Updated at 23 Jun 2026
BERENIS is a Swiss expert group established by FOEN to assess scientific research on electromagnetic fields and non-ionising radiation below 10 GHz. It reviews literature to evaluate potential health risks and advises on regulatory limits to protect public health.
BERENIS is a Swiss expert group established by the Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN) to provide scientific competence on electromagnetic fields and non-ionising radiation (NIR). Initiated in July 2014, the group regularly reviews and critically assesses relevant scientific literature to evaluate potential adverse health effects associated with NIR exposure, specifically at frequencies below 10 GHz. The FOEN uses BERENIS evaluations as a basis for informing and updating the public and advising the Swiss Federal Council on adjusting regulatory limits for environmental exposure to NIR, as stipulated in the Swiss ordinance relating to protection from non-ionising radiation. BERENIS prioritizes studies based on scientific rigor, environmental relevance, novel scientific perspectives, and applicability within Swiss contexts, including epidemiological and experimental research. This ensures early detection of possible health risks, objective validation of biological effects, and assessment of public health implications. The expert group consists of multidisciplinary members from fields such as molecular genetics, public health, neurorehabilitation, pharmacology, and environmental health, with an emphasis on independent and transparent work, supported by declarations of potential conflicts of interest. BERENIS disseminates its findings through quarterly newsletters. The group's work is essential given the increasing complexity and prevalence of technologies emitting NIR, which makes continuous, critical scientific surveillance and assessment necessary to safeguard public health in Switzerland.
