WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1  
23 September 2013  
(13-5059)  Page: 1/161  
Trade Policy Review Body 
23 and 25 April 2013  Original: English/French/Spanish  
anglais/français/espagnol  
inglés/francés/español  
 
 
TRADE POLICY REVIEW 
SWITZERLAND AND LIECHTENSTEIN  
RECORD OF THE MEETING 
Addendum 
Chairperson: H.E. Mr. Eduardo Muñoz Gómez (Colombia) 
 
This document contains the advance written questions, and replies provided by Switzerland 
and Liechtenstein. 
 
 
Organe d'examen des politiques commerciales 
23 et 25 avril 2013 
EXAMEN DES POLITIQUES COMMERCIALES 
SUISSE ET LIECHTENSTEIN  
COMPTE RENDU DE LA RÉUNION 
Addendum 
Président: S.E. M. Eduardo Muñoz Gómez (Colombie) 
 
Le présent document contient les questions écrites communiquées à l'avance et les 
réponses fournies par la Suisse et le Liechtenstein.  
 Órgano de Examen de las Políticas Comerciales 
23 y 25 de abril de 2013 
EXAMEN DE LAS POLÍTICAS COMERCIALES 
S
UIZA Y LIECHTENSTEIN  
ACTA DE LA REUNIÓN 
Addendum 
Presidente: Excmo. Sr. Eduardo Muñoz Gómez (Colombia) 
 
En el presente documento figuran las preguntas presentadas anticipadamente por escrito, 
junto con las respuestas facilitadas por la Suiza y Liechtenstein. WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 2 - 
 
 
  
 SUMMARY 
CHINA 
Page 8 (Para. 3)  
 
"In September 2011, the Swiss National Bank decided to contain the appreciation of the Swiss 
franc by setting a minimum exchange rate of SwF 1.20 per euro and committing to unlimited 
purchases of foreign currencies." 
 
Question:   
 
Swiss franc is one of the international reserve and settling currencies. Does the exchange rate 
intervention by Swiss National Bank have any ad verse impact on fair trade and competition? Will 
Swiss National Bank continue this practice? What's the trigger condition for Swiss National Bank to intervene? 
 
Answer:  
 
The implementation of the minimum exchange rate  has not created a competitive advantage, and 
hence cannot be said to have had adverse effects on trade and competition. It was introduced in September 2011 to prevent an unwarranted tightening  of monetary conditions due to strong Swiss 
franc appreciation. The strong appreciation of th e Swiss franc since the outbreak of the financial 
crisis has contributed to negative inflation rates since October 2011 and increased the risk of 
deflationary dynamics taking hold in Switzerland.   
Because of safe-haven pressures, the real effect ive exchange rate of the Swiss franc was almost 
40 percent above its long-term average in early August 2011. The Swiss franc has continued to be overvalued after the introduction of the minimum rate. The minimum exchange rate has been 
necessary to counter deflationary risks and achieve the Swiss National Bank's price stability 
mandate. A further lowering of interest rates in or der to lean against appreciation has not been an 
option because the policy rate is already at zero.  
Current developments make a continuation of th e minimum exchange rate necessary. Safe-haven 
pressures are likely to persist as long as there is still substantial uncertainty in connection with the management of the debt crisis in the euro area. Conventional monetary policy continues to be 
limited by the zero lower bound and price stability to be subject to downside risks.  
The Swiss National Bank is prepared, if necessary, to buy foreign currency in unlimited quantities in order to keep EUR/CHF exchange rate  above the minimum rate of CHF 1.20. 
 
Page 8 (Para. 5) 
 "Switzerland and Liechtenstein have extended th eir network of free-trade agreements to help 
improve access to foreign markets." 
 
Questions: 
Please illustrate the economies or regions with which Switzerland and Liechtenstein have 
free-trade agreements or under negotiation. 
Answer: 
 
Please find all the information regarding Switze rland's and Liechtenstein's free-trade agreements 
(existing and under negotiation) on the website of the State Secretariat of Economic Affairs, under the following link:  
http://www.seco.admin.ch/themen/00513/ 00515/01330/04619/in dex.html?lang=en . On the basis 
of the Customs Union Treaty of 1923 between Swit zerland the Principality of Liechtenstein, only 
the provisions on trade in goods of the bilateral agreements concluded by Switzerland (e.g. CH-
Japan) will apply to the territory of Liechtenstein.  
Does any agreement have environmental chapter or cover the environmental issue? Have the 
parties to the agreement evaluate the environmenta l impact of the agreement on each other? If WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 3 - 
 
 
 
 
  so, what's the result of such evaluation?  
Answer:  
 
All FTAs concluded by Switzerland, whether bilaterally or within the framework of EFTA, contain 
certain provisions related to the environment (e.g . objectives of the FTA, relationship to other 
international agreements, WTO general exceptions clauses etc.). In 2010, the EFTA States have reinforced their approach regarding trade and sustainable development by developing a new model 
chapter "Trade and Sustainable Development", addressing in a more comprehensive way both 
environmental and labour issues related to trade. All FTAs concluded since include provisions on environment based on the provisio n of the new model chapter. The monitoring of these FTAs is 
carried out by the joint committees established under these agreements. Possible issues impacting 
the environment on one or the other side will be assessed on a case by case basis and discussed 
within the framework of these joint committees. No  such environmental issues have been reported 
on either side to date. 
 
Page 9 (Para. 11) 
"Switzerland has taken steps towards reducing technical barriers to trade and enhancing import 
competition in the domestic market. In 2010, Switzerland unilaterally introduced the "Cassis de 
Dijon principle" for certain products. Together with the MRA on conformity assessment between Switzerland and the EU, the Cassis de Dijon princi ple ensures that products that are lawfully 
marketed in the EU or EEA may, in principle, be put on the market in Switzerland without further 
checks regarding their technical requirements. Exports from the broader WTO membership to 
Switzerland may benefit too, provided the products meet EU/EEA technical requirements. However, some of the potential gains from trade are lost because the Cassis de Dijon principle is 
not applicable to certain products (e.g. animal feed, pharmaceuticals or certain chemicals), and 
food imports are subject to special approval procedures."  
Question: 
 
Does Switzerland have any specific plan for further enlarging the application scope of "Cassis de Dijon principle" and reducing the technical barriers? 
 
Answer: No 
 
Page 11 (Para. 21) 
 
"The tariff-quota system remains highly complex with the 28 WTO tariff quotas being divided into 
58 sub-quotas and aggregated with 80 bilateral preferential-tariff quotas" 
 Question: 
 
The tariff-quota system of Switzerland and Liechtenstein is complex. Do both governments have 
any plan to simplify the tariff-quota system? If so, please elaborate it.  
Answer: 
 
The quota system has been introduced in Switzerland as an implementation of the Uruguay Round 
and has been very well used by operators since th en. As for the near future, there are no plans to 
modify this system.  Page 11 (Para. 21) 
 "Export subsidies for basic agricultural products were eliminated in 2009, but remain in place for certain dairy products, flour, and other milled prod ucts that are incorporated into food products. 
These export subsidies partially compensate food manufacturers, for instance Swiss chocolate 
makers, for the high-tariff handicap of using certain domestic agricultural raw materials"  
Question: 
 
Does Switzerland have any plan to abolish or re duce export subsidies for agricultural products?  WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 4 - 
 
 
  
  
Answer:  
 
We are not in a position to indicate a date wh en remaining export subsidies for raw materials 
incorporated into processed agricultural products will be phased out given that a confirmation of 
the date for the elimination of all forms of export subsidies, pursuant to paragraph 6 of the Hong Kong Ministerial Declaration of 2005, is stil l outstanding. When granting export refunds, 
Switzerland remains constrained by the actual commitments included in its schedule (Part IV, 
Section II of Switzerland's schedule on good s attached to the Marrakesh Protocol). 
 ARGENTINA 
En el párrafo 4 se señala que Suiza y Liechtenstein siguen siendo "islas" de precios altos en Europa 
por varias razones, como la fortaleza del franco suizo y el nivel relativamente elevado de los salarios, pero también a causa del alto grado de protección de la agricultura, los obstáculos 
técnicos al comercio y la restricción de la competencia en diversos sectores. Uno de los principales 
objetivos de política es mejorar la competencia en el mercado interno. Aunque en el período 
examinado se han emprendido varias iniciativas para estimular la competencia y poner freno a los 
altos precios (por ejemplo la adopción por Suiza del principio "Cassis de Dijon"), en conjunto se 
necesitan medidas más eficaces para superar los retos que encaran ambas economías en lo que respecta a la competencia, particularmente en la agricultura.  
Si Suiza quiere bajar sus precios altos ¿podría explicar por qué mantiene un alto grado de 
protección de la agricultura, obstáculos técnicos al comercio y restricción de la competencia en varios sectores? 
 
Si Suiza quiere estimular y mejorar la competen cia en el mercado interno (y externo), ¿podría 
explicar por qué mantiene un alto grado de protecci ón de la agricultura, obstáculos técnicos al 
comercio y restricción de la competencia en varios sectores? 
 
Si Suiza quiere estimular y mejorar la competencia en el mercado interno (y externo), particularmente en la agricultura, ¿podría explic ar por qué mantiene un alto grado de protección 
de la agricultura, obstáculos técnicos al comercio y restricción de la competencia en varios 
sectores? ¿No son medidas contradictorias?  
 
¿No sería mejor para Suiza y para los países exportadores de los productos en que ese país es 
proteccionista (muchos de ellos en desarrollo), la eliminación de dichas protecciones? Si la respuesta es no, ¿por qué? 
 
Answer:  
 These four questions are somewhat interlinked. Switzerland's agricultural policy is oriented 
towards a long-term strategy and built upon stable, foreseeable and coherent conditions for 
farming. Therefore, Switzerland applies several agricultural policy instruments, one of those being tariffs for agricultural products. Switzerland has been for a long time and remains to be – per 
capita – one of the most important net importing countries worldwide. This is partially due to its 
low level of self-sufficiency for a large share of agricultural products and partially due to population increase during the last 20 years. The range of  Switzerland's trading partners, among those all 
range of developed, developing and least developed countries shows that the agricultural import 
regime is neither discriminating, nor protectionist. The large range of supplying countries – among those a significant number of LDCs – shows equall y that those countries being suppliers of high-
quality products face an interesting market and a non-tariff related scheme at the border which is 
not hindering free trade. It is well known that a large share of parameters related to SPS and TBT 
valid for agricultural products is in line with the regulations of the European Union. Those regulations assure the quality and food safety level that consumers in Switzerland require in line 
with the international commitments provided for in the SPS and TBT Agreements. Switzerland is 
participating in the development of relevant international standards, guidelines and recommendations, which are then reflected in its internal TBT and SPS measures. Switzerland 
remains, by the way, engaged in multilateral trade negotiations that would also imply changes to 
its agricultural policy  
 WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 5 - 
 
 
 
 
  En el párrafo 11 se expresa que Suiza ha tomado medidas para reducir los obstáculos técnicos al 
comercio e intensificar la competencia de las importaciones en el mercado interno. En 2010 
introdujo unilateralmente el "principio Cassis de Dijon" para determinados productos. Junto con el ARM sobre la evaluación de la conformidad entre Suiza y la UE, el principio Cassis de Dijon 
garantiza que los productos que se comercialicen legalmente en la UE o el EEE puedan, en 
principio, introducirse en el mercado en Suiza sin nuevas comprobaciones derivadas de las prescripciones técnicas suizas. Las exportaciones a Suiza procedentes del resto de los Miembros de 
la OMC también pueden beneficiarse de la aplicación de ese principio, siempre que los productos 
satisfagan las prescripciones técnicas de la UE /el EEE. Sin embargo, parte del beneficio que ello 
podría reportar al comercio se pierde al no aplicarse el principio Cassis de Dijon a determinados productos (por ejemplo, el pienso, los prod uctos farmacéuticos o determinados productos 
químicos) y estar las importaciones de alimentos sujetas a procedimientos de aprobación 
especiales.  
¿Por qué se aplican a las importaciones de alimentos procedimientos de aprobación especiales? 
 
¿Por qué los productos alimentarios no gozan de los beneficios del principio Cassis de Dijon?  
 
¿Podrían los gobiernos de Suiza y Liechtenstein explicar en mayor detalle cómo aplica el principio Cassis de Dijon?   
Answer: Please kindly refer to Box 3.1 in the Secretariat's Report.  
 
En el párrafo 22 se expresa que actualmente está en trámite en el Parlamento suizo una nueva 
Política Agrícola para 2014-2017. El núcleo de esa nueva política es la reorganización y reajuste 
del sistema de pagos directos (50.000 francos suizos por agricultor en promedio) para mejorar su eficacia y resolver conflictos con los criterios del compartimento verde de la OMC. Aunque por lo 
general la política agrícola de Suiza ha estado bien encaminada, el nivel de la ayuda y protección a 
la agricultura de Suiza sigue siendo casi el triple del promedio de la OCDE. Es necesario acelerar el proceso de las reformas orientadas al mercado.  
¿En qué consistirá la Nueva Política Agrícola? 
 
¿Qué medidas está tomando Suiza para reducir el nivel de ayuda y protección a la agricultura, 
dado que según el informe sigue siendo casi el triple del promedio de la OCDE y que la misma 
Secretaría considera que es necesario acelerar el proceso de las reformas orientadas al mercado?  
Answer:  
 
Question 1: The Agricultural Policy (AP) 2014-2 017 contains a reform of the direct payments 
system, a new quality strategy for agricultural production and measures, which aim at improving 
the competitiveness of the agricultural sector. 
 Question 2: Apart from a reduction of import duties on bread cereals, AP 2014-2017 foresees the 
rearrangement of the direct payments (DP) schem e .  T h i s  w i l l  g i v e  f a r m e r s  a n  o p p o r t u n i t y  t o  
rethink their production portfolio and concentrate on those market and non-market activities in which they are most competitive given their individual framework conditions, including structure of 
costs. This will lead to a more market-oriented se ctor and a certain restructuring of the sector as a 
whole. This development will in turn provide a sound basis for successfully dealing with future 
challenges including possible further reform steps. AP 14-17, with its new DP scheme, is an important step in the reform of Switzerland's agricultural policy, which will encourage the sector to 
successfully meet the needs and the expectations of  the population. As shown by its high share of 
imports, remains an attractive partner for exporters of agriculture products. Switzerland remains committed to multilateral trade talks in the co ntext of the Doha Development Agenda where 
adaptations of market access for agricultural products are equally foreseen. 
 WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 6 - 
 
 
  
 INDIA 
Page 9 (Para 8) 
 
The structure of the applied MFN tariff of the Switzerland-Liechtenstein Customs Union has 
changed little since the last TPR. All tariffs remain specific; the corresponding ad valorem 
equivalents range from zero to 1,676%. The simple average MFN rate increased from 8.1% in 2008 to 9.2% in 2012, which reflects in part the appr eciation of the Swiss franc. Tariff protection 
varies substantially across and within sectors, av eraging 31.9% for agricultural products and 2.3% 
for non-agricultural goods (WTO definition), with some international tariff peaks on products such 
as textiles and clothing. MFN duty-free treatment a pplies to almost 20% of all tariff lines, mainly 
agricultural products not produced domestically, fish, petroleum, certain chemicals, base metals, 
as well as products granted duty-free treatment under the Pharmaceutical Initiative, the 
Information Technology Agreement, and the Pluril ateral Agreement on Trade in Civil Aircraft. 
Almost 40% of tariff lines carry non-zero rates of less than 2% (nuisance rates). 
 
Question 11  
 
Switzerland and Liechtenstein are requested to elaborate the linkage between the increase in 
simple average MFN rate and the appreciation of the Swiss franc.  Answer:  
 Switzerland has a system of specific duties. In the law, the duty is laid down in Swiss Francs. When the national currency appreciates, the duty may gain in importance expressed as a 
percentage of the value of the imported goods in Swiss francs after tax and duties if the prices in 
foreign currency of the latter remain constant or evolve in a less dynamic way than the Swiss franc appreciates. The 'ad valorem' equivalents may theref ore increase in parallel with the currency. In 
former periods (e.g. end of the '80ies), high domest ic inflation rates created the opposite effect on 
the ad valorem  equivalents of specific duties. 
 MEXICO 
Página 8, párrafo 2. 
 
En el párrafo 2 de la página 8 del Informe de la Secretaría, Suiza y Liechtenstein manifiestan que: 
"el descenso en la productividad del trabajo en los últimos años es motivo de preocupación."  
 Pregunta 20: 
 ¿Cuáles son las causas por las cuales se considera que ha disminuido la productividad del trabajo en Suiza y Liechtenstein?   
Answer: 
 
The reasons behind declining productivity are tw ofold: On the one hand, sectors that regularly 
contributed substantially to overall productivity growth were exposed to the global financial and 
economic crises (banking sector, industry). On the other hand, sectors that are essentially serving domestic demand further expanded their labour force and continued to contribute only marginally 
to nation-wide productivity growth. 
 Página 11, párrafo 20. 
 
Pregunta 21: 
 
¿Cómo funciona el impuesto específico relativo a la construcción de infraestructura de tránsito 
transalpina y transferencia intermodal entre la carretera y el ferrocarril? 
 WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 7 - 
 
 
 
 
  Answer:  
 The performance-related heavy vehicle fee(HVF) is a federal fee levied on the basis of total weight, emission level and the kilometres driven in Switzerl and and the principality of Liechtenstein. 2/3 of 
the revenues are used by the Federal state to finance investments in major rail-infrastructure 
projects and 1/3 goes to the cantons (road, railway).  
The fee must be paid for all the vehicles and trailers which 
 have a total weight of more than 3,5 tons, 
 are used for the carriage of goods and 
 are licensed in Switzerland and abroad and driv e on Switzerland's public roads network.  
 
The HVF is levied without discrimination. This means that the Swiss vehicles pay exactly the same amount per tonne and km (tkm) as foreign trucks. 
 
Currently applied rates: 
 
Fee category  Emission class  Rate  
I  Euro 2*, 1 and 0  3.10 ct./ tkm  
II  Euro 3*  2.69 ct./ tkm  
III  Euro 4 and 5  2.28 ct./ tkm  
 
Discount rate:  
III  Euro 6 2.05 ct./ tkm  
 
Calculation example: 
Relevant weight  18 t  
Rate according to emission (Euro 5)  2.28 ct./tkm  
Kilometres driven  100 km  
Total  CHF 41.05  
 
Calculation: 18 x 2.28 x 100 = 4104 ct. = CHF 41.05 
* 10% discount for vehicles retrofitted with partic le filter systems which keeps the particle limit 
value euro 4 (0,02 g/kWh) 
MALAYSIA 
Reference made to page 9 (Para) 10 – Trade in Goods 
 
It states that an automatic license (general import permit) applies to some products covered by 
compulsory reserve stock schemes (certain fuels and foodstuffs) or import threshold prices.  
Q1: How are the import threshold prices determined?  
 Answer:  
 The federal council fixes the import threshold pric es. The statutory threshold prices are reviewed 
from time to time (Table 4.1 page 77 of the Secr etariat's report). Within the past eight years they 
were gradually reduced to CHF 100/t, aimed to reduce feed costs of livestock producers.  
 Q2: How long does it take to issue the import permit? 
Answer: 
 
Usually, the import permit is allocated within a few days.  
Reference made to page 9 (Para) 11 – Trade in Goods  
 
It states that in 2010, Switzerland unilaterally introduced the 'Cassis de Dijon principle' for certain products. Together with the MRA on conformity assessment between Switzerland and the EU, the WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 8 - 
 
 
  
 Cassis de Dijon principle ensures that products that are lawfully marketed in the EU or EEA may, in 
principle, be put on the market in Switzerland without further checks regarding their technical 
requirements.  
Q1: Please give an elaboration on the operations of the ''Cassis de Dijon principle".  
Answer: 
 
Please kindly refer to Box 3.1  
Reference made to page 11 (Para 22) - Agricultural 
 
A new Agricultural Policy 2014-17 is currently pending before the Swiss Parliament. The core of 
the new policy is a re-arrangement and fine-tuning of the direct payments scheme (averaging SwF 50,000 per farmer) to improve its effectiveness and address conflicts with WTO Green Box 
criteria. While Switzerland's agricultural policy has been heading generally in the right direction, 
Swiss support and protection for agriculture is still almost three times the OECD average. The 
process of market-oriented reforms needs to be faster.  
Q: Secretariat Report mentioned that a new Agricultural Policy 2014-17 is currently pending before 
the Swiss Parliament. Can Switzerland provide any further information on this new proposed policy and how this policy would fit into the current negotiations in the DDA? 
Answer: 
 
The Federal Constitution (Article 104) defines objectives for Switzerland's agricultural sector. The reliable provision of the population with foodstuffs  is referred to as one of the objectives. Market 
orientation of the agricultural sector is referred to in that same article. The 2014-2017 Agricultural 
Policy (PA 14/17) , the fifth stage in the reform process, aims at promoting more innovation in 
agriculture and the food chain, further enhancing competitiveness and better targeted support for 
services in the public interest. The Swiss Pa rliament approved the new PA 14/17 on March 19
th, 
2013 as proposed by the government. The key comp onent of PA 14/17 is the development of the 
system of direct payments. In future, payments will systematically be directed towards services in 
the public interest desired by the population and laid down in the Federal Constitution, by means 
of payments for open rural landscapes, security  of supplies, biodiversity, the quality of the 
landscape, the support of innovative production systems as well as the efficient use of resources. At the same time, the procedures for granting investment subsidies will be modified in such a way 
that investments are still profitable under the modified policy conditions and that production costs 
will be reduced. The aim is that the long-term co mpetitiveness of the agricultural sector will be 
further improved. In parallel, several trade-po licy related projects are currently underway: 
Switzerland is negotiating an Agrifood Free Trad e Agreement with the EU. Equally, Switzerland 
remains committed to multilateral trade talks in the context of the Doha Development Agenda whose conclusion will imply further adaptations of the Swiss agricultural policy.  
ECUADOR 
De conformidad con el Resumen, página 9, párrafo  11, se menciona que Suiza con el objetivo de 
reducir obstáculos técnicos al comercio e intensificar la competencia de las importaciones en el mercado interno, en el 2010 introdujo unilateralmente el "principio Cassis de Dijon" , el cual junto 
con el ARM suscrito con la UE, garantiza que los productos que se comercialicen legalmente en la 
UE o EEE, en principio puedan introducirse en el mercado suizo sin nuevas aprobaciones derivadas de las prescripciones técnica suizas, ¿Podría Suiza indicarnos, si las exportaciones procedentes del 
resto de los Miembros de la OMC, que han firmado un ARM con Suiza fundamentado en el 
"principio Cassis de Dijon" , podrían también introducirse en el mercado suizo, a pesar de no 
cumplir con las prescripciones técnicas de la UE/EEE, sin nue vas comprobaciones derivadas 
respecto de las prescripciones técnicas? 
Answer:  
 
The introduction of the Cassis-de-Dijon principle in Switzerland is not linked to the Swiss-EU MRA. 
Before introducing the Cassis-de-Dijon principle with the EU, Swiss authorities have thoroughly WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 9 - 
 
 
 
 
  compared the level of protection provided for by relevant EU laws to that required under Swiss 
law. Where Swiss law has been deemed necessary  to necessary to fullfill a legitimate policy 
objective, an exception to the application of the Cassis-de-Dijon principle has been decided by the 
Federal Council. 
 
1  ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT 
1.1  Economic Environment 
1.1.1  Major features of the economies 
UKRAINE  Paragraph 1.5 notes that "the economic importan ce of agriculture remains marginal, at around 
0.8% of real GDP and 3.8% of total employment  in Switzerland…, despite high protection by 
various tariff and non-tariff measures; overall government support by Switzerland represents 
2.8 times the OECD average. As a consequence,  despite some reform efforts in the sector, 
domestic prices of agricultural and food products remain high by international comparison". 
 
According to paragraph 1.13 of the Report by Swit zerland, "… In the context of an ongoing trend 
towards overvaluation of the Swiss franc in particular, it is essential to be able to lower the cost of 
inputs for firms… and to maintain the cost of living at an affordable level both for wage-earners 
and for the remainder of the population living in Switzerland…".  Question:  
 Does the 2014-2017 Agricultural Policy take into account needs of consumers? If so, what concrete measures are planned to be taken in order to reduce the high prices of domestically-produced 
and/or imported foodstuffs, in particular, through increased competition in the sector? 
 Answer:  
 The Federal Constitution (Article 104) defines objectives for Switzerland's agricultural sector. Those cover, inter alia , several parameters linked to sustainable agricultural production, 
functioning of remote rural areas, biodiversity , landscape quality, animal-friendly production 
systems and quality level of foodstuff production. In order to be in compliance with these societal 
concerns, Switzerland's agricultural policy provides a set of instruments which aim at fulfilling the objectives of the Federal Constitution. The 2014-2017 Agricultural Policy  (PA 14/17), the 
fifth stage in the reform process, aims at promoting more innovation in agriculture and the food 
chain, further enhancing competitiveness and better targeted support for services of public interest. The key component of PA 14/17 is the deve lopment of the system of direct payments. In 
future, payments will systematically be directed to wards services of public interest desired by the 
population and laid down in the Federal Constitution, by means of payments for open rural landscapes, security of supplies, biodiversity, the quality of the landscape, the support of 
innovative production systems as well as the efficient use of resources. At the same time, the 
procedures for granting investment subsidies will be modified in such a way that investments are 
still profitable under the modified policy conditio ns and that production costs will be reduced. The 
aim is that the long-term competitiv eness of the agricultural sector will be further improved. Prices 
for Swiss agricultural products – considering the whole spectrum of products – can be partially 
explained by the above-mentioned parameters, pa rtially by the quality level desired by Swiss 
consumers. Consumer's needs are taken into account insofar as their requirements on production 
conditions in the agricultural sector and the positive external effects as well as their compensation 
are adequately reflected in the PA 14/17.  
 1.2  Recent Economic Developments 
CHINA 
Page 15 (Para. 1.8) 
 
"Between 2008 and 2011, labour pr oductivity declined annually by 0.53%.9 This drop was mainly WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 10 - 
 
 
  
 caused by the slump in the foreign trade sector in the course of the financial crisis. However, 
Switzerland's labour productivity has been slow compared with other OECD countries for many 
years10; and this has played its part in the sl owdown of the Swiss economy and has limited real 
income increases.…" 
 
Questions ： 
 
What is the long-term reason for the slow growth of Switzerland's labor productivity? What kind of macroeconomic policies will the government plan to introduce in order to speed up the increase of 
productivity? 
 
Answer:  
 
The slowdown in productivity growth between 200 8 and 2011 is largely temporary. Nevertheless, 
no long-term productivity growth in the banking sector is forecasted for the moment, due to the debt crisis and to new regulations. For Switzerland this represents a considerable change that will 
weigh on the overall performance. The Federal Council growth program for 2012-2015 stresses the 
need to improve the productivity of domestic se ctors (agriculture, health, energy and transports, 
trade-openness for the retail sector, Federal administration, e-government, and so on). 
 
The decomposition of increases in turnover in the sectors turned towards domestic markets is very 
unfabourable for productivity growth, and this for decades. Essentially, increased demand in these domestic markets is transposed into increased labour demand. Therefore, structural reforms shall 
adress with priority domestic markets but e.g. health care reform got stuck in Parliamentary 
debates. At the same time the example of the heal th sector is telling with regard to the serious 
problems of how to measure output in many of th ese domestically oriented sectors in an adequate 
way. Beyond sectoral reforms Swiss growth polic y comprises measures in seven areas. i) to 
stimulate competition on domestic market by reforms of legislation affecting all sectors (such as Caretel law), ii) further opening up the economiy to international trade, iii) preserving the high participation in the labour market, iv) increasing human capital, v) maintaing sound public 
finances, vi) reforming legal framework conditions where deficiencies are identifed (e.g. 
bankruptcy legislation according to the Worls Bank Doing Business Indicator) and vii) making a more efficient use of scarce natural resources. 
 
Page 15 (Para. 1.9)  
 
"With a view to mitigating the negative effects of  a strong Swiss franc on the economy, a package 
of SwF 870 million featured, inter alia , short and medium-term measures on unemployment 
insurance (SwF 500 million), credit arrangements for hotels (SwF 100 million), compensation payments in the area of transportation (SwF 28.5 million), and export subsidies for processed 
agricultural products (SwF 10 million).…" 
 
Questions ： 
 
What are the specific measures with regard to Sw itzerland's plan of a package of SwF 870 million? 
What are the ratios distributed to each industries? 
 
Answer: 
 
In the autumn session, the Swiss Parliament decided the following measures to cushion the impact 
of the franc's strength on the real economy.   
 Additional funding of scientific research, mainly to foster international projects 
 Special aimed measures to improve applied resear ch and dissemination of technology for small 
and medium firms 
 Measures in favor of tourism, public transpor ts and to a lesser extent, export promotion. 
 Furthermore the unemployment fund is endowed with 500 million Francs to provide additional 
means for the reduced working hours scheme 
 
The package amounted to 870 million francs i.e. roughly 0.2 percent of GDP. 
 WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 11 - 
 
 
 
 
  As indicated in the report, the package of SwF 87 0 million comprised primarily a transfer to the 
unemployment insurance fund (SwF 500 million) and benefitted therefore sectors in accordance 
with the severity of the crises they felt and th e job losses that occured. The measures adressing 
specific sectors were credit arrangements for ho tels (SwF 100 million), compensation payments in 
the area of transportation (SwF 28.5 million), and export subsidies for processed agricultural 
products (SwF 10 million). In addition, an allo wance was made for supplementary spending on 
research projects co-financed by industry 
 
What are the effects of such plans? Have such plans narrowed the difference in raw material costs between Switzerland and the European Union?  
Answer: 
 
The measures of the Confederation supplemented th e bold measures of the Swiss National bank 
(lower limit CHF 1.20 of the exchange rate to th e Euro). Therefore the amount was rather modest 
and in terms of GDP growth not measurable. Ho wever, the measures created confidence among 
the export oriented firms. Raw material costs were not affected.  
 
(Source: http://www.seco.admin.ch/themen /02860/04718/index.html?lang=fr ) 
 
Raw material costs were no factor specifically considered when defining the content of the 
supportive package in reaction of the Swiss franc appreciation. Eventually, a few of the research 
projects supported are aiming at reducing raw material use and costs.  
Page 16 (Para. 1.10)  
 
"the Confederation is planning a fiscal consolidation program amounting to some SwF 700 million 
per year over 2014-16." 
 Questions: 
 
Please inform the general content of the mentioned fiscal consolidation program. 
 Answer: 
 The «Consolidation and task evaluation pack age 2014» (CAP 2014) contains two types of 
measures. The first type of measures relieve the budget immediately (fiscal consolidation 
measures of 700 million CHF). On the other hand, government informs parliament about the 
structural reforms of the task evaluation. Thes e measures are primarily aimed at preventing a 
future financial burden.  
The consolidation part of the CAP 2014 includes minor reforms, expenditure cuts and 
prioritizations. The package is well balanced and is expected to have no distinct negative effect on task fullfillment of the State, nor on economic growth and on general welfare. All departments and 
all relevant functions of government are affected and a shifting of burdens to the cantons (federal 
states) is avoided.  
Table: Consolidation measures by f unctions of government (year 2014) 
 Million CHF Main measures 
Social welfare  248 Lowering of the interest rate on the debt to the old age 
insurance (142 mn) 
Transportation 123 Prioritization in building/maintenance and efficiency 
improvements (national highways 95 mn; rail 20 mn) 
Education and research  35 Contributions to universities (30 mn) 
National defense 93 Armement and property management (74 mn) 
Agriculture and food  57 Contributions to agriculture (57 mn) 
International relations – 
international cooperation 57 Cuts in development cooperation (39 mn) 
Other functions 74 Health: Lowering of contributions for drugs (74 mn) 
Staff expenditure cuts 18  
Total 705  WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 12 - 
 
 
  
  
Page 16 (Para. 1.12.) LIE 
 
"The current account of Liechtenstein's public bu dget showed a surplus of SwF 59 million in 2009, 
followed by deficits of SwF 30 million in 2010 and SwF 160 million in 2011." 
 Question: 
 What's the reason for continuous enlargement of Liechtenstein's public budget? Are there any potential risks to its economic and financial stability? What measures will be adopted to improve the fiscal balance? 
 
KOREA  
Page 15 (Para 1.9) 
 
(……) With a view to mitigating the negative effects of a strong Swiss franc on the economy, a package of SwF 870 million featured, inter alia , short and medium-term measures on 
unemployment insurance (SwF 500 million), credit arrangements for hotels (SwF 100 million), 
compensation payments in the area of transportation (SwF 28.5 million), and export subsidies for processed agricultural products (SwF 10 million).   
Question: 
 
As noted in the Government report (WT/TPR/G/280), the exchange rate of 1.20 CHF (Swiss Franc) 
to 1 Euro seems to be quite high and is very pr ejudicial to exports. In addition, recently the 
exchange rate has been further impacted as a resu lt of the renewed euro zone debt crisis despite 
the SNB's reiterated vow to the defend the CHF (Swiss Franc). 
 
Please indicate whether Switzerland is considering additional measures such as the above-mentioned package in order to offset the effect of the strong CHF?   
Answer: 
 
Switzerland considers that the evolution of the exchange rate is essentially determined on financial 
markets. The overall stance of fiscal policy may be  a factor exercising an impact on the exchange 
rate but in the Swiss case, budget surpluses or deficits are not used on a regular policy in order to stimulate or depress domestic activity; in partic ular, a direct link between the movement of the 
exchange rate and the budgetary surplus/defici t is clearly missing. The debt brake rule is 
determining the path of overall spending;. When spending policies are used in the event of a 
threatening recession, this is done with a view to attenuate the unfavourable repercussions e.g. exchange rate movements can have on the domestic  economy. In such periods, domestic demand 
may to some extent step in for missing foreign demand albeit, when analysed at the sectoral level, 
it is really difficult to substitute demand for exported goods and services by goods and services 
demanded by the public sector. As Switzerland has avoided falling into a recession no particular 
spending programmes are currently in elaboration. 
 MEXICO 
Página 16, párrafo 1.11. 
 
Pregunta 22: ¿Cómo funciona el régimen de "perecuación" fiscal que entró en vigor desde 2008? 
 
Answer: 
 
The fiscal equalization system has been completely redesigned in 2008. The equalization effect has 
been improved and wrong incentives have been e liminated. The focus in doing so was to replace 
the earmarked financial strength supplements with non-earmarked resource equalization and cost compensation contributions. The cantons can decide themselves as to whether they use their 
financial resources for debt reduction, tax reduction or for the financing of their tasks. The 
independence and self-reliance of the cantons is  thereby strengthened and their deployment of WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 13 - 
 
 
 
 
  resources is better adjusted to the needs of the regional population. Under the old system, the 
financially weak cantons that have a relatively high tax burden received somewhat higher 
equalization payments than comparable cantons with a low tax burden. In order to counter these wrong incentives, the "tax burden index" has been eliminated as a criterion and replaced with the 
"resource potential index". The resource potential covers only the utilisable fiscal capacity of a 
canton without taking account of the effective tax burdens.   
Fiscal equalization in the stricter sense covers three equalization mechanisms. The total volume of 
all three equalization mechanisms amounts to  CHF 4,676 billion for the 2012 reference year. 
Approximately two-thirds of the financing is pr ovided by the Confederation (2012: CHF 3,102 
billion) and one third by the cant ons (CHF 1,575 billion); fiscal equalization in the stricter sense is 
thus not just a vertical equalization (i.e. redistribution from the Confederation to the cantons) but 
a horizontal equalization as well (i.e. redistribution among the cantons).  
Pregunta 23: ¿Cómo reduce las diferencias de capacidad financiera de un cantón a otro? 
 
Answer: 
 Resource equalization is based on the so-called resource potential of the cantons. This takes into account the taxable value creation in a canton and thereby reflects the economic weight of a canton. It is calculated on the basis of the taxable income and assets of natural persons and the 
taxable profits of legal entities. If the resource potential per capita is compared to the 
corresponding Swiss average, the result is the re source index. Cantons with a resource index of 
over 100 are considered to be financially strong and contribute to resource equalization in line with 
their resources and population. Cantons with a resource index below 100 points are financially 
weak and are thus recipient cantons.   
Resource equalization is financed jointly by the Confederation (vertical resource equalization) and 
by the financially strong cantons (horizontal resource equalization). The Federal Constitution stipulates that horizontal resource equalization should amount to at least two-thirds but at the most four-fifths of vertical resource equalization. The equalization payments to the financially weak 
cantons are calculated in such a way that the weakest cantons receive disproportionately more 
assistance. The aim is to have for all cantons a resource index of at least 85 index points. 
0 50 100 150 200 250UriJuraGlarusValaisFribourgBernLuzernThurgauSt. GallenAppenzell  A.Rh.SolothurnGraubündenObwaldenAppenzell  I.Rh.AargauNeuchâtelSchaffhausenTicinoBasel LandschaftVaudZurichNidwaldenGenevaBasel StadtSchwyzZugResource  index (before  equalization) Resource  index (after equalization)
Swiss average
85%
 WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 14 - 
 
 
  
 ECUADOR 
Párrafo 1.8. Página 15:  ¿Cómo ha afectado la apreciación del franco suizo en sus relaciones 
comerciales internacionales?   
Answer: 
 
Regarding exports, the strong Swiss franc has clearly taken its toll. While German and US exports 
continued their strong recovery during 2010 th e Swiss export growth slackened in 2010. This 
coincides with the strong appreciation of the Sw iss franc until mid-2010. In 2011 and 2012, export 
volumes merely stagnated, clearly lagging behind countries like Germany ( Figure 1 ). However, 
fears of an outraged export slump have not materialized. The minimum exchange rate of 
1.20 CHF/EUR was an important measure to stabilize a difficult situation, though the real effective 
exchange rate is still on a high level. A reaction of Swiss exporters has been to lower prices in order to remain competitive in the global market. As a result export prices turned negative in 2008 
and only stabilized at the beginning of 2012. Cu rrently, for many Swiss exporters, profit margins 
are not satisfactory and investments are rather low in a historic perspective. This is especially the case for the machinery and industrial sector.  
 
Figure 1: Exports (goods and services): Switzerland and other countries (volume, indices, 4
th quarter 2004=100) 
 
82.587.592.597.5102.5107.5112.5117.5122.5127.5132.5137.5142.5147.5152.5
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
Germany Spain France Italy UK Switzerland USA
 
 
Por otro lado, ¿qué medidas han tomado Suiza y Liechtenstein para mejorar la productividad de su 
mano de obra como respuesta a la crisis financiera global? 
 Answer: 
 The slowdown in productivity growth between 200 8 and 2011 is largely temporary. Nevertheless, 
no long-term productivity growth in the banking sector is forecasted for the moment, due to the 
debt crisis and to new regulations. For Switzerland this represents a considerable change that will 
weigh on the overall performance. The Federal Council growth program for 2012-2015 stresses the need to improve the productivity of domestic se ctors (agriculture, health, energy and transports, 
trade-openness for the retail sector, Federal administration, e-government, and so on). 
 
As the Confederation's innovation promotion agency, CTI (The Commission for Technology and Innovation) lends support to R&D projects, to entrepreneurship as well as to the development of 
start-up companies. CTI helps to optimise knowle dge and technology transfer through the use of 
national thematic networks.  WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 15 - 
 
 
 
 
  Párrafo 1.19. Página 19: ¿Podría Suiza ampliar la información sobre las medidas de política 
comercial que aplicó para moderar las importaciones de productos alimenticios? Por otro lado, 
¿podrían especificar si aplicaron medidas para aume ntar su producción de este tipo de productos? 
 
Answer: 
 
The trade policy measures applied are described in Chapter 4.1.1 page 77 of the Secretariat's 
report. In Table 4.1 Switzerland's reduction initiatives are stated. The main thrust of the 
Agricultural Policy 2011 (implemented in the period under consideration) is a further shift from (product-specific) market support to direct payments.  
2  TRADE AND INVESTMENT REGIMES 
2.1   General Framework MEXICO 
Página 26, párrafo 2.4. 
 
Pregunta 24: ¿En qué consisten las iniciativas o actividades en que participa la Secretaría de 
Estado de Asuntos Económicos (SECO) para reducir la pobreza en los países en desarrollo? 
 Answer: 
 
Switzerland's international cooperation strategy aims  at the reduction of poverty and global risks. 
Following this strategy, the overall objective of SECO's economic development cooperation is to promote economically, environmentally and socially sustainable growth that will create new jobs, 
encourage higher productivity and contribute to re ducing poverty and inequality. This is achieved 
by integrating partner countries into the global economy and strengthening the competitive ability of their domestic economies. 
 
Based on its core competencies and in a view to  optimize existing resources, SECO's economic 
development cooperation projects focus on five priority themes: 
1. Strengthening of economic and financial policies  
2. Improvement of urban infrastructure and utilities  
3. Support to the private sector and entrepreneurship  
4. Promotion of sustainable trade  
5. Fostering of climate-friendly growth 
 
Important principles for cooperation are good governance and the mobilisation of private resources 
(capital and know-how).  
SECO's economic and development cooperation amounts to approximately 380 million CHF 
annually. Half – approximately 200 mio CHF – of it is concentrated in SECO's priority countries, namely:   
 Developing countries : Colombia, Egypt, Ghan a, Indonesia, Peru, South Africa, Tunisia 
and Vietnam 
 Transition countries : Albania, Bosnia Herzegovina, FYR of Macedonia, Kirghizstan, 
Kosovo, Serbia, Tajikistan and Ukraine. 
The other 50% of SECO's funds go to global and complementary economic and development 
cooperation measures. 
 WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 16 - 
 
 
  
 2.2  Trade Agreements and Arrangements 
2.2.1  WTO 
2.2.2  Regional agreements AUSTRALIA 
Section 2.2.2; Paragraph 2.13; Page 29 
 Australia notes that the document incorrectly st ates that Switzerland has a preferential trade 
agreement with Australia. 
 Answer: 
 
It is an incorrect interpretation of the report of the Secretariat, which states that on the basis of 
the four main criteria for negotiating preferential agreements, Switzerland has targeted preferential agreements with three groups of co untries. It means that these countries are, for 
some of them, free trade partners and for the others, potential partners. This being said, 
Switzerland has effectively no preferential agreement with Australia.  
2.2.2.1  European Free Trade Association (EFTA)  
AUSTRALIA  Section 2.2.2.1; Paragr aph 2.19; Page 40 (30) 
 
Can Switzerland explain the policy basis for providing agricultural concessions in certain trade 
agreements with neighbouring countries without countenancing similar reforms at the multilateral level in the WTO negotiations? 
 
Answer: 
 
The outcome of negotiations of preferential agreem ents reflects the respective interests of parties 
in each area (including trade in agriculture products) taking into account the structure of their trade relations and the development of th eir respective agricultural policies.  
 
INDIA 
Page 30 (Para 2.15) 
 
The functions of the EFTA Council were broadene d to reflect the historical changes in EFTA's 
mission, in particular with respect to EFTA's free-trade agreements with third countries.  
Question 1  
 
Could Switzerland and Liechtenstein elaborate on the changes in EFTA's mission in respect of EFTA's free trade agreements with third countries?  
 
Answer:  
 
Originally signed in Stockholm in 1960 and covering trade in goods, a new and more 
comprehensive EFTA Convention was signed in Vaduz in 2001. This present convention, frequently referred to as the Vaduz Convention, provides an enhanced common platform for developing 
relations with trade partners around the world, broadening the scope of its FTA with third 
countries, essentially to the areas of trade in services and investments, intellectual property rights as well as government procurement.  WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 17 - 
 
 
 
 
  2.2.2.2  Agreement on the European Economic Area (EEA) 
MEXICO (LIE) 
Página 32, Recuadro 2.1 
 
En el segundo párrafo del recuadro 2.1, el Informe menciona que el Mecanismo de Control y 
Vigilancia del Mercado de Liechtenstein (MCVM) "se aplica a los comerciantes profesionales, es decir, los distribuidores/intermediarios (pero no a los pequeños importadores)".  
 
México pregunta 25:  ¿Cuál es el criterio de distinción entre comerciantes profesionales y 
pequeños importadores? 
 
2.2.2.3  Bilateral agreements 
AUSTRALIA  Section 2.2.2.3; Page 32-33 
 
Noting Switzerland's significant number of existi ng preferential trade agreements and ambitious 
forward negotiating agenda, we would welcome further information on when Switzerland will 
include full coverage of agriculture in its FTA agreements, to fully complement multilateral trade 
liberalisation through the WTO process.  Answer: 
 The trade liberalization undertaken in Switzerland' s preferential agreements is the result of 
negotiations between Switzerland and its partners with the aim to strike a balance between 
respective specific interests and sensitivities, while also ensuring conformity with the requirements 
of Article XXIV of the GATT. As the liberalization undertaken by the parties covers substantially all 
the trade carried out between the parties, we are of  the view that the coverage of our agreements 
is fully consistent with our WTO obligations. 
 KOREA 
Page 33 (Para 2.29) 
 
(……) On 28 January 2011, Switzerland launched negotiations with China to further expand its network of bilateral agreements. 
 
Question:  
 
Please provide information on the state of play conc erning the negotiations with China. Please also 
indicate the projected scope and coverage of the potential FTA with China.  Answer: 
 Negotiations on the Switzerland-China Free Trade Agreement are covering the areas of trade in 
goods, technical barriers to trade (TBT) and sani tary and phytosanitary measures (SPS), trade 
remedies, rules of origin, customs procedures, trade facilitation, trade in services, intellectual 
property rights, investment promotion, cooperat ion on government procurement, competition, 
cooperation on trade and sustainable development, economic and technical cooperation, 
institutional provisions and dispute settlement. So  far, eight rounds of negotiations have taken 
place. Good progress was achieved in all areas under negotiation.  WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 18 - 
 
 
  
 EU  
Question p.32/33 
 
Could Switzerland please clarify if there are any FTAs  negotiations in the pipeline? Should it be the 
case, will these FTAs negotiations include provisions on services, investment and government 
procurement?  
Answer:  
 
Please find all the information regarding Switzerland's free-trade agreement (existing and under negotiation) on the website of the State Secretariat of Economic Affairs, under the following link:  
http://www.seco.admin.ch/themen/00513/ 00515/01330/046 19/index.html?lang=en 
 
Switzerland respectively EFTA aims at negotiat ing comprehensive agreements. In this respect, 
each area the EU mentioned above will be/are addressed during the negotiations.  
 2.2.2.4  Non-reciprocal pr eferential arrangements 
SINGAPORE 
Page 33 (Para 2.32) 
 
Noting the information provided in this TPR report , as well as the "GSP - Handbook on the Scheme 
of Switzerland 2013" (available online, 
http://unctad.org/en/PublicationsLibrary/itcdtsbm28rev3_en.pdf ), we would like to understand 
better how the Swiss Generalized System of Prefer ences (GSP) works. To help our understanding, 
we would appreciate Switzerland's comments on the circumstances set out in sub-paragraphs (a) 
to (c), based on a hypothetical supplier in Vietnam.   
Would a supplier in Viet Nam be able to do the following and still be eligible for Swiss GSP? 
 (a) Send Viet Nam-made goods via a non-benefici ary Asian country, fulfilling guidelines set out in 
points (1) – (3) in subparagraph 3.10 Direct consignment of the "GSP - Handbook on the Scheme 
of Switzerland 2013" 
 Answer: 
 The conditions for direct transportation are fulfilled if one of the conditions mentioned under points (a) to (c) is met. 
 
(b) Cumulate using both the terms under subparagraph B. Cumulation with the EU, Norway, Switzerland, and/or Turkey (concerning Turkey pl ease refer to Endnote 1) of 3.9 Cumulation of 
Origin in the "GSP - Handbook on the Scheme of Switzerland 2013", together with ASEAN 
cumulation under the terms of subparagraph "C. Regi onal cumulation of 3.9 Cumulation of Origin 
in the "GSP - Handbook on the Scheme of Switzerland 2013" to create a product in Viet Nam, and the sending it directly from Viet Nam to Switzerland 
 
Answer: 
 
If the conditions of cumulation and direct tran sportation as specified in subparagraphs 3.9 and 
3.10 are met the goods may be considered as originating goods of Viet Nam.   WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 19 - 
 
 
 
 
  (c) Cumulate using the terms of both subparagraph B. Cumulation with the EU, Norway, 
Switzerland, and/or Turkey (concerning Turkey pl ease refer to Endnote 1) of 3.9 Cumulation of 
Origin in the "GSP - Handbook on the Scheme of Switzerland 2013", together with ASEAN cumulation under subparagraph C. Regional cumulati on of 3.9 Cumulation of Origin in the "GSP - 
Handbook on the Scheme of Switzerland 2013" to create a product in Viet Nam, and then sending 
it via a non-beneficiary Asian country to Switzerlan d, fulfilling guidelines set out in points (1) – (3) 
in subparagraph 3.10 Direct consignment of "GSP - Handbook on the Scheme of Switzerland 2013" 
 
Answer: 
 The conditions for direct transportation are fulfilled if one of the conditions mentioned under points 
(a) to (c) is met. 
 PAKISTAN 
1. The Swiss GSP utilization rate varies between  40% and 50% of its potential because of, inter 
alia, the complexity of rules conferring national origin to goods. The Secretariat Report states that the simpler rules of origin, according to the revised ordinance, are expected to enhance access to 
the Swiss market for products from developing countries. Main modifications also include 
reductions in the number of specific rules and in the local value-added required.  Has the positive impact accruing from the revised rules on developing country exports under the 
GSP been calculated or estimated? 
 Answer: 
 The revision of the rules of origin for the Swiss GSP entered into force on 1.5.2011. Since then, no 
general effect could be measured either in the volumes imported under the Swiss GSP or in its 
utilization rate.  
 ECUADOR 
Párrafo 2.31. Página 33: En el marco del Sistema Generalizado de Preferencias, ¿Podría Suiza 
comentar sobre las perspectivas para los países beneficiarios de este sistema, en cuestiones de 
previsibilidad sobre su vigencia, una vez que se ha revisado tanto la lista de países como de productos con acceso preferencial? ¿Considera Suiza que sería necesario concretar el acceso 
preferencial al mercado suizo a través de la negociación de acuerdos comerciales? 
 Answer: 
 Whereas the GSP is a unilateral regime that can also be changed unilaterally, market access provided for under free trade agreements is contra ctual and offers therefore predictibility and legal 
certainty to economic actors of the Parties  
 
Párrafo 2.32. Página 34: Sobre las normas de origen de los acuerdos preferenciales no recíprocos, ¿ha hecho Suiza extensivas las modificaciones relativas a las normas de origen para los países en 
desarrollo, en sus acuerdos de libre comercio bilaterales? Por otro lado, ¿se ha logrado a través de 
la simplificación de normas de origen, un mejor y mayor acceso al mercado suizo de las mercancías de los países en desarrollo? 
 
Answer: 
 Rules of origin in Free Trade Agreements are nego tiated jointly by the Parties. Switzerland is 
generally in favour of userfriendly and liberal rules that allows the effective use of tariff 
preferences granted under its free trade agreements.  
 WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 20 - 
 
 
  
 2.2.3  Investment regime 
2.2.3.1  Switzerland 
CHINA Page 34 (Para. 2.34) 
 
"However, foreign nationals must have both work and residence permits in order to conduct business on a permanent basis." 
 
