Placing chemical products on the market requires the manufacturers’ self-regulation and hence under their responsibility. However, certain chemical products are subject to the obligation of notification, registration or to authorisation.
The majority of chemical products may be placed on the market without prior official approval but under the responsibility of the manufacturer (manufacturer in the legal sense of the term also means importers and certain dealers; Definition of Manufacturer). This requires that a self-regulation is carried out. Checks must also be made whether
a notification obligation as a chemical product exists
a notification obligation as a parallel imported plant protection agent exists
an authorisation as a biocidal product is required
an authorisation as a plant protection agent is required
an authorisation or registration as a fertiliser is required
a registration of a new substance is required
and that neither restricted nor prohibited substances are used in the chemical product “Restrictions and Prohibitions”
The responsibility and liability for correctly placing the majority of chemical products on the market lies entirely with the relevant manufacturers. The principle of self-regulation applies; there are no prior regulatory controls.
E-applications for chemicals offer companies the possibility to register new products or to submit a request for authorisation AN as well as to modify already registered products.
Preparations must be reported to the notification authority via the product register for chemicals within 3 months after first placing them on the market.
Biocidal products may be placed on the market, be used professionally and commercially only if they have been authorised, notified or recognised according to the Ordinance on Biocidal Products (OBP - SR 813.12).
Parallel imported plant protection products must be reported to the notification authority via the product register for chemicals within 3 months after first placing them on the market.
