The Health Protection Directorate assesses opportunities and risks in the areas of biomedicine, chemicals and radiation. On the basis of its assessments, it draws up protection concepts and raises public awareness.
The Health Protection Directorate monitors the handling of chemicals, ionising and non-ionising radiation and pathogenic and genetically modified microorganisms. It authorises and inspects equipment that generates ionising radiation, such as X-rays, and monitors environmental radioactivity. It assesses opportunities and risks that result from advances in biomedicine and high-end medicine. It also draws up the corresponding legislative framework for areas including therapeutic products, human genetics, transplantation, human research and reproductive medicine.
Notification Authority for Chemicals
The Notification Authority for Chemicals is assigned administratively to the FOPH and is located within the Health Protection Directorate in organisational terms. It constitutes the common authority for the notification and authorisation of chemicals for the Federal Office of Public Health FOPH, the Federal Office for the Environment FOEN and the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs SECO.
International Cooperation
The directorate helps to create a legislative framework on an international level and plays a coordinating role for Switzerland. It is thus involved in the creation of fair, clear and internationally harmonised legislation for consumers, patients and business. It additionally ensures the implementation and enforcement of the legislation.
Andrea Arz de Falco
Head of Health Protection Directorate, Vice Director, Member of the Senior management (since 2008)
Further information on Andrea Arz de Falco
Education
Theology and Biology, Dr. theol.
Professional career
2006–2008 Head of Biomedicine Division, FOPH | 2004–2006 Head of Human Research and Ethics Section, FOPH | 2003–2009 lecturer in Medical Ethics, Department of Medicine, University of Fribourg | 2002–2004 Head of Applied Medical Ethics Unit, FOPH | 2000–2002 project leader of interdisciplinary national research project (National Research Programme NFP 46, transplants/implants) | 1998–2002 President of the Federal Ethics Commission on Non-human Biotechnology and senior assistant at the Institute for Ethics and Human Rights at the University of Fribourg
Newsletter Health Protection
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Our newsletter covers issues such as nanotechnology, ionising radiation, radioactivity and noise, as well as the marketing and safe handling of chemical products.
Last modification 20.07.2023
Contact
Federal Office of Public Health FOPH
Health Protection Directorate
Schwarzenburgstrasse 157
3003
Bern
Switzerland
Tel.
+41 58 464 93 66