Question: 
 Please provide detailed information on the system  of work and residence permits. Does the Swiss 
government have any plan to improve such system to facilitate the foreign investors? 
 Answer: 
 Switzerland does not make any formal distinction between a work and residence permit. A residence permit allowing to work is granted to a foreign worker if he is qualified and/or 
specialised at a management level and has severa l years of professional work experience. Other 
legal limitations on foreign workers are applicable, such as labour market tests, prior control of 
wage and employment conditions and numerical ceilings. Besides professional qualifications, the applicant is also required to fulfil certain other criteria, which would facilitate his or her long-term 
professional and social integration; these include; professional and social adaptability, knowledge 
of a language (or languages) and age. The requirements for the issuance of permits are set forth in the Foreign Nationals Act and its Ordinance of 2008 on Admission, Residence and Employment.  
 
Regarding the procedure, the relevant application documents have to be submitted to the cantonal employment service or the cantonal migration agen cy by the employer or self-employed persons. 
Approval by the federal government is required before a residence permit may be issued.  
 Useful links: http://www.bfm.admin.ch/content/dam /data/bfm/broschuere-bfm-e.pdf; 
http://www.bfm.admin.ch/content/bfm/en/ home/themen/arbeit/nicht-eu_efta-
angehoerige/grundlagen_zur_arbeitsmarktzulassung.html  
 
Page 34 (Para. 2.35) 
 "Most economic sectors are open to investment by Swiss nationals and foreigners. However, investment restrictions continue to apply to areas under state monopolies, including certain rail 
transport services, some postal services, and certain insurance services and commercial activities 
2.36. Licensing provisions and diploma requirem ents may apply to some professions and/or 
commercial activities, such as banking, insura nce, and investment brokerage; hotels and 
restaurants." 
 
Questions ： 
 
Does Switzerland have any plan to increase or reduce  restrictions on FDI? If so, please indicate the 
measures that will be adopted as well as the reason. 
 
Answer: 
 Switzerland has not introduced measures for many years; at the moment, there are no measures 
planned to increase or reduce restrictions on FDI.  
 Page 34 (Para. 2.36) 
 "Licensing provisions and diploma requirements may apply to some professions and/or commercial 
activities, such as banking, insu rance, and investment brokerage." 
 WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 21 - 
 
 
 
 
  Question:  
 
Please provide detailed information on the regulation on Licensing provisions and diploma requirements in different areas. Does Swiss govern ment have any plan to lift or partially lift those 
limits? 
 
Answer:  
 Due to the overlay of cantonal and federal legislations, it is impossible to provide detailed information without knowing which activity China is interested in. Licensing provisions can concern for example the requisite of professional qualificat ions, the duty to have a professional liability 
insurance, the obligation to be enrolled in a register, to respect professional codes of conduct, etc. 
Currently Switzerland adopts a liberal practice and considers only a small number of occupations and professions to be regulated (see attached list on regulated professions and list on overview of 
authorities and institutions for the recognition of professional qualifications).  
 Page 36 (Para. 2.38) 
 "However, if the Swiss branch is being establishe d as a sole proprietorship, a general partnership 
or a limited partnership, the foundation process may be handled entirely online via the government SME portal." 
 
Question:  
 
Please provide detailed information on the online registration system.   
 Answer:  
 In April 2011, a new webservice (StartBiz.ch) was launched, which simplifies the establishment of partnerships. Every year about 3,800 entrepreneurs start their business through this platform. From autumn 2013 individual companies, general partnerships, and limited partnerships can be 
established over StartBiz.ch completely online. The platform also facilitates the registration of a 
company at various government agencies (registration, tax, social security and accident insurance), regardless of the canton a person wants to establish a company. 
 
More detailed information is available in the Swiss national languages (G, F, I) under the website www.StartBiz.ch . 
 
INDIA 
Page 34 (Para 2.36) 
 
Licensing provisions and diploma requirements may apply to some professions and/or commercial 
activities, such as banking, insurance, and investment brokerage; hotels and restaurants; physicians, dentists, pharmacists, and attorneys; and certain mercantile and services businesses 
(e.g. wine merchants, private employment agencies, and temporary employment services). 
 Question 4:  
 Switzerland is requested to inform how foreign qualifications are revalidated? 
 Answer:  
 Switzerland has three different legislative sources: first, the Agreement between Switzerland and the EU on the free movement of persons provides the same rules on recognition of professional 
qualifications as within the EU. Secondly, some free trade agreements provide a duty to give due 
consideration to any request by any other party to recognize qualifications granted in a contracting party. Third, the Swiss federal law on the vocational education and the federal law on universities 
of applied sciences provide a legal basis for the recognition of professional qualifications obtained 
in a foreign country. The foreign qualifications are assessed on a case-by case basis by the competent Swiss authority. WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 22 - 
 
 
  
  
MALAYSIA  
Reference is made to page 34 (Para) 2.34 - Investment 
 
We note that under Swiss Constitution, it allows nationals and foreigners to operate business in 
Switzerland, to form a company or to hold an interest in one. But there seems to be a proviso where foreign nationals must have both work and residence permits in order to conduct business 
on a permanent basis. 
 Q1: Are there any conditions imposed on such permits and what is the average time processing period for the issuance of such permit? 
 
Answer:  
 
Concerning the conditions for permits see answer to question from China on para. 2.34. The 
average processing period is about two month (including the delivery of a visa by the Swiss embassy). 
 
Reference is made to page 34 (Para) 2.35 - Investment  
 We note that certain sectors will not be open for investment eg. rail transport services, postal 
services, insurance and trade in salt activities. Domicile requirements are applicable in certain 
sectors (air and maritime transport, hydroelect ric and nuclear power, operation of oil and gas 
pipelines and transportation of explosive materials).  
 
Q: Are there any efforts to liberalise these sectors and, if yes, what is the time frame for such liberalisation?  
 
Answer:  
 There is no effort to liberalise the sector of air transport regarding foreign investment for the time 
being. 
 The Federal Law on Postal Services foresees an  evaluation on the development in the Swiss 
market of postal services (art. 35 of Federal Law on Postal Services). The Swiss Parliament will 
based on the findings discuss a further liberalization of the postal market. Time horizon: 2015/2016.  
 
Many of the restrictions that apply to these sectors have historical reasons and for the time being no further liberalization of these sectors is intended. This question seems to indicate that the sectors mentioned like rail transport and postal services are closed. Most of the restrictions apply 
to some areas that have state monopolies. 
 Q: It is observed that there are certain restrictions places on "State Monopolies", what would be 
examples of these restrictions and are stat e monopolies subjected to any transparency 
requirements?  
Answer: 
 
Table A3 of the report by the Secretariat li sts the state-owned enterprises and exclusive 
arrangements. Examples are cantonal monopolies for fire and natural damage insurance for 
buildings. In postal services there is still a monopoly for letters below 50 grams (further details 
also in para 3.117) and the Swiss central government has the exclusive right for regular commercial passenger transport. The state monopolies are clearly defined in the law. 
 WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 23 - 
 
 
 
 
  TURKEY 
Pg. 34, para. 2.35 
 
In the Secretariat Report, it is indicated that "most economic sectors are open to investment in 
Switzerland by Swiss nationals and foreigners." 
 
Could Swiss Delegation provide information which sectors are open to investment by foreigners? 
 
Answer:  
 
Switzerland is very open for foreign investments. Investment restrictions merely continue to apply 
to areas under state monopolies as mentioned in para 2.35 (certain rail transport services, some 
postal services and certain insurance services and commercial activities like trade in salt). A list of state-owned enterprises and exclusive arrangements is  available in Table A3.1 of the report by the 
Secretariat. 
 Could Swiss Delegation give information about fiscal and financial incentives provided to the 
companies operating in Switzerland? 
 
Answer: 
 
Incentives provided to companies operating in Switzerland or in certain structurally weak areas are 
described in the report by the secretariat. In chapter 3.3.1, paragraph 3.73 and following (in particular 3.74, 3.75, 3.80, 3.82 and 3.83, 3.84, 3.85 and 3.86), the Secretariat outlined fiscal and 
financial measures.  
 2.2.3.2  Liechtenstein  
MEXICO LIE 
Página 38, párrafo 2.47. 
 
México pregunta 26: ¿Podrían confirmar si Liecht enstein ha celebrado algún tratado bilateral de 
protección de las inversiones o si está incluido en todos aquellos celebrados por Suiza ? 
 TURKEY LIE 
P. 36, para. 2.43 
 
In the Report by the Secretariat, it is stated th at: "The establishment of a commercial entity by a 
natural person is subject to prior permanent residence during 12 years for citizens of non-EEA 
member states (other than Switzerland)."  This requirement seems to be an obstacle to a liberal investment regime. Is the Government of 
Liechtenstein planning to abolish this obstacle in order to liberalize its investment climate? 
 3  TRADE POLICIES AND PRACTICES BY MEASURE 
3.1  Measures Directly Affecting Imports 
3.1.1  Customs procedures and trade facilitation  CHINA 
Page 39 (Para. 3.1) 
 
"A customs declaration may be made prior to the arrival of the merchandise, electronically through the e-dec for imports and exports (an electronic system with registration for professionals) or in 
written form; for tourists, customs declarations may be made verbally." 
 WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 24 - 
 
 
  
 Question: 
 
Please inform whether there is any specific time limit or other requirements for a customs declaration prior to the arrival of the merchandise in Switzerland. 
 
Answer: no 
 
Page 39 (Para. 3.1) 
 
"According to the authorities, as of 1 January 2013, all commercial customs declarations must be in electronic format under a new system known as 'e-dec-web'." 
 
Question: 
 
Please inform whether the declaration and clearance procedures of Switzerland have fully become 
paperless.  
Answer: 
 
Yes, since 1st of January 2013. 
 
Page 39 (Para. 3.4) 
 
"In order to help facilitate customs procedures for non-EU traders, Switzerland has adopted an 
authorized economic operator (AEO) system, which aims to ease customs security regulations for 
accredited companies.…"  
"In order to help facilitate customs procedures for non-EU traders, Switzerland has adopted an 
authorized economic operator (AEO) system, which aims to ease customs security regulations for accredited companies."  Question ： 
 
What are the requirements for obtaining the approv al of the authorized economic operator (AEO) 
system? What is the difference in customs procedures for the companies that have obtained the accreditation of the AEO system and those have not yet? 
 
Answer:  
 GRANTING OF THE STATUS OF AUTHORISED ECONOMIC OPERATOR  
 
General provisions  
The criteria for granting the status of authorised economic operator include: a satisfactory record 
of compliance with customs requirements; an effi cient system of managing commercial and, where 
appropriate, transport records, which makes it po ssible to carry out appropriate customs controls 
for security purposes; proven financial solvency; and appropriate security and safety standards. 
 
Record of compliance  
1. The record of compliance with customs requirem ents shall be considered satisfactory if, over 
the last three years preceding the submission of the application, no serious infringement or 
repeated infringements of customs rules have b een committed by any of the following persons: 
 (a) the applicant; 
(b) the persons in charge of the applicant company or exercising control over its management; 
(c) if applicable, the applicant's legal representative in customs matters; (d) the person responsible in the applicant company for customs matters.  
 
2. The record of compliance with customs requirements may be considered satisfactory if the competent customs authority considers the infringements to be of negligible importance in relation to the number or size of the customs- related oper ations, and deems that they do not raise doubts 
concerning the good faith of the applicant.  WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 25 - 
 
 
 
 
   
3. If the persons exercising control over the applicant company are established or resident in a 
third country, the customs authorities shall assess their compliance with customs requirements on the basis of the records and information that are available to them.  
 
4. If the applicant has been established for less than three years, the customs authorities shall 
assess his compliance with customs requirements on the basis of the records and information that 
are available to them.  
 Efficient system of managing commercial and transport records  
To enable the customs authorities to establish that the applicant has a satisfactory system of 
managing commercial and, where appropriate, tran sport records, the applicant shall fulfil the 
following requirements:  
1. (a) maintain an accounting system which is consistent with the generally accepted 
accounting principles applied in the place where the accounts are held and which will 
facilitate audit-based customs control;  
2. (b) allow the customs authority physical or electronic access to its customs and, where 
appropriate, transport records;  
3. (c) have an administrative organisation which corresponds to the type and size of the 
business and which is suitable for the management of the flow of goods, and have internal 
controls capable of detecting illegal or irregular transactions;  
4. (d) where applicable, have satisfactory procedures in place for the handling of licences and 
import and/or export authorizations;  
5. (e) have satisfactory procedures in place for the archiving of the company's records and 
information and for protection against the loss of information;  
6. (f) ensure that employees are made aware of the need to inform the customs authorities 
whenever compliance difficulties are discovered and establish suitable contacts to inform 
the customs authorities of such occurrences;  
7. (g) have appropriate information technology security measures in place to protect the 
applicant's computer system from unauthorised intrusion and to secure the applicant's 
documentation. 
 Financial solvency  
1. Financial solvency shall mean a good financial standing which is sufficient to fulfil the 
commitments of the applicant, with due regard to the characteristics of the type of the business 
activity.  
 
2. The condition relating to the financial solvency of the applicant shall be deemed to be met if his solvency can be proven for the past three years.   
3. If the applicant has been established for less than three years, his financial solvency shall be 
judged on the basis of the records and information that are available.  
Appropriate security and safety standards  
1. The applicant's security and safety standards shall be considered appropriate if the following 
conditions are fulfilled:  
 
1. (a) buildings to be used in connection with the operations to be covered by the certificate 
are constructed of materials which resist unlawful entry and provide protection against unlawful intrusion;  
2. (b) appropriate access control measures are in place to prevent unauthorised access to 
shipping areas, loading docks and cargo areas;  
3. (c) measures for the handling of goods in clude protection against the introduction, 
exchange or loss of any material and tampering with cargo units;  
4. (d) where applicable, procedures are in place for the handling of import and/or export 
licences connected to prohibitions and restrictions and to distinguish these goods from 
other goods;  
5. (e) the applicant has implemented measures to enable a clear identification of his business 
partners in order to secure the international supply chain;  WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 26 - 
 
 
  
 6. (f) the applicant conducts, insofar as legislation permits, security screening on prospective 
employees working in security-sensitive positions and carries out periodic background 
checks; 
7. (g) the applicant ensures that staff concerned actively participate in security awareness 
programmes. 
 2. If the applicant is the holder of an inte rnationally recognised security and/or safety 
certificate issued on the basis of international co nventions, of a European security and/or safety 
certificate issued on the basis of Community legislation, of an International Standard of the International Organisation for Standardisation, of a European Standard of the European Standards Organisations, or of another recognised certificate, the criteria provided for in paragraph 1 shall be 
deemed to be met to the extent that the criteria for issuing these certificates are identical or 
correspond to those laid down in this Annex.  
Please illustrate the specific measures adopted by Switzerland to ease customs security regulations 
for companies under the AEO system.  
Answer:  
 
FACILITATIONS ACCORDED TO AUTHORISED ECONOMIC OPERATORS  
 
The customs authorities shall accord authorised ec onomic operators the following facilitation in 
particular:  
 the customs authorities may notify the authorised economic operator before the arrival of 
goods into the customs territory or departure of goods from it that, as a result of security 
and safety risk analysis, the consignment has been selected for further physical inspection, 
as long as this does not adversely affect the inspection to be carried out; the customs authorities may, however, carry out a physical inspection even when the authorised 
economic operator has not been notified,  
 the authorised economic operator may lodge en try or exit summary declarations subject to 
the reduced requirements; however, if the authorised economic operator is a carrier, freight forwarder or customs agent, he may be nefit from these reduced requirements only 
if he is involved in the import or export of  goods on behalf of an authorised economic 
operator,  
 authorised economic operators shall be subject to fewer physical and document-based 
controls than other economic operators; the customs authorities may, however, decide 
otherwise in order to take into account a specific threat or control obligations set out in 
other, non-customs legislation,  
 if the customs authority decides to proceed with the inspection of a consignment covered 
by an entry or exit summary declaration lodged by an authorised economic operator, this 
inspection shall be given priority; in addition, at the request of the authorised economic 
operator, and in agreement with the customs au thority, this inspection may be carried out 
in a place other than that in which the authority normally carries out its inspections. 
 
MALAYSIA 
Reference is made to page 39 (Para) 3.6 an d page 40 (Para) 3.9 – Trade Policies and 
Practices by Measure 
 
3.1.1 Customs procedures and trade facilitation  
 
Q1: Which agency is responsible to provide advance binding ruling on the origin and classification 
of goods? 
Answer: 
 
Responsible for advance binding rulings on the origin and classification of goods is the Swiss 
Customs Administration.  WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 27 - 
 
 
 
 
  ECUADOR 
De conformidad con el Capítulo 3, Sección 3.1 "Medidas que afectan directamente a las 
importaciones", página 39, párrafo 3.2, se menciona que Suiza no cuenta con una "ventanilla única" para el levante y despacho de las mercancías dado que la Administración de Aduanas es el 
único organismo en frontera. Bajo ese criterio y sobre la base de las negociaciones actuales del 
eventual Acuerdo de Facilitación del Comercio (art.10, numeral 5) de las negociaciones de la Ronda de Doha, ¿Podría Suiza indicarnos cómo, de  aprobarse las negociaciones de facilitación del 
comercio, se implementarían dichas disposiciones en sus procedimientos aduaneros internos? 
 Answer: 
 
In most areas Swiss Customs operate a single window approach. This means, that Swiss Customs 
is the only point of contact at the border. In case necessary data needs to be transmitted to other government agencies this will be done by Swiss Customs. In some limited cases other government 
agencies need to be contacted directly by the economic operator. In case a future WTO Trade 
Facilitation Agreement will foresee legally binding commitments with regard to the introduction of a single window, Switzerland would need to find solutions in order to eliminate these limited 
exceptions. 
 3.1.2  Customs valuation and rules of origin 
3.1.2.1  Customs valuation 
ARGENTINA 
En el párrafo 3.9. se explica que puesto que Suiza y Liechtenstein sólo aplican derechos 
específicos, ninguno de los dos países cuenta con una legislación particular relativa a la valoración 
en aduana; no obstante, necesitan calcular el valor en aduana a efectos de tributación interna, ya 
que el impuesto sobre el valor añadido y el impuesto sobre los vehículos automóviles son ad valorem   
 
¿Podrían los gobiernos de Suiza y Liechtenstein explicar con más detalle qué metodología de valoración en aduana utilizan a los efectos del cálculo de dicho impuesto? 
 
Answer: 
 
In Switzerland and Liechtenstein Value Added Ta x (VAT) on the import of goods has its own 
assessment basis and is therefore not assessed on customs value. 
 Import VAT is calculated on the consideration  in the cases mentioned below and on the market 
value  in the remaining cases. Consideration means an asset which the recipient (e.g. the 
importer) or, in place of the recipient, a third party expends in return for receipt of a supply of goods. Market value is what the importer, at the level at which the import of goods is effected, 
would have to pay to obtain the same goods from an independent supplier in the source land of 
the goods at the time that the import tax debt is incurred under the conditions of free competition. 
 The consideration is assessment basis for 
 
 goods that are imported in fulfilment of a sales or commission transaction; 
 supplies of goods under work and labour contracts using goods released for free 
circulation in Switzerland or Liechtenstein and carried out by a person not registered 
on Swiss or Liechtenstein territory as a taxable person; 
 the use of goods that were imported for temporary admission; 
 the work carried out abroad on goods that were exported for temporary admission or 
for outward job processing under a work and labour contract and are returned to the 
consignor on Swiss or Liechtenstein territory; 
 the work carried out abroad on goods, prov ided they have been taken abroad for job 
processing under a work and labour contract under the export procedure and are 
returned to the consignor on Swiss or Liechtenstein territory. 
 WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 28 - 
 
 
  
 The assessment basis include: 
 
 the taxes, customs duties and other charges incurred outside Swiss or Liechtenstein 
territory and as a result of the import, with the exception of the Value Added Tax being 
levied; 
 the costs of the transport or dispatch and al l related supplies as far as the destination 
on Swiss or Liechtenstein territory to which the goods are to be transported at the time 
import tax debt is incurred. 
 Price or value information expressed in foreign currency adduced in determining the assessment basis must be converted into Swiss francs at the exchange rate (offer) prevailing on the stock 
exchange day immediately prior to the incurrence of the import tax debt. 
 3.1.2.2  Rules of origin 
Singapore  
 
Page 41 (Para 3.12) 
 We would appreciate it if Switzerland could share its experiences with diagonal cumulation: What is the prevalence of companies/suppliers using diagonal cumulation? In this regard, any statistics that Switzerland may have can be useful for our understanding.  
 
Has the take-up rate for companies/suppliers using diagonal cumulation changed over the years since 1997?  
 
How has this system of diagonal cumulation bene fited companies in the affected region so far? 
 
Answer: 
 
Switzerland does not gather data on the use of  diagonal cumulation. Therefore no conclusions 
about the use of the diagonal cumulation can be drawn.  
 
EU  
Page 41 paragraph 3.12 
 
According to the report, the rules of origin under EFTA FTAs with third countries are modelled closely on the Pan-Euro-Mediterranean rules of origin. 
 
Question: 
 Could Switzerland and Lichtenstein please clarify if  the recent FTAs (i.e. Colombia, Peru, Korea and 
Canada) are still modelled on the Pan-Euro-Mediterranean rules of origin?  
 Does the Pan-European Origin cumulation System  used by Switzerland applies to all products? 
 
Answer:  
 
The rules of origin applied by Switzerland, along with its EFTA partners for the recent FTAs 
referred to, are modeled on the Pan-Euro-Mediterranean rules of origin, however overall include more liberal product specific rules. The agreements also contain cumulation provisions allowing for cumulation for all products between EFTA Stat es and the individual partner country but not 
between EFTA States and multiple partner countries. The agreements with Canada, Colombia and 
Peru, however, do include review clauses as to whether parties might wish to allow for cross cumulation or pan-FTA cumulation in the future. 
EU follow-up question : Does the Pan-European Origin cumulati on System used by Switzerland in 
the FTAs with Pan-Euro-Mediterranean countries applies to all products? WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 29 - 
 
 
 
 
  The current PEM system of cumulation does not allow for cumulation of all products between 
Switzerland and all other PEM trading partners. Applicability depends, inter alia , on identical rules 
of origin, concessions and on the geographical scope of cumulation permitted under the origin 
protocols currently in force among Switzerland' s PEM free trade partners. The PEM Convention 
over time is meant to replace the existing "web" of cumulation provisions contained in these origin 
protocols thereby augmenting cumulation possibilities. Detailed questions about application are currently under discussion among PEM partners in the context of the formal committees 
established under the relevant agreements. 
3.1.3  Tariffs  3.1.3.1  General features ARGENTINA 
En el párrafo 3.15 se explica que se aplican aranceles estacionales a unos 95 productos, 
principalmente frutas, legumbres y hortalizas de producción nacional, que están también sujetos en su mayor parte a contingentes arancelarios. 
 
¿Podrían los gobiernos de Suiza y Liechtenstein explicar cómo se aplican estos aranceles estacionales?  
 
¿Cuál es el monto de dichos aranceles y sobre qué productos se aplica?  Answer:  
 Seasonal tariffs are applied on most of the domestically produced fruits and vegetables. The market is organized in a so-called two-period syst em (consisting of an "out of season period" and 
a "seasonal period"). At the border, the system includes two kinds of tariffs: a low in-quota tariff 
and a higher out-of-quota tariff. During the "seasonal period", imports at the in-quota-tariff are possible for importers to whom tariff quota shares have been attributed. Importers to whom no 
parts of the tariff quota have been attributed or who want to exceed their given share of the tariff 
quota must pay the higher out-of-quota tariff. During  the "out of season period", no attribution of 
the tariff quota is required and only the lower in-quota-tariff is applied. As to the level of the tariffs, we refer to www.tares.ch , administered by the Swiss Fe deral Customs Administration, 
which provides information about the specific tariffs applied to the different products. 
 MEXICO 
Página 42, párrafo 3.16. 
 
Pregunta 27: ¿Por qué otras razones, adicionales al resu ltado de situaciones de escasez interna, 
se pueden modificar o se han modificado los contingentes arancelarios? 
 Answer:  
 
Switzerland's WTO tariff quotas (TRQs) have been established in the frame of Article 4 of the 
Agreement on Agriculture. The quota size and quota coverage (i.e. the tariff lines) have remained unchanged. However, due to shifts in market parameters such supply and demand as well as 
consumer preferences and population size in the last 20 years, the composition of imports within 
the quota has changed significantly. In order to adapt to those market parameters, the administration of Switzerland's TRQs has equally changed over the years. It is important to state 
that the fill rate of Switzerland's TRQs is constantly high (in many cases over 100%) throughout 
the last years.  
 WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 30 - 
 
 
  
 3.1.3.2  Applied MFN tariff 
AUSTRALIA  
Section 3.1.3.2; Para graph 3.20; Page 44 
 
We note the extremely high tariffs on selected agricultural products such as dairy, where tariffs 
average 101.5% but have a range of 1-1,295%, and meat, on which tariffs average an estimated 177.4% (page 85). What plans does Switzerland have to reduce its high rate of agricultural tariffs, 
including as part of efforts to increase competitiveness? 
 Answer:  
 
The above-mentioned tariff levels give no indicati on on the openness of Swiss agricultural markets. 
Switzerland has – following the Uruguay Round results and obligations – a structure of low in-quota tariff rates, i.e. where trade is taking place. When looking at the openness of agricultural 
markets, in-quota import quantities are the most relevant parameters. Switzerland has high quota 
fill rates for all relevant agricultural products. Certain adaptations with regards to import tariffs are foreseen in the context of the new agricultural policy (AP 2014-2017) (see respective answers of 
Switzerland). 
 CHINA 
Page 43 (Para. 3.19) 
 
"the high dispersion is a consequence of specific tariffs (with highly dispersed AVEs), generally higher on agricultural products than on non-agricu ltural goods. However, some international tariff 
peaks also apply to certain non-agricultural products," 
 
Question ： 
 
According to the remarks of the Secretariat's Report , the actual tariff items might be different from 
those being taken for tariff analysis as some trade data are not available. Does Switzerland have 
the tariff peaks in textile and clothing industries? If so, please inform whether Switzerland has any 
plan to reduce tariffs on textile and clothing pr oducts? If not, please provide the missing trade 
data. 
 
Answer:  
 
The AVEs calculated by the Secretariat on the basis of actual trade for the different categories of 
goods are expressed in Table 3.3. It is impossible to solve the discrepancy mentioned in Footnote 25 to the Report since for the missing tariff lines no trade into Switzerland has been registered and 
therefore no respective data are available. For textiles and clothing the AVEs are ranging between 
0 to 71% and between 0 to 28% respectively. Parts of the reasons why AVEs for certain products 
have grown since 2008 are explained in the Report. Since used and second-hand products are classified the same as new ones in the structure of the Harmonized System specific duties have a 
major impact on the calculation of AVEs, especially for textiles and clothing. Switzerland has no 
intention to reduce the MFN-applied duties for those products autonomously.  
NEW ZEALAND  
WT/TPR/S/280 pg 42, para 3.17 and WT /TPR/G/208, page 5, para 1.13 
 
Section 3 of the Secretariat's Report, pg 42, para 3.17, records that the current applied 
ad valorem  equivalent (AVE) tariff duties range from 0% to 1,676%, having increased from 
1,468% in 2008. The simple average tariff had increased from 8.1% to 9.2% since 2008 as a result of the appreciation of the Swiss Franc and falling global agricultural prices. Tariffs on 
agricultural products remain higher than industrial tariffs – with average agricultural tariffs of 
31.9% as compared to 2.3% for NAMA. At the same time, the Swiss Government report notes "the importance of lowering the cost of inputs for firms" and that "opening up protected sectors allows 
Switzerland to proclaim its ambitions more forcibly". The report notes that this is the rational for WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 31 - 
 
 
 
 
  further internal reforms and opening up to foreign competition, and the additional objective of 
integrating developing countries into the global economy.  
 Could Switzerland please explain how it reconciles the maintenance of high average tariffs on 
agricultural products with its wide r economic development objectives? 
 Answer:  
 In the same vein as the non-trade concerns highlighted in the preamble to the WTO Agreement on Agriculture, Swiss agricultural policy is based on the principle of multifunctionality. The concept is 
reproduced and described in Article 104 of the Federal Constitution and calls for the Swiss 
agriculture to contribute to the population's food security and other goals such as the conservation 
of natural resources. However, Switzerland was, is and remains, one of the most important net 
importing countries for agricultural products. Switzerland continues to strengthen its trade 
relations with its partners at several levels. Inter alia, by negotiating a Free Trade Agreement in 
the food and agriculture sector with the EU, its main trading partner, Switzerland seeks to improve its integration into international supply chains. Internally, the agricultural policy reforms from 1999 
to 2011 have strengthened the commitment to multifunctionality and made the Swiss agriculture 
more competitive.   Equally, Switzerland remains committed to multilateral trade talks in the context of the Doha 
Development Agenda where adaptations of market access are equally foreseen. 
 Another aspect of integration of Switzerland into the global agro-food supply chains is the 
comprehensive GSP-scheme, which includes tariff preferences not only for LDCs (quota-free duty-
free on all tariff lines) but also  for other developing countries. 
 
COSTA RICA 
Página 43 (Párrafo 3.17) 
 
El Arancel de Suiza y Liechtenstein comprende únicamente derechos específicos con equivalentes 
ad valorem que oscilan entre el tipo nulo y el 1.676%, frente al 1.468,7% en 2008.  
 Pregunta: 
 ¿Ha considerado Suiza disminuir los aranceles específicos, dado que la apreciación de su moneda ha provocado que los equivalentes ad valorem aumenten? 
Answer:  
 
Switzerland applies only specific duties. Ad valorem  equivalents have been calculated for the 
purpose of the Doha Round market Access negotiat ions only and therefore represent only a spot 
impression of the level of tariffs at a certain point in time. Specific duties are independent from 
currency exchange movements and are consequently not linked to ad valorem  duties. Thus, 
Switzerland is not considering reducing its specific duties for the reason outlined by Costa Rica.  
 
UKRAINE  
Paragraph 3.17 states that "the Swiss/Liechtenstein tariff comprises only specific duties with 
ad valorem equivalents ranging from zero to 1,676%, up from 1,468.7% in 2008. 
 According to the note 22 to this paragraph, "despi te the seeming simplicity of the administration of 
specific duties, their shortcomings include lack of  transparency and predictability; and due to the 
disparate levels of protection afforded to similar g oods, at the basis of the tariff is (in general) the 
weight of imported goods, its impact tends to be higher on relatively heavy and cheap goods than on expensive and light products within the same tariff line. In particular, over the review period 
(mainly 2011-12), the downward trend in the global prices of agricultural goods and the strong 
appreciation of the Swiss franc have led to high ad valorem equivalents of specific duties".  
 WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 32 - 
 
 
  
 Question: 
 
Does Switzerland agree that the lack of transp arency and predictability are distinguishing 
characteristics of specific duties? Are there any plans to move towards introduction of more 
transparent ad valorem  rates of duties?  
 Answer:  
 According to article II of the GATT WTO members ar e free to choose the nature of the duties they 
consider appropriate. The only obligation is to levy at the maximum the rate as indicated in the schedules of concessions. Specific duties are not less transparent and predictable than ad valorem 
duties, which also pose difficulties when checki ng the accuracy of the transaction value of the 
imported good.   
Currently Switzerland has no plans to change its specific duties. Modalities for tariff simplification 
are foreseen in the Doha Round. Once the Doha Round would be concluded, Switzerland is committed to fully implement the result of these negotiations, also with regard to tariff 
simplification. 
 3.1.8 Local-content and local-purchase requirements 
Paragraph 3.43 notes that "the " prise en charge"  system, which applies to some agricultural 
products subject to tariff quotas, requires traders to purchase or produce similar domestic 
products in order to import".   
Question: 
 
Could Switzerland kindly cite provisions of the WT O agreements that justify the application of the 
"prise en charge" system, which seems to be in conflict with the TRIMs Agreement? 
 Answer:  
 
The prise en charge is a quota allocation system in compliance with Article 4 of the Agreement on 
Agriculture. The allocation system covers products defined in Annex 1 of the Agreement on Agriculture and is not an instrument linked to the Agreement on Trade-Related Investment 
Measures (TRIMs). With the prise en charge sy stem, the tariff quota shares are granted to 
importers in proportion to the quantity of domestically produced similar goods purchased. Every importer that buys these products of local producers is automatically authorized to request a tariff 
quota share (non-automatic license).  
 ECUADOR 
De conformidad con el Capítulo 3, Sección 3.1.8 "Prescripciones en materia de contenido local y 
compra de productos nacionales, página 51, párrafo 3.43, respecto al sistema de compra forzosa 
de productos nacionales (" prise en charge "), que se aplica a algunos productos agropecuarios 
sujetos a contingentes arancelarios y que requiere que los comerciantes compren o produzcan 
productos nacionales similares a fin de autorizar la importación. ¿Podría Suiza explicarnos con 
mayor detalle en qué consiste el sistema de compra forzosa de productos nacionales (" prise en 
charge ")? 
 
Answer: 
 With the "prise en charge" system, tariff quota shares are granted to importers in proportion to 
the quantity of purchased internal goods. Ever y importer that buys these products of local 
producers is automatically authorized to request a tariff quota share (non-automatic license).  
 WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 33 - 
 
 
 
 
  3.1.4  Other charges affecting imports  
CHINA 
Page 47 (Para. 3.26) 
 
"Some changes were made to the legislation on the VAT during the review period. On 12 June 
2009, Parliament approved the federal law governing the VAT (VAT Act, RS 641.20), to be implemented from 1 January 2010, replacing the law of 2 September 1999. On January 2011, the 
VAT rates increased slightly: the standard rate increased to 8% (from 7.6%), the special rate on 
hotel services to 3.8% (from 3.6%), and the reduced rate of 2.4% increased to 2.5%. This reduced rate is applied, inter alia, on tap wate r, beverages (excluding alcoholic drinks), food, 
cattle, grains, plants, seed, flowers, medication, newspapers, magazines, and books and other 
printed matter. VAT is zero rated on exports and on gold for investment purposes.…" 
 Question:  
 
What is the reason for such slight changes on VA T made by Switzerland and Liechtenstein? What's 
the effect of such a change? 
 
Answer:  
 From 1990 on, the Swiss invalidity insurance system was confronted with growing deficits. 
Different remedial measures were undertaken to cut costs and increase revenues. The fixed-term 
increase in VAT rates, starting in January 2011 and ending in December 2017, is an important element of these efforts to balance the income st atement of the invalidity insurance system. Due 
to the fact that VAT rates are fixed in the Constitution, every increase is subject to a popular vote. 
Therefore, only tax increases limited to a strict minimum have a chance to get admitted by the voters and the Cantons.  
 
However, further reforms regarding the expenditures are necessary to guarantee that the income statement of the invalidity insurance will be ba lanced, once the temporary increase in VAT rates 
will end on 31 December 2017. 
 
The increase in VAT rates induced an CHF 855 million increase of income in 2011 and CHF 1,090 millions in 2012 (part of the 2011 VAT-income was generated by activities which took 
place in 2010 and were therefore not subject to the increase in VAT-rates). The increase in 
VAT-Rates took place in a time of solid growth of  GDP and personal consumption. Therefore it is 
r e a s o n a b l e  t o  a s s u m e  t h a t  i t  d i d  n o t  h a v e  a n y  c o n s i d e r a b l e  n e g a t i v e  e f f e c t  o n  p e r s o n a l  
consumption. 
 Page 48 (Para. 3.30) 
 
"The CO2 tax on fossil fuels is an incentive fee that supplements voluntary and other CO2-related 
measures. Its purpose is to reduce the use of fossil fuels and thus lower CO2 emissions. The CO2 tax has been levied since 1 January 2008 on fossil fuels (heating oil, natural gas, coal, petroleum 
coke, and other fossil combustibles) that are used to generate heat, produce electricity in thermal 
plants or operate combined heat and power (CHP) plants.…"  
Questions: 
 
What other CO2-related measures have Switzerland and Liechtenstein taken besides the CO2 tax? Could both governments share any experience on the design and implementation of such 
measures? 
 Answer:  
 The law on CO
2 has been revised for the post-2012 period.1 In December 2011, Parliament decided 
to reduce Switzerland's greenhouse gas emissions by at least 20% in comparison with their 1990 
                                               
1 http://www.admin.ch/ch/f/ff/2012/109.pdf . WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 34 - 
 
 
  
 levels by 2020. As the revised CO 2 law focuses on reductions made in Switzerland, the potential 
for domestic reduction is exploited and incentives  are given for increased use of renewable energy 
with low emission rates, encouraging technologica l innovation and fostering job creation in green 
sectors. 
 
The new legal bases represent a continuation of the current CO 2 law. In addition to measures 
taken in the context of other sectoral policies  (for example the renewable energy and energy 
efficiency platfo rm SuisseEnergie2 or the proportional heavy vehicle tax [RPLP]3), measures and 
tools that have proved their worth have been renewed and improved and new measures introduced.  
Apart from the CO
2 tax (incentive) levied on fossil fuels, these measures are: 
 partial allocation of the CO 2 tax to financing measures in the construction sector; 
 exemption from the CO 2 tax and system for trading emission quotas for companies 
producing large volumes of emissions; 
 requirement that importers of fossil fuels offs et part of the emissions caused by their 
products; 
 requirement that operators of thermal power stations using fossil fuels offset the 
stations' emissions; and lastly 
 flexibility mechanisms in the Kyoto Protocol (limited recognition for emission reductions 
in projects carried out abroad). 
 
ARGENTINA 
En el párrafo 3.27. se señala que la Administración de Aduanas percibe un impuesto del 4% sobre 
los vehículos automóviles, que se aplica sobre el valor c.i.f. de las importaciones (incluidos los 
derechos de aduana), o sobre el precio de facturación/catálogo. Los vehículos eléctricos están exentos del impuesto. 
 
¿Podrían los gobiernos de Suiza y Liechtenstein detallar sobre qué líneas arancelarias se aplica dicho impuesto? ¿Este impuesto se aplica a las autopartes?   
Answer:  
 
For purposes of the law, the following motor vehicles are taxable: 
 
Description Tariff Heading 
Motor vehicles for the transport of  ten or more persons, including 
the driver   
- with compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine (diesel or 
semi-diesel), weighing not more than 1,600 kg each 8702.1010 
- other, weighing not more than 1,600 kg each 8702.9010 
Motor cars and other motor vehicles principally designed for the 
transport of persons (other than those of heading 8702), including 
station wagons and racing cars  8703.1000-9030 
Motor vehicles for the transport of goods   
- with compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine (diesel or 
semi-diesel) g.v.w. not exceeding 5 tonnes:   
- - other, weighing not more than 1,200 kg each 8704.2110 
- - other, weighing not more than 1,600 kg each 8704.2120 
- with spark-ignition internal combustion piston engine, g.v.w. not 
exceeding 5 tonnes:  
- - weighing not more than 1,200 kg each 8704.3110 
- - weighing not more than 1,600 kg each 8704.3120 
- other:   
- - weighing not more than 1,200 kg each 8704.9010 
- - weighing not more than 1,600 kg each 8704.9020 
 
                                               
2 http://www.suisseenergie. ch/fr-ch/utiliti es/a-propos-de-s uisseenergie.aspx . 
3 http://www.ezv.admin.ch/zollinfo_firmen /steuern_abgaben/00379/index.html?lang=en  WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 35 - 
 
 
 
 
  Parts and accessories of the motor vehicles (for  example tariff heading 8708) are not concerned.  
 
En el párrafo 3.32 se señala que se percibe una tasa de incentivo de 3 francos suizos por kg sobre los compuestos orgánicos volátiles importados y de producción nacional, que se aplica bien 
directamente a las sustancias, bien a los productos que contienen dichos compuestos. La tasa se 
recauda en el momento de la importación en Suiza o de la producción nacional. Los compuestos orgánicos volátiles están exentos de ese impuesto si se utilizan de tal manera que no se liberan en 
el medio ambiente o si se exportan. 
 ¿Podrían los gobiernos de Suiza y Liechtenstein explicar qué requisitos se deben cumplir para que el producto importado esté exento de dicha tasa?  
 
Answer:  
 
Import 
VOCs listed on the positive list of substances of the ordinance are charged the incentive fee on 
VOCs at the border. VOCs listed on the positive list of substances contained in imported products 
that are mentioned in the positive list of products  are also charged the tax at the border. Imported 
products containing VOCs are however exempt from the incentive fee on VOCs  if the quantities are 
negligible, i.e. VOCs content does not exceed 3 percent (% by weight).  
Production-related VOCs emissions within Switzerland 
Once the taxed product or substance is used in a production process within Switzerland (like e.g. chemical and pharmaceutical industry, paint fabrication, printing industry) the tax can be refunded 
under following conditions: 
 VOCs are not emitted into the air as the VOCs are used in such a way that they don't 
evaporate, for example:  
 VOCs get trapped and treated in an appropriate purification plant according to 
the state of the art or  
 VOCs are bounded in the final product 
 VOCs are disposed as waste 
 VOCs used in stationary installations can additionally get a full tax exemption based on 
Article 9 under specific conditions (for the specific conditions see 3.80, page 58)  
 
Export  
Exported products and substances containing VOCs can apply for a tax refund if the tax amount exceeds 300 SwF. 
 
ECUADOR 
Políticas y prácticas comerciarles, por medidas, sección 3.1) medidas que afectan directamente a 
las importaciones, numeral 3.1.4) Otras cargas que afectan a las importaciones, párrafo 3.30: con 
respecto al impuesto sobre el CO2 aplicado a los combustibles fósiles como incentivo y 
complemento para las medias voluntaria y de otra índole destinadas a reducir las emisiones de CO2, sería importante conocer los resultados de esa medida tanto para el lado ambiental como por 
el lado del cambio en la composición de la importación de bienes finales e intermedios (mercancías 
con alto grado de eficiencia energética).  
Answer:  
 
Nous ne disposons pas encore d'étude sur les conséquences effectives  de la taxe sur le CO2 
depuis son introduction, qui date seulement de 2008. Par contre, nous disposons de plusieurs 
études sur les répercussions économiques prévues  de la politique climatique, et donc aussi de la 
taxe sur le CO2. Ces études montrent à l'aide de différents modèles quelles sont les conséquences de la loi sur le CO2 sur l'économie. Elles sont disponibles sous le lien suivant: 
http://www.bafu.admin.ch/klima/12325/index.html?lang=fr 
 
La plupart sont en allemand, cependant il y en a une qui est en anglais avec un résumé en 
français: 
http://www.bafu.admin.ch/klima/12325/index.html ?lang=fr&download=NHzLpZeg7t,lnp6I0NTU04
2l2Z6ln1ae2IZn4Z2qZpnO2Yuq2Z6gpJ CFfX59fGym162epYbg2c_JjKbNoKSn6A--  WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 36 - 
 
 
  
 3.1.5  Import prohibitions and restrictions  
3.1.6  Import licensing 
CANADA Secretariat Report S280 - Part 3: Trade Policies by Measure; 3.1 Measures Directly 
Affecting Imports; 3.1.6 Import Licensing, Paragraph 3.35, page 49 & 3.1.7 Compulsory 
Reserve Stock, Paragraph 3.41, page 50  
Paragraph 3.41 states that, "[g]oods that are currently subject to compulsory stockpiling and that 
require an automatic import licence are…sugar, rice , edible oils and fats, co ffee, and different kinds 
of cereal. The automatic licences for these products are granted by CARBURA (an association of importers under private law)". Furthermore, the paragraph goes on to indicated that, "[t]hese 
goods may be imported from any country; they are not subject to any quantitative restrictions or 
to a time limit. The stockpiling scheme is supported by guarantee funds financed through import fees (included in the customs tariffs levied on  these products) and ultimately consumers. In 
general, the level of compulsory reserves corresp onds to four months of average consumption of 
each product (except, e.g. 4.5 months for liquid fuels, 3 months for kerosene and coffee, and 3-4 months for cereals)." 
 
1. Could Switzerland please explain how the prices for agricultural goods are determined once 
they reach the Swiss domestic market?  
Answer: 
 
Import fees are levied on agricultural goods that are subject to compulsory reserve stock 
requirements. These fees are determined accordin g to the weight of the imported goods and are 
collected by Réservesuisse Genossenschaft, a c ooperative under private law of importers of 
foodstuffs and feedstuffs. The Swiss authorities approve the amount of the import fees (e.g. 
CHF 5.00 per 100 kg of cereals). 
 2. Could Switzerland elaborate as to how often these stocks are released?  
 
Answer: 
 
Compulsory reserve stocks would be released in case of a drastic shortage. In the last few years, 
no release of compulsory reserve stocks  of agricultural goods was necessary. 
 ECUADOR 
Página 50, Párrafo 3.36 ¿Cuáles son los productos sujetos a precios de umbral? 
 Answer:  
 
All products for animal feeding, oilseeds and seeds for sowing are subjected to threshold prices.  
 3.1.7  Compulsory reserve stock 
EU  
Page 50 paragraph 3.41 
 
The report states on page 50 the stockpiling sch eme is supported by guarantee funds financed 
through import fees (included in the customs tariffs levied on these products).  Question: 
 Could Switzerland quantify for each product concer ned the amount of fees included in the customs 
tariffs and indicate the economic impact of such stock piling obligation?  
 WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 37 - 
 
 
 
 
  Answer:  
 Import fees to finance the costs of compulsory reserve stocks (2013) 
Products Fees 
Aviation fuel CHF 3.00 / m3 
Heating fuel CHF 0.30 / m3 
Diesel CHF 14.30 / m3 
Gasoline CHF 3.30 / m3 
Cereal CHF 5.00 / 100 kg 
Coffee CHF 3.75 / 100 kg 
Fats/Oil CHF 10.00 / 100 kg 
Rice CHF 4.75 / 100 kg 
Sugar CHF 16.00 / 100 kg 
 Import fees are levied on goods that are subjec t to compulsory reserve stock requirements. These 
fees are collected by private organisation s such as Réservesuisse Genossenschaft.  
 3.1.8  Local-content and local-purchase requirements 
ARGENTINA 
En el párrafo 3.43. se explica que el sistema de compra forzosa de productos nacionales ("prise en 
charge"), que se aplica a algunos productos agropecuarios sujetos a contingentes arancelarios, requiere que los comerciantes compren o produzcan productos nacionales similares a fin de 
importar. 
 ¿Podrían los gobiernos de Suiza y Liechtenstein explicar en qué consiste el sistema de compra 
forzosa de productos nacionales y cómo se aplica? 
 With the prise en charge  system, tariff quota shares are granted to importers in proportion of the 
quantity of purchased goods produced locally. Every importer that buys these products from local 
producers is automatically authorized to request a tariff quota share (non-automatic license).  
 ¿Cuáles son los productos alcanzados por este sistema? 
 
The following products are covered by the system described above: Fresh potatoes; 10% meat of beef and sheep; 50% of tomato, chicory, cucumber , onions to plant and apples; 65% of the quota 
for frozen vegetables.  
 ¿Cómo se asegura que los comerciantes compren o produzcan productos nacionales antes de 
importar? 
 The attribution of tariff quota shares is made to traders that have purchased similar goods produced in Switzerland during a reference period (normally 1.7. – 30.06.) before the opening of 
the tariff quota. The traders must request an attr ibution and at the same time prove that they 
purchased the products.  
 
¿Podrían los gobiernos de Suiza y Liechtenstein explicar la consistencia de este sistema con las 
normas de la OMC?  
Answer:  
 
The prise en charge  system affects the way tariff quota shares are distributed among importers 
but has not limited the amount of imports within the tariff quota. The tariff quotas in question 
have actually been filled or even overfilled during the past years. The governments of Switzerland 
and Liechtenstein consider this system as being in conformity with their WTO commitments. WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 38 - 
 
 
  
 INDIA 
 
Page 50 (Para 3.43) & Page 145 (Table A.4.1) 
 
The " prise en charge " system, which applies to some agricultural products subject to tariff quotas, 
requires traders to purchase or produce similar domestic products in order to import.  
Question 2: 
 
Could Switzerland elaborate on the "prise en char ge" system which applies to some agricultural 
products subject to tariff quotas. Is there scope for simplifying the TRQ administration and phasing 
out this local-purchase requirement? 
 Answer:  
 With the prise en charge  system, the tariff quota shares are gr anted to importers in proportion of 
the quantity of purchased similar goods, which are domestically produced. Every importer that 
buys these products from local producers is automatically authorized to request a tariff quota 
share (non-automatic licence). As for the near future, there are no plans to change this system.  MEXICO 
Página 51, párrafo 3.43. 
 
¿Con respecto a qué productos en concreto se aplica el sistema de compra forzosa de productos 
nacionales ("prise en charge")? 
 ¿Qué proporción en cuanto a cantidades, peso u otras medidas de productos nacionales deben 
producirse para poder importar determinada cantidad de productos similares bajo el sistema de 
compra forzosa?  Answer:  
 These two questions are somewhat interlinked. The prise en charge system applies to the following 
products: Fresh potatoes; 10 % of the TRQ size of  meat of beef and sheep; 50 % of the TRQ size 
of tomato, chicory, cucumber, onions to plant and apples; 65% of the TRQ size of the quota for 
frozen. The attribution of tariff quota shares is made to traders that have purchased (not produced) similar products produced in Switzerland during a reference period (normally 1.7. – 
30.06.) before the opening of the tariff quota. The pr oportion for the allocation is the weight of the 
purchased products produced in Switzerland of one trader in proportion to all the purchased products produced in Switzerland of this category of all traders.  
 
3.1.9  Contingency measures 
ARGENTINA En el párrafo 3.46 se señala que el artículo 7 de la Ley Federal sobre el arancel de aduanas 
permite la modificación de los aranceles, incluidos los aumentos, cuando está en juego el interés 
nacional, y el artículo 11 prevé aumentos temporales de los aranceles sobre los productos agropecuarios en aplicación de las disposiciones sobre salvaguardias recogidas en acuerdos 
comerciales internacionales. Suiza se ha reservado el derecho a invocar la cláusula de salvaguardia 
especial prevista en el artículo 5 del Acuerdo sobre la Agricultura de la OMC con respecto a 1.193 líneas arancelarias relativas a productos agropecuarios. Esta medida se ha utilizado una única vez, en 1999. El artículo 1 de la Ley Federal sobre medi das económicas exteriores prevé la adopción de 
medidas no arancelarias en situaciones de emergencia (a reserva de la aprobación del Parlamento 
en un plazo de seis meses).   
¿Podría el gobierno de Suiza detallar en qué casos se ha aplicado el artículo 7 y cómo se ha 
afectado el interés nacional?  WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 39 - 
 
 
 
 
  Answer:  
 Article 7 of the Swiss Customs Tariff Law (SR Number 632.10) permits the Federal Council to act within Switzerland's WTO obligations. As indicated in the report of the WTO Secretariat Switzerland 
confirms that this instrument has been us ed only once in 1999 concerning pork meat.  
 ¿Cómo es el procedimiento para la aplicación del ar tículo 11, es decir, aumentos temporales de los 
aranceles sobre los productos agropecuarios? 
 Answer:  
 
First, a request from the domestic industries and producers' organizations is logged to the Federal 
Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research EAER, which examines whether the criteria of Article 5 of the Agreement on Agricult ure are met. Article 7 of the Swiss Customs Tariff 
Law (SR Number 632.10) permits the Federal Council to apply Special Safeguards in line with 
Article 5 of the Agreement on Agriculture. In case a Special Safeguard measure is applied, the Federal Assembly decides at the end whether such a measure is maintained, completed or 
modified. 
 ¿Qué medidas no arancelarias están permitidas por el artículo 1 de la Ley federal sobre medidas económicas exteriores?  
 
