EU chemicals legislation: Switzerland's pragmatic responses

The chemical and pharmaceutical industry in Switzerland is heavily exportoriented. Over half of the chemicals exported from Switzerland are sold to customers in EU countries. All of these exports must comply with REACH requirements. Current developments such as the EU Green Deal therefore have a direct impact on the competitiveness of Swiss companies.

The chemical and pharmaceutical industry in Switzerland operates globally. More than half of the chemicals exported from Switzerland are sold to customers in EU countries. All these exports must comply with REACH requirements. REACH (Regulation (EC) 1907/2006) is an important element of chemicals legislation in the EU: the abbreviation stands for ‘Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals’.

The REACH regulations, which came into force on 1 June 2007, govern the safe manufacture and use of chemical substances in the EU and the European Economic Area. REACH also aims to improve knowledge about the various properties of chemicals so that people and the environment can be better protected from the potential risks associated with the use of chemicals. Anyone who manufactures and/or places chemicals on the market in the EU (e.g. through import) within the meaning of REACH must comply with the relevant provisions of the regulation.

EU Green Deal could have negative consequences for Switzerland

The EU wants to implement the European Green Deal and the ‘Chemical Strategy for Sustainability’ (CSS) action plan contained therein, although the exact regulatory changes are only beginning to emerge. However, it must be assumed that this will be the most fundamental upheaval in chemicals legislation since the introduction of REACH. This upheaval could also have massive negative consequences for Switzerland. However, it also offers opportunities for Switzerland as a production location if the further development of Swiss chemicals legislation is well thought out and tailored to domestic circumstances.

In particular, the Chemical Strategy for Sustainability (CSS) aims to phase out the use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the EU, unless their use is indispensable. In addition to scienceindustries, various other trade associations such as economiesuisse, Swissmem and Swiss Textiles would like to refrain from a complete ban on PFAS in Switzerland – they are calling for future PFAS regulation to be based on current scientific studies.

Pragmatic solutions for our industries

scienceindustries is closely monitoring the further development of Swiss chemicals legislation, particularly the Chemicals Ordinance, and is playing a constructive role in this process. We are committed to harmonising regulatory requirements in Switzerland with those of the most important supply and sales markets, especially the EU, wherever this makes sense. Where this is not appropriate, we seek independent, pragmatic solutions to ensure that protection goals are met while maintaining the innovation and competitiveness of Swiss companies.