Norwegian authority proposed stricter laser rules five years ago, awaits ministry response

The Norwegian Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (DSA) proposed expanding approval requirements for strong lasers used in public spaces around five years ago but has not received a concrete response from the Ministry of Health and Care Services, section chief Bård Olsen told Dagbladet.

Under current regulations, use of handheld laser pointers must be “well-founded” and approved by DSA, but no equivalent rules exist for strong lasers used in light shows at public events such as those mounted on russ buses—vehicles used by graduating high school students during celebration season. “It is not logical that small handheld lasers require approval, while the same is not required if you mount larger systems on a russ bus,” Olsen said.

Olsen warned russ against reckless use of lasers for light shows after a student lost sight in one eye when hit by a laser beam in the early hours of 17 May. DSA has had no concrete assignment from the ministry regarding the proposal, Olsen stated. The ministry had not responded to Dagbladet’s questions by the time of publication.

All lasers used in Norway must comply with European standard EN 60825-1 and be labelled accordingly. Sale and use of non-compliant lasers is illegal. “Our impression is that more and more private individuals are obtaining unmarked lasers, which are easy to buy from foreign online stores,” Olsen said. He noted that customs conducts some controls but not enough to stop the flow.

DSA supervises businesses that use lasers but cannot control private use except for laser pointers. Unmarked lasers make it impossible to assess strength, risk, or take preventive measures. “Whoever buys and installs such equipment takes on a great responsibility,” Olsen said. He added that even compliant lasers carry risks if used improperly. “Safe use of strong lasers for light shows requires competence and is for professionals. Private individuals and russ who may not think much about safety often lack the competence to make good risk assessments.”

Following the incident in southern Norway, police seized a russ bus with equipment to investigate what lasers had been used. The case is being investigated as negligent infliction of significant harm. No one had been charged as of Tuesday. The injured student is admitted to the eye department at Sørlandet Hospital. Department head and senior consultant Espen Ringvold said the student was standing in an area where several russ buses were celebrating when a laser beam swept past him and everything went dark early Sunday morning. The type of laser that caused the injury is not known.