Switzerland Regulatory News

Switzerland has officially notified the World Trade Organization (WTO) of a draft revision to the Chemical Risk Reduction Ordinance (ORRChem). The proposal introduces new restrictions on several hazar...

Switzerland has officially notified the World Trade Organization (WTO) of a draft revision to the Chemical Risk Reduction Ordinance (ORRChem). The proposal introduces new restrictions on several hazardous substances, aligning with the updated EU REACH regulations and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs). 

The public comment period is open until 27 July 2025, providing stakeholders the opportunity to respond to the proposed measures. 

Objective and Rationale 

The revision aims to strengthen the protection of human health and the environment from harmful chemicals. It also supports international harmonization, the use of safer chemical alternatives, and improved recycling practices, while aligning with EU standards and fulfilling Switzerland's commitments under international treaties. 

Responsible Authorities 

• The Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN) is the Primary regulatory authority responsible for drafting and implementing chemical safety measures. 

• The State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) handles the international trade-related comments and WTO inquiries. 

Key Provisions in the Draft Ordinance 

1. Ban on Dechloran Plus and UV-328: These substances, as well as mixtures and articles containing them, will be prohibited from manufacture, use, and sale, with limited temporary exemptions. 

2. PFAS Restrictions: Based on EU Regulation (EU) 2024/2462, PFHxA and its precursors will be banned from various applications, including food contact materials, cosmetics, ski waxes, and paper-based products. 

3. Microplastic Ban: Preparations containing intentionally added microplastics will be banned, impacting industries such as cosmetics, detergents, fertilizers, pesticides, and artificial sports surfaces. The draft mirrors the phasing and exemptions set out in EU Regulation (EU) 2023/2055. 

4. Lead in PVC: There will be restrictions on the lead content of PVC products, with exemptions for recycled PVC, which is aligned with EU Regulation (EU) 2023/925. 

5. Formaldehyde Emissions: Market restrictions on articles and vehicles exceeding formaldehyde emission limits, in line with EU Regulation (EU) 2023/1464. 

6. Fluorinated Gases and Ozone-Depleting Substances: New controls on hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs), fluorinated ketones, and greenhouse gases in applications such as foams, heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, and aerosols, in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2024/573 and the Montreal Protocol. 

Timeline: 
 
Switzerland notified the draft regulation to the WTO on 28 May 2025. The comment period remains open until 27 July 2025, allowing 60 days for stakeholders to provide feedback. The regulation is expected to be adopted in November 2025, with an intended entry into force on 1 December 2025. 

On 14 April 2025, Switzerland notified the World Trade Organization (WTO) of two proposed amendments to its chemical safety regulations. These amendments aim to enhance public health protection by res...

On 14 April 2025, Switzerland notified the World Trade Organization (WTO) of two proposed amendments to its chemical safety regulations. These amendments aim to enhance public health protection by restricting the availability of certain hazardous substances to the general public and aligning Swiss regulations more closely with the European REACH and CLP frameworks.

Key Provisions of the Amendments

Restriction on CMR Substances for Consumer Use

The draft amendment to the Ordinance on the Reduction of Risks Related to the Use of Particularly Dangerous Substances, Preparations, and Articles (ORRChim) prohibits the supply of substances classified as carcinogenic, mutagenic, or toxic to reproduction (CMR) to the general public. This applies to substances listed in Annex 1 to 6 of Annex XVII of the EU REACH Regulation, as well as mixtures containing these substances when their mass concentration exceeds the threshold defined in the EU CLP Regulation.

These substances may no longer be supplied to the general public in Switzerland after 31 August 2025.

Updates to Classification, Labelling and Testing Requirements

The amendment to the Ordinance on the Protection against Dangerous Substances and Preparations (OChim) updates Annexes 2 and 3 to reflect the latest EU regulations. This includes:

• Incorporation of the 22nd and 23rd Adaptations to Technical Progress (ATPs) under the EU CLP Regulation.

