(MENAFN- Swissinfo) To mark the 100th anniversary of Switzerland's Spiez Laboratory – a world leader in protection against nuclear, biological and chemical dangers – the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has renewed its status as a collaborating centre. The lab near Bern will continue to support environmental monitoring of the Fukushima disaster in Japan, for example. This content was published on November 3, 2025 - 23:00 2 minutes RTS

• Deutsch de Labor Spiez: Stille Schutzmacht gegen unsichtbare Gefahren Read more: Labor Spiez: Stille Schutzmacht gegen unsichtbare Gef
• Français fr A la pointe contre les menaces nucléaires, biologiques et chimiques, le Laboratoire de Spiez a 100 ans Original Read more: A la pointe contre les menaces nucléaires, biologiques et chimiques, le Laboratoire de Spiez a 10
• Italiano it All'avanguardia contro le minacce nucleari, biologiche e chimiche, il Laboratorio di Spiez compie 100 anni Read more: All'avanguardia contro le minacce nucleari, biologiche e chimiche, il Laboratorio di Spiez compie 100

On October 23, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi confirmed the existing partnership and extended Spiez Laboratory's status as a reference centre for another four years. Together with the IAEA, the institution has defined its work programme for 2025–2028. One of its priorities will be monitoring the environment in areas affected by the Fukushima disaster in Japan. Spiez will continue to collect and analyse samples of water discharged into the sea off Fukushima.

+ Working to counter weapons of mass destruction

According to the Federal Office for Civil Protection, the Swiss lab is internationally recognised for its contribution to protecting against nuclear, biological and chemical threats.

The IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi (left) presented Defence Minister Martin Pfister (right) with a plaque certifying the renewal of Spiez Laboratory's status as a collaborating centre for a further four years. KEYSTONE – PETER KLAUNZER From gas analysis to global crisis response

Founded in 1925 under the name Gas Laboratory in the town of Wimmis in Bern, its mission has evolved considerably over the past century. Since 1923, it has also housed a centre for studying the military threat posed by chemical weapons.

Today, Spiez Laboratory is the only facility in Switzerland authorised to create and handle chemical and biological warfare agents, and to analyse highly radioactive soils.

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