Call for evidence outcome

Laser pointers: call for evidence

• From: Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy and Regulatory Delivery
• Published: 12 August 2017
• Last updated: 8 January 2018 — See all updates

This was published under the 2016 to 2019 May Conservative government

This call for evidence has closed

Read the full outcome

Laser pointers: call for evidence - government response

PDF, 177 KB, 14 pages

Detail of outcome

We will introduce new measures to tackle the sale of unsafe laser pointers, including:

• strengthening safeguards to stop high-powered lasers entering the country
• working with manufacturers and retailers to improve labelling

Read the full outcome in the government response above.

We received 265 responses to the call for evidence. These came from a range of stakeholders, including:

• ophthalmologists
• pilots
• amateur astronomy societies
• Trading Standard authorities
• professionals working in the laser safety industry
• concerned members of the public

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Original call for evidence

Summary

This call for evidence aims to gather data and information on the market for laser pointers and how they are used.

This call for evidence ran from
12:15am on 12 August 2017 to 11:45pm on 6 October 2017

Call for evidence description

The call for evidence covers the misuse of laser pointers, particularly the safety issues involving ‘laser attacks’ on pilots and drivers of lorries and other vehicles following an increase in the number of these attacks. In addition, it looks at concerns about the potential for retinal damage among consumers where high powered laser pointers are shone into the eyes.

The call for evidence considers updating regulations governing the import and trade of laser pointers, as well as potential solutions involving licensing arrangements, restrictions on supply, and the introduction of a specific criminal offence for ‘laser attacks’ on planes or vehicles.

We are seeking responses from a wide variety of stakeholder groups as well as the general public.

Documents

Laser pointers: call for evidence

PDF, 381 KB, 23 pages

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Published 12 August 2017
Last updated 8 January 2018 + show all updates

1. 8 January 2018

   Government response published.

2. 12 August 2017

   First published.