• Updated references to testing methods under Regulation (EC) No 440/2008, OECD Test Guidelines (as of June 2025), and the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria, 8th revised edition with the 2025 amendment.

• Transitional periods allowing the continued supply of noncompliant substances until 30 April 2026 (for the 22nd ATP) and until a future date to be determined for the 23rd ATP.

Expanded Candidate List of Substances of Very High Concern

Following developments at EU level, seven new entries are being added to Annex 3 of ChemO, Switzerland’s list of substances of very high concern (SVHCs). In addition, one existing entry is being updated. The revised list will contain 247 substances and groups of substances, effective 1 August 2025.

Effective Date

Both amended ordinances are scheduled to enter into force on 1 August 2025.

These changes reflect Switzerland's commitment to aligning its chemical safety regulations with the EU's REACH and CLP frameworks to enhance protection for the general public against particularly hazardous substances.

For more detailed information, you can access the full notifications here and here.

The Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH), in collaboration with the Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN) and the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), has announced significant amendme...

The Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH), in collaboration with the Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN) and the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), has announced significant amendments to the Ordinance on the Protection against Dangerous Substances and Preparations (ChemO). These amendments were notified to he World Trade Organization (WTO) on May 27, 2024. The amendments, The aim of the amendments which will come into force on September 1, 2024, is to improve safety standards for chemical products in Switzerland.

Key Amendments

Updates to Annex 2:

• Classification, Labelling, and Packaging: The European Union’s CLP Regulation (Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008) Annexes I to VII are now applicable to Swiss standards. This alignment ensures that the classification, labelling, and packaging of substances and preparations are consistent with international guidelines.

• New EU Hazard Classes: The new EU hazard classes according to Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/707 for endocrine disruptors and chemicals that are persistent, bioaccumulative, or may reach surface water, groundwater or drinking water due to their mobility, will become applicable in Switzerland. These hazard classes will become mandatory in stages, first for substances, and subsequently for preparations.

• Testing Methods: The testing methods for determining the properties of substances and preparations have been updated. Acceptable methods include those defined in EU Regulation (CE) No. 440/2008, OECD Guidelines for the Testing of Chemicals (as of June 2024), and the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria.

Updates to Annex 3:

• List of Substances of Very High Concern: Seven news entries have been added to the list and one entry has been updates. This list, effective September 1, 2024, contains 240 substances and groups of substances that have been identified as being of very high concern due to their hazardous properties. This update aims to improve the safety of public health and the protection of the environment by regulating these high-risk chemicals.

Transitional Provisions

In order to facilitate a smooth transition, the Ordinance provides for specific deadlines for compliance:

• Non-compliant substances: Substances that do not comply wjth the new regulations can be marketed until October 31, 2026.

• Non-compliant preparations: Preparations that do not meet the new criteria can be marketed until April 30, 2028.

• Harmonized classification and labelling: Substances listed in Delegated Regulation (EU) 2024/197 and their preparations must comply by August 31, 2025.

Implementation and Compliance

The FOPH emphasizes that these amendments are essential to align Swiss chemical safety standards with international regulations, thereby improving the protection of human health and the environment. Companies dealing with chemical substances and preparations are advised to review the updated requirements and ensure compliance by the specified deadlines to avoid disruptions in their operations.

In November 2023 the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health (BAG) published a revision of the Biocidal Products Ordinance. The revision implements changes to the Chemicals Act (ChemG), which has been a...

In November 2023 the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health (BAG) published a revision of the Biocidal Products Ordinance. The revision implements changes to the Chemicals Act (ChemG), which has been adapted to reduce the risks from the use of pesticides. The revised ordinance will enter into force on 1 January 2024.

