WTO = World Trade Organization, confirms that national anti laser pointer legislation is not discriminatory.
Norway laser pointer hate law, need to proof a reason to shop a laser pointer above 1milliwatt output, there are only 2 accepted reason.
Lever laserpekeren din til politiet - Statens strålevern
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Quote: "Explanatory note national requirements for a permit to import into Norway, sell, use, etc. powerful laser pointers
Since 2011, requirements have been imposed subject to the Norwegian Radiation Protection Regulations for the possession and use of powerful laser pointers in a public place. The requirement for a permit in public places has proved to be ineffective, since it does not affect the distribution of powerful laser pointers from the retailers own stores. This means that the retailers can sell the powerful laser pointers to individuals without fear of penalties
In recent years, the use of powerful laser pointers to harass pilots, the police, drivers, etc. has increased. In the period from 2009 to 2013, annualy 70150 individual cases where pilots have been blinded with laser pointers have been registered. Use of laser pointers is also a danger to the users if they are careless or are not aware of the dangers of lasers. There is a risk of permanent damage to the retina of the eyes resulting in loss of vision, especially for children who look at the light source out of curiosity.
Technological advances have meant that laser pointers have become both more powerful and cheaper. Today, increasingly powerful laser pointers are being offered for sale on the internet. This trend is expected to continue. Laser pointers are sold by Swedish retailers both in shops and online. It is also very common for laser pointers to be purchased via the internet directly from China and other countries outside the EU.
The purpose of introducing a requirement for a permit to own, possess, manufacture, import, export, use or sell powerful laser pointers in Norway is to prevent harmful and potentially dangerous use of laser pointers. The regulations apply both to businesses and private individuals, and the regulations entail an implicit prohibition in cases where a permit is not granted.
In Europe, there is legislation regarding possession, importation, use, sale, etc. and restrictions of powerful laser pointers in for example Finland, France and Germany. Sweden has already introduced a general ban on powerful laser pointers.
The regulations regarding powerful laser pointers now being proposed, is justified by pressing reasons in relation to the public interest, in this case the protection of human health. The risk to human health caused by the abuse of powerful laser pointers is obvious. There are not any less intrusive measures available to achieve the objective. The measures are therefore proportionate and constitute a necessary prerequisite to ensure, at national level, the safe use of powerful laser pointers from a radiation protection perspective. The regulation is applied equally to all and is therefore not discriminatory.
The major problem appears to be the increasing availability of laser pointers and in order to address this problem, private individuals' access to powerful laser pointers should be restricted, which the current proposal is expected to achieve.
Through the requirement for a permit and through indirect prohibition, the police and Customs will be provided with enhanced legal means to intervene, confiscate and destruct laser pointers.
Permits shall be granted to professional and other legitimate activities under certain conditions. Today a permit is only required for the possession and use of lasers in a public space. The proposal entails a requirement for a permit to own, possess, manufacture, import, export, use or sell such laser pointers in Norway.
Permits will be granted to those who have a legitimate need to use a powerful laser pointer. This approach will facilitate both professional and other activities. For example, it will still be possible for powerful laser pointers to be used by pilots to pinpoint beacons when piloting a vessel, and for astronomy societies to point out constellations in the views of the night sky. The permit will be granted for a given period of time.
A new permit will not be necessary for those who already have a valid permit in accordance with todays regulation. And those who possess a powerful laser pointer without a valid permit will be given three months time to hand in the laser pointer to the police without fear of penalties. With this arrangement more powerful laser pointers will be taken out of circulation and in that way the risk of injuries and accidents will be reduced.
Furthermore, the proposal includes a change of the definition of laser pointers so that laser pointer is not considered electrical equipment under the Low Voltage Directive 2006/95/EF.
The proposal will presumably not have any significant economic consequences. The proposal will simplify the enforcement of the regulations on laser pointers.
For the owners of powerful laser pointers who currently have a permit to use them in their professional or other legitimate activities, the regulation will not have any cost implications.
The purpose of the permit requirement is to deal with the misuse of laser pointers and to prevent the potentially dangerous use of powerful laser pointers. Businesses and individuals with legitimate pruposes will still be able to buy powerful laser pointers from such retailers, and the sale of such products to legitimate customers should therefore not be substantially reduced. "
Norway laser pointer hate law, need to proof a reason to shop a laser pointer above 1milliwatt output, there are only 2 accepted reason.