Answer:  
 
Article 1 of the Federal Law on External Economic Measures (SR Number 946.201) permits the 
Federal Council to act within Switzerland's WTO obligations in order to protect the Swiss economy from measures taken abroad that negatively affe ct essential Swiss economic interests. This may 
take the form of an automatic or non-automatic license for import, export and transit of goods. 
Limitations or prohibitions of import, export and transit of goods are also possible measures 
according to this article.  
 
¿Cuáles son las situaciones de emergencia que permitirían la aplicación de dichas medidas? 
 Answer: 
 These emergency situations are considered to be measures taken by foreign countries or extraordinary circumstances abroad that substa ntially compromise essential Swiss economic 
interests as regards trade in goods, trade in services and payment transactions. 
 3.1.10  Government procurement 
CHINA 
Page 51 (Para. 3.48) 
 
"2011, Switzerland made a final offer to the Memb ers of the GPA, with the final package adopted 
in March 2012, but not yet in force." 
 
Question ： 
 
Please inform when Switzerland plans to perform its obligation under the GPA?  
Answer: 
 
Switzerland: The legislation applying to the procuring entities at central level has been partially 
revised in 2009 and is, since January 1, 2010, already adapted to some main outcomes of the 
revised GPA. This is in particular the case for the commitment to publish all tenders exclusively on one single electronic site called simap.ch. Since the revised GPA has been adopted on March 30, 
2012, the Confederation and the cantons are unde rtaking a joint revision of the procurement 
legislations at federal and intercantonal levels. This joint cooperation aims at implementing the provision and market access related commitments of the revised GPA into the federal procurement WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 40 - 
 
 
  
 law and into the intercantonal procurement law (intercantonal concordate applying to all 
26 cantons of Switzerland). The joint working Group mandated with this joint implementation is 
expected to provide its draft law at the end of 20 13. The draft law then will be submitted to the 
Parliament at federal level and to the intercantonal authority at subfederal level. Switzerland will 
be able to deposit its instrument of ratification after the parliamentarian process will be completed. 
 Page 53 (Para. 3.57) 
 "Under the two laws mentioned above, contracts are awarded according to the most economically advantageous tender or to the tender with the lowest price. Additional criteria, such as quality, environmental characteristics, and cost-effectiveness, may also be taken into account." 
 
Question: 
 
Please elaborate the specific criteria for Switzerland and Liechtenstein to take into account some 
environmental elements in governmental procurement.  
Answer:  
 
Switzerland: There is no obligation in the Swiss legislation to include environmental criteria in a specific tender. Nevertheless, environmental criter ia may be taken into account. On the national 
level the administration developed recommendations for sustainable development. These 
recommendations are publicly available under the following weblink: http://www.bbl.admin.ch/bkb/0261 7/02632/index.html?lang=de&d ownload=NHzLpZeg7t,lnp6I0N
TU042l2Z6ln1acy4Zn4Z2qZpnO2Yuq2Z6gpJCDfIB5e2ym162epYbg2c_JjKbNoKSn6A-- . 
 
Please illustrate the differences between the environmental criteria taken into account in 
conducting governmental procurement and the environmental criteria as a general rule. 
 Answer: 
 
Environmental criteria are specific to the object of  procurement. If such criteria are applied, they 
have to be made publically available in the tend er documentation and they have fully to comply 
with the committments of non discrimination of the GPA. 
 
INDIA 
Page 51-53 (Para 3.47-3.57) 
 
Switzerland is the member of the GPA. It is expected to comply with the notification provisions of the GPA at the WTO.  
Question 13: 
 
Switzerland may please clarify as to the reasons why the notifications of the covered procurements 
under GPA have not been provided beyond the year 2003. 
 Answer:  
 
The question of India is pertinent. Switzerland iden tified in an earlier phase of the revision of the 
GPA some problems of methodologies in the collec tion of statistics at federal and subterritorial 
levels. Switzerland decided not to notify detailed fi gures which would reflect a biased reality of the 
effective weight and potentials of procurement markets. In order to rectify the situation, 
Switzerland intensified efforts at national and international levels as follows: 
 
At the national level, Switzerland is developing a system to collect quality data inter alia under the 
revised ordinance on the organization of the Conf ederation's procurement (Org OMP) brought into 
force in January 2013. The already collected figures suggest that the global estimate of about 
36 billion CHF per year is correct and that the published structure of procurement markets in 
Switzerland is in line with the observations made in other Parties of the GPA (about 20% at central level, 40% at subterritorial level and 40 % at the municipal level of the procurements at WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 41 - 
 
 
 
 
  subterritorial level). The awards to foreign suppliers were significant in recent years. In this 
context, Switzerland would like to remind that the tender for the construction of the longest 
railway tunnel of the world joining the northern part with the southern part of Europe (Gotthard) has been awarded to a supplier of another Party of the GPA than Switzerland.  
 
At the international level, Switzerland strongly supported the negotiation of the Decision of the 
revised GPA improving the collection and reporting of statistical data related to the reporting 
requirements in Article XVI:4 of the revised GPA. On 30 March 2012, the Parties to the GPA 
adopted the said decision. At the first meeting of the Committee after the entry into force of the Protocol of Amendment to the Existing (1994) Agreement, the Committee shall initiate a Work Programme on the Collection and Reporting of Statistical Data. The Committee shall review the 
collection and reporting of statistical data by the Parties, consider the potential of harmonizing 
them, and prepare a report of the results.  Switzerland fully supports this approach. 
 
Page 52 (Para 3.52) 
 
Switzerland is a member of the GPA and has an agr eement with the EU as well on the issue. It is 
stated that the agreement with EU seeks to fill up the gaps left in the scope of the GPA and the 
EEA.  Question 14: 
 Does this agreement with the EU lead to a distinct advantage for the EU in Government procurement in Switzerland especially since the sco pe of the agreement is stated to be greater? 
 
Answer: 
 
The assumption of India is correct. The GPA (1994) as well as the revised GPA (GPA (2012)) only 
cover public authorities and State Owned Enterprises (SOE) (utilities). In the case of specific countries, such as Switzerland, the GPA (1994) – and the GPA (2012) – cover in addition also bodies of public law at subterritorial level. This means that bodies of public law, such as public 
hospitals, are covered through a functional defi nition by the GPA. The bilateral procurement 
agreement between the EU and Switzerland is extending the application of the provisions and rules of the GPA to those entities which are not covered under the GPA. In fact, unlike the GPA, the 
bilateral agreement covers private enterprises whic h are operating in the field of specific sectors 
(drinking water, cable cars, airports, electrical sector, etc.) on the basis of an exclusive right accorded by a public authority. Such exclusive ri ghts provide the private actors concerned with a 
status which might be compared to a monopoly or to the status provided to a SOE. Switzerland 
would support initiatives which aim at extending the GPA to private authorities operating with exclusive rights on reciprocal basis.  
 
Page 51-53 (Para 3.47-3.57) 
 
Switzerland is the member of the GPA. It is expected to comply with the notification provisions of 
the GPA at the WTO. 
 Question 15: 
 Switzerland may kindly provide information on the total quantum of Government Procurement 
during 2011 as well as what percentage by value and by number of these procurements were from 
Non-Swiss and Non-GPA parties respectively.  
 
Answer : Idem answer to question 13. 
 
ECUADOR 
Página 52, Párrafo 3.50 ¿Se puede contratar a un proveedor del extranjero a través de 
contratación pública? ¿Cuál es el procedimiento para ello? 
 WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 42 - 
 
 
  
 Answer:  
 
Switzerland is a Member of the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA) and has bilateral agreements regulating the market access in the fi eld of government procurement. Hence, within 
the framework of these agreements the Swiss gove rnment procurement market is open to foreign 
suppliers. Switzerland applies the procedures that ar e required by the GPA. On the national level, 
the procedures are regulated by the federal law on government procurement (BöB) and the 
ordinance on government procurement (VöB). On th e subnational level, this is regulated by the 
intercantonal agreement on government proc urement and its executive directive. These 
legislations describe the following tendering procedures: open, selective and limited tendering. Suppliers from countries that are not Members of the GPA or that have not an agreement with 
Switzerland in the field of public procurement do not have the legal protection and, therefore, are 
not in a position to claim that their offer be considered in the tendering process.  
 
3.2  Measures Directly Affecting Exports 
3.2.1  Procedures  CHINA 
Page 54 (Para. 3.59) 
 
"Customs procedures, registration, and document ation requirements for exports are similar to 
those for imports in both Switzerland and Liechtenstein. An export declaration is required 
(regardless of the type of product and its destination) for statistical and surveillance purposes. 
Goods must be exported within one day of submission of the customs declaration. Permits are required to export animals and animal products, as well as narcotic drugs and psychotropic 
substances, and certain articles containing gold." 
 Questions: 
 Does the export of solid wastes in Switzerland require a prior permit?   Answer: Yes. 
 
If so, which department has the authority to issue such permit? Is such kind of permit electronic copy or hard copy? 
 
Answer:  
 
Federal Office for the Environment FOEN. 
 Types of waste that require notification in transboundary movements are
4: 
 Special waste and other waste subject to control according to the Ordinance of the DETEC 
relating to Lists on the Movements of Waste (LMW)5.  
 Waste on the amber list of the OECD Decision or listed in Annexes II and VIII (List A) of 
the Basel Convention (e.g. sewage sludge, household waste or residues from the combustion of household waste).  
 Waste that is not listed on the green list of the OECD Decision or in Annex IX (List B) of 
the Basel Convention (unlisted waste such as unpolluted excavation material, reject material from the paper industry, mixed demolition waste, iron oxide).  
 Waste that is not imported or exported for the purposes of recovery.  
 Waste from one of the groups listed in Append ix I of the Basel Convention that can be 
dangerous according to Appendix III of the Convention [e.g. catalysers (B1120) that are 
polluted with organic solvents (Y42) and are therefore self-igniting (H4.2)]. 
 The transboundary movement of these types of wast e requires prior notification with the Federal 
                                               
4 For more details, see  http://www.bafu.admin.ch/abfall/01508/06061/index.html?lang=en . 
5 http://www.admin.ch/ch/f/rs/c814_610_1.html . 
 WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 43 - 
 
 
 
 
  Office for the Environment (FOEN). They may not be exported or imported without FOEN 
authorization. The documents for the notification are being handled in hard copies. Clarifications 
regarding the electronic submission of notifica tion documents and the digital data exchange 
between competent authorities is being currently assessed. 
 
Please inform whether the time limit applies to such special circumstances as export delay caused by non-subjective factors. Are there any provisions regarding delayed declaration after the arrival 
of the merchandise in export and import of goods? 
 Answer:  
 
Both is possible. The decision is up to the responsibility of the FOEN. 
 3.2.2  Export taxes, charges, and levies 
3.2.3  Export prohibitions, restrictions, and licensing  
INDIA Page 54 (Para 3.61) 
 
Switzerland and Liechtenstein maintain export controls (by means of licences) on certain products for safety, security, and environmental reasons, and to ensure compliance with international obligations under treaties and conventions to which they are signatories. 
 
Question 3:  
 
Could Switzerland and Liechtenstein provide the list of products subject to export controls along 
with the purpose/ WTO justification for applying such controls?  
Answer:  
 
Au niveau international, les contrôles à l'exportation sont régis par quatre régimes internationaux non contraignants selon le droit international public (Groupe d'Australie, Groupe des pays 
fournisseurs nucléaires, Régime de contrôle de la technologie des missiles, Arrangement de 
Wassenaar). Des listes de biens détaillées sont établies dans le cadre d'un processus de négociation basé sur le consensus puis reprises par les différents Etats participants dans leur 
législation nationale. Une convention internationale contraignante existe par ailleurs dans le 
domaine des armes chimiques. La Suisse et le Liechtenstein sont membres des quatre régimes internationaux de contrôle à l'exportation et partie à la Convention sur l'interdiction des armes 
chimiques. Sur la base d'un traité douanier, les contrôles à l'exportation pour les biens 
stratégiques appliqués au Liechtenstein sont effectués par les autorités suisses (SECO).  Listes des biens à double usage et d'arme ment soumis aux contrôles à l'exportation 
(liens sur le site internet du SECO): 
- bien à double usage (voir Files PDF): 
http://www.seco.admin.ch/themen/00513/ 00600/00608/006 13/index.html?lang=de 
- matériel de guerre (voir annexe 1 de l'ordonnance): 
http://www.seco.admin.ch/themen/00513/ 00600/00614/006 16/index.html?lang=de 
- produits chimiques utilisables à des fins civiles et militaires (voir annexe 1 de l'ordonnance): 
http://www.seco.admin.ch/themen/00513/ 00600/00608/006 13/index.html?lang=fr 
 Justification:  Article XXI (b) (ii) du GATT (security exceptions). 
Switzerland is Party to the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent (PIC)  
Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade (PIC Convention). The obligations of the PIC Convention have been implemented in Switzerland by the Ordinance on 
the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Chemicals in 
International Trade of 10 November 2004 (PIC Ordinance, ChemPICO)
6.  
                                               
6 http://www.admin.ch/ch/e/rs/8/814.82.en.pdf . WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 44 - 
 
 
  
 According to article 4 of the ChemPICO the export er of a substance or preparation listed under 
Annex 2 of this ordinance to an importing PIC Party, must comply with the import decisions of the 
importing Party. Annex 2 lists the chemicals lis ted in Annex III of the Rotterdam Convention. 
According to article 3 of the ChemPICO any person who wishes to export a substance or 
preparation listed under Annex 1 of this ordinance to an importing PIC Party must, for his first 
export in each calendar year and for each destination country, notify the export of the product to the Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN) no later than 30 days before exporting and provide 
the information as specified under letters a to j in article 3. Chemicals subject to export notification 
are substances and preparations that are banned or subject to severe restrictions in Switzerland.   Switzerland is Party to the Vienna Convention for the Pr otection of the Ozone Layer and to 
the Montreal Protocol on Substanc es that deplete the Ozone Layer . The obligations of the 
Montreal Protocol are implemented in Switzerl and by the Ordinance of 18 May 2005 on the 
Reduction of Risks relating to the Use of Certain Particularly Dangerous Substances, Preparations 
and Articles (Chemical Risk Reduction Ordinance, ORRChem).
7 The controls referred to hereafter 
are parts of the annexes 1.4, 2.10 and 2.11 of this ordinance.  
In the context of the protection of the ozone la yer, the following substances and products are 
subject to export controls:  1. Substances that deplete the ozone layer: 
a. all fully halogenated chlorofluorocarbons with up to three carbon atoms (CFCs),  
b. all partially halogenated hydrochlorofluorocarbons with up to three carbon atoms 
(HCFCs),  
c. all fully halogenated bromofluorocarbons with up to three carbon atoms (halons),  
d. all partially halogenated hydrobromofluorocarbons with up to three carbon atoms 
(HBFCs), 
e. 1,1,1-trichloroethane (CAS no. 71-55-6), 
f. carbon tetrachloride (CAS no. 56-23-5), 
g. bromomethane (CAS no. 74-83-9), 
h. bromochloromethane (CAS no. 74-97-5), 
2. Preparations containing substances specified in  paragraph 1 when found in containers used 
solely for the transport or storage of these preparations; 
3. Ozone-depleting refrigerants; 
4. Appliances or systems using ozone-depleting refrigerants; 
5. Ozone-depleting extinguishing agents 
 
3.2.4  Duty and tax concessions  
ECUADOR Página 55, Párrafo 3.63 ¿Qué es y en qué consiste una franquicia arancelaria? 
 
Goods which were exported from Switzerland and have been returned may be re-imported free of 
customs duties if they have not been altered abro ad. In principle they must be returned to the 
orginal sender in Switzerland. Otherwise their duty-free re-importation is limited to five years from 
the date of exportation. The customs duty-free re-importation has to be requested within the 
import clearance procedure. However VAT hast to  be paid for goods returning to Switzerland. 
 
Switzerland has accepted the General Annex and the Specific Annex B chapter 2 (Re-importation 
in the same state) of the Kyoto Convention in this respect.  Página 55, Párrafo 3.63 ¿Ante qué autoridad pública se solicita el reembolso del IVA? ¿Existe un 
valor límite para el reembolso? 
 Answer:  
Sales in tourist traffic are exempt from tax only if the retail price of the goods is at least CHF 300 
(incl. VAT). Tax exemption can be claimed solely  by the supplier. The VAT refund can therefore 
only be requested from the buyer (tourist) dire ctly at the supplier. The buyer cannot request a 
                                               
7 http://www.admin.ch/ch/e/rs/c814_81.htm l. WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 45 - 
 
 
 
 
  refund of Swiss VAT from either the Federal Tax Administration or the Federal Custom 
Administration.  
 There is no maximum value for the reimbursement. 
 
3.2.5  Export subsidies 
ARGENTINA 
Sin perjuicio de las normas de la OMC vigentes, tomando en cuenta que la Declaración Ministerial 
de Hong Kong dispuso la eliminación de las subvenciones a la exportaciones agrícolas para este año, y que dicha declaración data de 2005 ¿Qué medidas ha adoptado Suiza para preparar el cumplimiento de este importante objetivo de la negociación de la Ronda Doha, con respecto a los 
productos lácteos y la harina para uso en productos agropecuarios elaborados? 
 Answer:  
 Given that a confirmation of the date for the elimination of all forms of export subsidies, pursuant to paragraph 6 of the Hong Kong Ministerial Declaration of 2005, is still outstanding, Switzerland 
has not adopted any further measures in preparation for the implementation of the commitment of 
the Hong Kong Ministerial Declaration. At the national level, a change of policies is not under discussion at present.  
 
3.2.6  Export promotion  
 CHINA 
Page 55 (Para. 3.68) 
 
"In line with the Swiss Confederation's general economic and location promotion policies, in 2011, 
the Federal Council approved a plan for econom ic promotion, including export promotion and 
tourism promotion for 2012-15."  Question:   
 
Please exemplify the up-to-date achievements of progress made with respect to the mentioned plan? 
 
Answer:  
 
With the approval of the promotion activities plan  by the Federal Council and the Swiss Parliament 
in 2011, the funding for OSEC and Switzerland Tourism – both holding federal mandates to 
promote exports and tourism from 2012 to 2015 respecti vely – was secured. An evaluation of their 
activities will take place towards the end of their mandates. 
 
MEXICO 
Página 56, párrafo 3.67 
 
El párrafo 1.107 del Informe de Gobierno presenta do por Suiza y Liechtenstein establece que la 
Oficina Suiza de Expansión Comercial (OSEC) es "una asociación privada e independiente"; sin 
embargo, el párrafo 3.67 del Informe de la Secretaría menciona que la OSEC "ha recibido del 
Gobierno suizo el mandato de apoyar a las empresas en el extranjero" y que la "OSEC depende de la SECO".  
Pregunta 30: 
 
Parece existir una contradicción entre los reportes de la secretaría y de Suiza ¿Podrían confirmar si 
la OSEC es una institución pública, privada o mixta? 
 WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 46 - 
 
 
  
 Answer: 
 
OSEC is a private non-profit association according to the Swiss Civil Code. It carries out mandates for export, location and import promotion handed down by the Swiss Confederation. Therefore, as 
OSEC's main principal, the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) is in charge of 
overseeing the orderly and cost-efficient execution of these federal mandates.    
3.2.7  Export insurance and guarantees 
CHINA Page 55 (Para. 3.70) 
 
" …In 2009, as part of stabilization measures, SERV introduced: counter guarantees….In 
October 2011, in view of the strength of the Swi ss franc, the Federal Council raised the cover ratio 
for …, posting a deficit of SwF 55.2 million in 2011." 
 
Question:   
 
Please illustrate in details the goal that SERV  expects to realize by implementing counter 
guarantee measures8 in 2009 and October 2011. What kind of projects does it apply to? What's 
the effect of the measures?  
Answer: 
 
In 2009, the Swiss Confederation launched its seco nd package of stabilisation measures in the 
course of the financial and economic crisis. Trade finance was particularly affected by the financial 
crisis. As part of these measures SERV introduced products for banks and financial institutions in connection with an export operation. The new products where introduced to support Swiss 
exporters, which would experience liquidity bott lenecks, and export credit would become more 
expensive due to the tense interbank market. The products to combat liquidity bottlenecks have proved very effective. The structural change in the banking sector is still ongoing and requires 
longer term measures. 
 
Please explain the main reason for SERV's deficit in 2011. How does SERV evaluate such deficit? Will SERV make any adjustment to its products and policies? 
 
Answer: 
 
Due to the financial and economic crisis export, risks have increased in export insurance. SERV is 
an economically viable organisation from a long-term standpoint. This means that premiums and other income generated by SERV are sufficient to cover claims, risk-related costs and operational expenses. SERV was again profitable in 2012, which is in alignment with its long term objectives. 
As a public credit agency (ECA, Export Cred it Agency), SERV must also observe various 
international framework conditions. Their primary objective is to avoid distortion of competition. The OECD Export Credit Arrangement stipulates  a minimum premium to cover the political and 
delcredere risks involved in export credits. 
 ECUADOR 
Políticas y prácticas comerciales, por medias, sección 3.2) Medidas que afectan directamente a las 
exportaciones, numeral 3.2.7) Seguro y garantía de las exportaciones, párrafo 3.69: en este punto a Ecuador le gustaría ampliar su conocimiento sobre los mecanismos y programas de seguros y garantías a las exportaciones de bienes y servicios contra riesgos políticos y económicos que Suiza 
y Liechtenstein implementan. En particular, a Ecuador le interesaría conocer sobre las medidas 
vinculadas al mantenimiento de la liquidez de las empresas como son: contragarantías, seguros de capital de explotación, seguros de confirmación de cartas de crédito y garantías de refinanciación.  
 
                                               
8 These measures taken are called stabilization measures. WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 47 - 
 
 
 
 
  Answer: 
 The Swiss Export Risk Insurance (SERV) based in Zurich Switzerland offers insurances for exporters, banks, and associations. In 2009, the Swiss Confederation launched the stabilisation 
measures II in the course of the financial and economic crisis. Within this framework, SERV 
introduced additional product. The introducti on of these new products was based on the 
assumption that Swiss exporters would experience liquidity bottlenecks, and export credit would 
become more expensive due to the tense interbank market. The three products introduced are as 
follows:  1. Working capital insurance 
 
With working capital insurance, SERV insures the repayment claims of a bank against the exporter 
or his subcontractors if the export transaction is covered by credit insurance. SERV must pay 
indemnification if the exporter or his sub-contractor fails to pay back the credit in due time. SERV 
thus assumes the risk of the insolvency of the ex porter or sub-contractor during the production 
phase. By granting a working capital loan, the bank  (policyholder) provides credit for financing the 
prime costs of an export transaction that is usually insured by SERV.  
 2. Counter guarantee  
The exporter may arrange for SERV to provide a counter guarantee that SERV will remit specific 
compensation to the bank issuing the guarantee immediately, upon written demand, in the event 
of the contract bond being called and the non-fulfilment of contractual obligations on the part of 
the exporter. The counter guarantee supplements SERV's contract bond insurance, making it 
easier for exporters to obtain contract bonds from banks. Exporters retain their liquidity (particularly with advance payment bonds), as no additional collateral must be provided to the 
bank. SERV thus covers the exporter's non-payment risk. 
 3. Refinancing guarantee  
With a refinancing guarantee, SERV is obligated to compensate a refinancing institution for already 
insured receivables upon first written demand. The refinancing guarantee allows the financial institutions providing export credit to obtain more attractive refinancing terms. Refinancing 
guarantees are always issued in combination with buyer credit insurance or supplier credit 
insurance assigned to a bank.  
SERV provides services supplementary to the existi ng market offer. The organisation only insures 
risks that are not marketable or for which no suffici ent insurance offer exists. By facilitating foreign 
trade for Switzerland, SERV ultimately also contribute to the economic development of the involved countries.  
 
3.3  Measures Affecting Production and Trade 
3.3.1  Incentives and other assistance 
ARGENTINA 
En el párrafo 3.73. se señala que en el pilar de la industria hay varias subcategorías, entre ellas 
las siguientes: desgravación fiscal en aplicación de la nueva política regional; ayuda a las regiones 
de montaña y zonas rurales; y ayuda a las actividades forestales. Según la notificación de Suiza, la 
desgravación fiscal en aplicación de la nueva política regional está en vigor desde el 1º de enero de 2008 y mantendrá su vigencia indefinidamente. En el marco de ese programa, Suiza otorga subvenciones en forma de desgravaciones (totales o parciales) de los impuestos federales para 
respaldar la realización de proyectos de empresas privadas destinados a reducir las diferencias en 
el desarrollo de las regiones.  
¿Podría el gobierno de Suiza detallar cuáles son los sectores o productos alcanzados por estas 
ayudas y los montos desembolsados? 
 WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 48 - 
 
 
  
 Answer: 
 
According to the legislation (Federal Law on Regi onal Policy, Systematic Registry of Federal Law 
901.0, art. 12) a tax relief can be granted to manufacturing companies and to services companies 
with activities closely linked to the manufacturing process.  
 Regarding the amount paid by this support, past surveys were based on provisional and definitive 
tax dispositions, gathered the year following the ta x year. However, in accordance with the federal 
law on federal direct tax (Systematic Registry of Federal Law 642.11), the taxation has to take place within a period of five years after the end of the fiscal period. Due to the referred regulatory 
conditions, the competent authorities are currently working on overcoming these technical 
challenges. For these reasons, at the time bein g, the amount of tax relief granted cannot be 
indicated.  
El párrafo 3.76. señala que Suiza proporciona ayuda a las actividades forestales en el marco del 
programa de reorganización de la equiparación financiera. El objetivo de la subvención es compensar a los propietarios de bosques por servicios prestados al público. 
 
¿Podría el gobierno de Suiza explicar en qué consisten los servicios prestados al público por los propietarios de bosques? ¿Cuáles son los requisitos para acceder a dicha subvención?  
Answer: 
 
Les forêts fournissent de nombreuses prestation s: elles protègent contre les dangers naturels, 
fournissent du bois et de l'eau potable, constituent un habitat pour la flore et la faune et sont un 
lieu apprécié des personnes en quête de détente. Les forêts contribuent aussi largement à préserver la diversité paysagère: 
 
Les forêts offrent depuis toujours la meilleure protection dans les Alpes. La législation sur les forêts reflète d'ailleur s cette fonction majeure. En édictant la  loi sur la police des forêts de 1876, la 
Confédération a posé les premières bases légales visant à protéger et assainir à grande échelle les 
forêts de montagne, qui étaient alors surexploitées en maints endroits, afin de prévenir certains 
dangers naturels. Aujourd'hui encore, la Confédération accorde la priorité aux forêts protectrices et encourage leur entretien en se fondant sur la loi sur les forêts actuelle. 
 
Les forêts suisses présentent une grande diversité écologique, elles se composent de plus de 100 types de forêts. Les forêts dominantes sont pa r nature pauvres en espèces et de nombreuses 
forêts humides ont été défrichées au 19e siècle. Les forêts sont vitales pour la faune et la flore 
suisses: environ 35 % de toutes les espèces (26 000) en dépendent.   Les loisirs et la détente sont de plus en plus indispensables pour éliminer le stress de la vie 
quotidienne. La forêt est idéale pour répondre à ce besoin. En Suisse, on peut s'y rendre 
librement. Aussi, nombreux sont ceux qui en profitent fréquemment.  
Les forêts et les sols sont des réservoirs de CO2. Ils jouent de ce fait un rôle dans le bilan des gaz 
de serre et dans la réalisation du Protocole de Kyoto. Une gestion et une exploitation durables du bois selon les principes du développement durable sont primordiales pour le bilan du CO2.  
Les forêts suisses fournissent non seulement du bois mais aussi de l'eau potable d'une grande 
pureté.  ¿Cuáles son los requisitos para acceder a dicha subvención? 
 
Answer:  
 
Les principales lois et ordonnances dans les domaines des forêts, du bois et des dangers naturels 
fixent les exigences pour pouvoir bénéficier de subventions: il s'agit notamment de la Loi fédérale du 4 octobre 1991 sur les forêts, de l'Ordonnance du 30 novembre 1992 sur les forêts, de la Loi 
fédérale du 20 juin 1986 sur la chasse et la protection des mammifères et oiseaux sauvages, de la 
Loi fédérale sur la protection de la nature et du paysage, de la Loi fédérale sur l'aménagement des cours d'eau, de l'Ordonnance sur la réduction des risques liés aux produits chimiques, de l'Ordonnance du 18 mai 2005 sur la réduction des risques liés à l'utilisation de substances, de WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 49 - 
 
 
 
 
  préparations et d'objets particulièrement dangereux, de l'Ordonnance sur la protection des 
végétaux et de la Loi fédérale du 5 octobre 1990 sur les aides financières et les indemnités. En 
résumé, on notera que dans le domaine forestier, la Suisse a renoncé à des subventions spécifiques à des projets au profit de subventions globales dans le domaine forestier. 
 
The subsidy is granted in form of four-year long programs and flat rate budget that are granted by the Confederation after cantonal proposals have been submitted. According the subsidy to the 
defined products and services within the programs goes fully to the cantons for the 
implementation.  Cf. aussi le site internet : http://www.bafu.admin.ch/wald/01170/06266/index.html?lang=fr  
 
¿Tienen derecho a esta subvención propietarios de bosques que sean productores agropecuarios? 
 
Answer: Yes 
 
¿Tienen derecho a la subvención los propietarios  de bosques desvinculados de toda actividad 
agropecuaria? 
 
Answer: Yes 
 
EU 
Page 56, paragraph 3.73 
 
An eligibility criterion to the New Regional Policy is to be located in a less developed region and 
"Areas considered economically less developed ar e those […] [with] a proportion of industrial 
activities higher than the average."  
 
Question: 
 Could Switzerland clarify why a higher proportion of industrial activities is considered as an 
indication of less development?   
 Answer: 
 The use of the criterion of a higher proportion of  i n d u s t r i a l  a c t i v i t i e s  a s  a n  i n d i c a t i o n  o f  l e s s  
development has historical reasons. It followed the need of major structural change in certain 
industries.  
 Question: 
 
Could Switzerland explain what measures are in place to prevent windfall effects (i.e. investments 
by companies that would have occurred even in abse nce of the tax relief, and that the tax relief is 
limited to the minimum necessary to attract the investment)?  
 
Answer: 
 
Support measures in general may probably never completely avoid any windfall effects. Regarding 
the instrument, measures are in place aiming at reducing potential windfall effects. For instance, only successful projects are supported contrary to outright subsidies programmes that may support also ineffective projects. Tax exemptions or reductions are not granted automatically. All 
projects requesting support are first examined by  the cantons. Only after the first examination's 
positive results, a second review at the federal level takes place. Finally, support is attached to stringent conditions and may create obligations for the supported company of up to 15 years.  
 
Question: 
 
Could Switzerland explain the reasons why the effect of the subsidy on trade is considered 
negligible or non-existent?   
 WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 50 - 
 
 
  
 Answer: 
 
Since 1 January 2008, the eligible areas cover only 10.1% of the population. Given the low percentage of population covered as well as th e very small number of companies and projects 
benefitting from the instrument (considerably less than one per cent of all companies) any effect 
on trade would be extremely difficult to establish.  
 
Question: 
 
Could Switzerland explain the effect of the assistance programme on re-location of establishments?   
 
Answer: 
 
Also due to the very small number of projects supp orted, no systematic effect on re-location of 
establishments through the assistance programme can be found.  
 
Page 56, paragraph 3.74 and 3.75 
 
Switzerland provides help for SMEs to access credits, particularly for those operating in the arts and crafts subsector. 
 
Question: 
 
Could Switzerland clarify which definition or criteria are being used for identifying small and 
medium sized companies? Are SMEs, which are part of a group or which are directly or indirectly linked to a large company, also eligible for suppo rt? Could Switzerland clarify which are the sectors 
receiving support for SMEs? 
 Answer: 
 
A company may be eligible of support as long as fulfills the requirements. The fact that it is part of 
a group or directly or indirectly linked to a large company has no impact on the eligibility. The main beneficiary sectors of this support are the wholesale and retail trade, manufacturing, 
accommodation and food service activities and construction. In principle all non-agricultural 
sectors, independent of the firm size, are eligib le for support of a loan guarantee of up to 
CHF 500'000. 
 
Page 57, paragraph 3.75 
 Under the "Surety and contributions to interest-servicing in mountain and rural areas" programme 
Switzerland provides SMEs situated in mountain and rural areas with long and medium-term 
capital loans.  
Question : 
 
Could Switzerland explain the reasons why the effect of the subsidy on trade is considered 
negligible or non-existent?   
 Answer: 
 
Given the very small amount involved (see table 3.7: SwF 14.6 million in 2010 and SwF 9.7 million 
in 2011), no effect on trade can be found.  
 
Page 58, paragraph 3.82 
 
According to the Report, Switzerland provides extensive Government-finance and subsidies for 
research and development programmes which is also open to foreign companies with operations in 
Switzerland.  WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 51 - 
 
 
 
 
  Question: 
 Could Switzerland submit an overview of the main e ligible criteria to be fulfilled for an enterprise 
to benefit of R&D programmes?  
 
Answer: 
 
La CTI encourage l'innovation basée sur la science en Suisse − en s'appuyant sur des critères 
clairement définis − dans les domaines Enabling Sciences, ingénierie, microtechnologies et 
nanotechnologies et sciences de la vie. Les fonds d'encouragement sont versés exclusivement aux institutions de recherche établies en Suisse et ayant droit aux contributions de la CTI. Le 
partenaire économique prend à sa charge 50 % des coûts du projet au minimum. 
 Le projet est évalué en fonction de son import ance économique, scientifique et technique, son 
potentiel commercial, sa contribution au développement durable, son plan de travail et de 
financement, et la mise de fonds (10%) consentie par le partenaire industriel comme preuve de son engagement. Dans les quatre à six semaines suivant le dépôt du projet, les requérants sont 
déjà informés de la décision des experts. 
 (source: http://www.kti.admin.ch/index.html?lang=fr , La CTI en bref) 
 
Page 58, paragraph 3.83 
 
The Report points out that different cantons offer a range of individual investment incentive 
programmes. 
 Question: 
 Could Switzerland submit further information about the investment incentive programmes prioritizing foreign businesses? Which are the specific criteria for receiving cantonal subsidies/loans/grants or being exempted from taxes?   
 
Answer: 
 
Cantonal economic policies are based on the co nstitutional powers cantons enjoy. They are 
designed to help general economic development. Tax incentives have their legal basis at the respective state level (canton or municipality) and are often linked to those of the federal 
government under regional policy in favor of rural, structurally weak areas. All such measures are 
published; a general overview doesn't exist as it does not fall under the federal competency. Incentive programmes do not prioritize foreign businesses but are applicable and open for domestic and foreign businesses alike as far as they fulfill the respective objective criteria set out 
by the canton or municipality 
 Question: 
 Could Switzerland set out the measures which are in place to prevent windfall effects (i.e. investments by companies that would have occurre d even in absence of the investment incentive 
programmes, and that the investment incentive programmes are limited to the minimum 
necessary to attract the investment)?   
 Answer: 
 Support measures in general may probably never completely avoid any windfall effects. Regarding the instrument, measures are in place aiming at reducing potential windfall effects. Tax 
exemptions or reductions are not granted automati cally. All projects requesting support are first 
examined by the cantons. Only after the first examin ation's positive results, a second review at the 
federal level takes place. Finally, support is attached to stringent conditions and may create 
obligations for the supported company of up to 15 years. 
 WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 52 - 
 
 
  
 MEXICO 
Página 57, párrafo 3.73. 
 
Pregunta 31: 
 ¿Podrían las autoridades suizas mencionar cómo determinan los efectos del programa de ayuda 
sobre el comercio y en qué condiciones se consideran éstos como insignificantes? 
 
Answer:  
 In view of the mentioned instruments, their effect on trade is evaluated taking into account 
qualitative and to the degree available quantitati ve elements. The "Surety and contributions to 
interest-servicing in mountain and rural areas" programme involves very small amounts (see table 3.7: SwF 14.6 million in 2010 an d SwF 9.7 million in 2011). Given these very small amounts, 
effects on trade cannot be found. The same applies for the "Guarantees for investment credits 
under the Assistance for zones under economic renewal" and the assistance for SME's operating in arts and crafts (see table 3.7 with detailed numbers). Regarding tax relief in application of the new 
regional policy, only a small number of projects in structurally weak areas benefit from the 
program and trade-related objectifs are not part of its design. Further, the instrument contributes to compensate economic disadvantages of investments in rural, structurally weak areas.  
 
Página 60, párrafo 3.83. 
 
Pregunta 32: 
 ¿De qué manera se distribuye la competencia entre la Confederación y los cantones en materia de impuesto sobre la renta? 
 
Answer:  
 In Switzerland, taxes are levied on three levels: by the Confederation, by the cantons and by the 
municipalities, the delimitation of taxation powers  being governed by the Federal Constitution. The 
Confederation is entitled to levy only the taxes provided by the Federal Constitution, whereas the cantons as sovereign states are authorized to levy any type of tax as long as they do not infringe 
upon the exclusive authority of the Confederation. There are, however, only a few types of taxes 
for which the Confederation claims exclusive jurisd iction (value added tax, special excise duties, 
stamp duties, withholding tax, and customs duti es, pursuant to Articles 130 through 133 of the 
Federal Constitution). Consequently, the cantons are given wide latitude in the creation of their 
own tax legislation. As to the municipalities, the cantonal Constitutions define the types of taxes they are entitled to levy. As a result, taxes on income and profits (which are not defined in the Federal Constitution as being exclusively left up to the Confederation) are levied on all 
three levels.  
 Pregunta 33: 
 ¿Además del impuesto sobre la renta con respecto a sociedades, a qué otros sujetos y qué otras materias pueden gravar los cantones? 
 
Answer:  
 As mentioned before, the cantons are authorized to levy any type of tax which is not in the 
exclusive competence of the Confederation. The range of taxes they levy in practice is fairly wide 
(e.g. Income and net wealth taxes, poll tax or household tax, corporate income tax and tax on 
capital, inheritance and gift taxes, lottery income tax, immovable property gains tax, immovable 
property gains tax, real estate tax, real estate tr ansfer tax, cantonal casino tax, motor vehicle tax, 
etc.).  WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 53 - 
 
 
 
 
  Pregunta 34:  
 ¿Existe, además del impuesto sobre la renta de sociedades cantonal un impuesto sobre la renta confederal que grave las mismas materias que los impuestos cantonales? 
 
Answer: 
 
Besides the corporate income tax, the income tax of individuals is also levied on all three levels 
(Confederation, cantons, municipalities).  3.3.2  Standards and other technical requirements 
3.3.2.1  Overview 
COLOMBIA El párrafo 3.88 del Informe de la Secretaría señala que… "En 2010, Suiza introdujo unilateralmente 
el principio "Cassis de Dijon" para determinados productos de la UE o del EEE (recuadro 3.1). 
Junto con el acuerdo de reconocimiento mutuo entre Suiza y la UE, el principio garantiza que los productos que se comercializan legalmente en la UE o el EEE puedan en pr incipio comercializarse 
en Suiza sin necesidad de nuevas comprobaciones en relación con sus prescripciones técnicas, lo 
que constituye un paso hacia la reducción de los obstáculos técnicos al comercio y el aumento de la competencia de las importaciones en el mercado suizo. También se pueden beneficiar de ello las exportaciones de los demás Miembros de la OMC destinadas a Suiza, siempre que los productos 
cumplan las prescripciones técnicas de la UE/EEE. Debido a las excepciones del principio "Cassis de 
Dijon" se pierden algunos de los posibles beneficios comerciales"  
Recuadro 3.1 Suiza introduce el principio "Cassis de Dijon" 
 Pero tiene algunas excepciones: "No se aplica a los productos sujetos a: i) autorización; ii) 
notificación de conformidad con la legislación suiza relativa a los productos químicos; iii) permiso 
de importación; iv) prohibición de importación; o v) exención otorgada por el Consejo Federal. El 
principal criterio para mantener las exenciones es  el interés público… Entre los producto afectados 
figuran los productos farmacéuticos (sujetos a autorización), los productos químicos sujetos a 
notificación, las sustancias peligrosas, los detergen tes, los plaguicidas, determinados instrumentos 
de medida, determinados vehículos automóviles, los piensos, los organismos modificados genéticamente (OMG) y determinados productos alimenticios." 
 
De otra parte Suiza dentro de las prescripciones en materia de contenido local y compra de productos nacionales aplica, a algunos productos agropecuarios sujetos a contingentes 
arancelarios, el sistema de compra forzosa de productos nacionales ("prise en charge"), mediante 
el cual se requiere que los comerciantes compren o produzcan productos nacionales similares a fin de importar.  
¿Entendemos que el principio "Cassis de Dijon", no se aplica a los productos sujetos a contingentes 
en la medida en que se necesita una autorización para la importación, previo el cumplimiento de la prescripción en materia de contenido local y compra de productos nacionales?  
 
Answer: 
 
The "Cassis- de-Dijon" principle only regulates th e admission of products on the Swiss market in 
cases where their production requirements differ from Swiss conditions but are allowed in the European Union. Once a product is admitted on the Swiss market, it can be imported within the usual import regime of the product concerned, e.g. within a tariff quota, if the importer obtained a 
quota share. Otherwise, import of the produc t at the out-of-quota tariff is possible.  
 With the "prise en charge" system, tariff quota shares are granted to importers in proportion to 
the quantity of purchased internal goods. Ever y importer that buys these products of local 
producers is automatically authorized to request a tariff quota share (non-automatic license). The "Cassis-de-Dijon" principle thus does not impede the quota administration. 
 WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 54 - 
 
 
  
 Ha notificado Suiza el sistema de compra forzosa de productos nacionales ("prise en charge")? 
Podría explicarnos cuál es la diferencia entre este sistema y una medida de inversión relacionada 
con el comercio? 
 
Answer: 
 
Switzerland has notified the "prise en charge" system to the Committee on Agriculture with 
regards to the administration of tariff quotas (MA:1). The "prise en charge" is a quota allocation 
system in compliance with Article 4 of the Agreement on Agriculture and covers products defined in Annex 1 of the Agreement on Agriculture. Given that it is not an investment-related measure it 
is not subject to the Agreement on Trade-Related Investment Measures (TRIMs). 
 
KOREA  
Page 59 (Para 3.88 and Box 3.1) 
 
In 2010, Switzerland unilaterally introduced the Cassis de Dijon principle for certain products from 
the EU or the EEA (Box 3.1). (……) Exports from the broader WTO membership to Switzerland may 
also benefit, provided the products meet EU/EEA  technical requirements. Some of the potential 
trade benefits are lost because of exceptions to the Cassis de Dijon principle.  
 Box 3.1 notes "Products concerned include pharmaceuticals (subject to authorization), chemicals 
subject to notification, dangerous substances, detergents, pesticides, certain measuring 
instruments, certain motor vehicles, animal feed, GMOs, and certain foodstuffs."   
Question:  
 
Please provide details of products to which the principle does not apply, especially those of 
pharmaceuticals, chemicals, measuring instruments and motor vehicles. 
 Answer: 
 
Pharmaceuticals: Médicaments, y compris sang et prod uits sanguins selon art. 4, al. 1, let. a, Loi 
sur les produits thérapeutiques; Transplants (art. 3 let. d de la Loi sur la transplantation). 
 
Chemicals: Peintures et vernis contenant du plomb et produits ainsi traités selon annexe 2.8 
Ordonnance sur la réduction des risques liés aux produits chimiques (ORRChim); Peintures et 
vernis, mastics, textiles, matières plastiques et caoutchoucs contenant des paraffines chlorées à 
chaînes courtes interdites conformément à l'annexe  1.2 ORRChim; Produits chimiques du tableau 1 
de l'Ordonnance sur le contrôle des produits chimiques (substances chimiques qui peuvent trouver une application dans la production d'agents de guerre chimique); Substances et les préparations dangereuses dont l'étiquette ne fait pas mention du  fabricant conformément à l'art. 39, let. b, de 
l'ordonnance sur les produits chimiques (OChim), de même que les substances et les préparations 
visées à l'art. 52 OChim dont la fiche de données de sécurité n'est pas conforme à l'art. 53, al. 2, OChim; Substances stables dans l'air; préparations et produits contenant de telles substances qui 
ne satisfont pas aux exigences énoncées aux annexes 1.5, 2.3, 2.9, 2.10, 2.11 et 2.12 ORRChim. 
 Measuring instruments: Instruments de mesure selon l'art. 8 de la loi fédérale sur la métrologie en 
rel. avec l'art. 4, let. a, de l'ordonnance sur les instruments de mesure, utilisés pour une catégorie mentionnée à l'art. 3, al. 1, de l'ordonnance sur les instruments de mesure et soumis à une procédure nationale d'approbation.  
Motor vehicles: Cyclomoteurs (art. 18 Ordonnance concernant les exigences techniques requises 
pour les voitures automobiles de transport et leurs remorques OETV), à l'exception des 
cyclomoteurs légers ainsi que des chaises de handicapé électrique avec une vitesse maximale de 
10 km/h.; Monoaxes (art. 17, al. 1, OETV); Motocycles, quadricycles légers à moteur, quadricycles 
à moteur et tricycles à moteur (art. 14 et 15 OETV); Tracteurs agricoles et leurs remorques (art. 
11, al. 2, let. h, 20 et 22 OETV); Voitures automobiles (art. 10 OETV); Voitures automobiles de 
transport et leurs remorques (art. 11, 12, 20 et 21 OETV); Véhicules nautiques à moteur (scooters 
aquatiques, jet-bikes; art. 2, let. a, ch. 18, Ordonnance sur la navigation dans les eaux suisses, ONI). WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 55 - 
 
 
 
 
   
ARGENTINA 
En el Recuadro 3.1 se señala que la Ley sobre obstáculos técnicos al comercio (LETC) introdujo en 
la legislación suiza el principio "Cassis de Dijon" en julio de 2010.a El nuevo régimen permite la 
comercialización de productos en Suiza aun cuando no estén en conformidad con los reglamentos 
técnicos suizos, siempre que se comercialicen legalmente en la UE o el EEE y cumplan las 
prescripciones técnicas de la UE/EEE o de uno de sus Estados miembros (en el caso de las normas 
parcialmente armonizadas o sin armonizar). 
 Asimismo, se explica que existen excepciones al principio "Cassis de Dijon". No se aplica a los productos sujetos a: i) autorización; ii) notificación de conformidad con la legislación suiza relativa 
a los productos químicos; iii) permiso de importación; iv) prohibición de importación; o v) 
exención otorgada por el Consejo Federal. El princi pal criterio para mantener las exenciones es el 
interés público. La SECO mantiene una lista indicativa de excepciones (lista negativa) como guía 
para los operadores económicos. Entre los productos afectados figuran los productos farmacéuticos 
(sujetos a autorización), los productos químicos sujetos a notificación, las sustancias peligrosas, los detergentes, los plaguicidas, determinados instrumentos de medida, determinados vehículos 
automóviles, los piensos, los organismos modificados genéticamente (OMG) y determinados 
productos alimenticios.  ¿Podría el gobierno de Suiza detallar cuáles son los trámites que se exigen para los productos que 
cumplen las prescripciones técnicas de la  UE/EEE o de uno de sus Estados miembros? 
 
Answer:  
 Le produit considéré doit avoir été fabriqué conformément aux prescriptions techniques de la CE et, lorsque le droit de la CE n'est pas harmonisé ou ne fait l'objet que d'une harmonisation 
incomplète, conformément aux prescr iptions techniques d'un Etat memb re de la CE ou de l'EEE. Il 
doit être légalement sur le marché  dans l'Etat membre de la CE ou de l'EEE dont les prescriptions 
techniques ont servi de référence pour sa fabrication. Il ne doit présenter aucun risque majeur pour des intérêts publics prépondérants, lorsqu'il est utilisé dans des conditions normales ou 
raisonnablement prévisibles. Comme c'est le cas dans la CE lorsqu'un produit présente un risque, 
les organes suisses d'exécution doivent être en mesure d'empêcher la mise sur le marché de produits en vertu du "principe Cassis de Dijon". La procédure de contrôle et, le cas échéant, la 
mise en cause de ces produits est régie à l'art. 20. 
 
¿Podría el gobierno de Suiza explicar cómo el Consejo Federal concede la exención? 
 
Answer:  
 Les exceptions générales au "principe Cassis de Dijon" ne sont possible que pour sauvegarder des 
intérêts publics prépondérants (protection de la morale, de l'ordre et de la sécurité publics; 
protection de la vie et de la santé de l'être humain, des animaux et des végétaux; protection du milieu naturel; protection de la sécurité au lieu de travail; protection des consommateurs; 
protection du patrimoine culturel national; protection de la propriété). Le Conseil fédéral fixe ces 
exceptions dans l'art. 2 de l'Ordonnance sur la mise sur le marché de produits fabriqués selon des prescriptions étrangères. 
 
¿Qué productos alimenticios están exceptuados del principio "Cassis de Dijon"?  Answer:  
 Comme indiqué dans le Rapport du Secrétariat, le  SECO tient une liste indicative de toutes les 
exceptions, y compris concernant les denrées alimentaires. Cette liste, constamment actualisée, 
est disponible sous 
http://www.seco.admin.ch/themen/00513/0 0730/01220/04172/index. html?lang=fr.  
 
