Overview of the legal basis and authorities with which disinfectants must be authorised in Switzerland

The following table provides an overview of the legal basis and authorities with which disinfectants must be authorised in Switzerland.

XOrdinance   Authority   Use of disinfectant	Biocidal products OBP FOPH	Medical devices   MedDO Swissmedic	Medicinal products TPA Swissmedic	Other
Hands, hygienic/surgical disinfection	X	X2
Hands, hygienic skin cleansing	X
Skin (preoperative, incisions)			X
Wounds, diseased skin			X
Medical devices		X
Mouth protection (masks)				Employee Protection Ordinance
Mouth			X
Surfaces in hospitals, labs and swimming pools	X
Cooling equipment	X
Food industry, restaurants, kitchens	X
Water in swimming pools	X
Saunas, solariums	X
Drinking water	X
Surgical instruments		X
Milk and cheese (dairy) industry	X
Udders	X1)
Livestock rearing, animal enclosures	X
Combating epizootic diseases	X			OFE FSVO*

*  OFE = Ordinance on Epizootic Diseases;  FSVO = Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office

¹⁾ Depending on the claims made for the product, authorisation as a veterinary medicinal product will be necessary. 

²⁾ No approval, CE marking according to conformity assessment, Swissmedic responsible for market surveillance. 

Last modification 09.10.2017