Lever laserpekeren din til politiet - Statens strålevern
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Quote: "Explanatory note national requirements for a permit to import into Norway, sell, use, etc. powerful laser pointers
Since 2011, requirements have been imposed subject to the Norwegian Radiation Protection Regulations for the possession and use of powerful laser pointers in a public place. The requirement for a permit in public places has proved to be ineffective, since it does not affect the distribution of powerful laser pointers from the retailers own stores. This means that the retailers can sell the powerful laser pointers to individuals without fear of penalties
In recent years, the use of powerful laser pointers to harass pilots, the police, drivers, etc. has increased. In the period from 2009 to 2013, annualy 70150 individual cases where pilots have been blinded with laser pointers have been registered. Use of laser pointers is also a danger to the users if they are careless or are not aware of the dangers of lasers. There is a risk of permanent damage to the retina of the eyes resulting in loss of vision, especially for children who look at the light source out of curiosity.
Technological advances have meant that laser pointers have become both more powerful and cheaper. Today, increasingly powerful laser pointers are being offered for sale on the internet. This trend is expected to continue. Laser pointers are sold by Swedish retailers both in shops and online. It is also very common for laser pointers to be purchased via the internet directly from China and other countries outside the EU.
The purpose of introducing a requirement for a permit to own, possess, manufacture, import, export, use or sell powerful laser pointers in Norway is to prevent harmful and potentially dangerous use of laser pointers. The regulations apply both to businesses and private individuals, and the regulations entail an implicit prohibition in cases where a permit is not granted.
In Europe, there is legislation regarding possession, importation, use, sale, etc. and restrictions of powerful laser pointers in for example Finland, France and Germany. Sweden has already introduced a general ban on powerful laser pointers.
The regulations regarding powerful laser pointers now being proposed, is justified by pressing reasons in relation to the public interest, in this case the protection of human health. The risk to human health caused by the abuse of powerful laser pointers is obvious. There are not any less intrusive measures available to achieve the objective. The measures are therefore proportionate and constitute a necessary prerequisite to ensure, at national level, the safe use of powerful laser pointers from a radiation protection perspective. The regulation is applied equally to all and is therefore not discriminatory.
The major problem appears to be the increasing availability of laser pointers and in order to address this problem, private individuals' access to powerful laser pointers should be restricted, which the current proposal is expected to achieve.
Through the requirement for a permit and through indirect prohibition, the police and Customs will be provided with enhanced legal means to intervene, confiscate and destruct laser pointers.
Permits shall be granted to professional and other legitimate activities under certain conditions. Today a permit is only required for the possession and use of lasers in a public space. The proposal entails a requirement for a permit to own, possess, manufacture, import, export, use or sell such laser pointers in Norway.
Permits will be granted to those who have a legitimate need to use a powerful laser pointer. This approach will facilitate both professional and other activities. For example, it will still be possible for powerful laser pointers to be used by pilots to pinpoint beacons when piloting a vessel, and for astronomy societies to point out constellations in the views of the night sky. The permit will be granted for a given period of time.
A new permit will not be necessary for those who already have a valid permit in accordance with todays regulation. And those who possess a powerful laser pointer without a valid permit will be given three months time to hand in the laser pointer to the police without fear of penalties. With this arrangement more powerful laser pointers will be taken out of circulation and in that way the risk of injuries and accidents will be reduced.
Furthermore, the proposal includes a change of the definition of laser pointers so that laser pointer is not considered electrical equipment under the Low Voltage Directive 2006/95/EF.
The proposal will presumably not have any significant economic consequences. The proposal will simplify the enforcement of the regulations on laser pointers.
For the owners of powerful laser pointers who currently have a permit to use them in their professional or other legitimate activities, the regulation will not have any cost implications.
The purpose of the permit requirement is to deal with the misuse of laser pointers and to prevent the potentially dangerous use of powerful laser pointers. Businesses and individuals with legitimate pruposes will still be able to buy powerful laser pointers from such retailers, and the sale of such products to legitimate customers should therefore not be substantially reduced. "