Boissons alcoolisées sucrées dont l'étiquette ne fait pas mention de la teneur en alcool 
conformément à l'art. 3, al. 2, de l'ordonnance du DFI du 23 novembre 2005 sur les boissons alcooliques ; Boissons distillées destinées à la consommation dont l'étiquette ne mentionne pas, WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 56 - 
 
 
  
 comme le prévoit l'art. 46 de l'ordonnance du 12 mai 1999 sur l'alcool le nom du producteur suisse 
ou de l'importateur ; Produits du tabac et les produits contenant des succédanés de tabac dont 
l'emballage de vente au détail n'indique pas, comme le prévoit l'art. 16, al. 1, let. a et b, de la loi fédérale du 21 mars 1969 sur l'imposition du tabac, en relation avec l'art. 31 de l'ordonnance du 
14 octobre 2009 sur l'imposition du tabac, le prix de vente au détail en francs suisses, ni la raison 
sociale ou le numéro de revers du fabricant en Suisse ou de l'import ateur ; Produits du tabac et les 
produits contenant des succédanés de tabac destinés à être fumés dont l'emballage ne comporte 
pas les illustrations complétant les mises en ga rde, comme le prévoit l'art. 12, al. 5, de 
l'ordonnance du 27 octobre 2004 sur le tabac, en relation avec l'ordonnance du DFI du 
10 décembre 2007 concernant les mises en garde combinées sur les produits du tabac; Oeufs de consommation en coquille, les oeufs au plat, les oeufs cuits ainsi que les oeufs cuits écalés 
(contenus dans des préparations gastronomiques) provenant d'élevages en batteries non admis en 
Suisse, qui ne sont pas assortis d'une déclaration conforme aux art. 2, 4 et 5 de l'ordonnance agricole du 26 novembre 2003 sur la déclaration ; Denrées alimentaires qui ne sont pas assorties 
d'une déclaration relative aux mélanges involontaires avec des substances allergènes 
conformément à l'art. 8, al. 3, de l'ordonnance du DFI du 23 novembre 2005 sur l'étiquetage et la publicité des denrées alimentaires ; Denrées alimentaires portant l'indication «produit sans recours 
au génie génétique» qui ne satisfont pas aux exigences formulées à l'art. 7, al. 8 et 9, de 
l'ordonnance du DFI du 23 novembre 2005 sur les denrées alimentaires génétiquement modifiées ; Denrées alimentaires fabriquées selon des procédés soumis à autorisation en vertu de l'art. 20, al. 1, de l'ordonnance du 23 novembre 2005 sur les denrées alimentaires et les objets usuels, ainsi 
que les denrées alimentaires, les additifs et les auxiliaires technologiques qui sont des OGM, qui 
contiennent de tels organismes ou qui en sont issus, et qui sont soumis à autorisation en vertu de l'art. 22 de ladite ordonnance ; Aliments d'appoint et les compléments alimentaires respectivement 
au sens des art. 20 et 22 de l'ordonnance du DFI du 23 novembre 2005 sur les aliments spéciaux 
qui ne sont pas conformes aux prescriptions de ladite ordonnance ; Viande, les préparations de viande et les produits à base de viande provenant de lapins domestiques élevés selon un mode 
d'élevage non admis en Suisse et qui ne sont pas assortis d'une déclaration conforme aux art. 2, 3 
et 5 OAgrD.  ECUADOR 
Página 61, Párrafo 3.88 ¿Cuáles son los posibles beneficios comerciales del principio "Cassis de 
Dijon" que perdería Suiza?  
Answer:  
 
The autonomous introduction of the Cassis de Dijon  principle was part of the Government's 
strategy to counter the high prices prevailing in Switzerland (Growth Policy 2008-11), by further 
dismantling technical barriers to imports from the EU and the EEA markets. This is the third pillar of a strategy initiated in the 1990s to reduce technical barriers to trade.  
Página 61, Recuadro 3.1 ¿Cuáles son los 20 produc tos que abarca el Acuerdo de Reconocimiento 
Mutuo (ARM) con la UE?  
Answer:  
 
Machines, équipements de protection individuelle, jouets, dispositifs médicaux, appareils à gaz et 
chaudières, appareils à pression, équipement hertziens, appareils et systèmes de protection 
destinés à être utilisés en atmosphère explosive, matériel électrique et compatibilité électromagnétique, engins et matériels de chantier, instruments de mesurage et préemballages, véhicules à moteur, tracteurs agricoles ou forestiers, bonnes pratiques de laboratoire, inspection 
BPF des médicaments et certification des lots, produits de constructions, ascenseurs, produits 
biocides, installations à câbles, explosifs à usage civil.  
3.3.2.2  Technical regulations 
MEXICO El Informe de la Secretaría señala que " Los nuevos reglamentos (ordenanzas), decretos y 
directrices están sujetos a un análisis del impacto de la reglamentación (RIA)" .  WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 57 - 
 
 
 
 
   
Pregunta 35:  
 
¿Existen materias cuyos reglamentos (ordenanzas), decretos y directrices estén exentos del 
análisis de impacto de la reglamentación? 
 Answer: 
 Presently the positive principle is fixed in Article 8 of the Swiss Food Law. In the draft of the revised Food Law this principle is proposed to be abandoned. The proposal will be discussed by the Commission for Social Security and Health of the Council of States, one of the chambers of the 
Parliament, in May 2013. We expect that the new food law will be adopted by the Parliament until 
autumn 2013. The entering into force of the revised law and the related new ordinances is expected for 1 January 2015. 
 
3.3.2.3  Conformity assessment procedures 
CHINESE TAIPEI  
Page 61 (Para. 3.93) 
 
The Report states that, for some products, a manufacturer's declaration of conformity must be submitted by the manufacturer or the importer upon or prior to importation for some products. 
 
Question(s): 
1. Which products are covered by the above-mentioned requirement? 
2. Could Switzerland please provide details of the procedures that a manufacturer has to follow 
when submitting a manufacturer's declaration of conformity? 
 
Answer:  
 
Switzerland has developed the Swiss Technical Regulations Portal, which is available on SECO's website. This portal gives an overview of the Swiss technical regulations to be observed when 
placing products on the market in Switzerland. Th e portal also indicates the conformity assessment 
procedures for each product sector.  
3.3.2.4  Standards 
3.3.2.5  Labelling  INDIA 
Page 62(Para 3.98) 
 
Labelling requirements are set in sector-specific technical regulations. Some Swiss labelling requirements are maintained (as an exception to the Cassis-de-Dijon principle) with the stated 
objective of allowing consumers to make an inform ed choice or to prevent deception. For example, 
imports of meat and eggs produced in a manner prohibited in Switzerland must be labelled as such. Banned production methods, which must be labelled, include the use of hormones, 
antibiotics, and other antimicrobial substances such as performance stimulators for meat, and 
eggs from hens reared in battery cages. The labelling requirements apply from the point of sale to the final consumer, in retail trade, and in establishments where meals are prepared for the public, 
such as restaurants. Country of production labelling is mandatory for all imported and domestic 
foodstuffs and raw materials used in food. According to the authorities, this is because the indication of the country of manufacture cannot be inferred from the origin of the product and provides relevant information for consumers to decide which product they wish to buy. The 
labelling requirements for GMOs remain unchanged. 
 WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 58 - 
 
 
  
 Question 12: 
 
(i) Switzerland and Liechtenstein are requested to elaborate as to how they go about informing the consumers about the character of meat being made available to them for consumption 
 
(ii) Is there a chance that public eateries may sell dishes made from imported meat which may be prepared using banned production methods. If not, what is the procedural mechanism for 
preventing it? In addition, are such eateries requ ired to inform the consumers about the origin of 
the meat and its compliance with the local standards?  Answer: 
 (i) We would like to refer to Para 3.97 of the Secr etariat's report stating that "There have been 
no major changes to Swiss labelling requirements".  
 
(ii) Art. 18, al.1 of the Law on Agriculture (LwG) entitles the Federal Council to regulate the 
import of products stemming from banned production methods (bpm) in accordance with 
international obligations. The Ordinance over the Declaration of Agricultural Products from 
Production Banned by Switzerland (LDV) specifies the application of the LwG.  It is possible that eateries sell meat produced under bpm. Products from bpm have to be declared 
with regard to the specific method applied. Eate ries are required to inform consumers about the 
origin and the applied bpm of the product (LDV Art. 5, al. 1-3 and Ordinance over Food and Basic Commodities, Art. 27, al.1) 
 
MALAYSIA 
Reference is made to page 61 & 62 - Labelling 
 
3.97. There have been no major changes to Sw iss labelling requirements. Switzerland amended 
the Organic Farming Ordinances, with effect from January 2010, concerning the labelling rules for products and food derived from organic agricult ure, to align them with EU requirements. New 
labelling requirements apply for timber (and related products) for consumer information purposes, 
including a declaration of origin and the type of timber.  
3.98. Labelling requirements are set in sector-spe cific technical regulations. Some Swiss labelling 
requirements are maintained (as an exception to the Cassis-de-Dijon principle) with the stated 
objective of allowing consumers to make an inform ed choice or to prevent deception. For example, 
imports of meat and eggs produced in a manner prohibited in Switzerland must be labelled as 
such. Banned production methods, which must be labelled, include the use of hormones, antibiotics, and other antimicrobial substances such as performance stimulators for meat, and eggs from hens reared in battery cages. The labelling requirements apply from the point of sale to 
the final consumer, in retail trade, and in establishments where meals are prepared for the public, 
such as restaurants. Country of production labelling is mandatory for all imported and domestic 
foodstuffs and raw materials used in food. According to the authorities, this is because the 
indication of the country of manufacture cannot be inferred from the origin of the product and 
provides relevant information for consumers to decide which product they wish to buy. The labelling requirements for GMOs remain unchanged.  
 
Q1: Can Switzerland provide further information on the proposed federal ordinance which would require all kinds of fats and oils for human consumption to be labelled?   
Answer:  
The labelling of foodstuffs in Switzerland is regulated under Art. 20 and 21 of the foodstuff 
legislation (SR 817.0) and under the ordinanc e on labeling and promotion of foodstuff 
(SR 817.022.21). Currently, all refined fats and oils except of olive oil can be labeled as "vegetable 
fats / oils" or "animal fats / oils". This applies to fats and oils used in composite products. It is expected to change these provisions in the context of the revision of the ordinance on labeling and 
promotion of foodstuff. In addition to the simpli fied description "vegetable fats/oils" the specific 
vegetable origin of the processed vegetable fat or oil shall be indicated (e.g. colza oil or palm oil). WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 59 - 
 
 
 
 
  The revision of the ordinance is expected to enter into force in the second half of this year. The 
new labeling requirements in Switzerland follow the EU-Regulation Nr. 1169/2011.  
Q2: Please indicate what are the specific vegetable oils that will be labelled, the type of labelling 
and the objectives for such labelling. What are th e details that need to be provided in such 
labelling?  
 Answer:  
 All refined vegetable fats and oils, that are labeled as vegetable fat /oil, as ingredient in other food stuff, need to be completed with the specific vegetable origin of the fat/oil. With these revised labeling requirements the consumer has more detailed information on the composition of the final 
product and, therefore, has a better base for its decision-making process. 
 Q3: Furthermore, would these requirements be extended to non-food products such as oleo 
chemicals derived from palm oil in the future? 
 Answer:  
 This regulation will be applicable to food only. No arrangements are made to extend this regulation to non-food products.  
 
Q4: Is Switzerland planning to formulate regulations or standards to limit the amount of palm oil 
used in food products?  
Answer:  
 
The Swiss authorities do not plan to introduce a regulation to ban or restrict palm oil in food. 
 
3.3.3  Sanitary and phytosanitary measures 
UNITED STATES Page 63, Paragraph 3.103: 
 
The paragraph discusses the approvals for products derived from genetic engineering used in feed 
and for cultivation. The Swiss National Research Program initiated a multi-year intensive, multi-
disciplinary review of the benefits and risks of genetically modified plants, which was completed in 
mid-2012. The comprehensive and definitive research results appears to not have been taken into account by the Swiss government, which recently extended the moratorium on approvals for 
cultivation of biotechnology crops until the end of 2017. Please provide more details as to why 
available (domestic) scientific research was not considered?  Answer: 
 The Swiss Parliament has taken the decision to further extend the moratorium on approval of genetically modified plants for cultivation until the end of 2017. The Swiss government needs the 
period given by the moratorium to propose a revisi on of the existing "gene technology act" and to 
develop a "coexistence ordinance" taking into account the results obtained within the Swiss National Research Program. In January 2013, the Swiss Government opened a consultation on the 
proposed legal framework. 
3.3.3.1  Overview 
3.3.3.2  Food safety COLOMBIA 
El párrafo 3.101 del informe de la Secretaría indica que… "Suiza figura entre los pocos países de 
Europa que siguen aplicando a los productos alimenticios el "principio positivo": todos los WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 60 - 
 
 
  
 productos alimenticios y aditivos que se ponen a la venta deben ser aprobados por las autoridades 
federales competentes; de lo contrario, están prohibidos.  
 Las autoridades suizas son conscientes de que ese procedimiento de aprobación de los productos 
alimenticios constituye un obstáculo innecesario al comercio que requiere una reforma. En la 
propuesta legislativa se suprime el principio posi tivo. Entretanto, las importaciones de productos 
alimenticios procedentes de la UE/EEE están suje tas a disposiciones especi ales con respecto al 
principio "Cassis de Dijon" el proyecto de ley también introduce en la legislación suiza, entre otras 
cosas, el principio de precaución y adopta el sistema de "valores máximos" de la UE para los aditivos, los contaminantes, los microorganismos, etc. (en sustitución de los niveles de tolerancia suizos). No obstante, en esferas que no están armonizadas con el régimen de inocuidad de los 
alimentos de la UE, como la del etiquetado, se pueden mantener determinadas excepciones suizas, 
por ejemplo la prescripción de indicar el país de producción de los alimentos y los piensos." 
 
Bajo el entendimiento que por el Principio "Cassis de Dijon" en la actualidad se permite a las 
importaciones de alimentos provenientes de la zo na de UE/EEE ser vendidas en Suiza sin estar en 
conformidad con los reglamentos técnicos de dicho país; que la modificación de la Ley entrará en 
vigor dentro de dos años, y que el Artículo 2.1 del Acuerdo sobre los Obstáculos Técnicos al 
Comercio; establece:   "Los Miembros se asegurarán de que, con respecto a los reglamentos técnicos, se dé a los 
productos importados del territorio de cualquiera de los Miembros un trato no menos favorable que 
el otorgado a productos similares de origen nacional y a productos similares originarios de cualquier otro país" 
 
¿Ha contemplado el Gobierno de Suiza adelantar la entrada en vigor de la Ley sobre este tema dado que ya ha reconocido que la normativa actual constituye un obstáculo innecesario al 
comercio y es discriminatoria con los Países de la  OMC que no forman parte de la UE y la EEE? 
 Answer: 
 
The approval procedures for food constitute an obstacle to trade for products from the EU, due to 
the difference with EU law. Switzerland considers those procedures necessary to ensure the required level of protection of consumers. The Sw iss government has come to the conclusion that 
the procedures used by the EU reach a similar level of protection of consumers. The Swiss Federal 
Council has therefore proposed to revise the Swiss law in light of the developments in the EU. The 
revision of the law is currently in parliament, in accordance with Swiss constitutional requirements. 
 
COLOMBIA 
El párrafo 3.105 del Informe de la Secretaría indica que… "Según las autoridades, las medidas 
fitosanitarias suizas se basan, en la medida de lo posible, en las normas y directrices de la 
Convención Internacional de Protección Fitosanitaria (CIPF). La Ordenanza relativa a la protección 
de los vegetales (2001) ha sido objeto de una revisión completa, que entró en vigor el 1º de enero de 2010. Esa Ordenanza se complementa con disposiciones relativas a medidas temporales (de 
emergencia).  
 Según las autoridades, los requisitos fitosanitarios de importación suizos están ya plenamente 
armonizados con los de la UE (Directiva 2000/29/CE). Se exige un "pasaporte fitosanitario" para 
las importaciones de plantas procedentes de Estados miembros de la UE que puedan ser portadoras de plagas peligrosas para Suiza (artículo 8). Con arreglo a una nueva prescripción, los productos procedentes de un país no perteneciente a la UE en tránsito por un país de la UE deben 
ser sometidos a una inspección física por las autoridades competentes suizas, a menos que ya se 
haya realizado ese control al entrar en el territorio de la UE (artículo 9.1).   
Por los demás, los requisitos fitosanitarios aplicables a las importaciones procedentes de países no 
pertenecientes a la UE no han cambiado. Sólo se pueden importar plantas procedentes de empresas aprobadas por el Servicio Federal Suizo de Protección de los Vegetales. Se aplican 
requisitos específicos a las importaciones de productos de alto riesgo fitosanitario, que están 
sujetas a la presentación de un certificado fitosanitario con una declaración adicional."  WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 61 - 
 
 
 
 
  Nos gustaría conocer en que consiste la declaración adicional que debe acompañar el certificado 
fitosanitario para los productos de alto riesgo. Qué productos agropecuarios son clasificados por 
Suiza en esta categoría y por qué?  
Answer: 
 
Switzerland's phytosanitary regulations can be consulted on or downloaded from: 
http://www.blw.admin.ch/themen/0 0012/01140/inde x.html?lang=en . The regulations are 
available in French, German and Italian. Because Swiss and EU legislations in this field are 
equivalent, the English version can be read in the relevant legislation of the European Union (EU): http://ec.europa.eu/food/plant/plant_hea lth_biosafety/trade_non_eu/index_en.htm . 
 
The list of regulated commodities can be found eith er in French in 'Annexe 5, Partie B' of the 
'Ordonnance sur la protection des végétaux'  (http://www.admin.ch/c h/f/rs/c916_20.html ) or in 
English in Annex V, Part B of the EU Directive 2000/29/EC ( http://eur-
lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CELEX:02000L0029-20090303:EN:NOT ). 
 
Additional declarations (AD) required in phytosanitary certificates are listed in Leaflet '01 Notice no 
1 de l'OFAG pour l'importation de marchandises soumises à des dispositions phytosanitaires'  (text 
in French, but wording of AD in English) under http://www.blw.admin.ch/themen/000 12/01153/01166/inde x.html?lang=en . Alternatively, AD 
according to the syntax rules of the EU can be used (cf. 
http://ec.europa.eu/food/plant/plant_health_bios afety/trade_non_eu/docs/declarations_phyto_cer
tificates_en.pdf ). 
 
CHINA  
Page 62 (Para. 3.101) 
 
"Switzerland is among the few countries in Europe that continue to apply the "positive principle" for foodstuffs, i.e. all foodstuffs and additives o ffered for sale must be approved by the competent 
federal authorities –otherwise they are prohibit ed.103 The Swiss authorities are aware that these 
approval procedures for food constitute an unnece ssary barrier to trade that warrant reform.104…" 
 Questions:  
 
Since Switzerland has realized that the "positive principle" constitutes an unnecessary barrier to 
trade, does the Government have any plan to improve it? 
 
Answer: 
 Presently the positive principle is fixed in Article 8 of the Swiss Food Law. In the draft of the 
revised Food Law this principle is proposed to be abandoned. The proposal will be discussed by the 
Commission for Social Security and Health of the Council of States, one of the chambers of the Parliament, in May 2013. We expect that the new food law will be adopted by the Parliament until 
autumn 2013. The entering into force of the revised law and the related new ordinances is 
expected for 1 January 2015.  
ARGENTINA 
3.101. Suiza figura entre los pocos países de Europa que siguen aplicando a los productos 
alimenticios el "principio positivo": todos los productos alimenticios y aditivos que se ponen a la venta deben ser aprobados por las autoridades federales competentes; de lo contrario, están 
prohibidos. Las autoridades suizas son conscientes de que ese procedimiento de aprobación de los 
productos alimenticios constituye un obstáculo innecesario al comercio que requiere una reforma. En la propuesta legislativa se suprime el prin cipio positivo. Entretanto, las importaciones de 
productos alimenticios procedentes de la UE/EEE  están sujetas a disposiciones especiales con 
respecto al principio "Cassis de Dijon".  WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 62 - 
 
 
  
 ¿Podría el gobierno de Suiza explicar cómo funciona el principio "Cassis de Dijon" para el caso de 
importaciones de alimentos procedentes de otros orígenes distintos de la UE/EEE, pero que 
cumplimentan sus prescripciones técnicas?  
Answer: 
 
Food imports meeting Swiss technical regulations enjoy regular access to the Swiss market. The 
Cassis-de-Dijon principle facilitates access to the Swiss market, when products do not meet Swiss 
technical regulations.  
 El párrafo 3.103. señala que Suiza sigue aplicando un riguroso régimen normativo a los productos 
agropecuarios obtenidos por medios biotecnológicos. La Ley Federal sobre la tecnología genética 
no aplicada a las personas y las ordenanzas conexas regulan los organismos modificados genéticamente para uso en la alimentación humana o animal. La comercialización y el cultivo de 
variedades biotecnológicas están sujetos a la autorización de las autoridades federales 
competentes. Las autorizaciones tienen una validez de 10 años pero pueden ser retiradas si hay motivos fundados para sospechar que son peligrosas para la salud o el medio ambiente. 
Actualmente están autorizadas para uso alimentario una variedad de soja modificada 
genéticamente (MG), tres variedades de maíz MG, dos vitaminas MG y dos enzimas MG. También está autorizado otro producto MG (la proteína estructurante del hielo de tipo III HPLC 12) para su utilización como auxiliar tecnológico en la prod ucción de helados (Decisión de 18 de octubre de 
2012). Asimismo, están autorizados varios productos MG para su uso como piensos. Hay muchas 
solicitudes en curso de examen en el marco del procedimiento de autorización. La moratoria de 2006-2010 relativa a las autorizaciones para el cultivo de variedades biotecnológicas se ha 
prorrogado por 3 años, hasta el 27 de noviembre de  2013. En el marco de la Política Agrícola de 
2014-2017, las dos cámaras del Parlamento han adoptado una segunda prórroga de la moratoria, hasta finales de 2017, como modificación de la Ley Federal sobre la tecnología genética no 
aplicada a las personas. La adopción final de la política agrícola está prevista para la sesión del 
Parlamento de la primavera de 2013. En Suiza se  pueden importar todos los productos derivados 
de OMG autorizados.  
¿Podría el gobierno de Suiza explicar en qué consiste el trámite de aprobación para la 
comercialización y el cultivo de variedades biotecnológicas y en qué plazos se otorga? 
 
Answer: 
 
The respective competent federal authority evalua tes the submitted application. A risk assessment 
is performed and all other concerned federal authorities as well as the Swiss Expert Committee for 
Biosafety and the Federal Ethics Committee on No n-Human Biotechnology are consulted. If the 
authorities agree that the GMO is as safe as a corresponding conventional counterpart, that the safety of humans, animals and of the environment is guaranteed and all the legal specifications 
(among others those of the release ordinance) are fulfilled, approval is granted.  
 ¿Cuántas solicitudes se encuentran en curso de examen en la actualidad? 
 
Answer: 
 
So far, no application has been deposited for cult ivation of biotechnology crops. With regards to 
trading of GMOs as food and feed, 35 applicatio ns for genetically modified plants have been 
deposited and are under review.  
 
¿Podría explicar Suiza la consistencia de este esquema con las normas de la OMC pertinentes? 
 
Answer:  
 Switzerland's legislation on GMO is in conformity with its international obligations. As outlined in the report, imports of genetic modified food and feed as well as release experiments are not 
prohibited. The Swiss authorities accept respective applications for authorization. This system is 
implemented in a non-discriminatory way.  
 WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 63 - 
 
 
 
 
  MEXICO 
Página 64, párrafo 3.101. 
 
Pregunta 36: ¿En qué etapa se encuentra la propuesta legislativa mencionada que pretende 
suprimir el principio positivo y cuando esperan tener una solución definitiva?  
 Answer: 
 Presently the positive principle is fixed in Article 8 of the Swiss Food Law. In the draft of the revised Food Law this principle is proposed to be abandoned. The proposal will be discussed by the Commission for Social Security and Health of the Council of States, one of the chambers of the 
Parliament, in May 2013. We expect that the new food law will be adopted by the Parliament until 
autumn 2013. The entering into force of the revised law and the related new ordinances is expected for 1 January 2015. 
 
3.3.3.3  Veterinary measures 
3.3.3.4  Phytosanitary measures 
ECUADOR 
Página 66, Párrafo 3.105 ¿Cuáles son los criterios que utiliza el Servicio Federal Suizo de 
Protección de los Vegetales para aprobar las plantas procedentes de ciertas empresas?   
Answer: 
 
Companies that intend to import commodities subject to phytosanitary regulations are: 
 
i. Subject to registration if they import commodities originating from countries other than 
Member States of the European Union, even if they are the end user; 
ii. Subject to registration if they import such commodities from a Member State of the 
European Union with the intention to place them sooner (for resale) or later (e.g. after value has been added) into circulation. 
 
The approval of companies which intend to import regulated commodities originating from non EU-
countries requires solely that such companies have their domicile in Switzerland.  
3.3.4  State-trading and state-owned enterprises 
3.3.4.1  Overview 3.3.4.2  State trading 
3.3.4.3  State-owned enterprises 
ECUADOR Página 66, Párrafo 3.118 ¿Cómo son controlados los Monopolios de Servicios Básicos? 
 
Answer:  
 
 Domaine postal: "Swiss Post is obliged to fulfill the two Universal Service Obligation (USO) 
defined in the revised Swiss postal law. While th e USO on postal services is supervised by the 
independent Federal Postal Commission (PostCom), the USO on financial payments is monitored by the Federal Office of Communications." 
 Domaine télécommunications: "For basic services, in widely parts of Switzerland, competition 
is well established. For rural regions withou t adequate, market-driven offers, Swisscom is 
obliged to fulfill its Universal Service Obligation. The Federal Office of Communication is responsible for supervision." 
 WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 64 - 
 
 
  
 3.3.5  Competition policy and price controls 
3.3.5.1  Switzerland 
3.3.5.1.1  Overview KOREA  
Page 66 (Para 3.121) 
 
The Report also noted that Switzerland does not maintain any agreements on cooperation in 
competition matters with other states. In view of the growing importance of globalization and the 
increasing frequency of cross-border antitrust practices, it deemed it appropriate to conclude cooperation agreements with its main trading partners in order to make possible the exchange of confidential information. Due to certain deficiencies in the Swiss measures to effectively enhance 
competition, mergers that may have a strong negati ve effect on competition, and consequently on 
the economy and on consumer welfare in Switze rland, might be approved. According to the 
Report, the harmonization of the Swiss merger cont rol system with the EU's would eliminate these 
problems. For example, this harmonization would result in the introduction of the SIEC-test. 
 Question:  
 Please indicate its plan to address anti-competitive cross-border merger such as the conclusion of antitrust cooperation agreements and the introduction of the SIEC-test.  
Answer:  
 
1. The future agreement between Switzerland and EU concerning co-operation on the 
application of their Competition Laws will facilitate co-operation in cartel investigations. The parties 
recognise that cooperation and coordination, including the exchange of information and in particular the transmission of information that has been obtained by the Parties in the course of 
their investigative processes, will contribute to the more effective enforcement of the competition 
laws of both Parties. ne aspect of the forseen co-operation is that the competition authority of a Party shall notify in writing the competition authority of the other Party with respect to enforcement activities that the notifying compet ition authority considers may affect important 
interests of the other Party. Such enforcement activities that may affect important interests of the 
other Party include in inter alia enforcement activities which involve a concentration in which one or more parties to the transaction is an undertaking incorporated or organised under the laws and 
regulations applicable in the territory of the other Party. The discussions about the Switzerland-EU 
agreement started in 2008 and the negociation ti me lasted from 2011 to 2012. As of today the 
internal process of signature and adop tion of the agreement is ongoing. 
 
2. The revision of the Cartel Act is still discussed by the Parliament. The current legislation is based on a dominant-position test. The Federal Council proposed to introduce the SIEC-test that would bring the Swiss merger control into line with the European system. Futhermore it wants to 
fight against duplications in case of international concentrations, in order to avoid unnecessary 
mobilization of ressources. The harmonization of deadlines and procedures is also part of the 
project. 
 
MEXICO 
Página 68, párrafo 3.119. 
 
Pregunta 37:  
 ¿En qué consisten los problemas jurídicos y reglamentarios a escala federal que han hecho que 
determinados productos y servicios tengan precios más elevados que en los mercados 
comparables de la Unión Europea y Estados Unidos?  WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 65 - 
 
 
 
 
  Answer: 
 Several factors related to government can explain the higher prices in Switzerland. We can mention the government taxes (like tariff protection in agricultural sector), the technical trade 
barriers (like in particular declaration requirements, requirements of product characteristics and 
assessment of conformity), and intellectual proper ty rights and administrated prices. Actions have 
been taken in all fields, but least so regarding custom duties. 
 
Página 69, párrafo 3.120. 
 Pregunta 38:  
 
¿Cuáles son los ámbitos en materia de competencia económica con respecto a los cuales no se han logrado imponer las mejores prácticas internacionales? 
 
Answer: 
 
The Synthesis Report by the Task Force Cartel Act (LCart) mentioned some areas where 
international best practices had not been achiev ed. The reasons are that, on the one hand, some 
reforms that were considered in Switzerland in previous revisions were postponed and, on the other hand, legal bases progressed abroad during this time. These areas include the institutional 
organization of the competition authorities, international cooperation, merger control, the 
treatment of vertical restraints, civil actions against cartels, and sanctions applied to natural persons.  
 
The revision of the Cartel Act is still discussed by the Parliament. On the 21st of March the Council 
of States followed the main propositions of the Federal Council. The National Council has not 
discussed the revision yet. Several points mentio ned above are part of the reform project:  
 
- institutional reform : the Council of States decided to implement a gentle reform 
(professionalisation of the Competition Commission and reduction from 12 to 5 members).  
- merger control : the current legislation is based on a dominant-position test. The 
Council of States followed the Federal Council and proposed to introduce the SIEC-test 
that would bring the Swiss merger control into line with the European system. 
- civil actions against cartels : the Council of States approved an improvement of civil 
law. 
- sanctions applied to natural persons : the Federal Council and the Council of States are 
opposed to such sanctions (administrative or criminal). In Europe there is no clear consensus regarding the results of sanctions applied to natural persons on the preventive effect of the law. Sanctions are generally applied through administrative 
law and apply first of all to companies, no t like in the US where civil suites against 
companies are complemented by the prosecution of natural persons. In Switzerland the Competition Commission already has the opportunity to intervene and penalize natural persons in the event of a subsequent offense. 
- treatment of vertical restraints : the first project of the revision planned to omit the 
legal presumption that vertical restraints eliminate competition and would have kept the examination on a case by case basis wh ether the vertical agreements subject to 
sanction on a first infringment have a notable negative impact on competition. 
However, following the debate regarding th e strong Swiss franc, the Federal Council 
decided on 17th August 2011 to boost competition in Switzerland by taking legal steps to prohibit horizontal agreements on prices, quantities or geographical allocation of 
markets, as well as vertical agreements on minimum or fixed pr ices and unequivocal 
territorial partition, while authorizing opportunities to justify these. The Council of States approved the modifications of the Article 5 LCart. As a consequence the two 
forms of vertical restraints will no longer be examined on a case by case basis 
regarding their impact on the intensity of competition, but only regarding justifying 
efficiency reasons. This point is still disputed in the discussions in the National Council. WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 66 - 
 
 
  
 - international cooperation : the Federal Council decided not to address international 
cooperation in the legislation. It considers that another route for enhancing 
cooperation is the conclusion of second-generation cooperation agreements allowing the exchange of confidential information with Switzerland's main trading partners. An 
example is the Switzerland-EU agreement on cooperation and competition matters, 
which is near completion. 
ECUADOR 
Página 69, Párrafo 3.122. ¿Qué modificaciones son consideradas para esta Ley? 
 
Answer: 
 Please refer to section 1.3.1.1 paragraph 1.60-1.63 of the government report of Switzerland. 
3.3.5.1.2  Legal and institutional framework 
CHINA  Page 66 (Para. 3.121) 
 
"The Report also noted that Switzerland does not maintain any agreements on cooperation in competition matters with other states. In view of the growing importance of globalization and the 
increasing frequency of cross-border antitrust practices, it deemed it appropriate to conclude 
cooperation agreements with its main trading partners in order to make possible the exchange of confidential information.127 Due to certain deficiencies in the Swiss measures to effectively enhance competition, mergers that may have a strong negative effect on competition, and 
consequently on the economy and on consumer welfare in Switzerland, might be approved. 
According to the Report, the harmonization of th e Swiss merger control system with the EU's 
would eliminate these problems. For example, this harmonization would result in the introduction 
of the SIEC-test.…" 
 Page 66 (Para. 3.124) 
 "The Swiss competition authority consists of a secretariat and the non-permanent Competition Commission (Comco) responsible for enforcing the legislation. Comco currently consists of 12 members, including the President and Vice-P residents (who are nominated by the Federal 
Council), independent experts, and representatives of various interest groups…" 
 Questions: 
 Please indicate the organizational structure and division of labor of Swiss competition law enforcement. 
 
Answer: 
The Swiss competition authorities consist of the Competition Commission (Comco) and its Secretariat. The Comco is the decision-making section and the Secretariat is the investigative arm. 
 
The Comco consists of 12 members who are appointed by the Federal Council. Membership is a non-occupational public service activity. The Comco decides and decrees on proposals of the 
Secretariat. The Secretariat, with its 60 lawyers and economists, leads the investigations and 
prepares draft decisions for the Comco. The Comco is an independent body, although administratively attached to the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research. 
 
The revision of the Cartel Act that includes an institutional reform is still discussed by the Parliament. On the 21st of March the Council of States decided to implement a reform of the 
Competition Commission (professionalisation and reduction from 12 to 5 members), but the 
National Council has not discussed the revision yet. 
 What is the role of the Swiss competition authority play on implementing competition chapters in 
its FTA agreements?  WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 67 - 
 
 
 
 
   
Answer: 
 
In general competition provisions in the free-trade agreements form a good basis for the 
competition authorities to exchange non confidential information. The authorities can use them in 
different ways (implementation policies, regulation revisions, best practices, etc.). The contents and formulation of the competition provisions in the free-trade agreements vary, ranging from 
simple co-operation described in general terms to detailed regulation of co-operation and the 
transmission of information. Thus, some free-tr ade agreements, for example the EFTA-Chile and 
EFTA-Canada ones, provide for notification of ce rtain competition law enforcement activities as 
well as consultations. Other arrangements, su ch as the EFTA-Colombia agreement, regulate 
requests asking the competition authority of the other party to take certain measures (positive 
comity) and require the competition authority of one party to take account of the other party's interests in its competition law enforcement measures (negative comity). Lastly, several 
agreements provide for and regulate the exchange  of non-confidential information. The most 
complete regime in this regard is the bilateral free trade and economic partnership agreement between Switzerland and Japan, which has a detailed chapter on competition included in the FTA 
implementation agreement. That agreement do es not however provide for the exchange of 
confidential information. 
 
What is the relationship between Swiss competitio n authority and other sectoral regulatory bodies? 
 
Answer: 
 
La procédure dite de « consultation des offices » est l'exemple principal de coordination entre la 
Commission suisse de la concurrence (Comco) et les autres organes qui traitent des politiques publiques. Lors de l'élaboration d'un projet de loi ou d'ordonnance, les différentes institutions 
gouvernementales qui sont concernées par ce projet sont consultées pour évaluer l'impact de la 
réglementation proposée dans leur domaine de compétence. Il s'agit d'un processus formel par lequel les observations de chaque institution so nt échangées. En cas de divergences d'opinions, 
une solution doit être trouvée au cours de cette procédure. Dans certains cas, s'il s'agit de 
domaines très liés ou complémentaires, les offices concernés peuvent même participer au groupe 
de travail chargé de l'élaboration de la loi (par  exemple la Comco appartenait au groupe d'experts 
dans le cadre de la loi fédérale sur les marchés publics). 
 
Par ailleurs, la Comco coopère avec certaines institutions gouvernementales. Par exemple, une étroite collaboration avec l'office fédéral suisse char gé de la surveillance des prix est prévue par la 
LCart. Cet office est en charge notamment des ab us de prix dans les secteurs réglementés. Le 
Surveillant des prix prend part, avec voie consultative, aux séances de la Comco. De plus, les informations recueillies dans l'exercice des fonctions des autorités en matière de concurrence peuvent être communiquées au Surveillant des prix, si ces informations sont nécessaires à 
l'accomplissement de sa tâche. D'ailleurs, lorsqu'il s'agit d'apprécier des questions relatives au 
champ d'application de la loi concernant la surveillance des prix (applicable p.ex. aux entreprises puissantes sur le marché), ainsi qu'à la notion de concurrence efficace (il n'y a abus de prix, au 
sens de la loi concernant la surveillance des prix, que si le niveau des prix ne découle pas d'une 
concurrence efficace), le Surveillant des prix consulte la Comco avant de prendre ses décisions.   
La Comco coopère aussi avec d'autres institutions indépendantes qui sont confrontées directement 
ou indirectement à des problématiques de concurrence dans un secteur spécifique. Tel est le cas de l'Autorité fédérale de surveillance des marchés financiers (FINMA) lors des concentrations d'entreprises impliquant des banques. Si la FINMA juge que la concentration entre banques est 
nécessaire pour la protection des intérêts des créanciers, elle se substitue à la Comco pour le 
contrôle des concentrations et invite cette dernière à donner son avis sur la proposition de concentration. 
 
De plus, la Comco est consultée, conformément à la loi, par l'Office fédéral de la communication (autorité de réglementation dans le domaine des télécommunications, de la radiodiffusion et de la 
poste) pour déterminer si un fournisseur occupe une position dominante. Finalement, lorsque 
l'autorité qui surveille l'accès au réseau ferroviaire  doit apprécier des questions de principe qui 
touchent la loi sur les cartels, elle consulte la Comco, conformément à la loi. 
 WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 68 - 
 
 
  
 Page 67 (Para. 3.125) 
"The Federal Council decided not to address international cooperation in the legislation. It 
considers that another route for enhancing cooperation is the conclusion of second-generation cooperation agreements allowing the exchange of confidential information with Switzerland's main 
trading partners. An example is the Switzerland-EU agreement on cooperation and competition 
matters, which is near completion.…" 
Questions: 
 
When will the Switzerland-EU agreement on cooperation and competition be completed? Does Switzerland have such agreements with other countries? What's the effect of such agreements on promoting competitions? 
 
Answer: 
 
The Switzerland-EU agreement responds to a need for enhanced cooperation between EU & Swiss 
competition authorities because of high degree of  integration between EU and Swiss economies. It 
has to be understood as a "2nd-generation" cooperation agreement because it gives the possibility 
to the authorities to exchange confidential information related to specific cases. 
 The discussions about the agreement started in 2008  and the negotiation time lasted from 2011 to 
2012. As of today the internal process of signat ure and adoption of the agreement is ongoing. 
Switzerland has no such agreement with other countries. 
 The new Switzerland-EU agreement will have positive effects on competition policy since it will 
facilitate co-operation in cartel investigations and thereby contribute significantly to combating 
international cartels, given the number of potentially similar investigations concerning restraint of competition. The traditional "1st-generation" cooperation agreements have limited effect, as they 
don't give the possibility to exchange confidenti al information without waivers. Experience shows 
that this is a serious obstacle to effective cooperation and implementation of competition regulation, especially in cartels and abuse of dominance cases. These problems appear particularly when a foreign authority is taking parallel action against an international cartel that has active 
members in Switzerland. In recent  decisions of the Swiss competition authority concerning cartels, 
where the European Commission had also opened an investigation, the possibility of enhanced co-
operation would have made for greater efficiency in identifying and eliminating the cartels 
concerned. 
 EU  
Page 67, paragraph 3.130 
 
The Federal Council of Switzerland has, according to the Report, submitted a "far-reaching revision 
of the LCart" to the Federal Chambers for approval in early 2012. 
 
Question:   
 
The EU understands from the latest press releases that the proposal about a new tribunal was 
dismissed and there will be just a gentle re-model ling of Swiss competition law. Would Switzerland 
consider providing an update on the status in this revision procedure?   
 
Answer: 
 The revision of the Cartel Act that includes the institutional reform is still discussed by the 
Parliament. On the 21
st of March the Council of States decided not to follow the institutional model 
proposed by the Federal Council and to implement a gentler reform (professionalisation of the Competition Commission and reduction from 12 to 5 members), but the National Council has not 
discussed the revision yet. 
 WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 69 - 
 
 
 
 
  MEXICO 
Página 69, párrafo 3.124. 
 
El Informe de la Secretaría menciona que "La Administración suiza de la Competencia está 
integrada por una Secretaría y la Comisión de la Competencia (Comco), que no es permanente y 
se encarga de hacer cumplir la ley. La Comco consta actualmente de 12 miembros, incluidos el presidente y los vicepresidentes (que son nombrados por el Consejo Federal), expertos 
independientes y representantes de diversos grupos de interés (por ejemplo, asociaciones de la 
industria, organizaciones de minoristas, de consumidores, sindicales y agrarias).  Pregunta 39: ¿De qué Departamento o Ministerio depende la Secretaría de la Competencia?  
 
Answer: 
 
The Swiss Competition authority is an independent authority which administratively belongs to the 
Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research.  
 
Pregunta 40:  ¿Cuánto tiempo duran en su encargo los miembros de la Comco? 
 
Answer: 
 
The 12 members of the COMCO are appointed for a duration of 4 years (renewable). 
 Pregunta 41: ¿Podrían mencionar cómo se eligen a los miembros de la Comco que no son 
servidores públicos y si éstos reciben remuneracion es del sector público mientras forman parte de 
esa comisión?  
 
Answer: 
 
Members of the Comco are appointed by the Federa l Council (Swiss Government). The majority of 
the members must be independent experts (for instance Law or economics Professors). The 
COMCO Chairman and the two vice-chairmen received a salary from the Federal State. Other 
COMCO members only receive an allowance.  
 
Pregunta 42: ¿Qué actividades de regulación le corresponden a la Secretaría de la Competencia y 
cuales a la Comco?  
 
Answer: 
 
The Swiss competition authorities consist of the Competition Commission (Comco) and its Secretariat. The Comco is the decision-making body and the Secretariat is the investigative arm. 
There is principally no difference pertaining to the regulatory activities of the COMCO and of the 
COMCO Secretariat. The only rather small difference is that the COMCO Secretariat is involved in working groups within the federal administration to  draft new pieces of legislations and is invited 
to take position to the envisaged draft legislation in the administration intern procedure (so-called 
"consultation des offices"). The COMCO will take position to draft legislation afterwards in the public consultation procedure.  
 
Concerning the cooperation of the COMCO and its Secretariat with other regulatory authorities, see answer to China question 32.  
Pregunta 43:  ¿En caso de que la Secretaría de la Competencia y la Comco emitan resoluciones 
contradictorias con respecto a un mismo caso, cómo se determina qué criterio debe prevalecer? 
 
Answer: 
 
The COMCO is the decision-making body and the Secretariat is the investigative arm. The Comco 
decides upon proposals of the Secretariat. The Secretariat, with its 60 lawyers and economists, 
leads the investigations and prepares draft decisions for the COMCO. The COMCO Secretariat having no decision power, there can arise no contradictory resolutions between it and the COMCO. WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 70 - 
 
 
  
 The Secretariat has to follow and implement the decisions taken by the COMCO.  
 
3.3.5.1.3  Enforcement 
MEXICO 
Páginas 71 y 72, párrafos 3.135 a 3.137. 
 
Pregunta 44: ¿Cuáles son las sanciones en materia de competencia económica y qué criterios se 
utilizan para determinar su magnitud?  
 Answer: 
 
According to Art. 49a para. 1 Cartels Act, any undertaking that participates in an unlawful 
agreement pursuant to Article 5 paragraphs 3 and 4 or that behaves unlawfully pursuant to Article 7 shall be charged up to 10 per cent of th e turnover that it achieved in Switzerland in the 
preceding three financial years. The amount is dependent on the duration and severity of the 
unlawful behaviour. Due account shall be taken of the likely profit that resulted from the unlawful behaviour The detailed approach to set the level of the fine is set in the Ordinance on Sanctions 
imposed for Unlawful Restraints of Competition, Section 2: Calculation of Sanctions.  
 3.3.5.1.4  Price supervision 
KOREA  
Page 69 (Para 3.141) 
 
(……) The Price Supervisor also set up an internal unit to deal with the problem of import prices 
and the fact that exchange rate benefits resultin g from the appreciation of the Swiss franc, vis-à-
vis the euro in particular, were not entirely transmitted to Swiss consumers.   
Question: 
 
Please elaborate on the operations and performa nce of the above-mentioned unit. Also, please 
explain why Swiss consumers did not reap the full be nefits from the apprecia tion of the Swiss franc 
in terms of import prices.  
 Answer: 
 It is well established in the economic literature th at the exchange rate pass-through is hardly ever 
complete and that it takes time for prices to reac t. The reason is that costs are only one of three 
factors entering into consideration when fishing prices: The other two are the evolution of demand 
and the prices set by competing (domestic) producers. The latter often do not have a big relief on their input side when the currency appreciates. But, at the end of 2012 consumers benefitted in a much better way from the beneficial effects of an  appreciating currency on the costs of imports 
than in Summer 2011 when the public debate rega rding the exchange rate pass-through started. A 
deteriorating business climate in neighbouring countries made competing for the Swiss market more interesting and the pressure of cross border shopping supported additionally an alignment of 
prices in recent months. 
 La crise financière et de la crise de la dette dans la zone euro et les tendances à la spéculation ont 
entraîné une forte appréciation du franc par rapport à l'euro dans le courant de l'année 2011. Alors 
qu'au début de l'année, le cours euro/franc se situait encore à Fr. 1.30 il s'approchait dangereusement de la parité en août 2011. Comme la perte de valeur marquante de l'euro, respectivement l'appréciation du franc suisse n'ont guère eu de conséquences sur les prix des 
marchandises importées de la zone euro, la politique, les médias et les consommateurs ont 
soulevé avec raison la question des causes de ce phénomène. Dans le cadre de sa fonction 
d'ombudsman, le Surveillant des prix a mené, avec le soutien des milieux politiques, plusieurs 
analyses de marché et de prix. Les producteurs, respectivement les importateurs d'articles de 
marques importants ainsi que les deux principaux grands distributeurs ont été contactés. Dans le WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 71 - 
 
 
 
 
  rapport qu'il a publié en automne 2012, à ce sujet, le Surveillant des prix tire un bilan relativement 
positif sur la répercussion des gains de change. (Cf le rapport ci-dessous) 
 En raison de la situation monétaire encore tendue et du contexte conjoncturel difficile, le 
Surveillant des prix se concentre actuellement sur les facteurs de coûts et les intrants concernant 
l'économie d'exportation et du tourisme. Dans la situation actuelle, des prix concurrentiels au niveau international pour, par exemple, l'approvisionnement en électricité, en gaz, en eau ou des 
tarifs postaux et des prix du transport équitables ainsi qu'une charge de redevances étatiques 
aussi faible que possible sont essentiels pour maintenir la compétitivité de la Suisse et éviter la délocalisation de la production à l'étranger.  
3.3.5.2  Liechtenstein 
3.3.6  Trade-related intellectual property rights UNITED STATES 
Page 75, paragraph 3.171 
 
The Secretariat says that "(i)t has been suggested to make full use of the legal panoply of 
measures available" to address problems related to  copyright enforcement, but the decision of the 
Swiss High Court in the 2010 "Logistep Case" and subsequent lower court decisions have effectively precluded copyright holders from enfo rcing their property rights against commercial 
scale uploading of infringing material – an activity clearly illegal under Swiss law. What is the 
Swiss Government doing to address this specific concern and to combat copyright piracy over the 
Internet generally?  
Answer: 
 
The enforcement difficulties arising from the Swis s Federal Court's decision in the Logistep case 
stem from prosecutors' broad interpretation of this decision which differs significantly from the 
Swiss Data Protection Authorities (SDPA) view. The Swiss Federal Court's decision needs to be 
seen and understood in the light of the specific factual case circumstances of the Logistep case. 
According to the SDPA, Logistep asserted (excessive) claims before the offender was identified in 
an authoritative way in a criminal procedure respecting constitutional guarantees. Logistep's 
activity thus differed considerably from the actions taken by other rights owners or their mandatories. The SDPA is of the opinion that, notw ithstanding the Logistep decision, the collection 
of proof regarding copyright infringement on the Internet in Switzerland is and remains possible. 
Since the rights owners have only recently decided to seek clarification in court, a delay will now result till an authoritative answer fr om the Judiciary will be available.  
 
This open enforcement issue was one of several reasons why the Swiss minister of justice has 
convened a working group, consis ting of representatives of the authors, producers, users and 
consumers with the task to come up with re commendations regarding the adaption of the 
copyright to the digital environment ("AGUR 12") by the end of 2013.  
 There is consensus in the working group that illegal offers exist on the internet, lead to distortion 
of competition, and should be combated. A first meeting to address the issue of 'Enforcement of 
copyright law' was held on 22 January 2013. Th e group discussed an extensive checklist of 
possible measures for improving the enforcement of  copyright law on the internet and consulted 
various experts on the subject. Among the items di scussed were a possible form of self-regulation, 
intervention by the authorities and promoting aw areness among internet users. The working group 
will continue its discussion on these matters at its meeting scheduled for 11 May 2013.  
Further, the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) has convened a round table consisting 
of representatives of the rights holders, the U. S. embassy, and the Swiss administration that is 
specifically addressing the Logistep issue. 
 
The Secretariat further notes that the Federal Council retained two parliamentary motions; one on the compatibility of copyright protection with internet users' freedom and another on the need for 
fair compensation of artists while respecting the private sphere of internet users. In response to WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 72 - 
 
 
  
 these motions, the Secretariat reports that a "working group for the optimization of collective 
management of copyrights and neighboring rights " has been established, with an understanding 
that this group will issue a report by the end of 2013.   
 Please further describe the working group's plans on collective management issues, and 
whether this group anticipates undertaking any work outside those issues related to collection and distribution of various rights.  
 
Answer: 
 The mandate of the AGUR 12 working group is mu ch broader than the title of the mandate may 
imply. The working group is mandated to make recommendations regarding the adaption of 
copyright to the digital environment, with a focu s on the development of business models suitable 
for the digital environment (whether based on  individual licensing or collective rights 
management). In addition, the collective rights management is to be reviewed with regard to 
possible improvements of efficiency and reductions of cost.   
Based on the mandate, the working group decided to address the following issues: Basic 
principles, law enforcement, limitations and exceptio ns to copyright, collective rights management, 
and individual issues (such as a neighboring right for newspaper publishers).  
The mentioned two parliamentary motions could be interpreted as requesting the introduction of a 
flat-rate model. The introduction of an all-inclusive cultural flat-rate was, however, rejected by the working group. 
 
We understand from reports from various right holder communities that there is effectively no civil or criminal remedy for copyright infringement in  the online environment in Switzerland at this 
time. Please explain remedies currently available for copyright infringement on the Internet and 
how Switzerland views those remedies in light of the civil and criminal enforcement obligations in 
TRIPS Part III, in particular TRIPS Article 41?.  
Answer: 
 
Switzerland provides for civil remedies (art. 61 - 66 Swiss copyright act) as well as criminal 
sanctions (art. 67 - 73 Swiss copyright act) which are fully compliant with the obligations 
contained in TRIPS Part III. These remedies are ap plicable to cases of copyright infringement both 
in the analog and the digital environment. 
 
