Information for companies, employees and competent persons
The FOPH is responsible for the licensing and supervision of radiological applications and equipment in medicine, teaching, research, and industry within Switzerland, with the exception of nuclear power plants. It also performs various tasks in the field of non-ionizing radiation and sound, particularly in cosmetic applications and lasers. Here you will find information on the various areas of application.
Not all of our content is available in English. Please consult our pages in German, French, or Italian for further information.
Providers can find the application forms here (in german), as well as plenty of information about the licensing requirements and the supervisory work of the FOPH.
Dosimetry and occupational radiation exposure
Occupationally exposed persons must be adequately protected from ionising radiation. This includes individual monitoring of the absorbed radiation dose.
Clinical audits in radiation protection
The purpose of clinical audits is to ensure an ideal use of high-dose ionising radiation in medicine. Their realisation will enable to review the justification of the expositions and to optimise the processes and resources of the providers. A steering committee consisting of the main stakeholders ensures that these audits are implemented in the form of peer reviews.
Treatments using non-ionising (e.g. laser) radiation and sound
Certain cosmetic treatments use laser beams or light, which may involve risks for human tissue. Treatments using radiation and ultrasound have thus been governed by a Federal Act and corresponding Ordinance since 1 June 2019.
Events involving laser radiation
Some events involving laser radiation use very powerful lasers with output powers of several watts. When a laser beam of such strength - even for a very short duration - hits the eye, temporary visual impairment, after-images, reading impairment and in severe cases permanent damage to the eye may be caused.
Federal Office of Public Health FOPH
Schwarzenburgstrasse 157
Switzerland - 3003 Bern