerous in life"

Looks like the US isn't the only country with wasted paychecks justifying their existence. After all, they have their worthless bastards' mouths to feed.

But oh well, you'll just have to do what everybody else is doing and sneak it past customs. Welcome to the 21st century NWO or whatever

Razako said:

That's such a utterly disgusting nanny-state fear mongering campaign. Makes me feel bad
"Yeah, let's just ban anything potentially dangerous in life"

Click to expand...

Marco Polo said:

Looks like the US isn't the only country with wasted paychecks justifying their existence. After all, they have their worthless bastards' mouths to feed.

But oh well, you'll just have to do what everybody else is doing and sneak it past customs. Welcome to the 21st century NWO or whatever

Click to expand...

I couldn't agree more, this disgusts me to no end. I have heard that things are better run in Switzerland than here but I don't know if that's true having never been there.

The U.S. Being the third largest country after China and India has a high percentage of the worlds "worthless bastards", unfortunately far too many of them are serving in government, I am tempted to even name a few names.

I am sure there are a few "worthless bastards" in every country though, even the smallest countries like the Vatican or Monaco must have at least several.:crackup:

Alan

Swiss people have never been known to be against laser pointer. To change the swiss people opinion about laser it needed an extremely effective coordinated and concerted campaign of anti laser propaganda. It works on people who don't know laser technology. They were deceived to believe that laser pointer is responsible for accidents , but in fact it is a trade barrier to establish and gain tax money and sell overpriced import laser pointer for special purposes. It is against free market and free trade and moreover it bans compact laser for guns also.
it is the worst fear-mongering anti laser campaign ever seen in Switzerland!

Example of a forged photomantage anti laser picture

CHlaser said:

Swiss people have never been known to be against laser pointer. To change the swiss people opinion about laser it needed an extremely effective coordinated and concerted campaign of anti laser propaganda. It works on people who don't know laser technology. They were deceived to believe that laser pointer is responsible for accidents , but in fact it is a trade barrier to establish and gain tax money and sell overpriced import laser pointer for special purposes. It is against free market and free trade and moreover it bans compact laser for guns also.
it is the worst fear-mongering anti laser campaign ever seen in Switzerland!

Example of a

forged photomantage anti laser picture

Click to expand...

Who are the people with enough spare time to even bother with that junk? It seems like your country has a lot of bureaucrats who are desperately trying to justify their own existence by manufacturing public fear.

Other countries have had anti-laser fear mongering, but this is the first time I've actually seen people bother to photoshop scare images on such a scale.

That's too bad. What I'm concerned about in the US is if legislation will come about that makes it illegal to own what you already have. For me that's not some trivial thing. Can you imagine the looks (or worse) I would get with the sheer number in my collection. I would be presumed guilty of everything when I'm just a harmless 51 year old who keeps them locked up in cases in his home with no children around. My explanation of why I have so many would appear ridiculous to most naive people.

Razako said:

Who are the people with enough spare time to even bother with that junk? It seems like your country has a lot of bureaucrats who are desperately trying to justify their own existence by manufacturing public fear.

Other countries have had anti-laser fear mongering, but this is the first time I've actually seen people bother to photoshop scare images on such a scale.

Click to expand...

Wer das VBZ-Fahrpersonal gefährdet, gefährdet auch dich.

The law will costs approximately 1 million Swiss francs per year, and yes they using photoshop too.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B2JvJYU69IxkOUhkNS10QlAtOFE/view?usp=sharing

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B2JvJYU69IxkMFF6cGhKaVJWNHc/view?usp=sharing

Quote: The implementation costs for the cantons depend heavily on the specific configuration of enforcement (sample size, control points) from, which is why at this point made only a rough estimate for the studied in the RFA measures 1-3
can be. Important to note is that the enforcement campaign-like,
i.e. with an annual enforcement priority, should be and it is not the goal
is catching both solariums as well as beauty salons in one year:
- Rough estimate execution costs solariums: In Switzerland, around 4000
Solari devices of around 600 providers operate commercially. Under the
Assuming that in Switzerland at a campaign-like sample check
400 units (10%) are controlled while an expense of
average 4-10 hours per unit produced (local control incl.
Preparation, documentation, any complaints), arising
200-500 working days. Based on labor costs of around CHF 70
per Stunde57 arising for all cantons together cost 110 000-
CHF 430 000 per year. Depending on the existing cantonal offices
nor are the costs for office space, infrastructure and training
added. The rough estimate is not taken into account are any revenues
from fees or buses.
- Rough estimate execution costs cosmetics: In Switzerland, some exist
8540 Beauty salons. Again assuming that ten percent
all beauty salons are controlled, the annual investment of around 850 salons
to be controlled. Based on an average of 4-10 hours
per operation (local control incl. preparation, documentation and any
Complaints) and a labor cost of CHF 70 per hour
would result for all cantons together cost about 240000-600000
57 Source: Federal Statistical Office, hourly labor costs by economic activity
(NOGA 2008). The average labor costs per hour are in the industry
"Public administration and defense; Social »per francs 67.7
Hour.
BBI 2016
510
Francs per year. Also for the cosmetics sector would, depending on the existing
cantonal authorities still costs for office space and infrastructure
and further added. The rough estimate is not considered
have any revenue from fees or buses.
Completion of the possession and discharge prohibition in laser pointers is existing with the
made human resources and should not significantly increased
personnel costs.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B2JvJYU69IxkSnd4SHpYU2ZoMVU/view?usp=sharing