3.3.6.1  Overview 
MEXICO Páginas 73 a 75, párrafos 3.144 a 3.150. 
 
Pregunta 45:  ¿Podrían confirmar si Suiza y Liechtenstein son parte del Protocolo Concerniente al 
Arreglo de Madrid Relativo al Registro Internacional de Marcas, adoptado en Madrid el 27 de junio 
de 1989, modificado el 3 de octubre de 2006 y el 12 de noviembre de 2007?  
 Answer: 
 Switzerland ratified the Protocol Relating to the Madrid Agreement Concerning the International Registration of Marks on 1 February 1997. The Pr otocol entered into force for Switzerland on 1 
May 1997. Both amendments of 3 October 2006 and 12 November 2007 have been implemented 
into national legislation. 
 WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 73 - 
 
 
 
 
  3.3.6.2  Patents  
CHILE 
Paragraph 3.151, page 75 
 
"La Ley de patentes de 1954 y su Ordenanza, de acuerdo con las revisiones efectuadas hasta 
2008, regulan la protección de patentes en Suiza y Liechtenstein. Además del plazo de protección de 20 años para las patentes, establecido de conformidad con el Acuerdo sobre los ADPIC, la Ley 
de Patentes revisada prevé un certificado de protección suplementaria (complementaria) para las 
invenciones patentadas cuya comercialización está supeditada a una autorización federal. En la actualidad se trata de los productos farmacéuticos y los plaguicidas. La finalidad de este certificado es dar al titular de la patente la posibilidad de recuperar el tiempo perdido en espera de la 
autorización de comercialización. El plazo máximo de prórroga es de 5 años".  
 Pregunta: Chile agradecería mayor información sobre el funcionamiento de la protección 
suplementaria y en particular sobre los casos en los que ésta se aplicaría.  
 Answer: 
 In Switzerland, pharmaceuticals and plant prot ection products (pesticides) require federal 
authorisation before they can be put on the mark et. Supplementary protection certificates (SPC) 
may be granted for the active ingredients or a combination of active ingredients of medicinal 
products and of plant protection products. The certificate is granted if, at the time of the 
application, (1) the product as such, a process for ma nufacturing it or a use of it is protected by a 
patent and (2) the first official authorisation has been granted for placing the product on the 
market in Switzerland as a medicinal or plant protection product, if the relevant marketing 
authorisation is granted five years or later after the filing date of the patent. The maximum term of an SPC is five years.  
 
Párrafo 3.152, página 75-76 
 "El 19 de diciembre de 2008, el Parlamento adoptó, con varias modificaciones sustanciales, el 
proyecto de artículo 9a de la Ley de Patentes elaborado por el Consejo Federal. Las enmiendas se 
refieren a la cuestión del agotamiento de los derechos de patente y suponen un cambio notable en el enfoque de Suiza. El texto adoptado el 19 de diciembre de 2008 (que entró en vigor el 1° de 
julio de 2009) tiene las siguientes características:  
 Por decisión unilateral del Parlam ento suizo, el principio de agotamiento en todo el EEE se 
aplica a las patentes de invención (productos y procesos) (artículo 9a 1))- En virtud del 
principio de agotamiento del EEE, los titulares de patentes no pueden impedir la importación 
paralela de sus productos patentados que hayan comercializado ellos mismos en el mercado de Estados miembros del EEE o que se hayan comercializado con su consentimiento.  
 Se pueden importar productos comercializados fu era del EEE por el titular de la patente si la 
protección concedida por la patente es de mayor importancia para las características 
funcionales del producto.  
 En el caso de los productos cuyo precio fija el Estado en Suiza o en el extranjero, se 
requiere el consentimiento del titular de la patente para su importación; dicho de otra 
manera, el principio del agotamiento nacional sigue aplicándose en esa situación. Esto afecta específicamente a os productos farmacéuticos.  
 Por lo que se refiere a las inversiones relacionadas con insumos y bienes de capital 
agrícolas, sigue aplicándose el principio del agotamiento internacional.  
 En el contexto de la revisión de la Ley de Patentes, el Parlamento también derogó el párrafo 
3 del artículo 14 de la Ley sobre productos terapéuticos, que prohibía la importación de un 
producto original autorizado mediante un procedimiento simplificado de autorización de 
comercialización siempre que el producto estuviera protegido por una patente. La justificación de esta derogación era "disociar las tareas públicas de la defensa por agentes 
privados de los derechos conferidos por una patente".  
 
Pregunta:  Chile agradecería mayor información acerca de la decisión del gobierno suizo de aplicar 
un sistema de agotamiento internacional de patentes dentro del EEE. ¿Cuál es el propósito y WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 74 - 
 
 
  
 sentido de tener dos sistemas de agotamiento de derechos? –productos cuyo precio es fijado por 
el Estado v/s otros productos-  
 En relación con el concepto de "menor importancia" referido en el caso de productos 
comercializados fuera del EEE ¿Qué se entiende por menor importancia?, ¿Qué autoridad detenta 
la competencia para determinar que la importancia es menor?  Chile agradecería mayor información sobre casos en los cuales se hayan aplicado algunas de éstas 
medidas.  
 Answer: 
 
The introduction of the regional exhaustion regime aims at promoting dynamic competition on the 
Swiss market for products brought into circulation, with the permission of the right holder, in an area of close economic integration of Switzerland and similar legislative framework. As the 
possibility of competition is limited and may be distorted with respect to price regulated products, 
the exhaustion regime is not applicable to them.  
International exhaustion is valid for products whose patent protection for the functional 
characteristics of the product is only of subordinate importance. Decisive is the objective significance of the patented technical element of the product: significance will not be considered of subordinate importance, if the functional characteristic can only be achieved by the patented 
invention and if there are no equivalent substitu tes. Subordinate importance is presumed unless 
the proprietor of the patent provides prima facie evidence to the contrary.   
Swiss courts will judge whether the patent holder provides the required evidence or not. There has 
not been any case law in this matter so far.  
 
Párrafo 3.155, página 76 
 
"La Ley sobre agentes de patentes de Suiza, que entró en vigor el 1° de julio de 2011, regula la utilización del título profesional de "agente de patentes". Esta nueva Ley entraña cambios, 
principalmente de procedimiento (por ejemplo, en cuanto a requisitos de domicilio o residencia), 
de otros instrumentos legislativos conexos, con inclusión de la Ley Federal de Patentes de Suiza, la Ley sobre marcas de fábrica o de comercio, la Ley sobre dibujos y modelos industriales, y la Ley 
Federal Suiza sobre la condición jurídica y las funciones del Instituto Federal Suiza de la Propiedad 
Intelectual. Esta enmienda, encaminada a poner la reglamentación sobre patentes suiza en conformidad con los demás marcos jurídicos europeos, supone un enfoque más liberalizado con 
respecto a las excepciones autorizadas en virtud del párrafo 2 del artículo 3 del Acuerdo sobre los 
ADPIC, relativo al trato nacional".   Pregunta:  ¿Podrían desarrollar más en profundidad el concepto sobre "agente de patentes", así 
como especificar si éstos tienen obligaciones de confidencialidad en sus relaciones con sus 
clientes?  
 
Answer: 
 
According to the Federal Patent Attorney Act (PatAA ), the title of "patent attorney" may be carried 
by a person who has gained a university degree in science or engineering, has a correspondence 
address in Switzerland, has passed a patent attorn ey examination and is registered in the Federal 
Patent Attorney Register. In proceedings concerning the validity of a patent, patent attorneys are allowed to represent parties before the Federal Patent Court provided that they engage in 
independent practice. The new PatAA imposes an obligation of secrecy on the patent attorney. In 
addition, the professional secrecy guaranteed by th e Swiss Criminal Code is explicitly extended to 
patent attorneys. The secrecy obligation applies to any information that a patent attorney became 
aware of while exercising his or her professional  duties. The obligation continues even after the 
attorney and his or her client have terminated their contractual relationship. As procedural counterpart, patent attorneys also enjoy the right to refuse to provide evidence that is subject to 
professional secrecy in both civil and criminal cases. In civil procedures, the parties involved and 
third parties are not obliged to turn over documents to the court which derive from correspondences between themselves and a patent attorney. In this respect, patent attorneys 
enjoy in Switzerland the same rights as attorneys-at-law.  WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 75 - 
 
 
 
 
   
CHINA  
Page 72 (Para. 3.151.) 
 
"In addition to the 20-year patent term for pr otection under the TRIPS Agreement, the revised 
Patent Law also provides for a supplementary (complementary) protection certificate (SPC) for patented inventions requiring federal authorization before being put on the market. This currently 
concerns pharmaceuticals and pesticides.…" 
 Questions: 
 
Does the supplementary protection certificate appl y for all pharmaceuticals and pesticides, or any 
requirement to obtain such SPC?  
Answer: 
 
According to Art. 140a and 140n of the Patents Ac t (PatA) supplementary protection certificates 
(SPC) may be granted for the active ingredients or a combination of active ingredients of medicinal 
products and of plant protection products. The certificate is granted if, at the time of the 
application, (1) the product as such, a process for ma nufacturing it or a use of it is protected by a 
patent and (2) the first official authorisation has been granted for placing the product on the 
market in Switzerland as a medicinal or plant protection product, if the relevant marketing 
authorisation is granted five years or later after the filing date of the patent. The maximum term of an SPC is five years. 
 
Except for pharmaceuticals and pesticides, many ot her products also need obtaining approval from 
government authorities before entering the mark et. Are there any provisions on extending the 
term for protection regarding such products? 
 Answer: 
 
Unlike for other products, the requirements and procedures to obtain marketing approval for 
medicinal and plant protection products are part icularly demanding and time consuming, as a 
result of which a considerable part of the 20 year patent term protection may have expired by the 
time that marketing approval is actually obtain ed. The supplementary protection certificate for 
medicinal and plant protection products is a mean to partially compensate fo r effective patent term 
lost due to the exacting marketing approval requirments for such products. For the conditions and 
limitations of the grant of a supplementary protec tion certificate, please see the answer above. 
 Page 73 (Para. 3.155)  
 
"The Swiss Law on Patent Attorneys, which entered into force on 1 July 2011, regulates theuse of 
the professional title 'patent attorney'…"  
Questions: 
 
Please illustrate in details the requirements for being a "patent attorney" as well as the scope of 
practice thereof. 
 Answer: 
 
According to the Federal Patent Attorney Act (PatAA ), the title of "patent attorney" may be carried 
by a person who has gained a university degree in science or engineering, has a correspondence address in Switzerland, has passed a patent attorn ey examination and is registered in the Federal 
Patent Attorney Register. The Federal Patent At torney Register enables inventors and patent 
holders to choose a professional and competent advisor in patent related matters. In proceedings concerning the validity of a patent, patent attorneys are allowed to represent parties before the 
Federal Patent Court provided that they engage in independent practice. 
 Had there been such a professional title as "p atent attorney" before the Swiss Law on Patent WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 76 - 
 
 
  
 Attorneys entered into force? If so, are there any changes on requirements for being a "patent 
attorney" after the law entered into force? 
 Answer:  
 
"Patent attorney" was not a protected professional title in Switzerland before the PatAA entered into force in July 2011. 
 
Page 73 (Para. 3.156) 
 "The Swiss Law on the Federal Patent Court establishes a national special court competent for 
patent litigation at first instance, the Tribunal Fédéral (Supreme Court) being the last instance. The 
Federal Patent Court replaces the 26 cantonal courts. It comprises both legally and technically trained judges." 
 
Questions: 
 
Please illustrate in details the differences between litigation procedures for patent litigation and 
other civil dispute cases after the Federal Patent Court was established.  Answer: 
 The Federal Patent Court has in particular exclus ive jurisdiction over validity and infringement 
disputes and actions for issuing a licence in respect of patents. Proceedings before the Federal 
Patent Court are similar to other civil proceedings. Applicable laws in respect of proceedings at the 
Patent Court are the Civil Procedure Code, the Patent Act and the Patent Court Act.  
Please illustrate in details the differences between the judges with technical training in the Federal 
Patent Court and other judges  Answer: 
 The Federal Patent Court is composed of judges with legal training and judges with technical 
training; all of them must have proven knowledge of patent law. Judges with legal training are 
lawyers while judges with technical training have a university degree in science or engineering 
with specialisation in technical fields such as chemistry, biotechnology, mechanical engineering, physics or electrical engineering. Often they ar e also patent attorneys registered in the Swiss 
Federal Patent Attorney Register.  
 MEXICO 
Página 77, párrafo 3.156. 
 
Pregunta 46: ¿En cuántas salas o cámaras se divide el tribunal nacional especial competente en 
primera instancia en litigios sobre patentes (Tribunal Federal de Patentes)? 
 
Answer: 
 
The Federal Patent Court is not divided into chambe rs. In regular proceedings, individual cases are 
heard by panels. Decisions on preliminary measur es are adopted by the President sitting alone. 
Where required for legal or factual reasons, the President will involve two other judges in a panel of three to decide on preliminary measures. Where the understanding of a technical matter is of 
particular significance, decisions must be made in a panel of three.  
 MALAYSIA 
Reference is made to page 72 (Par a) 3.3.6.2- Intellectual Property 
 
The Patent Law of 1954 and its Ordinance, as revised up to 2008, govern patent protection in 
Switzerland and Liechtenstein.511 In addition to the 20-year patent term for protection under the 
TRIPS Agreement, the revised Patent Law also provides for a supplementary (complementary) WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 77 - 
 
 
 
 
  protection certificate (SPC) for patented inventions requiring federal authorization before being put 
on the market. This currently concerns pharmaceuticals and pesticides. The SPC is aimed at giving 
the patentee the possibility of recovering the time lost while awaiting market authorization. The 
maximum extension is five years.  
 
We noted that Switzerland and Liechtenstein also  provides for a supplementary (complementary) 
protection certificate (SPC) for patented inventions requiring federal authorization before being 
put on the market.  
 There are a few questions that we like to enquire with respect to the supplementary (complementary) protection certificate and also the period of extension for patented inventions 
requiring federal authorization. 
 i) Please elaborate further how does the supplementary (complementary) protection certificate 
(SPC) operate? 
 ii) What would constitute an unreasonable delay? 
 
iii) Will the patent applicant recover all the time lost while waiting for the marketing approval?  iv) Will the patent applicant be able to recove r the time lost due to delay by the patent 
applicant himself? 
 v) How does the calculation of time recovery works? Is it one day delay equivalent to one day 
recovery/adjustment? 
 Answer: 
 According to Art. 140a and 140n of the Patents Ac t (PatA) supplementary protection certificates 
(SPC) may be granted for the active ingredients or a combination of active ingredients of medicinal products and of plant protection products.  
 
The certificate is granted if, at the time of the application, (1) the product as such, a process for manufacturing it or a use of it is protected by a patent and (2) the first official authorisation has 
been granted for placing the product on the ma rket in Switzerland as a medicinal or plant 
protection product, if the relevant marketing authorisation is granted five years or later after the filing date of the patent.  
 
The maximum term of an SPC is five years beginning at the moment the patent for the active substance of the invention ends (i.e. after 20 years).  
The certificate is granted for a period equal to the period which elapses between the date of filing 
of the patent application and the date of the first authorisation to place the product on the market in Switzerland, minus five years. 
 
BRAZIL 
Page 72 (Para 232) 
 
The access to and use of genetic resources and/or traditional knowledge for patenting a given substance in Switzerland is subject to legal obligations under the law.  
Question: 
 
1. Could Switzerland please provide more details on the provisions of the Swiss Patent Act related 
to the disclosure of the origin of genetic resour ces and traditional knowledge involved in patent 
applications? How many applications duly complied with this provision? Is this information publicly available?  
 WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 78 - 
 
 
  
 Answer: 
 
The disclosure requirement is contained in Article 49a of the Swiss Patent Act. According to this 
provision, the patent application must contain information on the source: (a) of the genetic 
resource to which the inventor or the patent applicant had access, provided the invention is 
directly based on this resource; (b) of traditional knowledge of indigenous or local communities of genetic resources to which the inventor or the patent applicant had access, provided the invention 
i s  d i r e c t l y  b a s e d  o n  t h i s  k n o w l e d g e .  I f  t h e  s o u r c e  i s  u n k n o w n  t o  t h e  i n v e n t o r  o r  t h e  p a t e n t  
applicant, the patent applicant must confirm this in writing. The information on whether an invention is directly based on genetic resources or traditional knowledge can be found in the description of the invention published in the patent application. 
 
There is currently no statistical data available on the number of patent applications for inventions directly based on genetic resources or traditional knowledge examined by the Swiss Federal 
Institute of Intellectual Property. 
 2. Regarding the definition of "source" provided fo r by Article 49a of the Swiss Patent Act, is it 
correct to affirm that even inventions that involve genetic resources or traditional knowledge that 
were not legally accessed (i.e. accessed violating the legislation of the country providing such resource or without the consent of the indigenous and local communities who own such knowledge) can be patented?  
 
Answer: 
 
The disclosure requirement contained in Article 49a of the Patent Act is a formal requirement that 
needs to be met in order for the patent application to proceed. The disclosure requirement obligates the patent applicant to disclose the source . Article 81a of the Patent Act foresees criminal 
sanctions in case the patent applicant doesn't fulfill this obligation and willfully provides false 
information with respect to the disclosure requirement of Article 49a.   The concept of "source" is to be understood in its broadest sense possible: This is because 
according to the CBD, the Nagoya Protocol an d the International Treaty on Plant Genetic 
Resources for Food and Agriculture of FAO, a multitude of entities may be involved in access and benefit sharing. The concept of source thus not on ly includes other concepts used in this context 
such as "origin," "geographical origin," "country of origin of genetic resources" or "Contracting 
Party providing genetic resources," but also any other source such as publications in scientific journals or books, databases on traditional knowle dge, or ex situ collections of genetic resources. 
Furthermore, it allows to indicate the Multilateral System established under the International 
Treaty of FAO. The objective of the disclosure of so urce requirement is to increase transparency in 
access and benefit sharing regarding genetic resources and traditional knowledge. Increased transparency will help to determine whether access to genetic resources and traditional knowledge 
was lawful, an issue which needs to be resolved  outside of the patent system. The Patent Act 
doesn't provide for revocation of the patent as possible measure in case of failure to comply with the disclosure of source requirement of Article 49a as this would be inconsistent with the objective 
of the said disclosure requirement and prevent the realization of any benefit to be shared.  
 3. Regarding Article 59, what is the time limit for a patent applicant who has not provided the 
correct information regarding the origin of the genetic resources and traditional knowledge 
involved in patent applications to comply with the relevant provisions?   Answer: 
 Article 59 of the Swiss Patent Act provides that where the patent application does not meet a formal requirements, a time limit shall be set for the patent applicant by which the deficiencies 
must be remedied. The time limit is set on a case-by-case basis. However, the patent application 
will be rejected if the applicant fails to remedy the deficiencies. One of these requirements is the 
disclosure of the source requirement according to Article 49a of the Swiss Patent Act. 
 WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 79 - 
 
 
 
 
  3.3.6.3  Plant varieties 
3.3.6.4  Trade marks 
MEXICO Página 77, párrafo 3.160. 
 
Pregunta 47:  ¿Todas las marcas deben registrarse para quedar protegidas de acuerdo con el 
Derecho Suizo en materia de propiedad industrial o se pueden proteger mediante el uso o fama de 
la marca sin necesidad del registro?  
 Answer: 
 
According to Art. 5 of the Federal Law on the Prot ection of Trademarks and Indications of Source 
(LPM), trademark rights are obtained by their entry in the TM-Register. Exceptions to this principle 
are limited. In respect of well-known trademarks, Switzerland implements the principles contained 
in Provision 6bis of the Paris Convention and the WIPO Joint Recommendation Concerning 
Provisions on the Protection of Well-Known Marks,  adopted by the Assembly of the Paris Union for 
the Protection of Industrial Property and the Ge neral Assembly of the WIPO in 1999. Accordingly, 
the protection of well-known trademarks does not require a registration as trademark in 
Switzerland.   
Pregunta 48:  ¿Se permite utilizar una marca registrada o protegida, o un signo distintivo similar 
a una marca registrada o protegida, para comercializar bienes y/o servicios de distinta naturaleza 
a los cubiertos por la marca previamente registrada o protegida?  
 
Answer: 
 
As a principle, a trademark provides protection only  in relation to the classes of goods and services 
for which it has been registered and to similar goods and services (principle of speciality). No 
protection applies with regard to other goods or services. An exception applies in the case of well-known trademarks.  
3.3.6.5  Geographical indications 
INDIA Page 74 (Para 3.3.6.5) 
 
It is learnt that there is a legal challenge regarding the use of the word 'Champagne' exclusively for the purposes of the GI on the wine of the EU  emanating from the Champagne region of France. 
 
Question 17: 
 Switzerland may like to share with India the current state of this case and the latest position of the 
Swiss Government in this regard. 
 Answer: 
 In accordance with the Agricultural Agreement of 1999 in force between Switzerland and the EU, 
Annex 7 (relating to trade with wine products), the use of the designation "Champagne" on wine 
products is reserved for wine produced according to the production rules which protect the 
corresponding GI. In addition, the bilateral Treaty  of 1974 between Switzerland and France on the 
protection of indications of source, appellations of origin and other geographic names also provides for elements of protection applicable to the Fr ench designation "Champagne". There is no legal 
case pending on this matter between Switzerland and the EU.  
 WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 80 - 
 
 
  
 MEXICO 
Página 78, párrafo 3.163. 
 
Pregunta 49: ¿Cuáles son los medios o mecanismos que se discuten en el Parlamento para 
proteger los escudos de armas, insignias públicas, incluyendo la cruz helvética en el comercio de 
bienes o servicios?  
Answer: 
 
The legislative project ('Swissness Bill') consists  of a draft amendment to the Federal Law on the 
Protection of Trademarks and Indications of Source and to the Federal Law on the Protection of 
Swiss Armorial Bearings and Other Public Signs. It aims to preserve the value of the 'Switzerland' 
brand for the long term.   
Among others, the Swissness Bill proposes more precise criteria that need to be met by any 
person wishing to use a Swiss indication of source, including the Swiss cross. Thus it guarantees more transparency and an increased level of legal certainty for the use of indications of source. 
Producers will newly also be allowed to affix the Swiss cross to products which actually originate in 
Switzerland. The Swiss coat of arms, for its part, will be explicitly reserved for the State and may 
not be used by private parties in connection with services or goods.   
Furthermore, the Swissness Bill explicitly states the competence of the Swiss Federal Institute of 
Intellectual Property to initiate proceedings on behalf of the Confederation in case of the illegal use of Swiss public insignia. With that, the Confederation may take action in any cases in which it 
appears necessary to protect its interests. 
 Please note that the 'Swissness Bill' is currently pending in Parliament and that therefore any 
information provided at this moment in time relates to the Bill as proposed by the Swiss Federal 
Council to Parliament.  Pregunta 50: ¿Cuáles son los criterios para determinar si un producto o servicio tiene derecho a 
protección?  
 Answer: 
 The proposed criteria for using the Swiss cross or any other designation indicating a Swiss origin differ depending on whether they are used for products or services. As indicated above, please 
note that the criteria are subject to changes as the 'Swissness Bill' is currently pending in 
Parliament.  For products, the use of the label 'Swiss' depends on the product category.  
 
- For natural products (such as plants, mineral water, etc.), the decisive criterion is for 
example the place of extraction for mineral pr oducts or the place of harvest for vegetable 
products that needs to be in Switzerland.  
 - For foodstuffs, at least 80% of the raw materials weight or ingredients that make up a 
particular foodstuff product must come from Switzerland and the activity that gives the 
product its essential characteristics must take place in Switzerland. 
 - For industrial products, at least 60% of the products manufacturing costs must occur in 
Switzerland and the activity that gives the product its essential characteristics must take 
place in Switzerland. 
 
For services, the use of the indication of source "Swiss" for service provider companies is legal, if 
the company is closely linked to Switzerland. A sufficient connection to Switzerland exists if the registered office of the company is located in Switzerland and if it is run from there. WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 81 - 
 
 
 
 
  3.3.6.6  Industrial designs 
3.3.6.7  Copyright and related rights  
CHINA  Page 75 (Para. 3.169)   
 
"The Swiss Federal Tribunal upholds the principle of international exhaustion and authorizes parallel imports of products covered by copyright. However, the 2003 revision regulates imports of 
video cassettes or DVDs previously marketed in a third country, which require an authorization 
from the author or their legal successor to be dist ributed in Switzerland. And finally on television." 
 Questions: 
 Please inform whether the principle of internationa l exhaustion of copyright applies to the parallel 
imports of audio-visual products in Switzerland? 
 
Answer: 
 
Please see answer to following question 
 Audio-visual works in Switzerland are exploited acco rding to the "cascade principle" during the first 
stage of exploitation". Does it mean that Switzerland prohibits the parallel imports of video 
cassettes or DVDs of a movie during it is newly featured in cinemas? 
 Answer: 
 The principle of international exhaustion of audi o-visual products is limited by Art. 12 para. 1
bis of 
the Swiss Copyright Act: "Copies of audiovisual works may not be resold or rented as long as the 
author is thereby impaired in exercising his right of performance" (Art. 10 para. 2 lit. c). 
Accordingly, the protection of the cinematographic exploitation of movie releases prohibits parallel 
importation as well as the distribution of copies, including copies lawfully acquired in Switzerland.  
Page 75 (Para. 3.172 ) LIE 
 
"Copyright protection in Liechtenstein is guaran teed by the Law of 19 May 1999 on Copyright and 
Neighbouring Rights. Information in the 2008 TP R report of Switzerland and Liechtenstein, 
including on resale rights introduced in accordance with the EU acquis communautaire, remains relevant. International exhaustion of rights applies." 
 
Question:   
 
Please inform whether the principle of internationa l exhaustion of copyright applies to the parallel 
imports of audio-visual products in Liechtenstein? 
 3.3.6.8  Layout-designs (topograph ies) of integrated circuits  
3.3.6.9  Undisclosed information 
3.3.6.10  Enforcement  CHINA  
Page 76 (Para. 3.178)  
 
"On the issue of measures regarding transit goods, the Swiss FIIP has provided clarifications on the interpretation of the relevant Patent Law prov isions: The transit of patent-infringing goods can 
only be prohibited when the patent owner can also prohibit the import into the country of 
destination."  WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 82 - 
 
 
  
 Questions: 
 
While judging whether the transit goods have infringed the patent rights of the patent owner in the country of destination, which patent law is applied – the Swiss patent law or that of the country of 
destination? 
 Answer: 
 Assistance measures regarding goods in transit can only be provided by Swiss customs when direct evidence is presented concerning infringeme nt of a patent both in Switzerland and in the 
country of destination. If the goods are not patented in the country of destination, Swiss customs 
will not provide assistance measures (even if th ese goods are patent protected in Switzerland). 
The assessment as to whether the transit goods infringe patent rights in the country of destination is to be made according to the applicable patent law determined by international private law. 
According to Art. 110 of the Swiss Private Internat ional Law, intellectual property rights shall be 
subject to the law of the country for which protection  of intellectual property rights is claimed. The 
burden of proof is on the applicant for assistan ce measures to be provided by the customs. 
 
Does the accused infringer have the right to defend  on the ground that the patent rights relied on 
by the patent owner in the country of destination are invalid? How to determine the validity?  
Answer: 
 
The question whether the accused infringer may invoke the invalidity of the relevant patent is 
determined by the applicable patent law (see answer above). 
 JAPAN 
(Question 1: Pages 76, Paragraphs 3.178) 
 
According to the paragraph 3.178 of the Secretaria t Report, the transit of patent-infringing goods 
can be prohibited on certain conditions. Could Switzerland further explain whether the transit of 
trademark-infringing or copyright-infringing goods can also be prohibited in accordance with its 
national laws? If it can be, please describe the procedures and conditions.  
Answer: 
 
Switzerland provides for measures aimed at preventing both the transit of trademark-infringing 
and copyright-infringing goods which are fully compliant with the obligations contained in TRIPS 
Part III. The relevant national provisions can be found in Art. 70 to 72h of the Swiss Federal Law on the Protection of Trademarks and Indication s of Source and Art. 75 to 77h of the Swiss 
Copyright Act. Right holders are in both cases en titled to request assistance measures by the 
customs where they have good reason to suspec t the imminent import, export or transit of 
trademark-infringing or copyright-infringing goods.  Such measures may be in particular to refuse 
to release the goods or to order their destructio n. After suspected goods have been suspended by 
Customs authorities on request of the right hold er, the right holder has 10 working days (which 
can at most be extended by another 10 days) to initiate proceedings to obtain a decision on the merits. Customs authorities may also act ex officio  to retain suspected goods where there exist a 
suspicion that infringing goods are to be imported, exported or passed in transit. 
 INDIA 
Page 76 (Table 3.176) 
 
The Swiss FIIP and the ICC have started an initiative on anti-counterfeiting and anti-piracy activities. 
 
Question 16: 
 
Switzerland is requested to elaborate whether the definitions of counterfeiting and piracy used in 
Switzerland for the purposes of enforcement at the border are as per F.N. 14 to Article 51 of the WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 83 - 
 
 
 
 
  TRIPS Agreement or a different definition is being used, especially since Switzerland was one of 
the main negotiators of the ACTA. 
 Answer: 
 With regard to the enforcement of IP rights, Swit zerland provides for measures at the border in 
line with its obligations contained in TRIPS Part III, Section 4. Accordingly, Switzerland implements 
measures with respect to "counterfeit trademark goods" and "pirated copyright goods" as defined 
in F.N. 14 to Article 51 of the TRIPS Agreement (s ee in particular art. 75-77h Swiss Copyright Act 
resp. art. 70-72h Swiss Federal Law on the Protec tion of Trademarks and Indications of Source). 
In Switzerland such border measures are also ava ilable with respect to other intellectual property 
rights, namely patents, designs, geographical indications and topographies of integrated circuits. 
 EL SALVADOR  
3.144. La propiedad intelectual ocupa un lugar central en la economía nacional y la estructura del 
comercio internacional de Suiza. Según el Índice Mundial de Innovación 2012, Suiza mantuvo el primer puesto que ocupaba en 2011 en cuanto al rendimiento en materia de innovación (capacidad 
de innovación y resultados) entre 141 países o economías. A su vez, se indica que de conformidad 
al Informe sobre la Competitividad Mundial 2012-20 13 Suiza encabeza importantes clasificaciones. 
 De acuerdo a la información proporcionada por la Secretaria de la OMC, el Instituto Federal Suizo 
de la Propiedad Intelectual y la Cámara de Comercio Internacional de Suiza han creado la 
plataforma suiza contra la falsificación y la piratería, " STOP PIRACY ", según la cual "la falsificación 
y la piratería infligen a la economía suiza una s pérdidas de 2.000 millones de francos suizos 
anuales. 
 Por lo anterior y con relación a la observancia nos encontramos interesados en conocer el 
procedimiento que las aduanas de Suiza aplican en caso de infracciones en materia de patentes 
particularmente:   ¿Quién realiza el examen? 
 
Answer: 
 
Customs Authorities do not themselves examine wh ether goods suspended at the border infringe 
patent rights. This will be done by the competen t judicial authority in proceedings leading to a 
decision on the merits of the case. If such proceedings are not initiated in a timely manner, the 
goods suspended will be released by the Customs Authorities (at the latest 20 days after their 
suspension (10+10)).   ¿Cuánto tiempo tarda el proceso de verificación? 
 
Answer: 
 
The competent civil or criminal judicial authorities determine whether goods suspended infringe 
patent rights. The duration of such proceedings depend on the individual case.  
 ¿Cómo se manejan bienes sospechosos antes de que se confirme la violación?  
 Answer: 
 
Unless the competent judicial authorities may or der otherwise, goods suspended at the border 
remain suspended until a decision on the merits of the case is made.  
 Cuentan sus autoridades aduanales con la facultad para el decomiso y destrucción de 
productos falsificados? 
 WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 84 - 
 
 
  
 Answer: 
 
Unless ordered accordingly by the competent judicial authorities, the Customs Authorities may not confiscate goods suspended at the border. Destruction of goods suspended at the border may be 
ordered following a decision on the merits of th e case by the competent judicial authorities or 
following a request by the applicant of customs measures provided the holder or owner of the 
goods has given its consent. 
 
 ¿Deberá mediar una orden judicial previa al decomiso? 
 Answer: 
 Yes, confiscation of goods suspended at the bord er require a decision by the competent judicial 
authority. 
 
 ¿Cómo se confirma la violación? 
 
Answer: 
Please see answer to question 1 above.  
  ¿Con que tipo de recursos cuenta el titular del bien incautado? 
 
Answer: 
 
The full set of legal remedies applicable in judicial proceedings is also available against a judicial 
decision to confiscate goods suspended at the border.  
BRAZIL 
Page 76 (Para 257) 
 
Paragraph 257 provides information on data regarding the enforcement of intellectual property 
rights. Nevertheless, it is known that enforcement mechanisms may be used for anticompetitive 
purposes, thus damaging competitors and consumers alike.  
Question: 
 
1. Is there any measure available for the combat  of abuse of enforcement mechanisms, such as 
sham litigation?  
 Answer: 
 
Switzerland implements in its national legislation the safeguards against the abuse of border 
measures in accordance with Art. 53 of the TRIP S Agreement. In addition, if the measures prove 
to be unjustified, the applicant is liable to cover any damages and costs resulting from abuse of 
enforcement mechanisms or sham litigation. In judicial proceedings, the applicant is liable for any 
loss or damage caused by unjustified interim measures.  
4  TRADE POLICIES BY SECTOR 
4.1  Agriculture CANADA Secretariat Report S280  - Part 4: Trade Policies by Sector; 4.1 Agriculture: 
Paragraph 4.1., page 77. And 4.2.4 Evolutio n of support: Paragraph 4.14., page 83.  
 The Secretariat Report notes that payments within the direct payment scheme average about 
SwF 50,000 per farm. Further, the Secretariat Report states that the level of support 
(SwF 5.7 million) compares unfavorably with agri culture's value-added or contribution to GDP WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 85 - 
 
 
 
 
  (3.9 billion in 2010), which gives rise to questions around the efficiency (costs vs. benefits) of 
Swiss Agricultural policy. 
 What specific steps are being taken to improve th e efficiency and competitiveness of Switzerland's 
agricultural sector, as stipulated in Switzerland's stated policy objectives? 
 Answer:  
 
The Federal Constitution (Article 104) defines the objectives of Switzerland's agricultural sector. The provision of several public goods is outlined therein; however, equally the market-orientation 
of the sector is raised in this same Article. The level of support for the agricultural sector – and 
thus the compensation for the provision of public goods – can, in Switzerland's perspective, not be 
analyzed related to GDP contribution of the sector. However, a series of reforms have been implemented which aim at increasing intra-sector efficiency. The latest policy package, the 
Agricultural Policy 2014-2017 (AP 14-17) implies several measures in that direction. Please see 
Switzerland's answer to Canada's question on chapter 4.1.2, paragraph 4.7 and Box 4.1 for more details. In parallel, several trade-policy related projects are currently underway: Switzerland is 
negotiating an agri-food Free Trade Agreement with the EU. Equally, Switzerland remains 
committed to multilateral trade talks in the context of the Doha Development Agenda whose conclusion will imply further adaptations of the Swiss agricultural policy.  
ECUADOR 
Párrafo 4.2. Página 81: ¿Podría Suiza explicar como sostiene su programa de subvenciones a las 
exportaciones para la producción agrícola en relación con su compatibilidad con la normativa 
comercial multilateral, particularmente respecto  del GATT/94 y del Acuerdo de Subvenciones y 
Medidas Compensatorias de la OMC?  
Answer: 
 
The price compensation scheme applied to selected processed agricultural products complies with Switzerland's WTO export subsidy commitments pursuant to List LIX Switzerland-Liechtenstein, 
Part IV, Section II. Switzerland notifies this subsidy to the WTO Committee on Agriculture. The 
notification for the year 2011 was issued on 28 February 2013 (G/AG/N/CHE/62). Moreover, it has been regularly notified by Switzerland to the WTO in  its full notification pursuant to Article XVI :1 
of the GATT 1994 and Article 25 of the SCM Agreemen t. For the years 2009 and 2010, this subsidy 
was notified on 24 June 2011 (see doc. G/SCM/N/220/CHE). The next such notification is due by 30 June 2013. 
 
4.1.1  Border measures 
ARGENTINA El párrafo 4.3. explica que Se estima que el promedio de los aranceles NMF aplicados a los 
productos agropecuarios (según la definición de la OMC) es del 31,9% en 2012 (cuadro 3.2). La 
carne, los productos lácteos y las hortalizas son los productos más protegidos mediante aranceles. Los aranceles NMF altos o prohibitivos en los sectores en que las importaciones son competidoras 
contrastan con el libre comercio de diversos productos cuya producción nacional es escasa o nula, 
como el algodón (cuadro 3.3). Desde el último Examen de las Políticas Comerciales, realizado en 2008, Suiza ha tomado algunas iniciativas de reducción de aranceles en el contexto de la Política 
Agrícola de 2011, o como consecuencia de acuerdos bilaterales con la UE (cuadro 4.1). 
 ¿Podría Suiza indicar por qué mantiene el promedio de los aranceles NMF aplicados a los productos agropecuarios (según la definición de la OMC) en el 31,9% (en 2012)? 
 
¿Podría Suiza indicar para qué productos mantiene aranceles prohibitivos? ¿Por qué?  
¿Planea reducir tanto los aranceles prohibitivos como la cantidad de líneas sujetas a ellos? 
 ¿Existe algún esquema concreto para reducirlos? 
 WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 86 - 
 
 
  
 Answer: 
 
The above-mentioned tariff level gives no indication  on the openness of Swiss agricultural markets. 
Switzerland has – following the Uruguay Round results and obligations – a structure of low 
in-quota tariff rates, i.e. where trade is taking place. When looking at the openness of agricultural 
markets, in-quota import quantities are the most relevant parameters. Switzerland has high quota fill rates for all relevant agricultural products. Certain adaptations with regards to import tariffs are 
foreseen in the context of the new Agricultural Policy 2014-2017 (PA 14-17) (see respective 
answers of Switzerland). In general, Switzerland remains committed to a finalization of the DDA, where, inter alia,  tariff reductions for out-of-quota tariffs are foreseen.  
EU 
Page 78 and 79, paragraph 4.7 and table 4.3 
 
The Report sets out that Switzerland has notified payments for roughage consuming animals as 
decoupled income support under Green Box Payments  despite that they are provided per livestock 
unit.   
Question:  
 
Could Switzerland explain why the payments for roughage consuming animals have been notified as Green Box, decoupled income support?   
 
Answer: 
 
Switzerland notified the payments for roughage-consuming animals in the "green box": Measure 
type (d) Decoupled income support. These payments require a set of criteria, the so-called "proof of ecological performance" (PEP) as cross compliance. Payments for roughage-consuming animals 
are limited i.e. number of animals or units per hectare at a significantly lower level than allowed by 
the environmental law. Furthermore, Switzerland has just passed a new agriculture bill (AP 2014-2017) in which the payments for roughage-consuming  animals will be abolished completely as of 
year 2014. 
 
Page 81 and 82, box 4.1  
 
Switzerland has undertaken modifications of its direct payment system in order to respond to 
concerns of the WTO. However the WTO concludes her opinion by saying, that the reformed system still has a "close link to production and livestock rearing". 
 
Question:  
 Could Switzerland explain how it intends to adjust and to develop its agricultural support scheme 
more toward green box payments?   
 Answer: 
 Switzerland has just passed a new agriculture bill (AP 2014-2017). The payments for roughage-consuming animals and livestock payments under difficult production conditions will be abolished 
completely as of year 2014. The new payments for grassland will be based on acreage with a 
minimum stocking density.  UKRAINE 
Paragraph 4.4 notes that "Switzerland has WTO tariff-quota commitments for 28 product 
categories. In practice, Switzerland implements 58 tariff quotas, since numerous WTO tariff quotas are divided into sub-quotas. Some tariff quotas are sub-divided up to three times. The 
predominant allocation procedures are first-come-first-served, auctioning , past imports, and prise 
en charged under which the allocation of tariff quota is contingent upon local purchases". 
 WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 87 - 
 
 
 
 
  Question:   
 
Could Switzerland kindly elaborate on the rationale for sub-division of the WTO tariff quotas and the diversity of methods used to allocate the ta r i f f  q u o t a s ,  a s  w e l l  a s  h i g h  c o m p l e x i t y  o f  t h e  
system? 
 Answer: 
 Switzerland's tariff quotas (TRQs) are part of the market access commitments as described in Article 4 of the Agreement on Agriculture. Those TRQs cover – in each of the TRQs – a large range of different products. However, the product coverage of the TRQs reflects a market situation dated 
almost 20 years back in time. In order to permit import flows being as good as possible adapted to 
today's market parameters (supply and demand of each of the different products) and assuring at 
the same time a high quota fill rate, a certain administrative structure of the quotas is necessary. 
Switzerland undertook to establish a system which is at the same time reflecting the 
above-described needs and as transparent and user-fri endly as possible. The high quota fill rate of 
all the relevant TRQs concerned shows that the administration of the TRQs is effective and 
efficient. 
 BRAZIL 
Page 77 (paragraph 4.3) 
 
With regard to Switzerland, the Report by the Se cretariat indicates that "The average applied MFN 
tariff on agricultural products (WTO definition) is estimated at 31.9% in 2012 […] Meat, dairy 
products, and vegetables are the most tariff-protected products. High or prohibitive MFN tariffs in 
import-competing sectors contrast with free trade in a range of products, […]". For instance, Switzerland taxes SwF 12,330 (approximately US$13,200) per tonne of bovine meat in the line 
0202.2019. 
 Question: 
 
4 - Brazil notes the high level of protection granted by Switzerland to its agricultural sector. Please 
indicate whether Switzerland intends to move its agricultural policies towards market-oriented practices and trade liberalization.  
 
Answer: 
 
The Swiss Parliament has just recently voted for the implementation of the reform programme PA 
2014-2017 of the agricultural policy which fore sees the rearrangement of the direct payment 
scheme. This will give farmers, inter alia,  an opportunity to rethink their production portfolio and 
concentrate on those market and non-market related activities in which they are most competitive 
given their individual framework conditions, includin g their particular structure of costs. This will 
lead to a more market-oriented sector and a certain restructuring of the sector as a whole. This development will in turn provide a sound basis for successfully dealing with future challenges 
including possible further reform steps. 
 Another element of the AP 2014-2017 is the adjustme nt of the import duty of feed grains and 
bread cereals by reduction of the import duty of SwF 3/ 100 kg of the latter. Within the measures 
for structural improvements, projects must pr ove that financing is possible under a future 
economic context. Support and promotion is possible for common initiatives of producers (farmers) to reduce production costs. 
Switzerland remains committed to multilateral trade talks in the context of the Doha Development 
Agenda where adaptations of market access are equally foreseen.  WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 88 - 
 
 
  
 4.1.2  Domestic support 
UNITED STATES 
Page 79, paragraph 4.5-4.6: 
 
The Secretariat Report states Switzerland does not apply administered prices for price support 
measures, but rather uses "observed" prices to calculate the support. Further, the Report states market support measures were reduced by less than 50% since 2009. 
 
 Please explain how "observed" prices are determined and if this is the value notified in 
Switzerland's domestic support notifications as "applied administered prices." 
 How exactly have market support measures been reduced? Through reductions in the 
"observed" price? 
 
Answer:  
 Switzerland's AMS calculation is carried out in compliance with Annex 3 of the Agreement on Agriculture. In particular, for the determination of the observed prices, Annex 3, Para 7 of the 
Agreement on Agriculture is applied. Consequently, observed prices are those being the closest to 
the first point of sale as possible. Official price observations by the Federal Office for Agriculture are used. Market support measures have particular ly been reduced by reduction of the scope for 
government programs. 
 
Page 79, paragraph 4.7 and Table 4.3: 
 
The Secretariat Report states that the Swiss direct payment scheme is unchanged in the 
Agricultural Policy 2011. Further, the original inte nt of the scheme was to decouple payments from 
production, but this objective has not been expresse d in the legislation and at least some of these 
payments have production-stimulating effects. Further, several direct payments listed in Table 4.3 
are linked to current productions levels rather than a fixed historical base period (e.g., area payments, payments for roughage-consuming animals). Despite these linkages, it appears Switzerland has notified these direct payment sch emes under the Green Box in its most recent 
notification. 
 Please confirm if in its most recent domestic support notification, Switzerland notified these 
production-linked programs as Green Box. If so, on  what basis and will this reasoning be used for 
future notifications (i.e., 2011, 2012, and 2013)?  
Answer: 
 
Yes, Switzerland notified its direct payments in the "green box": Measure type (d) Decoupled 
income support, (j) Environmental programs and (k) Regional assistance programs. All the 
payments require a set of criteria, the so-called "p roof of ecological performance" (PEP) as cross 
compliance. Payments for roughage-consuming animals are limited i.e. number of animals or units per hectare at a significantly lower level than allowed by the environmental law. Furthermore, 
Switzerland has just passed a new agriculture bill (AP 2014-2017). The payments for roughage-
consuming animals payments will be abolished completely as of year 2014.  
COLOMBIA 
El párrafo 4.5 del informe de la Secretaría señala que… " Los principales instrumentos de ayuda 
interna de Suiza son los siguientes: i) subvenciones y otros gastos gubernamentales para medidas de sostenimiento de los precios del mercado; y ii) pagos directos. En sus notificaciones al Comité 
de Agricultura de la OMC, Suiza ha comunicado medidas de sostenimiento de los precios mediante 
la aplicación de precios administrados para la carne de bovino, la carne de porcino, la leche y otros 16 productos agropecuarios de base. Sin embargo, según las autoridades, Suiza no aplica precios 
administrados; para calcular la ayuda se utilizan precios "observados" 
 ¿Cuál es la metodología de cálculo de los precios observados? 
 WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 89 - 
 
 
 
 
  Answer: 
 Switzerland's AMS calculation is carried out in compliance with Annex 3 of the Agreement on Agriculture. In particular, for the determination of the observed prices, Annex 3, Para 7 of the 
Agreement on Agriculture is applied. Consequently, observed prices are those being the closest to 
the first point of sale possible. Official price observations by the Federal Office for Agriculture are used. Market support measures have particularly  been reduced by reduction of the scope for 
government programs.  
 COLOMBIA 
El párrafo 4.7 del informe de la Secretaría señala que… "La PA 2011 no altera la estructura básica 
del sistema de pagos directos suizo (cuadro 4.3). Aproximadamente el 80% del gasto consiste en 
pagos directos "generales" (pagos por superficie, "pagos por animales que comen forrajes duros" y "agricultura en condiciones de producción difíciles"); el resto son pagos para lograr objetivos 
medioambientales y de protección de los animales. Entre los criterios generales que deben 
satisfacerse para optar a los pagos directos figura una serie de criterios de eficiencia ecológica (prueba de eficiencia ecológica), como la detracción del 7% de las tierras de cultivo.  
 
El pago directo máximo es de 70.000 francos suizos por unidad de trabajo anual. Los pagos directos se reducen progresivamente según el tamaño de la explotación, el número de animales, los ingresos y el patrimonio. En 1992, cuando se introdujo el sistema de pagos directos, la 
intención era desconectar la ayuda de la produ cción, pero ese objetivo no se ha reflejado 
expresamente en el marco jurídico. Por lo general, los pagos directos siguen estando vinculados a la superficie y/o al número de cabezas de ganado…" 
 
Cuadro 4.3 Sistema de pagos directos de Suiza, 2009-2011 
Medida/objetivo Criterios de 
admisibilidad/ 
base del pago Tasa de 
pagoa Notificado en 
el marco de Gasto ('000 de FS) 
2009 2010 2011 
Pagos directos generales   2.190,2 2.201,1 2.191,1 
Pagos por superficie 
Compensar 
contribuciones de interés público (por ejemplo, protección y cuidado del paisaje cultivado, garantía de la producción de alimentos) La práctica totalidad de la 
superficie agrícola (aprox. 1 millón de ha), salvo la zona de pastos de verano (0,5 millones de ha) puede optar a los pagos. El período de referencia es el año en curso. Pagos adicionales por la superficie de cultivo (tierra cultivable despejada) y por cultivos permanentes Por 
hectárea: 1.020 FS      640 FS Compartiment
o verde, ayuda a los ingresos desconectada 1.225,5 1.221,2 1.217,6 
Pagos por animales que comen forrajes duros 
Mantener la 
competitividad de 
la producción de 
leche y carne basada en forrajes duros, y asegurar el cuidado de la tierra mediante el uso de los pastos El período de referencia 
para los animales de la 
especie bovina/ vacas 
lecheras corresponde al número de animales entre el 1º de mayo del año precedente y el 30 de abril del año en curso. Las tasas se basan en un número de cabezas de ganado uniforme por hectárea (diferenciado por altitud, es decir, por el rendimiento del terreno). Animales de especie bovina, caballos, cabras/ovejas lecheras Vacas lecheras Otras cabras/ovejas, Por cabeza 
de ganado: 
 
           690 FS   450 FS 520 FS Compartiment
o verde, 
ayuda a los 
ingresos desconectada 509,6 510,3 508,2 WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 90 - 
 
 
  
 Medida/objetivo Criterios de 
admisibilidad/ 
base del pago Tasa de 
pagoa Notificado en 
el marco de Gasto ('000 de FS) 
2009 2010 2011 
ciervos, llamas, alpacas 
Pagos por cabeza de ganado por cond iciones de producción difíciles 
Compensar la 
dificultad de las condiciones de producción en zonas de relieve accidentado prealpinas y montañosas para ganado alimentado con forrajes duros Las tasas se basan en un 
número de cabezas de ganado uniforme por hectárea, véase supra  
Las tasas de los pagos son distintas para las regiones de relieve accidentado y las regiones montañosas Por cabeza 
de ganado:   300 FS (zona de relieve accidentado) hasta 1.230 FS (zona 
montañosa 
IV) Compartiment
o verde, programas de asistencia regionales 352,5 354,3 352,4 
 
En el cuadro 4.3 que resume las principales programas de la ayuda interna otorgada por Suiza 
entre 2009 y 2011, enumeran cuatro programas: Pagos por superficie, Pagos por animales que 
comen forrajes duros; y Pagos por cabeza de ganados en condiciones de producción difíciles, los cuales Suiza ha notificado en el Compartimiento Verde.   
Nos gustaría conocer las razones de dicha clasificación. Pese a estar catalogada como ayuda a los 
ingresos desconectada y como programas de asistencia regional, en nuestra opinión los montos otorgados están sujetos a la superficie y cabeza de ganado lo cual hace que en estricto sentido no 
deban ser clasificados en el compartimiento verde.  
 Answer: 
 Switzerland notified its direct payments (area payments, payments for roughage-consuming animals and livestock payments under difficult production conditions) in the "green box": Measure type (d) Decoupled income and (k) Regional assistance programs. All payments require a set of 
criteria, the so-called "proof of ecological performance" (PEP) as cross compliance. Payments for 
roughage-consuming animals are limited i.e. number of animals or units per hectare at a significantly lower level than allowed by the environmental law. Furthermore, Switzerland has just 
passed a new agriculture bill (AP 2014-2017) in which the payments for roughage-consuming 
animals and livestock payments under difficult production conditions will be abolished completely as of year 2014.  
 
THAILAND 
Page 78 (paragraph 4.5) 
 
"Switzerland's key domestic support instruments are: (i) subsidies and other government 
expenditures for market support measures; and (ii) direct payments. In its notifications to the WTO Committee on Agriculture, Switzerland has reported price support through applied 
administered prices for bovine meat, pig meat, milk, and 16 other basic agricultural products. 
However, according to the authorities, Switzerland does not apply administered prices; "observed" prices are used to calculate the support." 
 
