Spiez Laboratory

Laboratory services
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  Accredited laboratories
  
  Spiez Laboratory operates six testing centres that are accredited by the Swiss Accreditation Service (SAS).
  
  Chemistry
  
  Chemical warfare agents and related compounds, synthesis, detection, decontamination, identification.
  
  Measuring radioactivity
  
  Determining radionuclide concentrations in the environment (air, water, soil), in food as well as in other materials and auxiliary equipment
  
  CBRNe Protection Systems
  
  Qualifizierung von Schutzausrüstung im CBRNe Bereich. Analysen von Materialien und Systemen für den persönlichen und den kollektiven CBRNe-Schutz.
  
  Biology
  
  Analysis and diagnostics of highly infectious pathogens and toxins.
  
  Material Testing
  
  Analysis of polymer materials and test of their resistance to chemical warfare agents.
Arms Control
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  NBC arms control
  
  Spiez Laboratory works in the framework of the implementation and preparation of international disarmament and arms control treaties.
  
  National Authority CWC
  
  Information for business and industry on declaration and inspection obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention.
  
  United Nations Secretary-General’s Mechanism (UNSGM)
  
  Initiative to establish quality assurance requirements and further methodology for biological laboratories in order to validate UN fact-finding missions.
Tasks
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  Spiez Laboratory research activities
  
  NBC protection and arms control are the primary focus of Spiez Laboratory research activities.
  
  Training opportunities at Spiez Laboratory
  
  Spiez Laboratory provides vocational training. We offer apprenticeships as chemistry or biology lab technicians to young people living in the region.
  
  Emergency response teams of Spiez Laboratory
  
  When an NBC event occurs, the Spiez Laboratory's emergency response teams are on hand to advise and support the first responders.
Publications
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  Annual Reports
  
  Factsheets und Poster
  Releases Spiez Laboratory
  
  New Coronavirus 2019-nCoV
Spiez Laboratory
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  About us
  
  Vision, mission statement, roles and responsibilities of the Swiss Federal Institute for NBC Protection
  
  Biology Division
  
  Analysis and diagnostics of highly infectious pathogens and toxins.
  
  Logistics, Quality and Safety Division
  
  The LQS Division is responsible for the central services of the Spiez Laboratory. As well as providing on-site support, it is our job to ensure the smooth running of the Spiez Laboratory in general....
  
  Management Board Spiez Laboratory
  
  The Management Board of Spiez Laboratory consists of the Heads of the Divisions.
  
  Chemistry Division
  
  Chemistry Division: Evaluation, prevention and mitigation of threats from chemical warfare agents and related toxic compounds.
  
  Job vacancies in the Spiez Laboratory
  
  Autonomous work, networked thinking and a constant willingness to learn more are expected and promoted in the Spiez Laboratory.
  
  Section Nuclear Chemistry
  
  Nuclear Chemistry Division – Measurement of radioactivity in all situations, analysis of environmental samples for contamination by pollutants, nuclear forensics, radiation protection.
  
  CBRNe Protection Systems Division
  
  CBRNe Protection Systems Division: theoretical and experimental fundamentals of individual and collective protection systems, procurement assistance, certification office for components subject to...

Major NBC exercise in the Bernese Oberland

From 19 to 23 June 2023, units of Germany’s professional fire brigades specialised in NBC hazards, the Analytical Task Force (ATF), practised six challenging emergency scenarios involving chemical, radioactive and biological agents or hazardous substances. The exercise took place around Spiez and at the military training ground in Thun.

Further informations

Annual report Spiez Laboratory

The Russian attack on Ukraine has a major impact on our responsibilities in NBC protection: Russia has taken the conflict to the international arms control bodies, making false claims about biological and chemical weapons programmes in Ukraine. Together with other states, Switzerland is working all the harder for constructive developments, an example being the “Arms Control and Disarmament Strategy 2022–2025” adopted by the Federal Council in 2022 – to which Spiez Laboratory is making important contributions.

Further information

Spiez Laboratory

Spiez Laboratory, the Swiss Federal Institute for NBC-Protection, is a division of the Federal Office for Civil Protection. We provide services relating to arms control, protection measures, health and incident management for international organisations, authorities and the general population.

Further informations