The centenary of Spiez Laboratory
Spiez Laboratory was founded under the name Gas Laboratory in the town of Wimmis in 1925. Since then, the laboratory has developed into a cornerstone of Switzerland’s security architecture and an internationally recognised institution in the field of NBC protection. To mark this occasion, the celebration “The centenary of Spiez Laboratory” was held on 23 October 2025 at the Bernerhof, in attendance of invited guests.
Services
NBC arms control
Spiez Laboratory works in the framework of the implementation and preparation of international disarmament and arms control treaties.
Accredited laboratories
Spiez Laboratory operates six testing centres that are accredited by the Swiss Accreditation Service (SAS).
Training opportunities at Spiez Laboratory
Spiez Laboratory is also a host company providing upper-secondary level vocational education and training. We offer young people living in the region apprenticeships as chemistry lab technicians. As a rule, two new apprentices are accepted each year.
Announcements
Press releases
Injured children to be evacuated from Gaza for medical treatment
As part of a humanitarian operation, Switzerland is evacuating an initial group of seven injured children from the Gaza Strip to Switzerland. The children and persons accompanying them will be hosted by seven Swiss cantons, where they will receive medical treatment at university and cantonal hospitals. They will also undergo an asylum procedure in Switzerland. The humanitarian operation has been jointly organised by several federal agencies and cantons, and is being carried out in cooperation with the World Health Organization (WHO), Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) and Swiss Air-Rescue Rega.
State Secretary for Security Policy to meet with Singapore’s Permanent Secretary (Defence)
Markus Mäder, State Secretary for Security Policy, will receive Singapore’s Permanent Secretary (Defence) Chan Heng Kee in Bern on 21 October 2025. They will discuss current security policy developments and challenges and visit the National Emergency Operations Centre.
Deputy National Armaments Director receives foreign defence attachés
The Deputy National Armaments Director Thomas Rothacher will receive the defence attachés accredited in Switzerland from ten countries on 21 August 2025. The traditional professional exchange will take place in Bern and Spiez.