Question:  Could Switzerland give brief definitions of "administered prices" and "observed prices"? 
Could Switzerland explain the reasons why it applies the observed prices to calculate the domestic 
support and also provide information on the price range of administered prices and the observed 
prices that is applied to calculate the domestic support? 
 Answer: 
 Switzerland's AMS calculation is carried out in compliance with Annex 3 of the Agreement on Agriculture. In particular, for the determination of the observed prices, Annex 3, Para 7 of the 
Agreement on Agriculture is applied. Consequently, observed prices are those being the closest to 
the first point of sale as possible. Official price observations by the Federal Office for Agriculture WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 91 - 
 
 
 
 
  and price data of different agri cultural organizations are used.  
 
AUSTRALIA  
Section 4.1.2; Box 4.1; Page 81 
 
How will the new agricultural policy (AP 2014-17) support further trade liberalisation and increased exposure to market forces, thereby increasing competitiveness of the agricultural sector in 
Switzerland? 
 Answer: 
 
At the core of the new agricultural policy (AP 2014-2017) is a rearrangement and finetuning of the 
direct payment (DP) scheme aimed at improving th e efficiency and effectiveness of the measures 
and addressing conflicts with WTO Green Box criteria. As an example, payments per animal were 
abolished. Another element of the AP 2014-2017 is  the adjustment of the import duty of feed 
grains and bread cereals by reduction of the import duty of CHF 3/ 100 kg of the latter. Within the 
measures for structural improvements, projects must prove that financing is possible under a 
future economic context. Support and promotion is possible for common initiatives of producers 
(farmers) to reduce production costs.  Section 4.1.2; Box 4.1; Page 82 
 We note that Switzerland continues to apply a price compensation scheme to compensate the domestic food manufacturing industry for the price handicap of using tariff-protected locally 
produced agricultural raw materials. What is the status of this program? Does Switzerland consider 
that tariff reform will allow its businesses access to competitively priced inputs?  
Answer: 
The applied price compensation scheme aims at equalising the differences between the prices for 
the relevant agricultural raw material in a processed product on the domestic and on the world market with a view to ensuring a level playing field for the domestic food processing industry 
competing with foreign companies on the export. The Swiss export regulations are based on the 
Federal Law of 9 October 1986 on the Customs Tariff (http://www.admin.ch/c h/f/rs/c632_10.html ), on articles 3 and 4 of the Federal Law of 
13 December 1974 on the importation and the exportation of processed agricultural products 
(http://www.admin.ch/ch/f/rs/c632_111_72.html ) and on the Ordinance of 23 November 2011 on 
the export refunds for processed agricultural products 
(http://www.admin.ch/ch/ d/sr/c632_ 111_723.html ). Revision of the relevant Federal Acts is not 
planned for the foreseeable future. Furthermore, a change of policies is not under discussion at 
present.  
NEW ZEALAND 
WT/TPR/S/280 pg. 81, box 4.1; WT/TPR /G/280, p.18, para 1.66 and 1.67 
 
Section 4 of the Secretariat Report, pg. 81, box 4.1 provides an overview of the 2014-17 
Agricultural Policy, it states the revised policy "does not signal a change towards more market-orientation of Swiss agricultural policy. The high level of import protection will be left virtually 
untouched". Further detail is provided in the Government Report, pg 18, para 166–167. While 
New Zealand commends Switzerland's good progress towards liberalising its agricultural sector 
following the Agriculture Policy 2011 reforms we are disappointed to note, that the further reforms proposed in the context of the Agriculture Policy 2014-17 do not appear to take these much 
further.  
 Can Switzerland provide reasons for why the Agriculture Policy 2014-17 initiatives are less 
ambitious than the previous reform programme in working towards strengthening the 
competitiveness of Swiss agriculture and its downstream industries?   
What are the Swiss Government's future intentions for moving towards a more market-oriented 
agricultural policy and reducing the still high level of import protection? WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 92 - 
 
 
  
  
Answer: 
 
The Agricultural Policy 2014-2017 (AP 14/17) ha s received large support from most of the 
stakeholders, including for the budget covering CHF 13.83 billion for the 4-year period 2014-2017. 
The AP 14/17, as approved by parliament, is promoting innovation in the agricultural sector and the food chain, further enhancing competitiveness and providing better targeted support for 
services of public interest. The key component of PA 14/17 is the evolution of the direct payments 
system. With the new policy, payments will systemat ically be directed towards services of public 
interest asked for by the population and laid down in the Federal Constitution. This is done by means of payments for open rural landscapes, se curity of supply, biodiversity, quality of the 
landscape, support for innovative production systems as well as efficient use of resources. 
Therefore, the AP 14/17 is an ambitious reform program, which gives farmers the possibility to re-calibrate their production decisions. The comp etitiveness of the Swiss agriculture will be 
strengthened by the additional requirements linked to the new direct payment system.  
 One of the main challenges of Switzerland's agricultural policy is the international orientation of 
supply chains as well as closer relations to the European Union (EU). Switzerland has chosen to be 
proactive and has started negotiations with the EU on a comprehensive free trade agreement for 
the agri-food sector. Those negotiations have been under way since November 2008. The aim is to open up markets covering the entire food production chain. At the same time, Switzerland has 
continued to harmonize its legislation with the EU, which forms the basis for updating and 
developing the current free trade agreement between Switzerland the EU. Increased interaction between Swiss and EU agricultural markets theref ore makes a substantial contribution to reform 
Swiss agricultural and food policy. It is not be forgotten that Switzerland remains equally 
committed to multilateral trade liberalization in the context of the WTO.  
ARGENTINA 
En el párrafo 4.5. se explica que los principales instrumentos de ayuda interna de Suiza son los 
siguientes:  i) subvenciones y otros gastos gubernamentales para medidas de sostenimiento de los precios 
del mercado; y 
ii) pagos directos. En sus notificaciones al Comité de Agricultura de la OMC, Suiza ha 
comunicado medidas de sostenimiento de los precios mediante la aplicación de precios 
administrados para la carne de bovino, la carne de porcino, la leche y otros 16 productos 
agropecuarios de base.9 Sin embargo, según las autoridades, Suiza no aplica precios administrados; para calcular la ayuda se utilizan precios "observados". 
 
¿Por qué Suiza aplica políticas de sostenimiento de los precios mediante la aplicación de precios administrados para la carne de bovino, la carne de porcino, la leche y otros 16 productos agropecuarios de base? 
 
¿Por qué Suiza aplica políticas de sostenimiento de los precios mediante la aplicación de precios observados para la carne de bovino, la carne de porcino, la leche y otros 16 productos 
agropecuarios de base? 
 Answer: 
 Switzerland continues to use domestic support measures described in Article 6 of the Agreement on Agriculture – among those also AMS – for a range of products as a tool of agricultural policy. Switzerland's AMS calculation is carried out in compliance with Annex 3 of the Agreement on 
Agriculture. In particular, for the determination of the observed prices, Annex 3, Para 7 of the 
Agreement on Agriculture is applied. Consequently, observed prices are those being the closest to the first point of sale as possible. Official price observations by the Federal Office for Agriculture 
are used.  
 El párrafo 4.6. explica que el marco de políticas vigente en Suiza, la Política Agrícola de 2011 (PA 
2011) abarca desde 2008 hasta 2013. Su finalidad principal es intensificar la transición del 
sostenimiento de los precios del mercado (para productos específicos) a los pagos directos. El objetivo es reducir en más de la mitad el gasto presupuestario en sostenimiento de los precios del WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 93 - 
 
 
 
 
  mercado y suprimir gradualmente las subvenciones a la exportación concedidas a productos 
agropecuarios de base (cuadro 4.2). Desde 2009  han aumentado significativamente los pagos 
directos y se ha reducido, aunque en menos del 50%, el gasto en medidas de sostenimiento de los precios. 
 
¿Cuál es el calendario (y porcentajes) aplicado (o que se aplicará) de supresión gradual de las subvenciones a la exportación concedidas a productos agropecuarios de base? 
 
Answer: 
 All export subsidies for basic agricultural products  have been phased out by the end of 2009. Since 
2010, no export subsidies for basic agricultural products have been paid  
 En el párrafo 4.7. se señala La PA 2011 no altera la estructura básica del sistema de pagos 
directos suizo. Aproximadamente el 80% del gasto consiste en pagos directos "generales" (pagos 
por superficie, "pagos por animales que comen forrajes duros" y "agricultura en condiciones de producción difíciles"); el resto son pagos para lograr objetivos medioambientales y de protección 
de los animales. Entre los criterios generales que deben satisfacerse para optar a los pagos 
directos figura una serie de criterios de eficiencia ecológica (prueba de eficiencia ecológica), como la detracción del 7% de las tierras de cultivo. El pago directo máximo es de 70.000 francos suizos por unidad de trabajo anual. Los pagos directos se reducen progresivamente según el tamaño de 
la explotación, el número de animales, los ingresos y el patrimonio.10 En 1992, cuando se 
introdujo el sistema de pagos directos, la intención era desconectar la ayuda de la producción, pero ese objetivo no se ha reflejado expresamente en el marco jurídico.11 Por lo general, los 
pagos directos siguen estando vinculados a la superficie y/o al número de cabezas de ganado. Se 
considera que algunos pagos directos tienen efectos de estímulo de la producción y requieren una reforma (recuadro 4.1). 
 
D a d o  q u e  s e g ú n  l a  S e c r e t a r í a  d e  l a  O M C  " P o r  l o  g e n e r a l ,  l o s  p a g o s  d i r e c t o s  s i g u e n  e s t a n d o  vinculados a la superficie y/o al número de cabezas de ganado. Se considera que algunos pagos directos tienen efectos de estímulo de la producción y requieren una reforma", además de bajar el 
gasto en medidas de sostenimiento de los precios, ¿planea Suiza disminuir en algún momento el 
monto de los pagos directos? 
 
¿Cuál es el calendario? 
 Answer: 
 The Swiss Parliament has decided in spring 2013 on the agricultural policy for the years 2014-2017 and in this context also on the financial frame for direct payments in that same period. CHF 11,256 million are foreseen for this 4-year period (CHF 2,814 million per year). The amount of 
direct payments will thus be maintained until 2017 at the current level.  
 CANADA 
Secretariat Report S280  - Part 4: Trade Policies by Sector; 4.1 Agriculture; 
4.1.2 Domestic support: Paragraph 4.5., page 78.  
In its notifications to the WTO Committee on Agriculture, Switzerland has reported price support 
through applied administered prices for bovine meat, pig meat, milk, and 16 other basic agricultural products. However, according to the authorities, Switzerland does not apply administered prices; "observed" prices are used to calculate the support. 
 
Could Switzerland please explain what is meant by "observed" prices? How are these "observed" prices determined? 
 
Answer: 
 
Switzerland's AMS calculation is carried out in compliance with Annex 3 of the Agreement on 
Agriculture. In particular, for the determination of the observed prices, Annex 3, Para 7 of the 
Agreement on Agriculture is applied. Observed pric es are thus those prices being the closest to the WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 94 - 
 
 
  
 first point of sale as possible. Official price observations by the Federal Office for Agriculture and 
price data from various agricultural organizations are used. 
 Secretariat Report S280  - Part 4: Trade Policies by Se ctor; 4.1 Agriculture; 4.1.2 
Domestic support: Paragraph 4.7., page 78 and Box 4.1 Swiss Agricultural Policy 
2014-17, page 81-82.  
The Secretariat Report notes that "by and large" direct payments continue to be linked to land 
and/or livestock numbers. Some of the direct payments are considered to have production-stimulating effects and call for reform. While payments for livestock holders will no longer be based on the number of animals (and instead will be based on acres with a minimum stocking 
density), area based crop premiums will be replaced by subsidies aimed at ensuring an appropriate 
level of self-sufficiency in designated crops/products. The Government will have the discretion to determine eligible crops and the rate of support for these "explicitly production-stimulating 
subsidies".  
 
How does Switzerland balance the objectives of meeting its self-sufficiency targets and the 
objectives of competitiveness, innovation and en trepreneurship in the agricultural sectors?  
 
Answer: 
 
The Federal Constitution (Article 104) defines objectives for Switzerland's agricultural sector. The 
reliable provision of the population with foodstuffs  is referred to as one of the objectives. Market 
orientation of the agricultural sector is referred to in that same article. As for the implementation 
of the provisions in this Article, there are no self-sufficiency targets set - neither by the parliament 
nor by the Government. The target of a reliable provision is reached, when a defined production capacity is assured by measures of agricultural policy. The 2014-2017 Agricultural Policy 
(PA 14/17) , the fifth stage in the reform process, aims at promoting more innovation in agriculture 
and the food chain, further enhancing competitiven ess and better targeted support for services in 
the public interest. The key component of PA 14/ 17 is the development of the system of direct 
payments. In future, payments will systematically  be directed towards services in the public 
interest desired by the population and laid do wn in the Federal Constitution, by means of 
payments for open rural landscapes, security of su pplies, biodiversity, the quality of the landscape, 
the support of innovative production systems as well as the efficient use of resources. At the same 
time, the procedures for granting investment subsidies will be modified in such a way that 
investments are still profitable under the modified policy conditions and that production costs will be reduced. The aim is that the long-term competitiv eness of the agricultural sector will be further 
improved. 
 UKRAINE 
According to Box 4.1 "Swiss Agricultural Policy 2014-17"  "… at the core of the AP 2014-17 is a 
re-arrangement and finetuning of the direct pa yment (DP) scheme…, and address conflicts with 
WTO Green Box criteria. Total DP expenditures will be maintained at the current level of about SwF 2.8 billion per year… 
 
There are few structural reform initiatives to strengthen the competitiveness of Swiss agriculture and to ensure that downstream industries remain internationally competitive...  
 
Overall, the AP 2014-17 does not signal a change towards more market-orientation of Swiss agricultural policy. The high level of import protection will be left virtually untouched. Despite modifications, most of the direct payments will continue to have a close link to production and 
livestock rearing." 
 Question:  Does Switzerland agree that the 2014-2017 Agricultural Policy lacks market-orientated 
measures aimed at strengthening efficiency and competitiveness of agricultural producers? 
 Answer: 
 This question of Ukraine is similar to the questi on related to (Para 1.1.1 Major features of the 
economies). Switzerland refers to its answer respectively. WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 95 - 
 
 
 
 
   
In addition, it can be stated that one of the main challenges of Switzerland's agricultural policy is 
the international orientation of supply chains as well as closer relations to the European Union (EU). Switzerland has chosen to be proactive an d has started negotiations with the EU on a 
comprehensive free trade agreement for the agri-food sector. Those negotiations have been under 
way since November 2008. The aim is to open up markets covering the entire food production chain. Increased interaction between Swiss an d EU agricultural markets therefore makes a 
substantial contribution to reform Swiss agricultural and food policy. It is not be forgotten that 
Switzerland remains equally committ ed to multilateral trade liberalization in the context of the 
WTO.  
4.1.3  Export subsidies 
UNITED STATES Page 83, paragraph 4.10: 
 
The Secretariat Report states that Switzerland has eliminated export subsidies for all products except cheese via indirect support through the subsidy for milk processed into cheese. Is this 
support also scheduled to be eliminated at a later date? 
 Answer:  
 
The subsidy of milk processed into cheese is not an  export subsidy. This measure is notified both 
in the green and the amber box. Like every other instrument of the agricultural policy in Switzerland, the subsidy of milk processed into cheese is subject to periodical evaluation. 
 
AUSTRALIA 
Pages 82 and 83 
 
We note the WTO's assessment that the 2014-17 Agricultural Policy "does not signal a change towards more market-orientation of Swiss agricultural policy" (Box 4.1, p.82). According to the WTO report (Section 4.1.4, page 83), Switzerland's support and protection for agriculture is almost 
three times the OECD average, over half of farm ers' revenue is government support, the cost of 
agricultural support is almost 50% (SwF 1.8 billion) more than the added value of goods produced and Swiss producer prices are 57% higher than border prices (in comparison the EU's are 6% 
higher). Switzerland is lagging behind most of th e OECD in its moves to reduce protection of its 
agricultural sector, including the most distorting forms of support. We would welcome further information on the prospects for Switzerland to take  forward meaningful agricultural policy reform, 
consistent with its broader policy of improving domestic competitiveness and support for an open 
multilateral trading system.  Answer:  
 
Apart from a reduction of import duties on bread cereals, AP 2014-2017 foresees the rearrangement of the direct payment (DP) scheme. Th is will give farmers an opportunity to rethink 
their production portfolio and concentrate on those market and non-market activities in which they 
are most competitive given their individual framewor k conditions, including structure of costs. This 
will lead to a more market-oriented sector and a certain restructuring of the sector as a whole. 
This development will in turn provide a sound basi s for successfully dealing with future challenges 
including possible further reform steps.   A total of 13.83 billion CHF have been earmarke d for funding the policy measures in the three 
agricultural budget areas for the 4-year period  2014-2017. With 3.44 billion CHF per year, this 
corresponds to the level for previous years. The majority of these funds (82%) are attributed to 
direct payments. The remaining amount will be split between the two areas of production and 
sales (13%), as well as improving basic conditions and social measures (5%). 
 AP 14-17 with the new DP scheme is an important stage in the reform of Switzerland's agricultural 
policy because it will enable the agricultural sector to successfully meet the needs of the WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 96 - 
 
 
  
 population in the best possible way. Due to its high share of imports Switzerland remains an open 
economy and an attractive partner for exporters of agriculture products. 
 Switzerland remains committed to multilateral trade talks in the context of the Doha Development 
Agenda where adaptations of market access are equally foreseen. 
 Section 4.1.3 Page 82 
 We note that Switzerland has eliminated export subsidies on most product categories, but still provides some export subsidies for processed foods. We would welcome further information on when remaining export subsidies will be phased out, consistent with the commitments made by 
ministers in 2005 in Hong Kong. 
 Answer: 
 Switzerland still intends to honour its commitment made in 2005 in Hong Kong in the context of a Doha round single undertaking. We are not in a position to indicate a date when remaining export 
subsidies will be phased out given that a confirmation of the date for the elimination of all forms of 
export subsidies, pursuant to paragraph 6 of the Hong Kong Ministerial Declaration, is still outstanding. 
COLOMBIA  
El párrafo 4.12 del informe de la Secretaría señala que… "Se pagan reintegros por exportaciones 
para compensar las diferencias de precio entre el mercado interno y el mercado mundial "Se pagan reintegros por exportaciones para compensar las diferencias de precio entre el mercado 
interno y el mercado mundial. Pueden optar a los reintegros determinadas leches y productos 
lácteos y la harina y otros productos de la molinería incorporados o transformados en productos alimenticios comprendidos en los capítulos 15 a 22 del SA. Los reintegros por exportaciones se 
suspendieron el 1º de febrero de 2012 con respecto al azúcar y la melaza y los productos 
elaborados a partir de huevos, aunque se mantiene la posibilidad de reanudarlos en el futuro. En lo que respecta a la leche desnatada incorporada en productos elaborados, los reintegros por exportaciones se abolieron el 1º de diciembre de 2012. Los reintegros por exportaciones están 
sujetos a un presupuesto anual (70 millones de francos suizos en 2012). Se conceden con arreglo 
al contenido neto de materias primas beneficiarias incorporado en los productos finales. Los reintegros por exportaciones correspondientes a la leche y los productos lácteos incorporados en 
productos agropecuarios elaborados se conceden con arreglo al contenido de grasas y proteínas, 
así como a la proporción entre grasa láctea y proteína láctea".  
Dado que la última notificación sobre subsidios a la exportación realizada por Suiza se realizó en 
2010, agradecemos a Suiza brindarnos información sobre las ayudas a las exportaciones por producto y país de destino otorgadas en los dos últimos años, tanto en volumen como valor.  
Answer: 
 
The agricultural raw materials for which export refunds are granted are the following: milk 
products (fresh milk, fresh cream, whole milk  powder, skimmed milk powder, cream powder, 
condensed milk, condensed skimmed milk and butter), flour and other products of the milling industry as well as germs of wheat, mixed co rn, rye and triticale. The total amount of the 
contributions paid was CHF 76.3 million in 2011, and CHF 64.2 million in 2012. The contributions 
are calculated on the basis of the difference between Swiss and foreign prices of agricultural commodities and according to the quantity of agricultural commodities used in the manufacture of the goods exported. Information on export refunds granted for the processed products (per tariff 
line) is not available. Switzerland is about to complete its notification pursuant to Article XVI:1 of 
the GATT 1994 and Article 25 of the SCM Agreemen t for the years 2011 and 2012. The notification 
is due by 30 June 2013. 
 
ARGENTINA 
En el párrafo 4.10. se expresa que Suiza tiene co mpromisos de reducción de las subvenciones a la 
exportación con respecto a cinco categorías de productos (productos lácteos; cría de ganado WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 97 - 
 
 
 
 
  mayor y equino; frutas; patatas; productos elaborados). En 2009 se eliminaron las subvenciones a 
la exportación correspondientes a los cuatro primeros grupos de productos. Las exportaciones de 
queso siguen recibiendo ayudas indirectas mediante  la subvención por la transformación de leche 
en queso (sección 4.1.5.1). La última notificaci ón de subvenciones a la exportación de Suiza 
abarca 2009 y 2010.17. 
 ¿Podría Suiza indicar por qué las exportaciones de queso siguen recibiendo ayudas indirectas 
mediante la subvención por la transformación de leche en queso? 
 Answer: 
 
The subsidy for milk processed into cheese is not an export subsidy. The measure was established 
to compensate for higher productions costs mainly in disadvantaged mountainous regions.  
 
En el párrafo 4.11. se explica que Suiza sigue aplicando un mecanismo de compensación de 
precios, descrito en anteriores exámenes de las políticas comerciales, para compensar a la rama 
de producción nacional de elaboración de alimentos por el incremento de precio que supone utilizar 
materias primas agropecuarias de producción local protegidas por aranceles (loi chocolatière). El 
1º de febrero de 2012 entraron en vigor sendas revisiones de las medidas relativas al elemento de protección industrial y el elemento variable de los aranceles aplicables a los productos agrícolas elaborados y de las relativas a las subvenciones a la exportación. 
 
¿Porqué Suiza sigue aplicando un mecanismo de compensación de precios para compensar a la rama de producción nacional de elaboración de alimentos por el incremento de precio que supone 
utilizar materias primas agropecuarias de producción local protegidas por aranceles? 
 El párrafo 4.12. explica que se pagan reintegros por exportaciones para compensar las diferencias 
de precio entre el mercado interno y el mercado mundial. Pueden optar a los reintegros 
determinadas leches y productos lácteos y la harina y otros productos de la molinería incorporados o transformados en productos alimenticios comprendidos en los capítulos 15 a 22 del SA. Los reintegros por exportaciones se suspendieron el 1º de febrero de 2012 con respecto al azúcar y la 
melaza y los productos elaborados a partir de huevos, aunque se mantiene la posibilidad de 
reanudarlos en el futuro. En lo que respecta a la leche desnatada incorporada en productos 
elaborados, los reintegros por exportaciones se abolieron el 1º de diciembre de 2012. Los 
reintegros por exportaciones están sujetos a un presupuesto anual (70 millones de francos suizos 
en 2012). Se conceden con arreglo al contenido neto de materias primas beneficiarias incorporado en los productos finales. Los reintegros por exportaciones correspondientes a la leche y los 
productos lácteos incorporados en productos agropecuarios elaborados se conceden con arreglo al 
contenido de grasas y proteínas, así como a la proporción entre grasa láctea y proteína láctea. No se dispone de información sobre las subvenciones a la exportación por línea arancelaria. En virtud de la Unión Aduanera, las empresas de Liechtenstein pueden optar a los reintegros por 
exportaciones a terceros países otorgados de conformidad con el mecanismo de compensación de 
precios suizo.  
¿Podría Suiza explicar por qué paga reintegros por exportaciones para compensar las diferencias 
de precio entre el mercado interno y el mercado mundial a determinadas leches y productos lácteos y a la harina y otros productos de la molinería incorporados o transformados en productos 
alimenticios comprendidos en los capítulos 15 a 22 del SA? 
 Answer: 
 
Answer Switzerland concerning both questions on para. 4.11 and 4.12: 
 The applied price compensation scheme aims at equalising the differences between the prices for 
the relevant agricultural raw material in a processed product on the domestic and on the world 
market with a view to ensuring a level playing field for the domestic food processing industry competing with foreign companies on the export. The Swiss export regulations are based on the 
Federal Law of 9 October 1986 on the Customs Tariff 
(http://www.admin.ch/c h/f/rs/c632_10.html ), on articles 3 and 4 of the Federal Law of 
13 December 1974 on the importation and the exportation of processed agricultural products 
(http://www.admin.ch/ch/f/rs/c632_111_72.html ) and on the Ordinance of 23 November 2011 on WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 98 - 
 
 
  
 the export refunds for processed agricultural products 
(http://www.admin.ch/ch/ d/sr/c632_ 111_723.html ). 
 
¿Podría Suiza explicar qué esfuerzos ha realizado en cuanto a la adecuación de sus niveles de 
ayudas internas y acceso a mercado? 
 Answer: 
 The Federal Constitution (Article 104) defines objectives for Switzerland's agricultural sector. The 2014-2017 Agricultural Policy  (PA 14/17), the fifth stage in the reform process, aims at promoting 
more innovation in agriculture and the food chain, further enhancing competitiveness and better 
targeted support for services in the public interest. The key component of PA 14/17 is the 
development of the system of direct payments. In future, payments will systematically be directed 
towards services in the public interest desired by the population and laid down in the Federal 
Constitution, by means of payments for open rura l landscapes, security of supplies, biodiversity, 
the quality of the landscape, the support of innovative production systems as well as the efficient use of resources. At the same time, the procedures for granting investment subsidies will be 
modified in such a way that investments are still profitable under the modified policy conditions 
and that production costs will be reduced. The aim is that the long-term competitiveness of the 
agricultural sector will  be further improved. 
 
One of the main challenges of Switzerland's agricultural policy is the international orientation of 
supply chains as well as closer relations to the European Union (EU). Switzerland has chosen to be proactive and has started negotiations with the EU on a comprehensive free trade agreement for 
the agri-food sector. Those negotiations have been under way since November 2008. The aim is to 
open up markets covering the entire food produc tion chain. Increased interaction between Swiss 
and EU agricultural markets therefore makes a substantial contribution to reform Swiss agricultural 
and food policy. It is not be forgotten that Switzerland remains equally committed to multilateral 
trade liberalization in the context of the WTO.  
 ¿Por qué la Secretaría indica que no se dispone de información sobre las subvenciones a la 
exportación por línea arancelaria? 
 Answer: 
 The contributions are calculated on the basis of the difference between Swiss and foreign prices of 
agricultural commodities and according to the quantity of agricultural commodities used in the 
manufacture of the goods exported. Information on export refunds granted for the processed 
products (per tariff line) is not available. Switzerland is about to complete its notification pursuant to Article XVI:1 of the GATT 1994 and Article 25 of the SCM Agreement for the years 2011 and 
2012. The notification is due by June 30, 2013.  
 
EU 
Page 82, paragraphs 4.11 and 4.12 
 
With reference to the Swiss export refunds for Pr ocessed Agricultural Products amongst which the 
milk content in processed agricultural products (i.e. in particular for chocolate): 
 
Question:   
Could Switzerland specify: 
  the amounts granted during the last four years for export refunds related to Processed 
Agricultural Products, broken down to individual processed product lines by CN code, to 
individual basic product lines by CN code and the related quantities? 
 the budget available for export refunds related to Processed Agricultural Products, for the 
year 2013 which is, according to our information, the budget for the period 1 December 2012 to 30 November 2013 WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 99 - 
 
 
 
 
  Answer: 
 Information on export refunds broken down into in dividual processed product lines is not available. 
The budget for contributions in 2013 (contribution period: 1 December 2012 – 30 November 2013) 
amounts to CHF 70 Mio. 
 Statistics on granted export refunds per processed product tariff lines are not available. The 
granted refunds are notified pursuant to Article XVI :1 of the GATT 1994 and Article 25 of the SCM 
Agreement. For the years 2009 and 2010, this subsidy was notified on June 24, 2011 (see doc. G/SCM/N/220/CHE). The next such notification  is due by June 30, 2013. The budget for 
contributions in 2013 (contribution period: 1 December 2012–30 November 2013) amounts to 
CHF 70 Mio. 
 COSTA RICA 
Página 87 (Párrafos 4.11 y 4.12) 
 
Suiza sigue aplicando un mecanismo de compensación de precios, para compensar a la rama de 
producción nacional de elaboración de alimentos po r el incremento de precio que supone utilizar 
materias primas agropecuarias de producción local protegidas por aranceles. Se pagan reintegros por exportaciones para compensar las diferencias de precio entre el mercado interno y el mercado mundial. 
 
Pregunta: 
 
Sobre el reintegro a la exportación dado a las agroindustrias por el uso de materia prima local. ¿Ha 
considerado Suiza reducir o eliminar este tipo de programas ante el compromiso multilateral de eliminar todo tipo de subvención a la exportación planteado en el marco del Programa de Doha 
para el Desarrollo? 
 Answer: 
 
We are not in a position to indicate a date wh en remaining export subsidies for raw materials 
incorporated into processed agricultural products will be phased out given that a confirmation of the date for the elimination of all forms of export subsidies, pursuant to paragraph 6 of the Hong 
Kong Ministerial Declaration of 2005, is still outstanding. At the national level, a change of policies 
is not under discussion at present.  
BRAZIL 
In paragraph 4.11, page 82, the report by the Secr etariat states that "4.11. Switzerland continues 
to apply a price compensation scheme, as described  in previous TPRs, to compensate the domestic 
food manufacturing industry for the price handicap of using tariff protected locally produced 
agricultural raw materials (loi chocolatière). The measures with respect to industrial/agricultural 
tariff protection of processed products, and export subsidies were revised with effect from 1 February 2012." 
 
Could Switzerland provide further information on how the "price compensation scheme" operates in practice and on whether or not it involves a financial contribution to the industry? Could 
Switzerland also provide information on the revisi on of the program? Could the scheme be defined 
as subsidy in light of the SCM Agreement?   Answer: 
 With respect to imports, there are import duties on tariff lines for processed agricultural products aiming to compensate the price handicap of the do mestic food industry due to higher prices of 
agricultural raw materials. The import duties are adapted once a year depending on changing 
prices of agricultural raw materials on the domestic and on the foreign market.   
With respect to exports, the Swiss policy is base d on the same principle, namely to equalise the 
differences between the prices for the relevant agricultural raw material in a processed product on WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 100 - 
 
 
  
 the domestic and on the foreign market. For this, refunds for exported goods are granted 
depending on the raw materials actually incorporat ed and the price differences of the relevant raw 
materials. The refunds do not involve financial contribution to the industry apart from compensating the price handicap.  
 
At present, the Swiss government does not plan a revision of these price compensation measures.   
Yes, this price compensation scheme can be defined as a subsidy in light of the SCM Agreement. It 
has been regularly notified by Switzerland to the WTO in its full notification pursuant to Article XVI :1 of the GATT 1994 and Article 25 of the SCM Agreement. For the years 2009 and 
2010, this subsidy was notified on June 24, 2011 (see doc. G/SCM/N/220/CHE). The next such 
notification is due by 30 June 2013. 
 UKRAINE 
Paragraph 4.10 notes that "Switzerland has export -subsidy reduction commitments with respect to 
five product categories (dairy products; breeding cattle and horses; fruit; potatoes; processed products). Export subsidies with respect to the first four product groups were eliminated in 2009. 
Exports of cheese continue to receive indirect su pport through the subsidy for milk processed into 
cheese".   Question:  Does Switzerland have any intentions to eliminate export subsidies for some 
agricultural products (certain dairy products, flour, and other milled products that are incorporated 
into food products)?  
Answer: 
 
The Swiss export regulations are based on the Federal Law of 9 October 1986 on the Customs 
Tariff ( http://www.admin.ch/ch/f/rs/c632_10.html ), on articles 3 and 4 of the Federal Law of 
13 December 1974 on the importation and the exportation of processed agricultural products 
(http://www.admin.ch/ch/f/rs/c632_111_72.html ) and on the Ordinance of 23 November 2011 on 
the export refunds for processed agricultural products 
(http://www.admin.ch/ch/ d/sr/c632_ 111_723.html ). Revision of the relevant Federal Acts is not 
planned for the foreseeable future. Furthermore, a change of policies is not under discussion at 
present. 
BRAZIL 
Page 82 (paragraph 4.11) 
 
As stated in the Item 4.3 ("Export subsidies") of Report by the Secretariat, "Switzerland continues 
to apply a price compensation scheme, as described  in previous TPRs, to compensate the domestic 
food manufacturing industry for the price handicap of using tariff protected locally produced agricultural raw materials (loi chocolatière)." 
 
Question: 
 
5 - Please indicate when Switzerland plans to eliminate the price compensation scheme described 
in paragraph 4.11, which generates considerable distortion in the chocolate industry.   
Answer: 
 
Ce mécanisme vise à compenser le surcoût que représente pour l'industrie agro-alimentaire domestique l'utilisation de matières premières agricoles produites localement. Dans ce domaine, la 
Suisse a toujours l'intention d'honorer l'engagement qu'elle a pris à l'occasion de la 6
ème 
Conférence ministérielle de l'OMC à Hong Kong en 2005 dans le cadre de l'engagement unique du Cycle de Doha. Nous ne sommes cependant pas en mesure de préciser quand les subventions à 
l'exportation qui demeurent pourront être supprimées  étant donné qu'une confirmation de la date 
pour l'élimination de l'ensemble des subventions à l'exportation, conformément au paragraphe 6 de la Déclaration ministérielle de Hong Kong, est toujours pendante. 
 WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 101 - 
 
 
 
 
  4.1.4  Evolution of support 
ARGENTINA 
En el párrafo 4.13. se explica que según estimacion es de la OCDE, el promedio anual de la ayuda a 
los productores agropecuarios de Suiza (EAP) disminuyó de 7.200 millones de francos suizos en 
1995-1997 a 5.700 millones de  francos suizos en 2009-2011. El descenso se debió principalmente 
al aumento de los precios de los productos agrope cuarios de base en el mercado mundial. La EAP 
porcentual (es decir, la parte de los ingresos brutos agrícolas correspondiente a la ayuda) 
disminuyó del 67% al 56% en el mismo período, lo que significa que en 2009-2011 más de la 
mitad de los ingresos de los agricultores procedieron de políticas de ayuda (principalmente, protección arancelaria y pagos directos). Pese al  descenso, la ayuda de Suiza (EAP del 56%) fue 
casi tres veces superior al promedio de la OC DE (EAP del 20%). Los precios de los productores 
suizos fueron en promedio un 57% superiores a los precios del mercado mundial en 2009-2011. 
Suiza sigue la tendencia de la OCDE a introducir reformas para reducir las medidas que distorsionan el comercio y la producción. La parte del sostenimiento de los precios del mercado 
que tiene mayor capacidad de distorsionar el comercio se redujo del 66,4% al 45,4% entre 1997-
1999 y 2009-2011.   
¿Podría Suiza indicar porqué mantiene como promedio anual de la ayuda a los productores 
agropecuarios de Suiza (EAP) el monto, desproporcionadamente alto, de 5.700 millones de francos suizos en 2009-2011?  
¿Podría Suiza indicar por qué todavía mantiene más de la mitad (entre 67% y 56% en 2009 y 
2011) de los ingresos de los agricultores procedentes de políticas de ayuda (principalmente, protección arancelaria y pagos directos)? 
 
¿Podría Suiza indicar por qué todavía mantiene un ni vel de ayuda (EAP del 56%) que fue casi tres 
veces superior al promedio de la OCDE (EAP del 20%)? 
 
¿Podría Suiza indicar cómo ve conveniente (para su país y para los demás) que lo arriba mencionado provoque que los precios de los productores suizos fueran en promedio un 57% superiores a los precios del mercado mundial en 2009-2011? 
 
Answer: 
 
These four questions are interlinked. The Federal Constitution (Article 104) defines objectives for 
Switzerland's agricultural sector. Those cover, inter alia , several parameters linked to sustainable 
agricultural production, functioning of remote rural areas, biodiversity, landscape quality, animal-
friendly production systems and quality level of fo odstuff production. In order to be in compliance 
with these societal concerns, Switzerland's agricultural policy provides a set of instruments which aim at fulfilling the objectives of the Federal Constitution. These instruments, equally for the period 2009-2011 as well as in its most recent version within the Agricultural Policy 2014-2017  
(PA 14-17) sees strong support within the Swiss parliament. Compensation for the above-
described positive externalities is provided for by  means of direct payments. Switzerland is of the 
view that the level of direct payments is proportionate to the level of positive external effects 
delivered by agricultural production. It is important to state, that agricultural production in 
Switzerland is carried out – in large parts – in adverse climatic, geographic and infrastructural conditions. Switzerland's OECD-PSE level reflects these basic conditions and the measures taken 
within the agricultural policy. Prices for Swiss agricultural products can be partially explained by 
the above-mentioned parameters, partially by the quality level desired by Swiss consumers.  
 Asimismo, expresa el párrafo 4.13 que el sostenimiento de los precios del mercado, según lo 
define la OCDE, comprende todas las políticas que aumentan el precio interno en relación con el 
precio en frontera del producto de que se trate, entre ellas las medidas en frontera (aranceles, contingentes arancelarios y otras restricciones a la importación), los precios administrados y las 
subvenciones a la exportación. 
 ¿Podría Suiza indicar por qué todavía mantiene la parte del sostenimiento de los precios del 
mercado que tiene mayor capacidad de distorsionar el comercio en el 45,4%? 
 WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 102 - 
 
 
  
 Answer: 
 
Switzerland's agricultural production is set within its constitutional frame as described above. One element of the agricultural policy is support as described in Article 6 of the Agreement on 
Agriculture. Switzerland's AMS calculation is carried out in compliance with Annex 3 of the 
Agreement on Agriculture.  
En el párrafo 4.14. se señala que las flechas del gráfico 4.1 indican que la política agrícola ha 
estado en general bien encaminada, aunque es necesario acelerar el proceso de las reformas orientadas al mercado para alcanzar el nivel de los demás países de la OCDE.23 El nivel de ayuda a los productores agropecuarios suizos (5.700 millones de francos suizos) tampoco guarda 
proporción con el valor añadido de la agricultura, o su contribución al PIB (3.900 millones en 
2010), lo que suscita dudas en cuanto a la eficiencia de la política agrícola suiza (costos frente a beneficios). 
 
¿Podría indicar qué opina Suiza respecto a la op inión fundada de la Secretaría de la OMC que 
indica que "es necesario acelerar el proceso de las reformas orientadas al mercado para alcanzar el 
nivel de los demás países de la OCDE"? 
 ¿Podría indicar qué opina Suiza respecto a la op inión fundada de la Secretaría de la OMC que 
indica que "el nivel de ayuda a los productores agropecuarios suizos (5.700 millones de francos 
suizos) tampoco guarda proporción con el valor añadido de la agricultura, o su contribución al PIB 
(3.900 millones en 2010), lo que suscita dudas en cu anto a la eficiencia de la política agrícola 
suiza (costos frente a beneficios)? 
 
Answer: 
 
Switzerland's agricultural policy is oriented towards a long-term strategy and built upon stable, 
foreseeable and coherent conditions for farming. The most recent version, the Agricultural Policy 
2014-2017  (AP 14-17) is containing measures aiming at improving competitiveness and efficiency 
along the supply chain of agro-food production. In parallel, several trade-policy related projects 
are currently underway: Switzerland is negotiatin g an Agrifood Free Trade Agreement with the EU. 
Equally, Switzerland remains committed to multilateral trade talks in the context of the Doha Development Agenda where several policy parameters related to the agricultural sector will have 
to be adapted. Analyzing agricultural policy parameters in relation to GDP does reflect only a part 
of the overall picture. As described above, several positive externalities have to be taken into account into such an analysis in order to be coherent and consistent.  
 
UKRAINE 
According to paragraph 4.13 "… Switzerland's support (a PSE of 56%) was almost three times the 
OECD average (a PSE of 20%). Swiss producer prices were on average 57% higher than world 
market prices in 2009-11.  
 Paragraph 4.14 notes that "the level of support to Swiss agricultural producers (SwF 5.7 billion) 
also compares unfavourably with agriculture's valu e-added or contribution to GDP (3.9 billion in 
2010), which gives rise to questions regarding the efficiency (costs versus benefits) of Swiss agricultural policy". 
 
Question:  Could Switzerland kindly indicate what measures are envisaged by the 2014-2017 
Agricultural Policy to address the problem of low efficiency of its agricultural sector?  
 
Question:  Since the high level of support has been pr ovided for years, could Switzerland kindly 
elaborate on its recent impact on the development of agricultural sector (output, employment, 
farmers' income and standard of living etc)? 
 
Answer: 
 
These two questions are interlinked. The 2014-2017 Agricultural Policy  (PA 14/17) covers a range 
of measures, most of them being described in Sw itzerland's answer to Ukraine's question related 
to Box 4.1 (chapter 4.1.2 Domestic support). Switzerland's agricultural policy is oriented towards a WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 103 - 
 
 
 
 
  long-term strategy and built upon stable, foreseeable and coherent conditions for farming. In this 
perspective, investment decisions shall face a framework which permits mid- and long-term 
improvements of competition parameters such as efficiency and effectiveness of the sector as a 
whole. The quantitative analysis available in the context of the PA 14/17 show, that the output per 
farm will further rise, the employment level in the agricultural sector will be reduced (at an 
expected rate of 1.5% to 2% per year) and income levels of farmers will at least be stable, though 
lower compared to the one of other sectors  
 
PAKISTAN 
3.   The Secretariat Report states that the process of market oriented reforms needs to be faster, 
adding that the level of support to Swiss agricultural producers also compares unfavourably with 
agriculture's value added or contribution to GDP. 
Does Switzerland plan to remove these distortions in the near future and in what manner? 
Answer: 
 
Switzerland's agricultural policy is oriented towards a long-term strategy and built upon stable, foreseeable and coherent conditions for farming. The Federal Constitution (Article 104) defines 
objectives for Switzerland's agricultural sector. Those cover, inter alia, several parameters linked 
to sustainable agricultural production, functioning of remote rural areas, biodiversity, landscape quality, animal-friendly production  systems and quality level of foodstuff production. In order to be 
in compliance with these societal concerns, Switzerland's agricultural policy provides a set of 
instruments which aim at fulfilling the objectives of the Federal Constitution. The 2014-2017 
Agricultural Policy  (PA 14/17), the fifth stage in the reform process, aims at promoting more 
innovation in agriculture and the food chain, further enhancing competitiveness and better 
targeted support for services in the public interest. The key component of PA 14/17 is the 
development of the system of direct payments. In future, payments will systematically be directed 
towards services in the public interest desired by the population and laid down in the Federal 
Constitution, by means of payments for open rura l landscapes, security of supplies, biodiversity, 
the quality of the landscape, the support of innovative production systems as well as the efficient use of resources. At the same time, the procedures for granting investment subsidies will be modified in such a way that investments are still profitable under the modified policy conditions 
and that production costs will be reduced. The aim is that the long-term competitiveness of the 
agricultural sector will be further improved. Analyzing agricultural policy parameters in relation to GDP does reflect only a part of the overall picture. As described above, several positive 
externalities have to be taken into account into such an analysis in order to be coherent and 
consistent.  
One of the main challenges of Switzerland's agricultural policy is the international orientation of 
supply chains as well as closer relations to the European Union (EU). Switzerland has chosen to be proactive and has started negotiations with the EU on a comprehensive free trade agreement for 
the agri-food sector. Those negotiations have been under way since November 2008. The aim is to 
open up markets covering the entire food produc tion chain. Increased interaction between Swiss 
and EU agricultural markets therefore makes a substantial contribution to reform Swiss agricultural and food policy. It is not be forgotten that Switzerland remains equally committed to multilateral 
trade liberalization in the context of the WTO. 
 ECUADOR 
Párrafo 4.13. Página 87: ¿Podría Suiza ampliar la información sobre qué reformas ha tomado en el 
marco de la OMC para reducir las medias que distorsionan el comercio y la producción de su sector agrícola, además del mecanismo de compensación de precios?  
Answer: 
 
The Federal Constitution (Article 104) defines objectives for Switzerland's agricultural sector. The 
reliable provision of the population with foodstuffs  is referred to as one of the objectives. Market 
orientation of the agricultural sector is referred to in that same article. The 2014 2017 Agricultural Policy (PA 14/17), the fifth stage in the reform pr ocess, aims at promoting more innovation in WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 104 - 
 
 
  
 agriculture and the food chain, further enhancing competitiveness and better targeted support for 
services in the public interest. The Swiss Parliament approved the new PA 14/17 on 19 March 2013 
as proposed by the government. The key comp onent of PA 14/17 is the development of the 
system of direct payments. In future, payments will systematically be directed towards services in 
the public interest desired by the population and laid down in the Federal Constitution, by means 
of payments for open rural landscapes, security  of supplies, biodiversi ty, the quality of the 
landscape, the support of innovative production systems as well as the efficient use of resources. 
At the same time, the procedures for granting investment subsidies will be modified in such a way 
that investments are still profitable under the modified policy conditions and that production costs will be reduced. The aim is that the long-term co mpetitiveness of the agricultural sector will be 
further improved. In parallel, several trade-po licy related projects are currently underway: 
Switzerland is negotiating an Agrifood Free Trad e Agreement with the EU. Equally, Switzerland 
remains committed to multilateral trade talks in the context of the Doha Development Agenda whose conclusion will imply further adaptations of the Swiss agricultural policy. 
 
4.1.5  Developments in sele cted agricultural markets 
UNITED STATES 
Page 88, paragraph 4.28:  
 
The Secretariat Report states that Swiss authorities consider there to be no market price support, but producer prices are fixed by various stakeholders within Swisspatat. It is also noted there are 
two market price support levels notified in Switzerland's last domestic support notification. Could 
Switzerland please explain how the two applied administered prices notified relate to what is described in paragraph 4.28? 
 
Answer: 
 
Presuming that the question refers to Para 4.29 of the Secretariat report, prices for market 
potatoes (Named "Other" in the notification) represent indicative average producer prices as set by Swisspatat's stakeholders prior to the beginning of the season. Swisssem, the Swiss Seed Producer 
Federation, sets indicative producer prices for s eed potatoes based on Swisspatat's potato market 
prices. 
 UKRAINE 
Paragraph 4.15 notes that "the butter and milk powd er quotas are auctioned and no longer subject 
to prise en charge as an allocation method. According to the authorities, the change aims to 
increase the competition between importers becaus e under the prise en charge system only a few 
importers qualified for allocations". 
 At the same time, paragraph 4.19 states that alth ough by 2007 the change towards auctioning of 
the meat sub-quotas had been fully phased in, "a reversal, towards the discriminatory prise en 
charge system for 40% of the red meat quota, is currently under consideration by the Swiss 
Parliament".  
Question:  Could Switzerland kindly explain reasons for the re-introduction of the prise en charge  
system for allocation of meat tariff quota? 
 
Answer: 
 
The re-introduction of the prise en charge  system for the allocation of a part of the meat tariff 
quota (40% for beef meat, sheep meat, horse meat  and goat meat) is a decision by the Swiss 
Parliament in March 2013. The arguments discussed in the parliamentary context have been, that 
the prise en charge  system improves predictability for ma rket participants and access to quota 
shares for small enterprises. The reintroduction of the prise en charge  system has no impact on 
the quantity of meat imported into Switzerland and the quota fill rate. The quota fill rate of 
Switzerland's TRQs for meat products is traditionally very high.  
 WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 105 - 
 
 
 
 
  Paragraph 4.29 states that "the level of Swiss producer prices [for potato] has been more than 
twice the level of their neighbours in Austria. As a consequence of the high tariff protection, 
amongst other factors, the Swiss potato market shows symptoms of a wasteful allocation of 
resources: until 2009, about one third of the dome stic potato harvest ended up at animal feed, 
partly with public funds. In July 2009, the Government stopped export subsidies for potatoes and 
its subsidies for disposal campaigns, and the disposal rate dropped to 14% in 2010 (421,000 tonnes total production). However, in 2011 the disposal rate increased again, with 29% of 
production (515,000 tonnes) being fed to animals". 
 Question:  Could Switzerland kindly indicate reasons for the increase in the disposal rate despite 
of the taken measures?  
 
Answer: 
 
Switzerland has indeed phased out export subsidies as well as direct funding for potato surpluses. 
Potato growers, organized within swisspatat, are expected to adapt supply  to demand. We observe 
that, since 2009, production surface as well as production quantity have declined. However, potato 
harvest variations of +/- 20% from one year to another, due to adverse weather conditions for 
instance, can be expected and explain the difference in the disposal rate. Also, high quality requirements for potatoes for human consumption are such that part of the harvest must be 
disposed of. 
 
According to paragraph 4.22 Switzerland maintains a complex scheme of variable tariffs to protect its farmers of fee grains and oilseeds… Tariffs are adjusted periodically so that the duty-inclusive 
prices are raised to the level of minimum import prices (threshold prices or indicative import 
values). On the basis of the threshold prices for 11 groups of products, the Federal Department of Economic Affairs determines indicative import values for "similar" products... The variable tariffs 
may not exceed the Uruguay Round bindings…". 
 Paragraph 4.23 notes that "since its last TPR, Switzerland has introduced a new variable tariff regime for cereals of bread-making quality (e.g. wheat)... Tariffs are review ed on a quarterly basis 
and adjusted, as appropriate (increased or decreased), to stabilize the duty-inclusive price for 
bread cereals around a minimum import price (reference price)… Since 2010, the variable tariffs amount to 100% (up from 60%) of the differenc e between the world market and the reference 
price. This change provides better protection fr om world market price volatility but also makes 
producers less responsive to world market trends.   
According to paragraph 4.30 "to achieve approximate price parity with the EU, Switzerland has 
introduced a variable tariff mechanism for MFN sugar imports".  Question:  Since variable import levies and minimum import prices are inconsistent with the 
Agreement on Agriculture, and indicative import values seem to be in conflict with the Customs 
Valuation Agreement, could Switzerland kindly cite provisions of the WTO agreements, which 
justify the application of these measures? 
 
Answer: 
 
Switzerland applies only tariffs for the above-mentioned products. Tariffs can be adjusted under 
the WTO bound level and in compliance with Article 4 of the Agreement on Agriculture. This is the case for selected agricultural products, which co uld be sometimes adapted more than once a year. 
Switzerland does not use minimum import prices. Therefore Switzerland is in compliance with its 
obligations under the Agreement on Agriculture and the Customs valuation Agreement. 
 4.1.5.1  Milk and dairy products 
COLOMBIA  
El párrafo 4.16 del Informe de la Secretaría señala que… "Aproximadamente la mitad de las 
explotaciones agropecuarias suizas producen leche para la venta. El principal instrumento de 
ayuda interna es una subvención de 0,15 francos suizos por kg de leche transformada en queso 
(cuadro 4.2). Dado que la producción de queso absorbe más del 40% de las entregas de leche, la WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 106 - 
 
 
  
 subvención constituye una ayuda al mercado in terno de leche cruda en general. Según las 
autoridades, dado que la producción de leche es tradicionalmente para los agricultores la única 
posibilidad  de obtener ingresos en las regiones montañosas, la subvención a la producción de 
queso tiene efectos socioeconómicos importantes y ayuda a lograr el objetivo de descentralizar la 
población" 
 Nos gustaría saber cómo el subsidio a la leche transformada en queso ayuda al objetivo de 
descentralizar la población. 
 
