Risk-based regulation of hand-held lasers

The rules and regulations restricting hand-held lasers at a national level may be revisited in light of the anticipated health risks posed to the population. It seems that some current regulations may be overly restrictive, e.g. when laser pointers belonging to Class 3R (or Class IIIA) are forbidden or not made available to consumers. The risks posed by this product category are neither serious nor high, and should thus not be subject to stringent regulations apart from market surveillance activities including information efforts. Generally speaking, occupational health regulations satisfactorily address risks posed by lasers in occupational settings and can be trusted when it comes to harnessing the use of powerful hand-held lasers as well. But it is proposed that legitimate use of powerful hand-held lasers needs to subject to some additional restrictions in order to limit illicit use. It is also suggested that the rules and regulations should be based on risk evaluations rather than on the present laser classes.The rules and regulations restricting hand-held lasers at a national level may be revisited in light of the anticipated health risks posed to the population. It seems that some current regulations may be overly restrictive, e.g. when laser pointers belonging to Class 3R (or Class IIIA) are forbidden or not made available to consumers. The risks posed by this product category are neither serious nor high, and should thus not be subject to stringent regulations apart from market surveillance activities including information efforts. Generally speaking, occupational health regulations satisfactorily address risks posed by lasers in occupational settings and can be trusted when it comes to harnessing the use of powerful hand-held lasers as well. But it is proposed that legitimate use of powerful hand-held lasers needs to subject to some additional restrictions in order to limit illicit use. It is also suggested that the rules and regulations should be based on risk evaluations rather than on the present laser...