Obligation to report the quantities of biocidal products

The revision of the Biocidal Products Regulation introduces a new obligation to report annually on the quantities of biocidal products placed on the market. This will allow better tracking of sales volumes. This reporting obligation must be fulfilled by the person who first places a biocidal product on the market in Switzerland. This mainly concerns authorisation holders, manufacturers, and Swiss importers. Dealers, direct sales points, professional and commercial users are not affected.

The first report for data from 2024 must be submitted by 31 May 2025 and thereafter by 31 May each year.

Introduction of Indicators

Indicators based on measurements in aquatic environments have been established to assist in the assessment and mitigation of risks associated with biocidal products. If the values specified in the Water Protection Ordinance are consistently exceeded, authorisations for biocidal products may be altered or revoked if necessary.

The Federal Office of Public Health, Switzerland, on 28 June 2022 published a draft amendment of Annexes 2, 3, 4, and 7 of the Ordinance on Protection against Dangerous Substances and Preparations (Ch...

The Federal Office of Public Health, Switzerland, on 28 June 2022 published a draft amendment of Annexes 2, 3, 4, and 7 of the Ordinance on Protection against Dangerous Substances and Preparations (Chemicals Ordinance).

Annex 2 is the technical regulations for the classification, labelling and packaging of substances. It will be updated and adapted to technical progress in the EU from November 23, 2023. The draft revises the list of harmonized classifications and updates it to include 39 substances, amends 17 existing entries and one existing entry was split into two. Also, the newest developments in test methods for substances and preparations (OECD) are adopted in this draft revision.

For Annex 3, four substances are added to the candidate list of substances of very high concern (SVHC). The requirements in Annex 4 (technical dossier for notifications) are updated based on the specifications for registrations in the EU. And three entries are eliminated from Annex 7, the list of new substances for which notification is not required.

With these revisions, the agency aims to protect human health and the environment and reduce trade barriers to enhance trade in Switzerland. The last day for comments is July 15, 2022, and the proposed date of adoption is July 29, 2022. The changes are expected to come into force on September 1, 2022.

After identifying 388 Food Contact Chemicals (FCCs) as “of concern” substances, Swiss researchers from the Food Packaging Forum (FPF) called for such substances to be phased out. These substances ...

After identifying 388 Food Contact Chemicals (FCCs) as “of concern” substances, Swiss researchers from the Food Packaging Forum (FPF) called for such substances to be phased out. These substances that are listed as being “intentionally added” to Food Contact Materials (FCMs) in the FPF’s FCC database (FCCdb) include:

• Carcinogenic, Mutagenic or Reprotoxic substances (CMRs),
• Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs), and
• Persistent and Bioaccumulative substances (PBs). 

The database for the migrating and extractable FCCs, FCCmigex as labeled by FPF, has also listed some of the aforementioned substances, where 97 of such chemicals were found evidently migrating from FCMs. Part-funded by environmental NGO Zero Waste Europe, the research league including colleagues at ETH Zurich and the Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology spotted the need to investigate a wider range of FCCs in extraction and migration experiments; the ultimate calling is that no untested substances and no hazardous chemicals shall be present in FCMs.

On the 13th of February, Switzerland had a vote to decide if full animal testing should be banned or not. This includes animal testing for both scientific and medical research.If voted for, the ban ...

On the 13^th of February, Switzerland had a vote to decide if full animal testing should be banned or not. This includes animal testing for both scientific and medical research.

If voted for, the ban would include:

·       a ban on the importation of products created through animal testing,

· a ban on human experiments, and 

· A certainty that non-animal testing will receive a level of support from the state that is almost the same as the support provided for animal experiments’ research.

During the voting process, 21% of the participants voted in favour while 79% voted against. Otherwise, Switzerland would have become the first country to fully ban animal testing. In 2017, Switzerland banned cosmetics that contain ingredients tested on animals.

However, Julia Baines from PETA UK said the rejection of the full ban does not equal approval of animal testing as this is collectively aimed at human clinical trials as well as the manufacturing, export and import of products tested on animals.