Answer: 
 
Regional cheese dairies are important to ensure the local processing of milk and with that added 
value in various regions. Cheese makers produce specialties with high added value and can therefore pay higher milk prices to local dairy farmers. The cheese dairies equally contribute to 
maintaining or creating jobs in unfavorable regions. 
 NEW ZEALAND 
WT/TPR/S/280, pg. 84, para 4.17 
 
Section 4 of the Secretariat Report, page 84, para 4.17 states that the "Federal Council approved a request by IP LAIT to implement a compulsory levy of SwF 0.01/kg on milk deliveries by 
non-members of IP LAIT for market relief measures in the milk-fat market (effective until 
30 April 2013)". New Zealand continues to have concerns about the rationale for the compulsory levy on milk approved by the Federal Council in August 2011 (and introduced in October 2011) to 
provide relief on the butter market.  
 Notwithstanding Switzerland's view that the sch eme does not constitute an export subsidy, 
New Zealand believes that this measure fits the definition of an export subsidy under Article 9.1(c) 
of the Agreement on Agriculture. This issue has been raised by New Zealand in the Agriculture Committee and is a concern shared by a number of  other members. The Agreement on Agriculture 
is clear that "payments on the export of an agricultural product that are financed by virtue of 
government action, whether or not a charge on the public account is involved, including payments 
that are financed from the proceeds of a levy impo sed on the agricultural product concerned or on 
an agricultural product from which the exported product is derived" fall into the ambit of a subsidy. 
While the funds were collected by a private organisation, the levy mechanism that enabled IP LAIT 
to collect the levy from producers who are not its members was put in place by the State.  
New Zealand understands that IP LAIT has not requested a renewal of this levy and accordingly 
that the federal Council will not consider the measure's compatibility with WTO disciplines. While New Zealand appreciates that the likely outcome is that the measure would not be renewed from 30 April 2013, we would emphasise that future measures must comply with Switzerland's WTO 
obligations.  
 Can Switzerland confirm that its existing compulsory levy measures will not be renewed following 
its expiry on 30 April, and that any future measures will comply with the Agreement on 
Agriculture?  
Answer: 
 
Given that IP Lait has not requested the Federa l Council to renew the extension of its measure 
concerning the contribution of one cent per kilo of milk marketed to non-members of IP Lait, the 
Federal Council has not taken any new decision with respect to this issue. Consequently, the 
extension of this measure to non-members of IP Lait will stay in force only until 30 April 2013, in conformity with the Federal Council's decision dated 31 August 2011. Switzerland always aims to 
comply with its WTO obligations when formulating its policy and trade measures. 
 ARGENTINA  
El párrafo 4.15. señala que ha habido pocos cambios en relación con el acceso a los mercados para 
los productos lácteos, que en su mayoría siguen sujetos a aranceles altos, con un promedio WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 107 - 
 
 
 
 
  estimado del 101,5% y máximos en torno al 1.295% (cuadro 3.3). El comercio de queso entre 
Suiza y la UE está plenamente liberalizado desde junio de 2007; sólo se exige un certificado de 
origen. Los compromisos totales de Suiza en materia de contingentes arancelarios para productos lácteos (527.000 toneladas equivalentes de leche) se dividen en seis subcontingentes, con 
asignaciones muy pequeñas para la mantequilla (100 toneladas) y la leche entera en polvo 
(300 toneladas), cuya producción es excedentaria. Los contingentes para la mantequilla y la leche en polvo se subastan y ya no están sujetos al método de asignación de prise en charge 
(cuadro A4.1). Según las autoridades, ese cambio tiene por finalidad aumentar la competencia 
entre los importadores, ya que con el sistema de prise en charge sólo un pequeño número de importadores tenía derecho a recibir asignaciones.  
¿Podría Suiza indicar por qué los productos lácteos siguen sujetos a aranceles altos, con un 
promedio estimado del 101,5% y máximos en torno al 1.295%, ofreciendo una protección aduanera prohibitiva, asimilable a una prohibición de importaciones (import ban)?  
 
Answer: 
 
Switzerland applies only specific duties. Ad valorem  equivalents have been calculated for the 
purpose of the Doha Round market access negotiat ions only and therefore represent only a spot 
impression of the level of tariffs at a certain point in time. Equally, Switzerland applies a system of tariff quotas with low in-quota tariff rates and high out-of-quota tariff rates. This system, as 
agreed upon in Article 4 of the Agreement on Agriculture implies implicitly, that a profound 
analysis of tariffs cannot be undertaken by simple averages of in-quota and out-of-quota tariff levels. Switzerland maintains market access conditions for dairy products in line with its 
commitments under the Agreement on Agriculture. Switzerland's tariff quota for dairy products 
shows a permanent high fill rate (2011 fill rate at a level of 116%).  
4.1.5.2  Meat and livestock 
COLOMBIA  
El párrafo 4.21 del Informe de la Secretaría señala que… "Suiza realiza cinco tipos de pagos 
directos relacionados con el ganado (cuadro 4.3). Los principales sistemas son los "pagos por animales que comen forrajes duros" y los "pagos por ganadería en condiciones de producción 
difíciles", que aumentaron en 2009 para amortiguar  la pérdida de ingresos prevista tras la 
eliminación gradual del sistema de contingentes de leche. Pueden percibirse simultáneamente pagos en virtud de los dos sistemas. Las subvenciones se notificaron como ayuda a los ingresos 
desconectada, lo que ha suscitado dudas entre al gunos Miembros de la OMC en relación con la 
compatibilidad de esas medidas con los criterios del compartimento verde (recuadro 4.1)"  
¿Cuáles son los criterios para establecer que la producción ganadera se realiza bajo condiciones 
difíciles?  Answer: 
 Hilly and mountainous regions show difficult production conditions in Switzerland. Livestock payments under difficult production conditions are therefore paid only to farmers in these regions. 
The following criteria are used to determine the e ligibility for these payments within these regions: 
altitude, level of slope.  
MEXICO 
Página 90, párrafo 4.21. 
 
El Informe de la Secretaría señala que: "Suiza realiza cinco tipos de pagos directos relacionados 
con el ganado (cuadro 4.3). Los principales sistemas son los "pagos por animales que comen 
forrajes duros" y los "pagos por ganadería en condiciones de producción difíciles", que aumentaron en 2009 para amortiguar la pérdida de ingresos prevista tras la eliminación gradual del sistema de 
contingentes de leche."   
 WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 108 - 
 
 
  
 Pregunta 51: ¿En qué proporción se permite lograr esa compensación de pérdida de ingresos? Es 
decir, ¿qué porcentaje de las pérdidas pueden amortiguarse mediante esos pagos directos? 
 Pregunta 52:  ¿De qué manera considera Suiza que estas subvenciones son compatibles con los 
criterios del compartimento verde del Acuerdo sobre la Agricultura de la OMC?  
 Answer: 
 Question N° 51 and N° 52 are somewhat interlinked. Swiss authorities do not undertake quantitative analysis to determine the level of income support generated by the above-described 
measure. However, when analyzing scientific data on income levels of milk producers in mountain 
areas, it can be shown that the operating income per ha of surface as well as the agricultural 
income have decreased. On the other hand, the income level per family labor force slightly increased on a low overall level (table enclosed). The data shows that income losses have not been 
compensated by higher direct payments. This pr oves that albeit the increased direct payment 
level, structural change can be observed.  
CHF 2008 2009 2010 
Operating income per hectare 3,287 3,172 3,054 
Agricultural income 53,520 52,046 50,891 
Earned income per family labor force 30,685 31,110 32,216 
Source: Farm Accountancy Data Network (FADN). 
 
Switzerland notified its direct payments (area payments, payments for roughage-consuming 
animals and livestock payments under difficult production conditions) in the "green box": Measure type (d) Decoupled income and (k) Regional assistance programs. All payments require a set of 
criteria, the so-called "proof of ecological performance" (PEP) as cross compliance. Payments for 
roughage-consuming animals are limited i.e. number of animals or units per hectare at a significantly lower level than allowed by the environmental law. Furthermore, Switzerland has just passed a new agriculture bill (AP 2014-2017) in which the payments for roughage-consuming 
animals and livestock payments under difficult production conditions will be abolished completely 
as of year 2014.  
 
ARGENTINA 
El párrafo 4.19. explica que en más del 80% de las explotaciones agropecuarias suizas se cría 
ganado. Los ganaderos se benefician, con diferencia, del mayor nivel de protección aduanera; los 
aranceles sobre la carne alcanzan una tasa media estimada del 177,4% (cuadro 3.3). En 
consecuencia, Suiza es autosuficiente en carne en un 80% aproximadamente (95% en carne de porcino; 84% en carne de bovino; 51% en carne de ave de corral). Los compromisos en materia de contingentes arancelarios asumidos por Suiza en el marco de la OMC con respecto a la "carne 
roja" (22.500 toneladas) y la "carne blanca" (54.500 toneladas) se administran mediante 
12 subcontingentes para distintas categorías de carne y productos de la carne. En 2007 se consumó la introducción gradual del sistema de su bastas de los subcontingentes.30 El Parlamento 
suizo estudia actualmente una reversión de este proceso, que restablecería el sistema 
discriminatorio de prise en charge para el 40% del contingente de carne roja.31 Las tasas de utilización de los contingentes arancelarios establecidos en el marco de la OMC superaron el 100% 
en 2010-2011 (cuadro A4.2). 
 ¿Podría Suiza indicar por qué los aranceles sobre la carne alcanzan una tasa media estimada del 177,4%, ofreciendo una protección aduanera prohibitiva, asimilable a una prohibición de 
importaciones (import ban)? 
 Answer: 
 Switzerland applies only specific duties. Ad valorem  equivalents have been calculated for the 
purpose of the Doha Round market access negotiat ions only and therefore represent only a spot 
impression of the level of tariffs at a certain point in time. Equally, Switzerland applies a system of 
tariff quotas with low in-quota tariff rates and high out-of-quota tariff rates. This system, as agreed upon in Article 4 of the Agreement on Agriculture implies implicitely, that a profound WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 109 - 
 
 
 
 
  analysis of tariffs cannot be undertaken by simple averages of in-quota and out-of-quota tariff 
levels. Switzerland maintains market access conditions for meat products in line with its 
commitments under the Agreement on Agriculture. Switzerland's tariff quota for meat products shows a permanent high fill rate (2011 fill rate at a level of 165% resp. 103%).  
 
En el párrafo 4.20. se explica que el gasto en sostenimiento de los precios del mercado descendió a 10,3 millones de francos suizos en 2010 (cuadro 4.2), al eliminarse a lo largo de 2009 las 
subvenciones a la exportación para la cría de ganado. Las subvenciones para compras de 
intervención transitoria (efectuadas por Proviande en los mercados de terneros) y las ventas con descuento para estabilizar los mercados de ganado internos están limitadas a 4 millones de francos suizos al año. Las prescripciones veterinarias suizas se han armonizado con las de la UE 
para facilitar el comercio de animales vivos (sección 3.3.3). 
 Asimismo, en el párrafo 4.21. se señala que Suiza realiza cinco tipos de pagos directos 
relacionados con el ganado (cuadro 4.3). Los principales sistemas son los "pagos por animales que 
comen forrajes duros" y los "pagos por ganadería en condiciones de producción difíciles", que aumentaron en 2009 para amortiguar la pérdida de ingresos prevista tras la eliminación gradual 
del sistema de contingentes de leche. 
 Pueden percibirse simultáneamente pagos en virtud de los dos sistemas. Las subvenciones se notificaron como ayuda a los ingresos desconectada, lo que ha suscitado dudas entre algunos 
Miembros de la OMC en relación con la compatibilidad de esas medidas con los criterios del 
compartimento verde (recuadro 4.1).  
Las medidas mencionadas previamente no parecen compatibles con los criterios del 
compartimiento verde. ¿Cree Suiza que sí lo son? ¿Por qué?  
Answer: 
 
Switzerland notified the payments for roughage-consuming animals and livestock payments under difficult production conditions in the "green box": Measure type (d) Decoupled income and (k) 
Regional assistance program. These payments require a set of criteria, the so-called "proof of 
ecological performance" (PEP) as cross compliance. Payments for roughage-consuming animals and livestock payments under difficult production conditions are limited i.e. number of animals or 
units per hectare at a significantly lower level than allowed by the environmental law. They are 
compatible with green box requirements. Furthermore, Switzerland has just passed a new agriculture policy (PA 14-17). The payments for roughage-consuming animals and livestock 
payments under difficult production conditions will be abolished completely as of year 2014.  
 4.1.5.3  Grains and oilseeds 
ARGENTINA 
En el párrafo 4.22. se señala que Suiza mantiene un complejo sistema de aranceles variables para 
proteger a sus productores de cereales y semillas oleaginosas (cuadro 4.5). La estructura básica del sistema permanece inalterada. Los aranceles se ajustan periódicamente, de manera que los 
precios, derechos incluidos 32, aumenten hasta el nivel de los precios mínimos de importación 
(precios de umbral o valores indicativos de importación). Sobre la base de los precios de umbral correspondientes a 11 grupos de productos, el Departamento Federal de Asuntos Económicos 
determina valores indicativos de importación para productos "similares". Los precios de umbral 
reglamentarios se revisan periódicamente (cuadro 4.1). Los aranceles variables no pueden exceder 
de los valores consolidados establecidos en la Ronda Uruguay. No hay contingentes arancelarios para los productos abarcados por el sistema. Desd e 2008 existe la prescripción legal de que los 
aranceles sobre los piensos no incluyan ningún elemento de protección industrial.33 En el caso de 
los piensos compuestos, se usan fórmulas normalizadas para calcular los aranceles, a fin de garantizar que no haya progresividad arancelaria. 
 
Lo descripto por la Secretaría indicaría que este esquema de aranceles variables es inconsistente con el art. 4.2 del Acuerdo sobre Agricultura ¿Podría Suiza justificar la consistencia de este 
esquema con dicha disposición?  
 WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 110 - 
 
 
  
 Answer: 
 
Switzerland applies only tariffs for the above-mentioned products. Tariffs can be adjusted under the WTO bound level and in compliance with Article 4 of the Agreement on Agriculture. This is the 
case for selected agricultural products, which co uld be sometimes adapted more than once a year.  
 En el párrafo 4.23. se explica que desde su último  Examen de las Políticas Comerciales, Suiza ha 
introducido un nuevo régimen de aranceles variables para los cereales aptos para la elaboración de 
pan (por ejemplo, el trigo). Ese sistema complementa el contingente arancelario para los cereales panificables.34 El sistema de precios de referencia abarca las mismas líneas arancelarias que el contingente arancelario para el trigo panificable. El nuevo sistema es similar al régimen de los 
piensos (cuadro 4.5). Los aranceles se revisan y ajustan trimestralmente, según convenga (al alza 
o a la baja), para estabilizar el precio de los cereales panificables, derechos incluidos, en torno a un precio mínimo de importación (precio de referencia). El precio de referencia se revisa 
periódicamente. Los aranceles están basados en el precio de los cereales en el mercado mundial, 
es decir, el precio c.i.f. determinado por la Oficina Federal de Agricultura. El precio de referencia se redujo de 600 a 560 francos suizos por tonelada en julio de 2009 (cuadro 4.1). Desde 2010 los 
aranceles variables han aumentado al 100% (desde el 60%) de la diferencia entre el precio en el 
mercado mundial y el precio de referencia. Ese ca mbio proporciona una mejor protección frente a 
la volatilidad del precio en el mercado mundial, pero también hace que los productores sean menos sensibles a las tendencias del mercado mundial. 
 
¿Podría Suiza justificar la consistencia de es te esquema con el art. 4.2 del Acuerdo sobre 
Agricultura? 
 
Answer: 
 
Switzerland applies only tariffs for the above-me ntioned products. Tariffs can be adjusted under 
the WTO bound level and in compliance with Article 4 of the Agreement on Agriculture. This is the 
case for selected agricultural products, which co uld be sometimes adapted more than once a year. 
Switzerland is thus in compliance with its obligations under the Agreement on Agriculture.  
 
4.1.5.4  Fruit and vegetables 
COLOMBIA  
El párrafo 4.27 del informe de la Secretaría señala que… "A consecuencia de la eliminación de las 
subvenciones a la exportación el 31 de diciembre de 2009 (que afectó principalmente a las cerezas 
congeladas y los concentrados de jugo de manzan a), la ayuda financiera a las frutas y verduras 
disminuyó de 19,4 millones de francos suizos en  2009 a 2,9 millones de francos suizos en 2010. 
Las principales medidas de ayuda interna son ayudas para almacenamiento destinadas a los fabricantes de concentrados de jugo de frutas (manzanas y peras) para cubrir parte de los costos de almacenamiento. Las subvenciones tienen por objeto reducir los riesgos económicos derivados 
de la fluctuación anual de las cosechas de manzana y pera. También se conceden ayudas para 
desenraizar cultivos arbóreos tradicionales y sustituirlos por otros "innovadores".  
¿Qué clase de cultivos arbóreos "innovadores" se han sembrado bajo los subsidios que buscan 
desestimular la siembra de cultivos arbóreos tradicionales?  
Answer: 
 
Subsidies have been granted for the planting of  some 340 hectares of "innovative" crops, in 
particular asparagus, table grapes, blueberries, che rries for industrial purposes, plums, chokeberry 
and kiwi.  
 WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 111 - 
 
 
 
 
  4.1.5.5  Potatoes 
4.1.5.6  Sugar 
4.2  Energy 4.2.1  Overview 
4.2.2  Electricity 
4.2.2.1  Switzerland MEXICO 
Página 94, párrafo 4.35. 
 
Pregunta 53:  ¿Cuál es la relación jurídica – administrativa entre ElCom y la Oficina Federal de 
Energía de Suiza (SFOE)? 
 
Answer: 
 
ElCom is an independent regulator, appoin ted by the Federal Council (Government). The 
Secretariat of ElCom is administratively attached to the Federal Department (Ministry) of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communication s (DETEC). (Previously, this administrative 
role was vested with SFOE).  
 Página 95, párrafo 4.39. 
 
Pregunta 54: ¿Por qué razón el precio del mercado bursátil ponderado por volumen (Swissix 
Base) es tomado en cuenta para determinar el precio de energía renovable? 
 
Answer: 
 
The feed-in tariffs are calculated based on the additional cost compared to the market price, since 
it is assumed that a utility that is obliged to uptake the renewable electricity is can resell it at least 
to the market Price. The market Price is asse ssed four times a year by the above mechanism 
which includes pondering by volume. This is a general procedure to assess an overall value of a market Price over a certain period of time without over-valuing periods with low volume. 
 
4.2.2.2  Liechtenstein 
4.2.3  Oil and refined products 
4.3  Manufacturing 
4.3.1  Features MEXICO 
Página 98, párrafo 4.52. 
 
México pregunta 55:  ¿Cuáles son los requisitos para acceder a los programas de fomento de las 
exportaciones, incluyendo aquellos para beneficiarse de medidas en materia de garantía y seguro?  
 
Answer: 
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) incorp orated in Switzerland constitute the target 
group of the Swiss export promotion agency OSEC. These firms can benefit from general 
information, consultancy and match-making services rendered in addition to those provided by the private sector. Furthermore, the Swiss Export Risk  Insurance SERV provides cover for exports to WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 112 - 
 
 
  
 markets, where private insurance companies are not active. Insurance coverage by SERV is not a 
subsidy. The premium are set to have full cost recovery in the long term. 
 4.3.2  Key subsectors  
4.3.2.1  Textiles and clothing  
PAKISTAN 2.  Some international tariff peaks apply to certain non-agricultural products, including textiles and 
clothing items (HS chapters 54, 56 & 63). 
 In the presence of tariff peaks on items of export interest to developing countries, including textiles and clothing, how can better market access be provided to the developing countries, also 
under the GSP? 
 Answer: 
 It was hoped that the simplification of rules of origin would lead to a better access to the Swiss GSP for products of developing countries; although th is is not clear after 1 full year of experience 
(2012), there is still a valid hope that it will be the case. We would also count on better 
information on the availability of the Swiss GSP to increase access: that is why we have initiated a 
web-page informing exporters on the existence an d conditions of the Swiss GSP, which can be 
accessed under: http://www.seco-cooperation.admin.ch/e xport_infodesk/index.html?lang=en  
 
4.3.2.2  Chemical and pharmaceutical products 
CHINA  
Page 93 (Para. 4.56) 
 
"Switzerland has a significant chemical and pharmaceuticals industry, employing 32,700 and 
37,400 people respectively in 2010 (2007: chemical industry 34,700; pharma 33,700). The 
pharmaceutical industry is heavily capital-intensive and concentrated; it involves high investment in the development of innovative products. The largest pharmaceutical companies are Roche and Novartis (formed by the 1996 merger of Ciba-Geigy  and Sandoz). The pharmaceutical industry is 
being adversely affected as a result of expiring patents and healthcare reforms in large Swiss 
export markets."  
Question: 
 
Are there any enterprises on producing traditional medicine in Switzerland? If so, what are the 
major brands and how many employees are there in these enterprises? 
 Answer: 
 
The Swiss authorities are not aware of any major enterprise which would be producing traditional 
medicine in Switzerland. However, there are ther apists and medical doctors practicing traditional 
medicine in many parts of Switzerland.  
 
Any such company would likely be listed in the "registre du commerce". (see website: http://www.bj.admin.ch/bj/fr/home/themen/wirtsch aft/handelsregister.ht ml) The registre du 
commerce is an official source of information of  an economic nature on companies. It serves 
primarily the purpose of ensuring the rule of law in business relations and of protecting good faith (advertisement function).  
 WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 113 - 
 
 
 
 
  MEXICO 
Página 99, párrafo 4.3.2.2. 
 
Pregunta 56: ¿En qué consisten las reformas de los servicios farmacéuticos que, de acuerdo con 
el Informe de la Secretaría, afectan los servicios sanitarios en los grandes mercados de 
exportación Suiza?  
Answer:  
 
Pressure on public budgets means also pressu re on health care budgets and corresponding 
measures may affect pharmaceutical exports. However, we do not consider that reforms 
undertaken abroad but representing a concern for Swiss pharmaceutical exporters should be 
discussed within the trade policy review of Switze rland. We are not aware of domestic measures 
within health care reform that might have affected pharmaceutical exports. 
 
Pregunta 57: ¿Existe alguna política pública encaminada a revertir las afectaciones desfavorables 
a los servicios sanitarios en los grandes mercados de exportación Suiza? 
 
Answer: 
 Switzerland supports policies aimed at better protecting intellectual property rights on the global 
market. 
 4.3.2.3  Machinery and equipment 
4.4  Services 
4.4.1  Banking, finance, and insurance 4.4.1.1  Switzerland 
ARGENTINA 
En el párrafo 4.66. se señala que con respecto a la reglamentación cautelar, el Consejo Federal 
adoptó en junio de 2012 la revisión total de la Ordenanza sobre adecuación de capital, que entró en vigor el 1º de enero de 2013. Esta revisión trata de resolver la cuestión de las entidades 
"demasiado grandes para quebrar". Para 2018, los bancos de importancia sistémica deberían 
constituir más capital, cumplir prescripciones de liquidez más rigurosas y mejorar la diversificación de riesgos. Deberían organizarse de forma que se puedan mantener las funciones más importantes 
de la economía nacional incluso en caso de amenaza de insolvencia. El paquete de medidas 
propuesto está concebido para que en el futuro el Estado no tenga que utilizar ingresos fiscales para rescatar a bancos de importancia sistémica. 
 
¿Podría el gobierno de Suiza indicar cómo la nue va normativa define a las entidades "demasiado 
grandes para quebrar"? 
 
Answer: 
 
L'art. 7, al. 1, LB définit les banques d'importance systémique et précise en même temps le champ 
d'application subjectif des nouvelles dispositions du chapitre V. La définition ne se limite pas aux 
banques au sens propre. Elle s'étend aux «group es financiers et conglomérats financiers à 
dominante bancaire». Sont réputés d'importance systémique les établissements «dont la 
défaillance porterait gravement atteinte à l'économie et au système financier suisses». Pour 
répondre à la question de savoir si une banque est d'importance systémique, il faut donc adopter un point de vue national, même si les grandes banques suisses peuvent probablement être classées comme étant d'importance systémique dans certains autres marchés également, 
notamment au Royaume-Uni et aux Etats-Unis. 
 La BNS, après avoir entendu la FINMA, établit par voie de décision quelles banques sont 
d'importance systémique et quelles sont les fonctions de ces banques qui ont une importance WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 114 - 
 
 
  
 systémique (art. 8, al. 3, LB). La formulation large des critères selon l'art. 8, al. 1 et 2, LB laisse 
sciemment à la BNS une grande marge d'appréciation. L'al. 1 établit quelles fonctions ont une 
importance systémique. Ainsi, une fonction re vêt une importance systémique lorsqu'elle est 
indispensable pour l'économie nationale et qu'elle ne peut pas être substituée à court terme. Sont 
expressément désignées comme telles les opérations de dépôt, de crédit et de paiement. L'al. 2 
décrit les critères applicables pour déterminer si une banque est d'importance systémique ou non. Une banque doit en principe être qualifiée comme telle si elle fournit des prestations 
indispensables à l'économie nationale et que ces dernières ne peuvent pas être prises en charge 
en temps utile par d'autres entreprises en cas d'inso lvabilité. Pour établir ce constat, la disposition 
mentionne comme critères centraux la taille de la banque, son imbrication et le caractère non substituable à court terme de ses prestations de services. Elle énumère ensuite de manière non 
exhaustive les critères concrets au regard desquels s'apprécie l'importance systémique d'une 
banque.   
D'après les travaux de la commission d'experts, pa rmi les banques suisses, seules UBS et Credit 
Suisse sont clairement d'importance systémique . D'autres établissements remplissent cependant 
aussi certains critères et il n'est pas exclu qu'ils soient également classés comme étant 
d'importance systémique à l'avenir.  
 ¿Podría el gobierno de Suiza indicar los montos que se han desembolsado en el período de examen para rescatar a bancos de importancia sistémica? 
 
Answer: 
 
Avec la vente de l'emprunt à conversion obligat oire d'UBS, qui a eu lieu le 20 août 2009 et a 
engendré un produit total de 7,2 milliards de fran cs (5,4 milliards issus de la vente des actions, 
plus 1,8 milliard résultant de la vente des coupons), la Confédération a mis fin à son engagement 
vis-à-vis d'UBS. Pendant la période 2009-2013 donc la Confédération suisse n'as pas du payer de 
l'argent pour sauver des banques d'importance systémiques, mais au contraire elle a retiré un produit net de 1,2 milliard de francs. La vente anticipée de l'emprunt, initialement prévu pour être réalisé uniquement au prix d'achat en 2011, et le produit net réalisé entraîneront une diminution 
plus rapide et plus forte que prévu des dettes de la Confédération. 
HONG KONG, CHINA Page 95 (Para. 4.65) 
 
Banking, Finance and Insurance  
The Swiss financial authorities are carrying out exploratory work so as to propose necessary legal 
reforms to implement new international standards, which improve transparency and stability in the Over the Counter (OTC) derivatives markets. The Federal Department of Finance will produce a draft consultation paper in 2013.  
 
Question: 
 
Please share with us the scope and details of the proposed consultation, the latest progress, and 
its implementation schedule.   
Answer: 
 
The Swiss Federal Council decided on 27 August 2012, that it is necessary for Switzerland to implement the G-20 obligations and the FSB recommendations on OTC derivatives trading as fully 
as possible and as timely as possible with other financial centres. In addition, regulation in the 
area of financial market infrastructure has to be adapted to international standards.   
The implementation of the G-20 obligations and the FSB-recommendations on OTC derivatives 
requires the promulgation of a Federal Act. This so-called new "National Financial Market Infrastructure Act" shall not only contain new legal provisions for OTC derivatives trading, but 
consolidate existing regulations in the whole area of financial market infrastructure.  
 WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 115 - 
 
 
 
 
  The Federal Department of Finance (FDF) has been instructed to prepare a draft consultation 
paper The public consultation procedure is scheduled for Summer/Autumn 2013. 
 When and how will the consultation be conducted? Will the general public as well as the 
stakeholders be consulted? 
 Answer: 
 The public consultation procedure (lasting at least three months) will be initiated by the Federal Council. Anyone and any organisation may participate in it and submit an opinion.  
What actions will the Swiss Government take after the completion of consultation? 
 Answer: 
 After the completion of the public consultation the proposal will be revised by FDF according to the results of the public consultation. After approval by the Federal Council the revised proposal will be 
presented to the Parliament (2 chambers).  
 Following approval by the Parliament the Act remains subject to the facultative Referendum for 100 days in accordance with the Constitution. 
 
We expect the new law to enter into force by early 2015.  
INDIA 
Page 95 (Para 4.64) 
 
The main regulatory changes on non-market access issues since 2008 concern essentially the 
reinforcement of prudential regulations followi ng the adoption of Basel III principles; the 
international fiscal policy of Switzerland, which is directly linked to the attractiveness of its financial centre; and the implementation of international standards in the areas of derivatives 
traded over the counter (OTC-derivatives) and financial market infrastructure. Furthermore, the 
federal law on collective investment schemes has been partially amended to correspond to the new EU regulation, the Alternative Invest ment Fund Managers Directive (AIFMD). 
 
Question 5:  
 
Switzerland is requested to provide the details of the amendments made to the federal law on 
collective investment schemes?  Answer: 
 Some of the important changes contained in the revised law are as follows: with few exceptions, the revised Collective Investment  Schemes Act (CISA) covers all managers of collective capital 
investments operating in or out of Switzerland; a new de minimis rule removes smaller managers 
of collective capital investments from the scope of the Act, though allows for voluntary inclusion; SICAVs and SICAFs must appoint a custodian bank as a matter of urgency - moreover, the liability 
regime for custodian banks has been tightened; the term "public advertising" has been replaced 
with the term "distribution"; high net worth individuals are no longer classified automatically as qualified investors - an opt-in possibility is available to them; and for the distribution of foreign collective capital investments in Switzerland, a representative must always be appointed to defend 
the interests of investors in Switzerland. 
 MEXICO 
Página 101, párrafo 4.63. 
 
Pregunta 58: ¿Existen diferencias en materia de acceso al mercado de servicios financieros en los 
acuerdos comerciales regionales que fueron firmados y entraron en vigor a partir de 2008 con 
respecto a los acuerdos comerciales regionales vigentes desde antes de ese año?  WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 116 - 
 
 
  
  
Answer: 
 
Market access with regard to financial services reflects the domestic laws and regulations. There 
are hence slight differences in FTAs, which are in line with the evolution of our domestic laws and 
regulations. Please find more detailed information regarding trade in services in Switzerland's Trade agreements on the website of the State Secr etariat of Economic Affairs, under the following 
link: http://www.seco.admin.ch/themen/005 13/00586/00593/index.html?lang=en   
 
Página 102, párrafo 4.66. 
 
Pregunta 59: ¿Cuáles son los criterios para considerar que una entidad financiera es "demasiado 
grande para quebrar" y en qué medida las disposiciones cautelares que regulan a éstas, son 
aplicables a otros intermediarios financieros no bancarios, tales como aseguradoras e 
intermediarios bursátiles? 
 Answer: 
 L'art. 7, al. 1, LB définit les banques d'importance systémique et précise en même temps le champ d'application subjectif des nouvelles dispositions du chapitre V. La définition ne se limite pas aux banques au sens propre. Elle s'étend aux «group es financiers et conglomérats financiers à 
dominante bancaire». Sont réputés d'importance systémique les établissements «dont la 
défaillance porterait gravement atteinte à l'économie et au système financier suisses». Pour répondre à la question de savoir si une banque est d'importance systémique, il faut donc adopter 
un point de vue national, même si les grandes banques suisses peuvent probablement être 
classées comme étant d'importance systémique dans certains autres marchés également, notamment au Royaume-Uni et aux Etats-Unis. 
 
La BNS, après avoir entendu la FINMA, établit par voie de décision quelles banques sont d'importance systémique et quelles sont les fonctions de ces banques qui ont une importance systémique (art. 8, al. 3,LB). La formulation large des critères selon l'art. 8, al. 1 et 2, LB laisse 
sciemment à la BNS une grande marge d'appréciation. L'al. 1 établit quelles fonctions ont une 
importance systémique. Ainsi, une fonction re vêt une importance systémique lorsqu'elle est 
indispensable pour l'économie nationale et qu'elle ne peut pas être substituée à court terme. Sont 
expressément désignées comme telles les opérations de dépôt, de crédit et de paiement. L'al. 2 
décrit les critères applicables pour déterminer si une banque est d'importance systémique ou non. Une banque doit en principe être qualifiée comme telle si elle fournit des prestations 
indispensables à l'économie nationale et que ces dernières ne peuvent pas être prises en charge 
en temps utile par d'autres entreprises en cas d'inso lvabilité. Pour établir ce constat, la disposition 
mentionne comme critères centraux la taille de la banque, son imbrication et le caractère non substituable à court terme de ses prestations de services. Elle énumère ensuite de manière non 
exhaustive les critères concrets au regard desquels s'apprécie l'importance systémique d'une 
banque.   
D'après les travaux de la commission d'experts, parmi les banques suisses, seules UBS et Credit 
Suisse sont clairement d'importance systémique . D'autres établissements remplissent cependant 
aussi certains critères et il n'est pas exclu qu'ils soient également classés comme étant 
d'importance systémique à l'avenir. Selon l'al. 3, il appartient à la BNS de déterminer par voie de 
décision et après avoir entendu la FINMA quelle s sont les banques d'importance systémique et 
quelles sont les fonctions de ces banques qui ont une importance systémique. Les décisions de la BNS fondées sur cette disposition sont sujettes à recours devant le Tribunal administratif fédéral 
(art. 53, al. 1, let. a, de la loi du 3 octobre 2003 sur la Banque nationale, LBN). 
 Página 103, Recuadro 4.3, apartado de Licenc ias, sub-apartado de Criterios generales, 
inciso b). 
 Pregunta 60: ¿En qué consisten los criterios de supervisión adecuada a los que están sujetos los 
bancos extranjeros, incluyendo a sus sucursales? 
 WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 117 - 
 
 
 
 
  Answer: 
 In general, FINMA recognizes the consolidated supervision of foreign authorities if the countries adhere to the relevant Ba sel Core Principles (BCP).  
 
Página 105, párrafo 4.68. 
 
Pregunta 61: ¿Cuáles son las excepciones a la obligación de mantener el secreto bancario? 
 
Answer: 
 
Maintaining the banking secrecy is still a statutory obligation. The exchange of information on tax 
matters is carried out to the extent to which it is foreseen in the agreements for the avoidance of double taxation or in other international agreements that provide for the exchange of information 
regarding tax matters.  
 Pregunta 62: ¿En qué consistía la reserva de Suiza al artículo 26 del Modelo de Convenio Fiscal 
sobre los Ingresos y el Capital de la OCDE? 
 Answer: 
 
With the reservation of July 2005, Switzerland rese rved its position on paragraphs 1 and 5. It 
proposed to limit the scope of the article to information necessary for carrying out the provisions of the Convention (and thereby declined the exch ange of information for the application of the 
provisions of domestic law). This reservation did not apply in cases involving acts of fraud subject 
to imprisonment according to the laws of both contracting states.  
 
Recuadro 4.11 Marco normativo de los serv icios de seguros en Liechtenstein, 2012 
Página 114, Recuadro 4.11, apartado de Licencias. LIE  Pregunta 63: El Informe de la Secretaría menciona que: "Las compañías de seguros de países no 
pertenecientes al EEE (excepto Suiza, véase supra)  (…) tienen que (…) disponer de unos activos 
en Liechtenstein equivalentes como mínimo al 50% del fondo de garantía." ¿De qué manera esta obligación de disponer de activos de mínimo el 50% del fondo de garantía en Liechtenstein no 
constituye un requisito de desempeño? 
 NORWAY  
Question:  
 
Switzerland is one of the most important financial centres in the world, attracting high volumes of foreign business. A liberal regime on capital movements and a tradition of bank secrecy is 
well-known (cf. §4.62). At the same time Switzerland is one of relatively few countries taxing 
financial transactions at a substantial level. A tran sfer duty is levied on transfers of domestic or 
foreign securities. Another duty is levied on issu ance of shares of Swiss corporations (while the 
stamp duty on the issuance of corporate debt securities and money market papers was abolished 
in 2012). The regulatory regime is thoroughly described in the documents prepared by the 
Secretariat, while taxation is not mentioned. It would be interesting to hear from the Swiss 
Delegation if there is evidence of trade effects or  other trade relevance of the relatively heavy tax 
burden on financial transactions.   Answer:  
 
Economic theory tells us that the taxation of financial transactions reduces the volume of transactions on capital markets, widens the spre ad between bid and ask prices and lowers market 
liquidity. Since potential buyers of securities ar e well aware of the tax on purchases and sales, 
they are only ready to buy securities if they are compensated by a liquidity premium. Thus, the 
financial transaction tax lifts the required return of investors and increases the financing costs of 
issuers. 
 WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 118 - 
 
 
  
 While the international empirical literature presents  some evidence of these effects, there is no 
particular study on Switzerland concerning this issue. However, the many exemptions of the Swiss 
tax on transfer of securities, particularly in those market segments where trading is most frequent, may limit the negative impact of the tax.  
 
ECUADOR 
De conformidad con el Capítulo 4, Sección 4.1 "Servicios", página 105, párrafo 4.67, según la 
Unión Europea (UE) las prácticas fiscales de determinados cantones en relación con las empresas 
son discriminatorias, ya que los ingresos generados en el extranjero reciben en ocasiones un trato fiscal diferente al que reciben los ingresos generados en Suiza. La UE sostiene que este trato desigual puede distorsionar la competencia ¿Podría Suiza ampliarnos las razones por las cuáles la 
UE considera como discriminatorias a las prácticas fiscales implementadas en algunos cantones? 
 Answer: 
 The EU has expressed some concerns about Swiss corporate tax regimes applied at cantonal level arguing that they may have the potential to distort business operations and opportunities. Its 
concerns address cross-border transactions and not transactions between Swiss cantons. 
 INDIA 
Page 96 (Box 4.3) 
 
For Swiss branches of foreign banks, FINMA will grant the foreign banks a license only if; 
a) The foreign bank is appropriately organized and possesses adequate qualified staff and 
financial resources to operate a branch in Switzerland. 
 
Question 6  
 
(i) Could Switzerland provide the details of the criteria to decide  
Answer:  
(a) appropriate organization 
This is specified further in FINMA-Circular 08/24 "Supervision and internal control – banks" 
(unofficial translation by PWC in English) and in FINMA-Circular 08/07 "Outsourcing – banks" 
(unofficial translation by KPMG English). 
(b) adequate qualification of the staff 
This is specified further in FINMA-Circular 08/24 "Supervision and internal control – banks" c.f. 
margin numbers 17, 39, 67, 126. 
(c) adequate financial resources 
This is specified further in the Capital Adequacy Ordinance (which reflects the Basel III standard). 
 
(ii) Is there any minimum capital requirement for the foreign banks?  
 
Not specifically for foreign banks but for banks in general: CHF 10 million, in practice and 
depending to the business plan usually more (c.f. art. 4 para. 1 Banking Ordinance) 
 
MALAYSIA 
Reference is made to the page 95 (Para) 4. 63 and page 106 (Para) 4.4.2.1 - Services  
We take note that the EFTA-Gulf Cooperation Council has been signed on 22 June 2002 but the 
preferential commitments on financial and telecommunication services from Switzerland has not yet entered into force.   
Question:  
 
Malaysia would like to know when it is expected to enter into force and the reason for the delay. WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 119 - 
 
 
 
 
   
Answer: 
 
The free trade agreement (FTA) between the EFTA and the GCC States was signed on 
22 June 2009. The FTA covers trade in goods and services, including financial services, protection 
of intellectual property rights, government procurement and competition. Ratification of the FTA is not yet completed by the GCC and therefore the FTA has not yet entered into force. 
 
BRAZIL 
Page 97  (Box 4.3 Switzerland's regulatory framework for banking)  The Swiss Federal Council has 
sent two bills to the Parliament, in the beginning of March, with a goal to regulate the financial 
sector and raise the standards to prevent money laundering. 
 Questions: 
  1 - How is the bill being considered by the Parliament?   
Answer: 
 
On the 27 February 2013 the Federal Council adop ted two consultation drafts. On the one hand, 
the revised international recommendations on combating money laundering and terrorist financing 
are to be implemented. On the other, extended due diligence requirements should prevent 
untaxed assets from being accepted by financial intermediaries in Switzerland. With these bills, the Federal Council is underscoring the importance that it attaches to preserving the integrity of the 
financial centre. Both consultations will run until 15 June 2013. The Parliament will discuss the bills 
in autumn 2013.  
 
2 - Have any alterations been suggested?  
 Answer: 
 
Until now, no material alterations have been suggested in the consultation process  
 3 - What are your expectations regarding Parliamentarian approval?   
 
Answer: 
 
Winter 2013.  
 4.4.1.2  Liechtenstein 
4.4.2  Telecommunications 
HONG KONG, CHINA 
Page 106 (Para. 4.82); Page 109 (Box 4.14) 
 
Telecommunications 
 
During the review period, Switzerland modified its telecommunications services ordinance to 
reinforce the protection of consumers, raise the minimum guaranteed broadband output, and 
lower the ceiling price for a broadband connection offering. Liechtenstein also revised the Communication Act to protect consumers.  
 
Question: 
 
Have the practices of telecommunication companies been affected due to these regulatory 
amendments? If so, is there any assistance provided to the industry to adopt the regulatory 
changes?  WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 120 - 
 
 
  
 Answer: 
 
Swiss telecommunication companies are abiding by these new provisions in the telecommunication services ordinance. Swiss telecommunication comp anies were not confronted with extraordinary 
requirement for amendment. There is no assistance for telecommunication companies. 
 4.4.2.1  Switzerland 
UNITED STATES 
Page 106, paragraph 4.81, Box 4.13:  
 
We note in the Secretariat report that the Federal Communication Commission has taken several 
regulatory steps to address issues caused by the dominant telecommunications service provider, 
including regulations relating to interconnection without discrimination, transparency and cost-related principles. However, it also appears that Swisscom continues to dominate the 
telecommunications market with 70% of voice, 54% of broadband and 59% of mobile markets.  
  Does Switzerland intend to take further regulatory steps to foster greater competition in its 
telecommunications markets and further reduce the dominance of Swisscom?  
 
Answer: 
 
Swiss government foresees a tightened regulation for copper access lines in terms of pricing 
methods and non-discrimination obligations.  
 Does the Swiss Government currently have a plan  for further divestiture of its ownership in 
Swisscom? 
 
Answer:  No. 
 
Page 109, Box 4.14:  What steps is Liechtenstein taking to address the continued dominance of 
the government-owned carrier Telecom Liechtenstein AG (Telecom Liechtenstein AG has 85% of 
fixed services market)? What plans, if any, does the Liechtenstein government have for divestiture 
of its 100% ownership of Telecom Liechtenstein AG?  
AUSTRALIA  
Paragraph4.81; Page 106 
 
Paragraph 4.81 describes one of Switzerland's main  a r e a s  o f  r e g u l a t o r y  c h a n g e  o n  n o n - m a r k e t  
access since 2008 as the 'protection of data'. We would welcome further information on what regulatory measures this refers to.  
Answer: 
 
The reference to data protection in para. 4.81 of  the Report by the Secretariat refers to the 
amended or new Articles (13) (Provision of information by the Office), (13a) (Processing of data), 
and (13b) (Administrative assistance) of the (Telecommunications Act). 
 (Attention is expressly drawn on the fact that English is not an official language of the Swiss 
Confederation. Thus the English version of the Swiss Telecommunications Act is a courtesy and has no legal force. ) 
 
These regulatory changes will have no bearing on the commercial cross-border flow of data as the 
addressees of these provisions are Swiss authorit ies and regulate collection and handling of data 
by them. 
 WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 121 - 
 
 
 
 
  CHINA 
Page 106 (Para. 4.81) 
 
"The main regulatory changes on non-market access issues since 2008 concern essentially the 
universal services obligations and the protection of data…" 
 Question: 
 Please elaborate the specific changes on the prot ection of data? Are there any restrictions in 
Switzerland on cross-border flow of data?  
Answer: 
 
The reference to data protection in para. 4.81 of  the Report by the Secretariat refers to the 
amended or new Articles 13 (Provision of information by the Office), 13a (Processing of data), and 
13b (Administrative assistance) of the Telecommunications Act. 
 (Attention is expressly drawn on the fact that English is not an official language of the Swiss 
Confederation. Thus the English version of the Swiss Telecommunications Act is a courtesy and has no legal force. ) 
 
These regulatory changes will have no bearing on the commercial cross-border flow of data as the 
addressees of these provisions are Swiss authorities and regulate collection and handling of data by them.  
 
Page 107 (Box 4.13) 
 
"Form 4.13 on page 107 shows that Switzerland sells radio spectrum by public auction, yet has not 
attracted new parties entering into the market or MVNO."   Questions: 
 What regulatory policies has Switzerland currently taken on market access, interconnection and inter-working as well as charge regulation?  
 
Answer: 
 
Granting of access by dominant providers: 
Providers of telecommunications services that have a dominant position in the market must provide access to other providers in a transparent and non-discriminatory manner at cost-oriented prices in the following forms to th eir facilities and their services: 
a. fully unbundled access to the local loop; 
b. fast bitstream access for four years; c. rebilling for fixed network local loops; 
d. interconnection; 
e. leased lines; f. access to cable ducts, provided these have sufficient capacity. 
 
Disputes regarding access (ex-post regime): If providers of telecommunications services do  not agree within three months on the access 
conditions, the Commission shall decide at the re quest of one party and based on the proposal 
made by the Office. It shall take particular account of the conditions which promote effective 
competition, as well as the effects of its decision on competing companies. It may accord interim legal protection. 
 
Cost-oriented prices: The determination of prices for access services is based on the following elements: 
a. the costs which have a causal link with the service (relevant costs); 
b. additional long-term costs of the network components which are taken into consideration and those generated solely by the provision of a ccess services (long-run incremental costs - LRIC); WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 122 - 
 
 
  
 c. a constant mark-up, based on a fair proportion of the relevant joint and common costs; 
d. a return, at the rate customary in the sector, on the capital used for investments. 
 The costs shall correspond to the expenses and inve stments of an efficient provider. They shall be 
estimated on a forward-looking basis. The co sts of the network correspond to the modern 
equivalent assets.  
What measures has Switzerland taken to lower international mobile roaming charges?  
 Answer: 
 
1、To date, Switzerland has come out against regulatory measures in relation to roaming tariffs. 
This is because purely national retail regulation might lead to injustices for the national operating 
companies. On the other hand, measures have been introduced to increase transparency for 
customers (see below). Regular data collection on international roaming should also make it possible to observe the development of prices fo r roaming services in greater detail and to 
compare the price levels in Switzerland with thos e in EU/EEA member states and OECD countries. 
In this sense, this report also sets out to provide to greater transparency.   
2、On 1 January 2010, the new Article 10a of the Telecommunications Services Ordinance (TSO) 
brought into effect amendments whose goal is to improve transparency regarding the cost of 
roaming services. Thus when a subscription contract is concluded or when a prepaid SIM card is 
purchased, mobile operators must point out how and where information can be found on current rates or options for tariff reductions.   
Since 1 July 2010, when customers log on to a foreign telecommunications network, mobile 
operators will also have to inform them immedi ately and free of charge of the maximum costs 
(including VAT) for calls to Switzerland, incoming calls, local calls, sending SMS messages or 
transmitting data (cost per unit of measurement). It must be possible to deactivate or reactivate 
reception of automated messages at any time and without charge. Providers must provide information of this option on conclusion of a contract and at least once a year. These transparency 
measures are intended to make it easier for Swi ss customers to use mobile services abroad in full 
knowledge of the financial consequences and make  it possible to avoid unexpectedly high bills. 
 Has Switzerland signed any bilateral agreements with other economies on international mobile 
roaming? 
 Answer:  No 
 
INDIA 
Page 106 (Para 4.81) 
 
The main regulatory changes on non-market access issues since 2008 concern essentially the universal services obligations and the protection of data. In parallel the national regulatory authority, the Federal Communication Commission (ComCom), the Federal Administrative Court, 
and in one instance the Federal Court, have also taken a series of decisions regarding all forms of 
access obligations for the dominant provider foreseen by the law. 
 
Question 7: 
 Could Switzerland inform what the main regulatory changes are on non-market access pertaining 
to the universal services obligations and the protection of data?  
 Answer: 
 
The reference to data protection in para. 4.81 of  the Report by the Secretariat refers to the 
amended or new Articles 13 (Provision of information by the Office), 13a (Processing of data), and 
13b (Administrative assistance) of the Telecommunications Act. WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 123 - 
 
 
 
 
  (Attention is expressly drawn on the fact that English is not an official language of the Swiss 
Confederation. Thus the English version of the Swiss Telecommunications Act is a courtesy and has 
no legal force. ) 
The reference to universal service obligation refers  to the elevation of universal service bandwidth 
from a downstream of 600 Kbit/S to 1 Mbit/s. 
 
4.4.2.2  Liechtenstein 
UNITED STATES  LIE 
Page 109, Box 4.14:  What steps is Liechtenstein taking to address the continued dominance of 
the government-owned carrier Telecom Liechtenstein AG (Telecom Liechtenstein AG has 85% of 
fixed services market)? What plans, if any, does the Liechtenstein government have for divestiture of its 100% ownership of Telecom Liechtenstein AG? 
 
4.4.3  Transport 
4.4.3.1  Switzerland 
4.4.3.1.1  Air transport 
INDIA 
Page 111 (Para 4.90) 
 
The situation is similar for ground handling services, where the EU rules apply through the bilateral air transport agreement of 1999 and where third-party handling is allowed, opened to 
foreign firms, and indeed exercised by some of them. Bilateral air transport agreements may, in 
addition, allow self-handling and mutual handling in certain instances. 
 Question 8: 
 Could Switzerland inform under what circumstances self-handling and mutual handling is allowed in bilateral air transport agreements? 
 
Answer: 
 It is possible if both Parties have an interest for the coverage of ground handling in the bilateral 
agreement. Nevertheless this is rather theoretic and Switzerland deems this option as unnecessary 
because the EU rules already provide a sufficiently balanced framework which takes into consideration the need to have a liberalized handling market as well as the requirements in terms 
of safety, security, and physical constraints. Furt hermore the competence of the airport authorities 
should not be jeopardized.  
MEXICO 
Página 122, párrafo 4.90. 
 
