Chemicals Legislation and Guidelines
The aim of the Swiss Chemicals Legislation is to ensure a high level of protection for health and the environment and also to avoid trade barriers with the European Union.
Chemicals Legislation
The chemicals legislation is based on various acts and ordinances. It is largely harmonised with the regulations of the European Union, but is developed and implemented in an autonomous manner.
Adaptations to Chemicals Legislation
The ordinances are regularly adapted in order to cope with developments of technical progress and in particular the European legislation and thereby to maintain a high level of protection.
Status of the harmonisation of Swiss Chemicals legislation with international regulations
The Swiss authorities monitor the development of international and in particular the European chemicals legislation. They evaluate them in regard to possible required adaptations of Swiss law.
Guidelines and Interpretation Aids to the Chemicals Legislation
The guide "Existing and new substances in Switzerland" describes how existing and new substances have been defined since 1 May 2022 and how it is possible to find out whether a particular substance is an existing or new substance. Existing substances may be placed on the market after self-regulation, whereas new substances must be notified before placing them on the market. For substances that were already placed on the market before 1 May 2022 and are now subject to the notification requirement, the transitional arrangements are described.
Market control
The federal or cantonal authorities regularly check whether the manufacturers, including importers and dealers correctly adhere to the provisions of the chemicals legislation.
Evaluation of the authorization procedure for plant protection products
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