Swiss authorities says it is not against WTO trade agreements because laser endangers the health.

Quote: According to the Convention of the World Trade Organization (WTO) on the technical
Barriers to Trade ( "Technical barriers to trade (TBT) treaties") 63, short
also WTO-TBT Agreement called technical regulations are basically so
to design that it does not affect as Technical Barriers to Trade
(Art. 4 para. 1 THG). According THG they are important for this purpose on the
vote trading partner (Art. 4 para. 2 GHG). Derogations from the principle
under Article 4, paragraph 1 THG are allowed only if they meet the requirements of
Article 4, paragraph 3 correspond THG. An import or a dispensing ban for
Example is its compatibility with the THG and international commitments
to check.

This law is not only against laser pointer, it bans every compact laser module for import. Please copy & paste it to warn trade organization and laser industries. The laser haters have chosen Switzerland because there is no lobby support laser in my country.

The following 2 business organization oppose the laser ban law:

CHlaser said:

The law will costs approximately 1 million Swiss francs per year. Quote: The implementation costs for the cantons depend heavily on the specific configuration of enforcement (sample size, control points) from, which is why at this point made only a rough estimate for the studied in the RFA measures 1-3
can be. Important to note is that the enforcement campaign-like,
i.e. with an annual enforcement priority, should be and it is not the goal
is catching both solariums as well as beauty salons in one year:
- Rough estimate execution costs solariums: In Switzerland, around 4000
Solari devices of around 600 providers operate commercially. Under the
Assuming that in Switzerland at a campaign-like sample check
400 units (10%) are controlled while an expense of
average 4-10 hours per unit produced (local control incl.
Preparation, documentation, any complaints), arising
200-500 working days. Based on labor costs of around CHF 70
per Stunde57 arising for all cantons together cost 110 000-
CHF 430 000 per year. Depending on the existing cantonal offices
nor are the costs for office space, infrastructure and training
added. The rough estimate is not taken into account are any revenues
from fees or buses.
- Rough estimate execution costs cosmetics: In Switzerland, some exist
8540 Beauty salons. Again assuming that ten percent
all beauty salons are controlled, the annual investment of around 850 salons
to be controlled. Based on an average of 4-10 hours
per operation (local control incl. preparation, documentation and any
Complaints) and a labor cost of CHF 70 per hour
would result for all cantons together cost about 240000-600000
57 Source: Federal Statistical Office, hourly labor costs by economic activity
(NOGA 2008). The average labor costs per hour are in the industry
"Public administration and defense; Social »per francs 67.7
Hour.
BBI 2016
510
Francs per year. Also for the cosmetics sector would, depending on the existing
cantonal authorities still costs for office space and infrastructure
and further added. The rough estimate is not considered
have any revenue from fees or buses.
Completion of the possession and discharge prohibition in laser pointers is existing with the
made human resources and should not significantly increased
personnel costs.

Swiss authorities says it is not against WTO trade agreements because laser endangers the health.

Quote: According to the Convention of the World Trade Organization (WTO) on the technical
Barriers to Trade ( "Technical barriers to trade (TBT) treaties") 63, short
also WTO-TBT Agreement called technical regulations are basically so
to design that it does not affect as Technical Barriers to Trade
(Art. 4 para. 1 THG). According THG they are important for this purpose on the
vote trading partner (Art. 4 para. 2 GHG). Derogations from the principle
under Article 4, paragraph 1 THG are allowed only if they meet the requirements of
Article 4, paragraph 3 correspond THG. An import or a dispensing ban for
Example is its compatibility with the THG and international commitments
to check.

This law is not only against laser pointer, it bans every compact laser module for import. Please copy & paste it to warn trade organization and laser industries. The laser haters have chosen Switzerland because there is no lobby support laser here .

Click to expand...

How the heck can they even ban laser modules? What if people need a lab laser or something for lightshows. Never seen such an absurd law. Even AU still allowed modules and lab lasers.

The laser pointer hate campaign is supported from the following company & associations.







With made-up stories, they agitate against laser pointer, and require an import ban.
Now the laser friend community in Switzerland is endangered. We hope and fear that this fascinating lighting technology won't disappear forever in Switzerland.

