LASER POINTER BANNED

LASER POINTER:-

       

Switzerland: Laser pointers above Class 1 banned as of June 1 2019

24 May 2019 --

Switzerland has banned selling, distributing, importing, or giving away laser pointers above Class 1, as of June 1 2019.

As of June 2019, this is the most restrictive laser pointer law of any major country; Class 2 pointers (up to 1 milliwatt) are legal in most countries, and Class 3R pointers (up to 5 milliwatts) are legal in the U.S.

Travelers should note that laser pointers and "hybrid devices" above Class 1 that are being transported into or through Switzerland can be confiscated before entering Swiss borders. For example, a wireless mouse used for PowerPoint presentations, such as the one shown below could be confiscated if it contains a laser above Class 1.

Why are banned laser pointer?

Well, the reason that so many people think that laser pointers are illegal is that it is illegal to sell them as laser pointers if they're a certain level of power. To be branded as a laser pointer, the laser must be less than 5 milliwatts (mW).

Are Laser Pointers Illegal?

It’s a common question that many people ask and if you search the internet, you’re going to find a lot of misinformation. There are a lot of issues with the terminology that you use to describe your laser pointer which will automatically make it legal or illegal.

(The correct answer is that no, laser pointers are not illegal to own. The issue comes from individuals selling high power laser pens/products and branding them as ‘pointers’). 

Technically, I do understand where the FDA are coming from in their specificity. The term ‘pointer’ directly implies that you’re going to be pointing your laser at something, which is not something that you want to do if your laser pointer is particularly powerful.

So why are laser pointers thought to be illegal?

Well, the reason that so many people think that laser pointers are illegal is that it is illegal to sell them as laser pointers if they’re a certain level of power. To be branded as a laser pointer, the laser must be less than 5 milliwatts (mW). If a laser is above 5 mW, then it can no longer be branded as a pointer and it is illegal to brand it as such. It isn’t, however, illegal to own a laser pointer that is above 5 mW as long as it is FDA compliant.