The Swiss economy is interrelated with its European neighbors. Despite being out of the European Union (EU), Switzerland tends to harmonize its product environmental regulations with the rest of Europe. Let’s summarize some of the RoHS, REACH, POP Switzerland regulations, and other requirements.
The REACH regulation on the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and restriction of Chemicals No 1907/2006 manages chemicals in the EU.
The Swiss ORRChem’s article 814.81 and annex 1.17 and Chemicals Ordinance Annex 3 (ChemO) mimic the EU REACH regulation.
For example, ChemO directly refers to the EU Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC).
Consumers must know what SVHCs present in articles at or above 0.1% by weight at the article (component) level.
Similar to REACH, article 814.81 of the ORRChem ordinance addresses Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) in Annex 1. In the EU, regulation 2019/1021 manages POP chemicals. Both EU and Switzerland POP restrict a list of POPs in products. Such a list contains brominated and chlorinated halocarbons.
Consequently, Switzerland banned the manufacture and use of perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS), its salts, and PFHxS-related compounds, effective November 16, 2023. PFHxS are PFAS substances.
RoHS, REACH, and POP regulations control substances in products. Additionally, the following requirements may apply to electronic equipment.
In the EU, regulation 2019/1021 manages POP chemicals. Both EU and Switzerland POP restrict a list of POPs in products. Such a list contains brominated and chlorinated halocarbons.
The following laws apply to energy efficiency in Switzerland:
Energy efficiency requirements stem from these regulations. For example, electronic displays for sale in Switzerland must bear a label indicating the efficiency categories. The green color symbolizes the highest efficiency. In contrast, red represents the lowest efficiency.
Moreover, comparative labels with minimum energy performance apply. These requirements mirror the European Union ones under ESPR – Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (previously EU Directive 2009/125/EC ecodesign requirements for electrical-related products).
Directive 2012/19/EU manages the Waste of Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) in the EU. Importantly, it set rules for an extended producer’s responsibility (EPR). Therefore, in virtue of the EPR principle, manufacturers or importers must register to a national agency and declare products placed on the market via a compliance scheme.
Furthermore, recycling data apply to the product’s user guide.
In Switzerland, the WEEE counterpart is the ordinance on Take-Back, Collection, and Disposal of Electrical and Electronic Equipment No. 814.620 (Verordnung über die Rückgabe, die Rücknahme und die Entsorgung elektrischer und elektronischer Geräte VREG).
To sum up, here is a table about Switzerland’s environmental requirements applicable to electronic products.
| Category of the Requirements | Swiss Regulations (examples) | European Union Correspondance |
| Ecodesign | Bundesverfassung Energiepolitik – Federal constitution energy policy EnG – Energy law (Energiegesetz) EnEV – Energy efficiency ordinance (Energieeffizienzverordnung)
Ordinance on the Reduction of Risks relating to the Use of Certain Particularly Dangerous Substances, Preparations and Articles (SR 814.81) | Directive 2009/125/EC and directives that are specific to particular product categories.
REACH Restrictions (Annex XVII) + Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR) (EU) No 528/2012 + RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU (for articles)– This ordinance transposes EU restrictions on substances like asbestos, PCBs, heavy metals, etc. The closest EU instruments are REACH Annex XVII (restrictions) and sector-specific rules like RoHS for electronics. |
| Substances Control | ChemO – Annex 3 ORRChem- Article 814.81, Annexes 1.17 and 2.18
Federal Act on Protection against Dangerous Substances and Preparations (SR 813.1)
Ordinance on Protection against Dangerous Substances and Preparations (Chemicals Ordinance, ChemO) (SR 813.11) |
REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006– The primary EU framework for the registration, evaluation, authorisation and restriction of chemicals. CLP Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 on classification, labelling and packaging.
CLP Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 + REACH Annexes– ChemO implements GHS/CLP and REACH requirements in Switzerland; the EU equivalents are CLP (for hazard communication) and REACH (for substance management). |
| Waste Management | Ordinance on the Return, Taking Back and Disposal of Electrical and Electronic Equipment (SR 814.620)
Federal Act on the Protection of the Environment (SR 814.01) | WEEE Directive 2012/19/EU-This EU directive establishes collection, recycling, and recovery targets for electrical and electronic equipment—directly equivalent to Switzerland’s e-waste ordinance.
Environmental Liability Directive (2004/35/EC)– While the EU does not have a single “Environmental Protection Act,” this Swiss law is functionally mirrored through multiple directives covering air, water, waste, and pollution prevention (e.g., Industrial Emissions Directive 2010/75/EU). |
Do you want to export electronics to Switzerland? Questions about Switzerland RoHS, REACH, POP, or other environmental product requirements? Contact Enviropass!