The hand against laser pointer now is launched in Switzerland!

Emergency call from Switzerland! Hope laser lobby from abroad tells our parliament members the true fact about laser pointer or give advise to alternate regulation otherwise the laser hate law will pass vote in swiss federal parliament this year.

Here the URL with the conclusion concerning the pre consultation in swiss parliament from the technical committee which will be handed out to the whole federal parliament members as advise.
https://www.parlament.ch/press-releases/Pages/mm-sgk-s-2016-04-22.aspx

This kind of ban is a shot across the bow to those of us who live in the US. In the US, we have 2 things that have allowed us to continue to own firearms - the 2nd Amendment and a well funded NRA. Regrettably the laser pointer enthusiasts have neither. There is no law or constitutional amendment that protects our right to own laser pointers. Nor have the enthusiasts and manufacturers even begun to form an lobbing group to vigilantly thwart this type of oppressive legislation.

Why do our legislatures seek to demonize and ban lasers? Because they CAN, and because its easy for them to score political points making it look like they stand for something, that they are doing something to protect society by passing stupid laws. The bully will always target the weakling that has the least amount of resources to fight back.

Hi CHlaser,

There is one thing I do not understand.

At school, we were taught that Swiss are the only people in West Europe who could defend themselves against Hitler (so he did not invade) because they all have even now a machine gun at home and do a compulsory military service I do not remember how many days every year. So the only country in the world where every potential soldier HAS to have a gun sealed in a safe at home.

Now this "Wir vernichten Ihre Waffen" poster - is it only about funny laser pointers or about all machine guns what military duty citizens keep in safes at home?

CHlaser said:

forged photomantage anti laser picture

Click to expand...

wow, the stance isnt even believable. try that with some of my big ones, your arms would get tired pretty fast.

this is most unfortunate but unsuprising to me

Pman said:

That's too bad. What I'm concerned about in the US is if legislation will come about that makes it illegal to own what you already have. For me that's not some trivial thing. Can you imagine the looks (or worse) I would get with the sheer number in my collection. I would be presumed guilty of everything when I'm just a harmless 51 year old who keeps them locked up in cases in his home with no children around. My explanation of why I have so many would appear ridiculous to most naive people.

Click to expand...

well, maybe a grandfather clause would apply. an example, here in colorado. right after the aurora shooting, before the trial was over (long before) the state passed a law requiring that all magazines be limited to 15 rounds. if however you already had higher capacity mags, you could keep them but never sell them, at least not in this state. the law did some other dumb stuff but it's irrelevant

if they aren't grandfathered in, would you surrender yours? I've got quite a few myself...

Skans said:

This kind of ban is a shot across the bow to those of us who live in the US. In the US, we have 2 things that have allowed us to continue to own firearms - the 2nd Amendment and a well funded NRA. Regrettably the laser pointer enthusiasts have neither. There is no law or constitutional amendment that protects our right to own laser pointers. Nor have the enthusiasts and manufacturers even begun to form an lobbing group to vigilantly thwart this type of oppressive legislation.

Why do our legislatures seek to demonize and ban lasers? Because they CAN, and because its easy for them to score political points making it look like they stand for something, that they are doing something to protect society by passing stupid laws. The bully will always target the weakling that has the least amount of resources to fight back.

Click to expand...

some thoughts. when the constitution was written, the guns were considerably less dangerous. even now, it's not like americans have access to all the same goodies as the military gets. in an uprisisng situation, the people would be outgunned if the military sided with the government. that said, some guns would be better than none, I guess. I kinda think they pretty much have us by the balls already anyway. it's hard to even imagine how such a scenario would play out. americans are fairly divided when you look at it. maybe that's by design, who knows. I understand the second amendment is in no small part to protect against tyrranical government, "when in the course of human events it becomes necassary". I'm just not sure that even with them we really stand a chance. from my perspective, they pretty much already have us under thumb. there's also no reason to believe a replacement government after a revolt would be any better. you can rest assured more than one group would be jockeying for position, and many of those would likely be worse, not better.

also, I think some regulations can be sensible. after all, lasers arent harmless. I'm in favor of criminilzing behavior, rather than objects

scare an ignorant person sufficiently and you can get them to do things against their interests quite easily.

Light superglue said:

Hi CHlaser,

There is one thing I do not understand.

At school, we were taught that Swiss are the only people in West Europe who could defend themselves against Hitler (so he did not invade) because they all have even now a machine gun at home and do a compulsory military service I do not remember how many days every year. So the only country in the world where every potential soldier HAS to have a gun sealed in a safe at home.

Now this "Wir vernichten Ihre Waffen" poster - is it only about funny laser pointers or about all machine guns what military duty citizens keep in safes at home?

Click to expand...

i've heard this too. that was a long time ago though, I'd be suprises if it was still compulsory