It is well known that since 2008 Australia has had some of the world’s most restrictive laws regarding the possession and importation of “laser pointers” with powers exceeding 1 mW. Now four years on Australia is used as a test case and question whether this has actually improved safety for those wishing to purchase these devices or if it has impacted on the availability of prohibited devices. Results from the analysis of over 40 laser pointers legitimately purchased in Australia from local and International suppliers are presented. Specifically lasers that are readily available to everyday consumers through the simple on-line search “laser pointer 1 mw” are targeted. The parameters investigated are quoted power versus measured power, correct representation in advertising and adherence to laser standards as related to specified use and purchase price. The analysis indicates that the suppliers in this market have learnt how to bypass the prohibition and the impact on general safety in these cases is detrimental.

1.
Australian Customs and Border Protection Services
(
2012
)
Post Implementation Review: Restriction of the Importation of Handheld Laser pointers
.
Amendment to the Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations 1956
.
2.
Western Australia
(
2012
),
Weapons Regulation 1999
. www.slp.wa.gov.au.
3.
State governments should be read to include the Territory Government of the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) & Northern Territory (NT).
4.
New South Wales
(
2008
),
Weapons Prohibition Amendment (laser Pointers) Regulation 2008, under the Weapons Prohibition Act 1998
. New South Wales Government Gazette No. 88,
7204
–
7206
.
6.
South Australia Police
(
2010
),
Some Laser Pointers are a Prohibited Weapons
, www.sapolice.sa.gov.au/sapol/services/firearms_weapons/laser_pointers.jsp.
7.
Australian Customs and Border Protection Services
(
2011
),
Import and Export Controls on Weapons
. http://www.customs.gov.au/webdata/resources/files/ImportExportControlsonWeaponsFactSheet.pdf
8.
Government of Western Australia, Ministerial Media Statements
(
1999
),
Ban on sale and supply of hand-held laser pointers announced (audio)
. www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/pages/StatementDetails.aspx?listName=StatementsCourt&StatId=352.
9.
Class 3 should be read to include class IIIA and class 3B as 3R did not exist at the time and class 3A (under AS/NZS 2211.1:1997) had and irradiance limit and so was lower risk.
10.
The laser from the US supplier was actually purchased from the supplier’s website as the sale was blocked by EBay.
11.
IEC 60825-1 Ed. 2.0 2007.
12.
This is not suggesting that it is a regulatory problem to be solved but highlighting that where children are concerned a different risk profile necessarily applies.
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© 2013 Laser Institute of America.
2013
Laser Institute of America
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