Diesen Newsletter in Deutsch anzeigen. October 3rd, 2011
 



To whom it may concern
scienceindustries keeps you informed about the positions of our industry with regard to current economic policy and social topics.
Topics in this edition
- New association name scienceindustries successfully launched
- Strong franc: demand to safeguard Switzerland as a location for innovation
- Unrealistic CO2 law leads to production moving abroad
- New free trade agreements: yes, but only with effective provisions to protect intellectual property
- Strengthening Switzerland as a research location with the law on research involving humans
- Secure the prosperity of tomorrow by investing in Switzerland as a location for innovation
- Play chemistry cards with simplyscience.ch
New association name scienceindustries successfully launched
The many positive reactions to the name change of our association from SGCI Chemie Pharma Schweiz to scienceindustries show that this forward-looking name which describes our industry has been well received in broad circles. After the successful launch of scienceindustries, the task now is to consolidate the new name of our Business Association Chemistry Pharma Biotech also among our stakeholders.
Strong franc: demand to safeguard Switzerland as a location for innovation
scienceindustries welcomes the introduction of a temporary exchange rate target by the Swiss National Bank. The financial package proposed by the Swiss Federal Council does not provide any noticeable relief for the affected export industries. scienceindustries calls on Swiss politicians to improve the quality of Switzerland as a business location over the longer term and thus to compensate for the negative effects of the strong franc. Thus taxes and duties should be reduced for all companies, no new encumbrances for companies should be introduced (e.g. with regard to energy and CO2), a high quality trading network should be further expanded (incl. with China and India), there should be increased investment in education and research, the free movement of persons with the EU should be maintained, the international price comparison regarding medicine prices should be applied with a sense of proportion and there should be no tightening of the antitrust law or subsidies for individual companies or industries.
Unrealistic CO2 law leads to production being moved abroad
The emission reductions of 20% demanded by Swiss councils is not realistic, particularly as the target is to be achieved exclusively through domestic measures. The companies in our industry are willing to reduce their CO2 emissions by 20% voluntarily by 2020 in comparison to 1990. The CO2 legislation must provide for a mix of measures at home and abroad. The existing draft CO2 law, which will go for its final vote in the 2011 winter session, breaks with this successful path. scienceindustries demands from politicians that at least half of CO2 emissions can be compensated for from abroad.
New free trade agreements: yes, but only with effective provisions for the protection of intellectual property
scienceindustries has for a long time spoken about the interesting growth potential for our industry in countries such as China and India. In this context we are in favour of a high quality agreement with comprehensive reductions in customs tariffs, simple rules of origin and substantial provisions for the protection of intellectual property (including that import is deemed to be an exercise of the patent).
Strengthening Switzerland as a research location with the law on research involving humans
The attractiveness of a research location is significantly dependent on the structure of the framework conditions with regard to research involving humans. With the law on research involving humans (HFG), these framework conditions are for the first time laid down for the whole of Switzerland with regard to research projects in this field. The law creates a balance between the freedom of research and the protection of study participants; furthermore it raises hopes of simpler and faster procedures for the approval of clinical studies. The HFG corresponds to the international standard. This is a key prerequisite for Switzerland as a research location and especially with regard to Swiss participation in multinational clinical research projects.
Secure the prosperity of tomorrow by investing in Switzerland as a location for innovation
The economic success of the Switzerland of tomorrow begins with innovation today. If Switzerland wishes to continue to keep up internationally with the pinnacle of research also in the future, Swiss higher education institutions will require sufficient financial resources to train highly qualified young talent for the economy. scienceindustries calls on politicians to strengthen the position of the Swiss technical higher education institutions in particular in the context of the Report on the Promotion of Education, Research and Innovation 2013-16.
Play chemistry cards with simplyscience.ch
The SimplyScience Foundation is actively supporting the promotion of young talent in science and technology (www.simplyscience.ch). Together with other institutions, it has developed a new kind of chemistry card game. "ChemiX" is an exciting combinatory card game for 2 to 4 players from age 10 upwards which awakens an interest in chemical and scientific processes in pupils. The game is fascinating for both old chemistry hands and for many, who up to this point had little interest in chemistry, and is equally suitable for a cozy evening of games around the family table. Member companies of scienceindustries can request a free set from redaktion@simplyscience.ch.
Kind regards
Dr. Beat Moser
Director
Marcel Sennhauser
Communication
scienceindustries
Business Association Chemistry Pharma Biotech
Nordstrasse 15 - Postfach
CH-8021 Zürich
Telefon +41 44 368 17 11
Telefax +41 44 368 17 70
E-Mail info@scienceindustries.ch
Internet www.scienceindustries.ch
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