El Informe de la Secretaría menciona que en Suiza: "Los principales aeropuertos se explotan en 
régimen de concesión, pero las autoridades públicas pueden conservar una mayoría de las 
acciones si así lo desean". En caso de que las autoridades públicas deseen conservar una mayoría de las acciones de la sociedad concesionaria de un aeropuerto,  
 
Pregunta 64: ¿cómo ejercen esa facultad? 
Answer: 
 
In such a case the airport is operated by a sp ecific entity acting as a private company. The 
collectivity concerned acts as the major shareholder of the company. In Geneva this is based upon WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 124 - 
 
 
  
 a cantonal law. In Basle the relevant act is a Co nvention between Switzerland and France owing to 
the binational nature of the airport. 
4.4.3.1.2  Inland transport 4.4.3.1.2.1  Road transport 
EU  
Page 118, paragraph 4.97, and box 4.18 
 
Confronted with an increasing transit traffic and potential bottlenecks due to the mountainous 
terrain Switzerland developed a voluntarist policy of transferring road traffic to rail traffic.  Question:  Could Switzerland clarify plans to restrict road transit movement to just over half a 
million annually in combination with an obligation for freight operators to move their goods by rail? 
 Answer: 
 The existing instruments in order to favor the shift of freight traffic from road to rail are mainly the improvement of the railway infrastructure through the realization of the new alpine railway tunnels 
(Lötschberg, Gotthard and Ceneri), the heavy vehicle fee and other supporting measures for the 
railways. But there is no obligation for freight operators to move their goods by rail in Switzerland.  In its report 2011 on the issue of the modal shif t of transalpine freight traffic, the Federal 
Council stated that the interim target of 1 millio n truck journeys crossing the Swiss Alps in 2011 
will not be reached. The analysis shows that with the above mentioned existing instruments the target of 650,000 annual journeys in the year 2018 will not be reached either. The Federal 
Council would like to introduce additional measures in order to comply with the constitutional 
and the statutory mandate. Existing modal shif t instruments and supporting measures shall be 
continued. Additional measures are the following:  
 
 Financing and construction of a 4-meter corridor on the Gotthard axis allowing the loading of 
semi-trailers with a corner height of 4 meters.  
 Utilising the room given by the EU-CH Land Transport Agreement for the setting of heavy 
traffic charges. 
 Extending the payment frame for the support of transalpine rail goods traffic. This shall lead 
to a fast full use of the Gotthard axis.  
 
Increase of terminal capacities south of the Alps to further promote combined transport over the Alps. 
 
TURKEY 
P.118, para 4.97 
 
In the Secretariat Report, it is indicated that "… over the last 30 years it has developed a 
voluntarist policy of transferring road traffic to rail traffic, through incentives and infrastructural 
rail spending, and through regulations and taxation."  
 
Could Swiss Delegation further elaborate on th e incentives applied for encouraging the rail 
transport? 
 
Answer: 
 The existing instruments in order to favor the shift of freight traffic from road to rail are mainly the 
improvement of the railway infrastructure through the realization of the new alpine railway base 
tunnels (Lötschberg: 34,6 km; operation started in 2007, Gotthard: 57 km; opening planned for 
2016 and Ceneri: opening planned for 2019), the heavy vehicle fee and other incentive and 
supporting measures for the railways such as subsidies for the operations of combined transport 
services and investment helps for combined transport terminals. WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 125 - 
 
 
 
 
   
The Federal Council would like to introduce additional measures. Existing modal shift 
instruments and supporting measures shall be continued. Additional measures are the following:   Financing and construction of a 4-meter corridor on the Gotthard axis allowing the loading of 
semi-trailers with a corner height of 4 meters.  
 Utilising the room given by the EU-CH Land Transport Agreement for the setting of heavy 
traffic charges. 
 Extending the payment frame for the support of transalpine rail goods traffic. This shall lead 
to a fast full use of the Gotthard axis.  
 Increase of terminal capacities south of the Alps to further promote combined transport over the 
Alps. 
 4.4.3.1.2.2  Rail transport 
HONG KONG, CHINA 
Page 120 (Para. 4.107) 
 
Railway Transport 
 Rail paths for most of the Swiss network are allocated by Trasse Schweiz AG, a company co-owned by the UTP (Union des Transports Publics) and major railway companies. A commission of experts 
has been created to identify options regarding inde pendent allocation of rail paths. These options 
will be reported to the Swiss Parliament.   
Question: 
 
What is the follow-up action usually taken by the Parliament upon receipt of the options regarding 
independent allocation of rail paths? Are the authorities obligated to implement the options 
identified by the commission of experts? Would the authorities have any plans to review the 
existing regulations with a view to establishing  an independent body to allocate rail paths? 
Answer: 
 
The report of the Commission of experts on the organisation of the railway infrastructure should be published in May 2013. The follow-up to be given to this report will be defined afterwards. The 
report of the Commission of experts will contain recommendations and the Swiss government is 
not obliged to follow these recommend ations when defining its options.  
 
EU 
General Comments 
 Please note between the data given in p. 4.97 an d in footnote 90. In 4.97 the data of the modal 
share of rail and road are given in tonne-km, while the "virtually inverted" modal share given in 
footnote 90 refers to data in tonnes.  
The EU does not agree with the sentence in 4.103 that says that Switzerland has largely 
transposed the first two packages of EU railway liber alization. It is correct for the second one, but 
the first and the third one are still under discussion, the first one being discussed by an expert 
group which is due to submit its final report this spring. 
 Answer: 
 
We could accept to say that Switzerland has transposed parts of the first two railway packages of 
the EU.   
Switzerland has in particular transposed the provisions on the network statement and the 
infrastructure charges contained in the first railway package. Furthermore, the Swiss legislative amendments implementing the EU Directives on interoperability and safety, which is a prerequisite WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 126 - 
 
 
  
 to allow a seamless international railway traffic sh ould enter into force in July 2013. The question 
of the distinction between infrastructure managers who run the network and the railway 
companies that use it for transporting passeng ers or goods is however still under discussion. 
 
MEXICO 
Página 130, párrafo 4.103. 
 
Pregunta 65: ¿De qué manera Suiza obliga a sus empresas propietarias de redes ferroviarias a 
interconectarse entre sí y con otras redes? 
 Answer: 
 As a matter of fact the Swiss railway and public tr ansport network is already very dense and highly 
interconnected. Article 34 of the railway law states that every railway company shall grant, from a 
technical point of view and from a point of view of operations, connection to its infrastructure to 
other railway undertakings. Furthermore, according to article 33 of this law, the railway companies 
must define which company builds and operates the nodal railway station where the lines of these 
railways are joining.  
 Pregunta 66:  ¿Cómo se garantiza el acceso económicamente eficiente y no discriminatorio a las 
redes públicas y privadas ferroviarias por parte de empresas que prestan servicios de transporte 
de ferrocarril de carga y de pasajeros?  
 Answer: 
 The non-discriminatory access is fixed by law: article 9 a) of the railway law states that the infrastructure manager must grant access to its network without discrimination. For the use of this 
infrastructure, the railway undertaking has to pay a charge to the infrastructure manager.  
 Página 131, párrafo 4.105. 
 
Pregunta 67: ¿Cómo se integra la comisión de arbitraje que facilita el acceso de cualquier 
empresa ferroviaria al mercado suizo? 
 
Answer: 
 
The Railways Arbitration Commission (RACO) is a commission set up by the Federal Council. It is 
mandated to arbitrate in disputes over the guar antee of access to the rail network or over the 
calculation of fees for the use of infrastructure. In its supervisory capacity, RACO monitors compliance with the principles of non-discrimination and transparency. It was established as a result of the Railways Reform, which came into force in 1999, and which centred on introducing 
free access to the railway network.  
 Since 2004 RACO fulfills additional tasks especially in the field of free access. The commission is a 
judicial organ and of regulation. Administratively, the RACO is assigned to the General secretariat 
of the Federal Department of Environment, Tr ansport, Energy and Communications (DETEC). 
RACO started work on 1 January 2000. It is supervised by the Federal Council and Assembly.  
 
Pregunta 68: ¿Cuántos laudos ha emitido la comisión de arbitraje desde su creación? 
 
Answer: 
 The principle of non-discrimination fixed in the railway law is largely respected by the Swiss railways. Therefore, the RACO has treated only a couple of cases since it started work. 
 WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 127 - 
 
 
 
 
  4.4.3.2  Liechtenstein 
4.4.3.2.1  Road freight and passenger transport services 
INDIA 
Page 121 (Para 4.111) 
 
Liechtenstein also applies the Swiss Heavy Vehicle Fee. Road freight and passenger transport carriers require a permit issued by the Office for Economic Affairs: specific criteria must be met on, 
inter alia, reliability, financial standing, qualification, and business establishment. 
 Question 9:  
 
Could Liechtenstein provide details of the specific criteria to be met on reliability, financial 
standing, qualification, and business establishment? 
 
4.4.3.2.2  Rail transport services 
4.4.3.2.3  Air transport services 
4.4.4  Other  
4.4.4.1  Postal services EU  
Page 122 and 123, paragraph 4.117 and box 4.19 
 
Structural reforms of the Swiss postal sector was aimed at maintaining "euro-compatibility" though retaining the reserved area for letters weighing less than 50g. 
 
The EU would like to note: In the EU we have abolished exclusive rights/monopolies for postal 
services.  
 
Question:  Could Switzerland please explain what measures will be taken to guarantee a level 
playing field with regards to the abolition of exclusive rights / monopolies and treatment at 
customs clearance?   
 Answer: 
 
In order to guarantee a level playing field in the postal market, a new legislation on postal services 
and changes in the organization of Swiss Post had been adopted in December 2010 and entered 
into force the 1 October 2012. Important elements of the new postal regulation in the mentioned 
context are the suppression of the fiscal advantages  of Swiss Post and of its state guarantee, the 
introduction of interoperability rules among postal services and a new organization of the supervisory authorities for postal regulation. Furthe rmore an evaluation of the latest developments 
in the market of postal services will be undertaken. The Swiss Parliament will based on the 
findings discuss a further liberalization of the postal market.  
 HONG KONG, CHINA 
Page 122 (Box 4.19) 
 
Postal Services 
 
Pursuant to the new postal legislation (2010) in Switzerland, the Postal Services Commission (PostCom) was established as the new independen t regulatory authority from 1 October 2012, 
replacing the Postal Regulatory Authority (PostReg) and the Post Office Commission.  
 WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 128 - 
 
 
  
 Question: 
 
Have the PostReg and the Post Office Commission been abolished? What are the roles and responsibilities of PostCom? What is the institutional structure of PostCom? What are the criteria 
for appointing the president as well as senior members of PostCom? How long are their terms of 
office?  
Answer: 
 
The PostReg and the Post Office Commission have been abolished.   
The Federal Postal Services Commission (PostCom), established by the new Postal Services Act on 
1 October 2012, is an independent regulatory authority. In making its decisions, PostCom is not subject to directives from the Federal Council or from other administrative authorities. PostCom 
monitors the Swiss postal market and universal services, and oversees quality control. PostCom 
also orders the independent conciliation authority.  
PostCom consists of seven members (incl. the president and the vice-president) directly appointed 
by the Federal Council for a renewable 4 year-term. There is an element of discretion, but there is 
also the intention to create a balance between the different geographic areas and national linguistic groups. PostCom also has a secretariat that prepares items of business, conduct 
inspections and carries out the necessary procedural rulings.  
 MEXICO 
Recuadro 4.19 Estructura del mercado y marco normativo del subsector postal suizo, 2012 
Página 134, Recuadro 4.19, apartado de Marco normativo, sub-apartado de Operador designado.  
Pregunta 69: ¿A quién le rinde cuentas Swiss Post?  
 
Answer: 
 
Swiss Post is fully state owned and therefore is accountable to the Federal Council. 
 4.4.4.2  Distribution 
INDIA 
Page 124 (Para 4.119) 
 
In terms of access, many foreign distributors are present in Switzerland, notably in the form of 
franchises. Access is not subject to economic needs tests but to relatively stringent environmental and zoning requirements at a local level; the average processing time for applications and related construction permits tends to be longer than the European average. 
 
Question 10  
 
Switzerland is requested to provide details of the environmental and zoning requirements for 
foreign distributors? What is the averag e time for processing the applications? 
 
Answer: 
 
The environmental and zoning requirements are fixed at the local or cantonal level. There is no harmonization of requirements at the federal level. We do not have data regarding the time for 
processing applications. Furthermore no distinction is made between foreign and domestic 
distributors. But the German Retailers Aldi and Lidl which entered the market in 2004 had at the beginning of 2012 already 153 and 75 shops respecti vely and expanded further since then. There 
is no "needs"-clause in effect.  
 WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 129 - 
 
 
 
 
  TURKEY 
Para 4.119 
 
"Access is not subject to economic needs tests but to relatively stringent environmental and zoning 
requirements at a local level; the average processing time for applications and related construction 
permits tends to be longer than the European average…"   
Does the Government of Switzerland have a future  plan to cease those requirements and converge 
the average processing time to the European average?  Answer: 
 Construction issues are of the competence of the Cantons and municipalities and there is no 
intention to change this competence. We're not in a position to say if Cantons and municipalities 
are going to abandon environmental and zoning requirements. It is right that the average 
processing time is longer in Switzerland, but the difference is not so important (see attached 
article of the review "La Vie économique" and answer to next question).  
 
4.4 Services, para 4.119 
 About zoning/urbanism legislation, as noted in the last sentence "the processing time for 
construction permits is longer than in many European countries and hence inferred higher costs."  
 Does the Government of Switzerland have any plans to make some regulations which improve the 
processing time? 
 Answer: 
 The processing time in itself is usually not very long but the procedures tend to be longer when 
the construction requires a change of the zoning  plan. Adjacent owners may be affected by the 
construction and induce them to object to it. The strong direct democratic participation possibilities 
in Switzerland are usually the reason for long procedures. 
 4.4 Services 
 As stated in the report, there is no discrimination on the identity of the capital in Swiss market about the laws on distribution services in general. On the contrary, quotas and rules are clear 
when applied. However, there are some limitati ons known over the personnel and managers who 
come from abroad.   Could the Government of Switzerland give information about the conditions and statistics of 
foreign employment regarding distribution sectors? 
 Answer: 
 There are no quantitative restrictions in distributi on services. There are no particular conditions for 
foreign employment regarding the distribution sector. 
 
4.4 Services  There are some limitations and restrictions over the distribution services such as varying quotas, 
different transportation rules and license-approvals pushed by the cantons unlike the federal acts.  
 Does the Government of Switzerland think to display these differing applications among the 
cantons and the federation as a list?  
 WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 130 - 
 
 
  
 Answer: 
 
There are no quotas and different transportation rules and there is no federal legislation for the 
distribution sector. The criteria for the authorization procedures is of the competence of Cantons 
and municipalities and the Government does not intend to compile all the different criteria. 
 Could the Swiss and Liechtenstein Delegations kindly inform us what are the market entry 
conditions in health tourism, education, softwa re and audiovisual sectors for foreign companies 
and liaison offices?  Answer: 
 For market entry conditions in various sectors please refer to Switzerland's schedule of specific commitments and list of MFN exemptions. 
 
4.4.4.3  Tourism 
4.4.4.3.1  Switzerland 
MALAYSIA 
Reference is made to page 125 (Para) 4.4.4.3.1 - Services  
I t  i s  s t a t e d  t h a t  t h e  S w i s s  F e d e r a l  C o u n c i l  a p p r o v e d  a  n e w  g r o w t h  s t r a t e g y  f o r  t o u r i s m ,  a n d  
starting from 2012 implementation of the strategy  will be based on four-yearly programmes.  
 
Question: 
 
Malaysia would appreciate if Switzerland could el aborate more on what this new growth strategy 
for tourism is and what is this so-called "four-yearly programmes".  
 Answer: 
 In June 2010, the Swiss Federal Council approved a new growth strategy for tourism which sets out the major lines of development for the medium- and long-term. The new national tourism policy and its guiding principles are designed to po rtray Switzerland as an attractive and successful 
tourism destination. It is felt that Swiss tourism needs to capitalise more on its potential, to create 
more jobs, and to increase the value-added of its regions.   
Tourism strategy  
Federal tourism policy relies on four main strategies to fulfil its goals These are: 
 Pursue strategic issue management  (strategy 1); 
 Strengthen inter-disciplinary tasks  (strategy 2); 
 Increase the attraction of the tourism offering  (strategy 3);  
 Strengthen Switzerland's presence as a tourism country  (strategy 4).  
 
Implementation of the growth strategy will be  based, from 2012 onwards, on four-yearly 
programmes. The implementation programmes with re spect to the growth strategy for Switzerland 
as a tourism destination are programmes of the Swiss Confederation. 
 WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 131 - 
 
 
 
 
  1  REPORT BY SWITZERLAND 
1.1  General remarks 
MEXICO Página 5, párrafo 1.8. 
 
Suiza menciona, en el Informe de su Gobierno, que: “Pese al estancamiento de las negociaciones 
de la Ronda de Doha,  (…) tiene la intención de emplearse a fondo, dando prioridad a las 
negociaciones con más probabilidades de éxito en la OMC, incluidos los temas que no forman parte 
del mandato de Doha.”   Pregunta 1:  ¿Cuáles son los temas que no forman parte del mandato de Doha que Suiza pretende 
impulsar? 
 Answer:  
 Regarding the Doha mandate, Switzerland considers that an agreement on trade facilitation should 
be at the core of the results obtained in Bali, toge ther with some issues related to agriculture, as 
well as topics of special interest to developing and, in particular, least developed Members. In 
addition, Switzerland is interested in the following issues that are presently not part of the Doha mandate: the revision of the DS U, the revision of the ITA, WTO accessions, and also a further 
enlargement of the GPA to other WTO Members. 
 
Página 5, párrafo 1.11. 
 
Pregunta 2: ¿Cuáles son los capítulos que incluye el proyecto de acuerdo de libre comercio que 
desde enero de 2011 negocia Suiza con China? 
 
Answer:  
 
Negotiations on the Switzerland-China Free Trade Agreement are covering the areas of trade in 
goods, technical barriers to trade (TBT) and sani tary and phytosanitary measures (SPS), trade 
remedies, rules of origin, customs procedures, trade facilitation, trade in services, intellectual 
property rights, investment promotion, cooperat ion on government procurement, competition, 
cooperation on trade and sustainable development, economic and technical cooperation, 
institutional provisions and dispute settlement. 
 Página 6, párrafo 1.14. 
 Pregunta 3: ¿Por qué considera Suiza que el principio Cassis de Dijon puede contribuir a reducir 
los elevados costos a los que se enfrenta su economía interna?  
 
Answer: 
 
Together with other measures decided by the gove rnment, such as the revision of the competition 
law, the "Cassis-de-Dijon" principle is an important tool to stimulate competition on the Swiss 
internal market, whilst preserving legitimate policy objectives, such as public health or the environment.  
 
El Recuadro 3.1 de la página 61 del Informe de la Secretaría explica el principio Cassis de Dijon 
dentro del ámbito de las normas y otras prescripciones técnicas.   
Pregunta 4:  ¿Este principio resulta aplicable a otras materias distintas a las normas y 
prescripciones técnicas? 
 WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 132 - 
 
 
  
 Answer:  
 
As stated in box 3.1., the “Cassis-de-Dijon” principle refers to technical regulations. Neither in the WTO TBT Agreement nor under Swiss law are standards mandatory. Technical prescriptions is an 
undefined concept. 
 1.2  Economic environment 
1.2.1  Economic and macroeco nomic policy developments 
1.2.1.1  Economic trends CHINA "After a rise of around one half a percentage  point during …… and the weakness of the global 
situation." 
 Questions:  
 
Does the Switzerland have updated forecast on its economic growth in 2013?  
Answer:  
 
Switzerland will publish an updated forecast for 2013 and 2014 on 11 June 2013. They will be available in English on the official website of Seco (see link below). 
 
http://www.seco.admin.ch/themen/003 74/00375/00376/inde x.html?lang=en  
 
This website presently shows forecasts established on 18 March 2013. 
 1.2.1.2  Foreign trade and current balance 
1.2.1.3  Foreign direct investment flows 
MALAYSIA Reference is made to the page 10  
 
Q: Considering the fact that there is high FDI flow in Switzerland particularly, what is Switzerland’s 
position and policy on 'portfolio investments'?  
Answer: 
 
Switzerland is very open for foreign investments and makes generally no distinction between 
portfolio investment and foreign direct investments. Switzerland does not have a general 
investment law; the conditions are set out in sectoral laws. From 2003 to 2012 the average portfolio investment in Switzerland amounted to CHF 6.7 billion per year. For further information see the website of the Swiss National Bank (Swi ss Balance of Payments, quarterly estimates):  
http://www.snb.ch/en/iabout/stat/stat pub/bopq/stats/bopq/bopq_Tab_Ueb  
 
1.2.1.4  Macroeconomic policies 
MEXICO 
Página 15, párrafo 1.46. 
 
En su informe, Suiza menciona que en el periodo materia de este Examen, “Los municipios fueron 
deficitarios, mientras que los cantones registraron superávit.”   
 Pregunta 5: ¿Cómo funciona el régimen presupuestario de los cantones y municipios?   
 WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 133 - 
 
 
 
 
  Pregunta 6:  ¿Los municipios pueden recaudar sus propios impuestos e incorporarlos a su propio 
presupuesto y qué tanta injerencia tienen los cantones en la administración de los recursos 
públicos de sus municipios?  
Answer:  
 
Questions 5 and 6 address the issue of federalism, which is a key factor for understanding 
Switzerland. Free market economy systems and the political system of federalism share the 
property of decentralized decision making wher ever possible (principle of subsidiarity). The 
following lists three main pillars of the system of public finances in Switzerland: • Fiscal federalism: Central Government, Cantons and Municipalities (depending on the 
canton) have full fiscal autonomy. This implies fiscal responsibility receipts (e.g. raising 
taxes, deciding on the rate of taxation) and ex penditures at all three levels of government. 
The level of decentralization is high: The three levels of government have roughly 
comparable shares in general government re venues and expenses (OECD-average: Central 
government approximately 70-80%). The sharing of tasks between levels of government is 
regulated by law, parliamentary decision and popular vote. During the fiscal expansion of 
the 1990'ies, the evolution of debt was clearly mo re favourable, the closer to citizens fiscal 
decision making took place (see  figure). Thus, fiscal federalism can be a key factor for sound 
public finances. 
• Fiscal rules and financial referendum: In order to strengthen financial discipline two 
approaches are used. On the one hand, fiscal rules have proven to be an effective means to 
contain public debt. Central government introduced the so-called "debt brake" in 2003 after a decade of rising central government debt (see figure). The debt brake ensures that 
expenditures are not higher than receipts over a business cycle. As for the Cantons, today 
25 out of 26 Cantons use similar fiscal rules. Most cantons adopted fiscal rules in the 1990's (St. Gall already 1929). Municipalities often have  no-deficit clauses. Financial matters may in 
all Cantons and many Municipalities be subject to a financial referendum (optional or 
mandatory plebiscite for new and significant expenditures / investment). 
• Accrual accounting principles: Accrual accounting ensures a true and fair assessment of 
public sector finances. In the 1970's the Cantons developed a harmonized accounting model 
(HAM) for Cantons and Municipalities. Since the early 1980's Cantons and Municipalities use 
accrual budgeting and accounting. In 2007 Cent ral Government also switched to accrual 
budgeting and accounting (according to IPSAS,  International Public Sector Accounting 
Standards). 
0102030405060
1990
1991
199219931994199519961997
1998
19992000200120022003
2004
200520062007200820092010
2011
20122013201420152016Central gov. Cantons Municipalities Social security funds General gov.
 WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 134 - 
 
 
  
  
Municipalities can levy their own taxes and decide on the rate of taxation. The degree of freedom 
of Municipalities (or in other words the interventional capabilities of Cantons) differs from Canton to Canton. Compared internationally, the degree of  freedom of Swiss Municipalities is very high. 
See the answer to question 5 for more details. 
 1.2.2  Growth policy and future challenges 
1.2.2.1  Brief evaluation of growth policy 
MEXICO Página 17, párrafo 1.51. 
 
Pregunta 7: ¿En adición al sector postal, en qué otros sectores de la economía hubo intentos 
legislativos para incrementar el número de competidores (agentes económicos) en el mercado 
suizo durante el periodo del presente Examen?  
 
Answer: 
 
The Secretariat's report details the reforms undertaken in the infrastructure sector 
(communication, rail, electricity, gaz, a.s.o.).  Furthermore, the revision of the law against 
technical obstacles to trade was adopted during this  period with the declared objective to enhance 
competition by imported products on the domestic market. The conclusion of regional agreements 
acts in the same sense. A few minor sectoral reforms - sometimes at the level of regional or local 
legislation - occurred and competition policy contributed also to open markets.  
1.2.2.2  Internal challenges 
COSTA RICA Página 17 (Párrafo 1.56) 
 
Se menciona que la contribución de la política de crecimiento 2012-2015 al aumento de la productividad debe concretarse entre otras cosas en una reforma de la política agrícola más allá del horizonte 2017. 
 
¿Podría Suiza ampliar sobre los aspectos que contendría esta reforma de la política agrícola?  
Answer: 
 
Switzerland's agricultural policy is oriented towards a long-term strategy and built upon stable, 
foreseeable and coherent conditions for farming. The most recent version, the Agricultural Policy 
2014-2017  (PA 14-17) is containing measures aiming at improving competitiveness and efficiency 
along the supply chain of agro-food production.  
As regards the strategy for agricultural policy beyond the year 2017, no precise measures are 
outlined so far. In its perspective on the agri-food sector for the year 2025, the Federal Office for Agriculture outlined several scenarios where, inter alia, innovation and entrepreneurship in the 
agricultural sector plays a key role. Equally, increase of resource- and energy efficiency is an 
important aspect to raise productivity.  
1.2.2.3  External challenges 
MEXICO Página 18, párrafo 1.57. 
 
Suiza menciona que uno de sus principales problemas económicos externos consiste en que: "Los 
recursos naturales se han hecho más escasos debido al aumento de la población mundial y a los cambios del comportamiento del consumo, lo que hará que la cuestión de los recursos vaya a WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 135 - 
 
 
 
 
  cobrar aún más importancia en el futuro. El problema de los recursos se ve acentuado por el 
cambio climático, la sobreexplotación de los ecosistemas los recursos no renovables, el carácter 
limitado de las reservas de energía fósil y la toma de conciencia de que los costos de la energía nuclear no son los que se decía que eran." 
 
Pregunta 8:  ¿Podría Suiza mencionar que tipo de propuest as ha impulsado para  atender los retos 
o los problemas ocasionados por la escasez de los recursos naturales?  
 
Answer: 
 Switzerland has limited natural resources within its territory (beyond the soil used for agricultural 
production essentially only construction materials). There are in particular no deposits of mineral 
ores nor oil and gaz fields and no depletion of coal sites. For this reason, it is essential for Switzerland that trade of natural resources is ne ither restricted nor distorted. Mandatory stocks 
have to be maintained for a few goods only. The measures that can be taken within the country 
under these circumstances is to promote recycling ("urban mining") and substitution. To this end, research projects are supported (e.g. phosphor recycling). 
 
1.3  Main focus of recent and current structural reforms and other priorities of Switzerland's economic policy 
1.3.1  Domestic policy areas 
1.3.1.1  Revision of the Law on cartel s and other impediments to competition 
COLOMBIA En el párrafo 1.62 del informe de gobierno indica que… "La principal diferencia en relación con la 
legislación en vigor reside en el hecho de que el carácter ilícito de los acuerdos horizontales o 
verticales especialmente dañinos ya no se basará en los efectos económicos directos caso por caso -es decir, si tienen o no un efecto considerable en la competencia-, sino que dependerá del tipo de 
acuerdo. La prohibición y las sanciones dependerán de los parámetros de competencia que se vean 
anulados por el acuerdo en cuestión (competencia en el plano de los precios, competencia en la importación, etc.). De este modo, se considerará que los cinco tipos de acuerdo que ya son punibles directamente presentan un carácter intrínsecamente ilícito en virtud de la Ley. Ya no será 
necesario probar que afectan de manera considerable  a la competencia. No obstante, el efecto en 
la economía se reflejará en la importancia de la sanción. A la inversa, acuerdos de ese tipo podrán ser lícitos si están justificados por motivos de eficacia económica." 
 
¿Este planteamiento resulta curioso o quizás novedoso, por lo cual sería muy interesante profundizar en él, además de conocer los cinco tipos de acuerdo identificados como “punibles” y 
los principales sectores de la economía suiza en los que se generan con mayor frecuencia? 
 Answer: 
 
The new formulation of the Article 5 of the Cartel Act (LCart) plans to prohibit 5 types of hardcore 
agreements, while authorizing opportunities to  justify these through reasons of economic 
efficiency. They are horizontal agreements on pr ices, quantities or geographical allocation of 
markets, as well as vertical agreements on minimum or fixed prices and unequivocal territorial 
partition. These 5 types of agreements are today already subject to direct sanctions (Article 5 
paragraphs 3 and 4). So far the presumption that these 5 types of agreements eliminate the 
competition prevails, but this presumption is regularly rebutted. The new formulation aims to fight 
against particularly harmful cartels more efficiently with simplified and accelerated procedures. An individual investigation is still foreseen for the analysis of the economic efficiency, but it would become unnecessary to examine the notion of “notability of the damage” to the competition. 
Furthermore the modified Article 5 aims to improve the legal certainty as it clarifies what is a 
lawful or an unlawful agreement. With the current la w the firms have difficulties to estimate if an 
agreement affects notably  the competition or not. 
 
At international level, the current Swiss presumption system for particularly harmful cartels is unknown. However the partial ban of cartels with justification possibilities brings closer the Swiss WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 136 - 
 
 
  
 legislation to the European one, as EU also fores ees that only the existence of efficiency aspects 
for the 5 types of agreements has to be checked an d not the notability of individual agreement.  
 These agreements do not concern particular sectors of the Swiss economy. Among cases that 
falled recently under current Article 5 paragraph 3 and 4, the Competition Commission made 
decisions regarding various sectors (hindrance of parallel imports of cameras, price agreement for 
shears and cable cutters, allocation of customers by electrical professionals, agreement on the 
charges by international shipping companies). 
 MEXICO 
Página 19, párrafo 1.60. 
 
Pregunta 9: ¿Qué nuevas facultades tiene la nueva Autoridad de la Competencia que no tenía en 
su carácter de Secretaría de la COMCO?  
 
The revision of the Cartel Act that includes the institutional reform is still discussed by the Parliament. On the 21st of March the Council of States decided not to follow the institutional model 
proposed by the Federal Council and to implement a gentler reform (professionalization of the 
Competition Commission and reduction from 12 to 5 members), but the National Council has not discussed the revision yet.  
Página 19, párrafo 1.61. 
 
Pregunta 10:  ¿Qué ejemplos o supuestos de acuerdos horizontales y/o verticales sobre precios 
mínimos, máximos o fijos; cantidades de producto; distribución geográfica prevé la legislación 
suiza en materia de competencia económica como situaciones justificadas?  
Answer:  
 
The revision of the Cartel Act is still discussed by the Parliament. The selected reasons of economic efficiency that could justify an agreement will have to be settled in an ordinance, in order to 
ensure legal certainty for firms. These reasons will be based on the Swiss practice (in particular 
decisions of the court and communications of the Competition Commission, like the one on vertical agreements), as well as the European law (l ike the block exemption regulations and their 
guidelines) and the European practice.  
 The current law already includes a catalogue of gro unds of justification. An agreement is efficient 
when it is necessary in order to reduce production or distribution costs, improve products and 
production processes, promote research into or dissemination of technical or professional know-
how, or exploit resources more rationally. The differences between horizontal and vertical agreements will be considered in the ordinance, as  the thresholds for horizontal agreements will be 
higher because their effects are generally more negative that those of the vertical agreements. 
The consortiums should not be prohibited when the firms concerned have complementary activities as this implies more competition. Regarding vertical agreements, the grounds of justification 
mentioned in the communication on vertical agreem ents will be the base of the ordinance (for 
example time-limited protection of investments necessary to enter a new geographical market; 
necessity to ensure uniformity and quality of certain categories of products; etc. The interest to 
avoid a double surcharge of price that could inte rvene when the producer and the distributor have 
market power (double marginalisation) figures already in the law.  WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 137 - 
 
 
 
 
  1.3.1.2  Revision of the law on banks (Reinforcing the stab ility of the financial sector, 
"too big to fail") 
1.3.1.3  Agricultural Policy 2011 an d Agricultural Policy 2014-2017 
NEW ZEALAND 
WT/TPR/G/280, p.18, para 1.68. 
 
The Government Report, pg 18, para 1.68 states that Switzerland is negotiating an Agrifood Free 
Trade Agreement with the EU. New Zealand notes that in its response to one of our questions in 
2008, Switzerland advised that the Agrifood FTA it is negotiating with the EU would once adopted, constitute a big step forward towards agricultural reform. The report states that these discussions are at a standstill due to outstanding institutional issues.  
 
What is the nature of the institutional issues between Switzerland and the EU and how does the 
Swiss Government see these being resolved? 
 
Does the Swiss Government see negotiations on  the Agrifood FTA resuming, and within what 
timeframe would this be likely to occur?   
 
What impact would the failure to achieve an Agrifood FTA agreement with the EU have on reform of Switzerland’s agricultural and food policy?  
Answer: 
 
1. The EU considers that the way Switzerland participates in EU policies and programs through 
sectorial bilateral agreements in the absence of any horizontal institutional framework has reached 
its limits and needs to be reconsidered. The conclusion of any market access negotiation depends also on solving the opened institutional issues. In order to address them, Switzerland transmitted 
official proposals to the EU in June 2012.  
 The Swiss institutional proposals intend to set up an institutional system suitable to the relations between Switzerland and the EU and equivalent to the institutional system of the EU or the two-
pillar system of the European Economic Area (E EA). These proposals concern the four following 
areas: [i] takeover of the developments of the EU acquis; [ii] surveillance of the application of the 
bilateral agreements; [iii] uniform interpretation of these agreements; [iv] dispute settlement. 
 
By having presented these proposals, the  Swiss government has taken a proactive and substantial 
step to further develop the bilateral relations with the EU. Discussions between Switzerland and 
the EU are still on-going. 
 2. Negotiations with the EU in the agricultural, food safety, product safety and public health sectors have come to a halt due to, amongst other things, the mentioned institutional issues. 
Furthermore, given the skepticism from a part of the Swiss Parliament, a pragmatic approach is 
needed in order to pursue further opening of the agricultural and food markets. This being said, 
the Federal Council still aims at a further integration of Switzerland in the EU market in the above-
mentioned fields. However, given these internal and external uncertainties, it is not possible to 
indicate a time frame.  
As mentioned before, the Federal Council aims at further integrating Switzerland in the EU 
agricultural market. Switzerland will continue its internal reforms towards a competitive agriculture 
independently from the timeframe of the negotiations with the EU.  
 
COSTA RICA 
Página 19 (Párrafo 1.61) 
 
De este modo, en un contexto marcado por la fortaleza del franco, el Consejo Federal decidió, el 
17 de agosto de 2011, estimular la competencia en Suiza prohibiendo por vía legislativa los acuerdos horizontales sobre los precios, las cantidades y la distribución geográfica, así como los WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 138 - 
 
 
  
 acuerdos verticales sobre precios mínimos o fijos y la segmentación territorial absoluta, aunque se 
podrán autorizar los casos que estén justificados. 
 Pregunta: 
 ¿Podría Suiza indicar en cuáles casos se justificaría la utilización tales medidas?  
Answer: 
 
The revision of the Cartel Act is still discussed by the Parliament. The selected reasons of economic efficiency that could justify an agreement will have to be settled in an ordinance, in order to 
ensure legal certainty for firms. These reasons will be based on the Swiss practice (in particular 
decisions of the court and communications of the Competition Commission, like the one on vertical agreements), as well as the European law (l ike the block exemption regulations and their 
guidelines) and the European practice.  
 The current law already includes a catalogue of gro unds of justification. An agreement is efficient 
when it is necessary in order to reduce production or distribution costs, improve products and 
production processes, promote research into or dissemination of technical or professional know-
how, or exploit resources more rationally. The differences between horizontal and vertical agreements will be considered in the ordinance, as  the thresholds for horizontal agreements will be 
higher because their effects are generally more negative that those of the vertical agreements. 
Regarding horizontal agreements, purchasing agreements have to remain lawful, as it is the case in Switzerland and EU. The consortiums should not be prohibited when the firms concerned have 
complementary activities as this implies more competition. Regarding vertical agreements, the 
grounds of justification mentioned in the communication on vertical agreements will be the base of the ordinance (for example time-limited protection of investments necessary to enter a new 
geographical market; necessity to ensure uniformity and quality of contract products; fact to avoid 
a double surcharge of price that could interven e when the producer and the distributor have 
market power (double marginalisation), etc.).  
 
UKRAINE 
According to paragraph 1.66, in addition to a 30% reduction in market support as the main feature 
of the 2011 Agricultural Policy  "the key measures taken have been the elimination of export 
subsidies for agricultural commodities and redu ced customs duties on cereals, animal feed, 
oilseeds and cut flowers".  
 
Paragraph 1.67 states that “the key component of PA 14/17 is the development of a system of 
direct payments”.  Question:  Does the 2014-2017 Agricultural Policy provides for any further reduction of customs 
duties on agricultural products, averaging 31.9%, with high levels of average tariffs on dairy 
products (101.5%) and meat (177.4%)?  
Answer: 
 
Switzerland applies only specific duties. Ad valorem  equivalents have been calculated for the 
purpose of the Doha Round market access negotiat ions only and therefore represent only a spot 
impression of the level of tariffs at a certain point in time. Equally, Switzerland applies a system of tariff quotas with low in-quota tariff rates and high out-of-quota tariff rates. This system, as agreed upon in Article 4 of the Agreement on Agriculture implies implicitely, that a profound 
analysis of tariffs cannot be undertaken by simple averages of in-quota and out-of-quota tariff 
levels. Switzerland maintains market access conditions for meat products in line with its commitments under the Agreement on Agriculture. Switzerland’s tariff quota for meat products 
shows a permanent high fill rate (2011 fill rate at a level of 165% resp. 103%). Equally, the fill 
rate for dairy products is high (2011 fill rate at a level of 116%). The PA 14/17 2017 foresees the adjustment of the import duty of feed grains and bread cereals by reduction of the import duty of 
CHF 3/100 kg of the latter.  
 WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 139 - 
 
 
 
 
  Paragraph 1.66 states that the 2011 Agricultural Policy is the fourth stage in the reform of Swiss 
agricultural policy launched in 1992.  
 Paragraph 1.67 also notes that, inter alia , "with the 2014-2017 Agricultural Policy … the Federal 
Council is proposing a long-term strategy aimed at… further enhancing competitiveness". 
 According to paragraph 1.13, "Switzerland does no t yet take full advantage of the international 
division of labour inasmuch as some of these sectors (for example, agriculture or the health 
system) are still highly protected from foreign competition and their performance is lower than average".  
Question:  Could Switzerland kindly elaborate on reasons of the low competitiveness and 
inadequate efficiency of its agricultural sector de spite of the efforts taken to reform it since 1992 in 
order to increase the competitiveness? 
 
Answer: 
 
This question of Ukraine is similar to the question  related to Para 4.1.4 (E volution of support) and 
Para 4.1.2 (Domestic support). Switzerlan d refers to its answers respectively.  
 MEXICO 
Página 20, párrafo 1.65. 
 
Pregunta 11: ¿De qué manera se evalúan los resultados obtenidos mediante los pagos directos a 
los agricultores y demás políticas públicas y programas encaminados a alcanzar y mantener la 
seguridad del abastecimiento de la población, la conservación de los recursos naturales, la protección del paisaje rural y la ocupación descentralizada del territorio suizo? 
 
Answer: 
 The Federal Constitution (Article 104) defines objectives for Switzerland’s agricultural sector. 
Those cover, inter alia , several parameters linked to sustainable agricultural production, 
functioning of remote rural areas, biodiversity , landscape quality, animal-friendly production 
systems and quality level of foodstuff production. In order to be in compliance with these societal 
concerns, Switzerland’s agricultural policy provides a set of instruments which aim at fulfilling the 
objectives of the Federal Constitution. The 2014-2017 Agricultural Policy  (PA 14/17), the fifth 
stage in the reform process, aims at promoting more innovation in agriculture and the food chain, 
further enhancing competitiveness and better targeted support for services of public interest. The 
key component of PA 14/17 is the development of  the system of direct payments. In future, 
payments will systematically be directed towards services of public interest desired by the population and laid down in the Federal Constitution, by means of payments for open rural 
landscapes, security of supplies, biodiversity, the quality of the landscape, the support of 
innovative production systems as well as the efficient use of resources. At the same time, the procedures for granting investment subsidies will be modified in such a way that investments are 
still profitable under the modified policy conditio ns and that production costs will be reduced. The 
aim is that the long-term competitiveness of the agricultural sector will be further improved. The targets set within the PA 14/17 aim at improving parameters of natural heritage and environment 
such as N-efficiency, P-efficiency as well as quantity and quality of ecological set-aside areas. 
Equally, an expectation is that farmed land in mountain areas will decrease at a lower rate than today.  
 WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 140 - 
 
 
  
 1.3.1.4  Revision of the law on energy 
1.3.1.5  Revision of the law on electricity supply 
CHINA Page 18 (Para. 1.70) 
 
"The law on electricity supply (LApEl), ad opted by Parliament in 2007, envisages the 
opening up of the market in two stages: during the first five years (2009-2013), only 
end consumers with consumption exceeding 100,000 kWh have free access to the 
market."  Questions: 
 Please indicate the progress made on revision of the law on electricity supply. Could the Swiss government please share experiences in promoting fair competition on electricity supply and in 
optimizing electricity pricing mechanism? Are there any problems or difficulties in the process? 
 Answer: 
 The prudent partial market opening for large eligible consumers was decided because the Swiss people had rejected a first attempt at electricity market liberalisation in a referendum in 2002. The 
LapEl foresees that full market opening can be decided at the earliest five years after partial 
opening; this move could be subject to a refere ndum. Furthermore, in order to assuage market 
skeptics, a clause guarantees that those customer s who do not want to move into the free market 
are entitled to continued electricity supply by their incumbent supplier on a cost-plus basis (i.e. not 
free market prices). 
 From 2009 till 2012 the free market for eligible costumers did not work, because cost-plus 
electricity prices were systematically lower than free market prices. Eligible costumers therefore 
had no incentive to switch to the free market. As from 2012, free market prices on European markets started dropping below cost-plus prices and eligible costumers began moving into the free market. 
 
Switzerland has been negotiating an electricity treaty with the EU since 2007. The EU considers full market opening (as in the EU) to be a conditio sine qua non for sealing an agreement. At present, 
the Government is considering full market opening as from 2015, well aware that the success of 
the move depends on price evolution and public acceptance.  
Unimpeded market and grid access is ensured by  unbundling the transmission grid and oversight 
by the electricity market regulator (Elcom). There is hardly any competition among electricity suppliers, as the Swiss electricity market is characterized by hundreds of territorial utilities, the majority of which are owned by the municipalities or cantons (provinces). There is a great diversity 
of electricity prices among utilities, depending on production costs.  
 MEXICO 
Suiza sostiene que "La Ley sobre suministro de energía (LApEl) adoptada por el Parlamento en 
2007 prevé una apertura del mercado en dos etapas. En los cinco primeros años (2009-2013), sólo podrán acceder libremente al mercado los consumidores finales cuyo consumo supere los 
100.000 kWh. Al cabo de cinco años, los hogares y los pequeños consumidores también podrán 
elegir libremente su suministrador de electricidad; esta apertura completa del mercado se deberá hacer mediante un decreto federal y podrá someterse a un referéndum facultativo."  
 
Pregunta 12: ¿En la actualidad qué segmentos de la industria eléctrica suiza se encuentran 
reservados al sector público y en cuáles participa el sector privado? 
 WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 141 - 
 
 
 
 
  Answer: 
 There is no legal specification of ownership – public or private. The Swiss electricity sector is characterized by several hundred territorial utilities, the overwhelming majority of which are held 
by municipalities or cantons (provinces). Large companies (active in generation and wholesale 
market) are of mixed ownership (cantons and private equityholders).  
1.3.1.6  Revision of the law on CO
2 
CHINA Page 19 (Para. 1.72) 
 
"The new legal bases represent a continuation of the current CO2 law. In addition to measures 
taken in the context of other sectoral policies (for example, SuisseEnergie25, the proportional heavy vehicle tax [RPLP]26), measur es and tools that have proved their worth have been renewed 
and improved and new measures introduced:" 
 Question: 
 Switzerland has mature practice on environmental protection, energy saving and emission reduction. Among the above-mentioned measures, fu els are levied by CO2 tax. Please illustrate 
the criteria and calculation method for such tax.  As for each specific industry, what are the factors 
of tax collection and distribution?  
 Answer: 
 The CO
2 tax on heating and process fuels was introduced in 2008 to internalise the external costs 
associated with CO 2 emissions and encourage a more efficient use of these particular fossil fuels. 
The tax is levied by the Federal Customs Administration (Administration fédérale des douanes) at a 
rate of CHF 36 per tonne of CO 2. The tax on extra-light heating oil, for example, is CHF 95.50 per 
1,000 litres at 15 °C, and that on natural gas is CHF 92.10 per 1,000 kg. The rate of CHF 36 per tonne of CO
2 is the same for all fossil fuels consumers in Switzerland. Companies producing large 
volumes of emissions have legally binding reduction targets, participate in an emission trading 
scheme and are exempted from the CO 2 tax. Other energy-intensive companies can also get an 
exemption from the CO2 tax without participating in the emission trading scheme, provided they 
commit to legally binding CO2 reduction targets. 
 Revenues from the CO
2 tax are redistributed to the population through the social security system 
(CHF 35.40 per person in 2013), and to businesses in proportion of wages paid (CHF 0.192 
redistribution in 2013 for CHF 1000 of wages paid). Since 2010, the tax has been partly (1/3) earmarked for promotion of energy efficiency in renovation of buildings.  
CHILE 
Párrafo 1.71, página 21 
 
"La ley del CO2 se revisó para el período posterior a 2012. En diciembre de 2011, el Parlamento 
decidió reducir, con vistas a 2020, las emisiones de gases de efecto invernadero de Suiza al menos un 20% frente a su nivel de 1990. Como la Ley del CO2 revisada hace hincapié en las 
contribuciones de reducción aportadas en Suiza, se aprovechan los potenciales de reducción 
nacionales y se da un impulso para aumentar la utilización de agentes energéticos renovables con un nivel de emisiones bajo, para favorecer la innovación tecnológica y apoyar la creación de empleo en los sectores de futuro. Las medidas internas de mejora de la eficacia presentan además 
la ventaja de reducir la dependencia suiza de las importaciones de energía y de contribuir a reducir 
los efectos de la contaminación atmosférica en la salud. La Ley del CO2 revisada entró en vigor el 1° de enero de 2013”.  
 
Preguntas:  si bien no tenemos preguntas específicas al respecto, ¿Podrían informarnos sobre las 
consultas de las diferentes Delegaciones así como de las reacciones por parte de Suiza acerca de 
este tema?   WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 142 - 
 
 
  
  
Answer: 
 
In the climate change negotiations under th e UNFCCC (UN Framework Convention on Climate 
Change), Switzerland committed itself to its em ission mitigation objective for the period 
2013-2020, like other countries. In such a setting, the objectives announced are taken note of by the other countries and are not negotiated. Each country defines its own objective to which it will 
commit at the international level, according to its national circumstances. 
 How each country organises itself then to reach its objective is a national prerogative, the Convention being only a framework convention, pr oviding strategical guidance for the collective 
effort. The national law of each country is not discussed by other delegations, although each 
country will be completely transparent about the policies and measures implemented to reach its objective and about its institutional and legislative setting. 
 
Switzerland CO2 law for the first commitment period (2008-2012) has drawn some interest from other delegations in 2000, because it was the first transformation of an international commitment 
(taken in 1997) into a national objective, 5 years before the Kyoto Protocol actually entered into 
force.  1.3.1.7  Implementation of the revised Ag reement on Government Procurement at the 
internal level 
CHINA Page 19 (Para. 1.74) 
 
"With this change to the OMP, the Federal Council enshrined the principle that bidders must, as a 
minimum, observe the eight core conventions of th e International Labour Organization (ILO).This 
principle applies indiscriminately to foreign and Swiss bidders. Pursuant to the Declaration byt he 
ILO on fundamental principles and rights at work, adopted on 18 June 1998 by the 86th Session of the ILO General Conference held in Geneva, each member State has an obligation, inherent in ILO membership, to respect, promote and implement the principles that are the subject of these 
conventions. There are now 185 member States of the ILO. A contracting agency may reject the 
award of a contract or exclude a bidder if it does not observe the ILO's core conventions." 
 
Questions:  
 
There is not a uniform international standard for protection of labors as each country has different 
productivity level and social development condit ion. What measures does Switzerland take to 
prevent the labor standard from distorting the market or becoming a trade barrier?  
 Answer: 
 As set out in the report of Switzerland, the pr inciple that bidders must observe the eight core 
conventions of the International Labour Organization (ILO), applies indiscriminately to foreign and 
Swiss bidders. When executing a contract in Switzerland, foreign and Swiss bidders must observe 
the provisions of the Swiss labour laws and regulations (worker protection, working conditions) 
that are in line with and go beyond the requirements of the ILO core conventions. Applying the 
prevailing requirements in Switzerland on a nati onal treatment basis avoids trade distortions. 
 By defining as a minimum  requirement for contra cts executed outside Switzerland the observance 
of universal minimum standards (i.e. the ILO core conventions) and not imposing the standards of 
the Swiss law, Switzerland avoids trade distortions with regard to contracts executed abroad. The 
1998 ILO Declaration on fundamental principles and rights at work makes it clear that these principles and rights are universal, and that they apply to all people in all countries – regardless of 
the level of economic development. 
 Please refer to chapter 1.3.2.6.2 (p. 27-28) of the report of Switzerland for a general overview of 
Switzerland's policies and priorities with regard to core labour standards. 
 WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 143 - 
 
 
 
 
  INDIA 
Page 19 (Para 1.73 & 1.74) 
 
On 18 November 2009, the Federal Council a pproved the amendment to the ordinance on 
government procurement (OMP).  
 With this change to the OMP, the Federal Council  enshrined the principle that bidders must, as a 
minimum, observe the eight core conventions of the International Labour Organization (ILO). 
 Question 18: 
 
By insisting that  bidders observe eight core conventions of the ILO, would Switzerland agree that it 
would fail to comply with the obligations under Article XI of GATT 1994? If not, why not?  
Answer: 
 
Switzerland considers its public procurement legislation to be in line with its international 
obligations. As set out in the report of Switzerland, the principle that bidders must observe the 
eight core conventions of the International Labour  Organization (ILO), applies indiscriminately to 
foreign and Swiss bidders. When executing a contract in Switzerland, foreign and Swiss bidders must observe the provisions of the Swiss labour laws and regulations (worker protection, working 
conditions) that are in line with, and go beyond, the requirements of the ILO core conventions. 
Applying the prevailing requirements in Switzerl and on a national treatment basis avoids trade 
distortions. 
 
By defining as a minimum requirement for contra cts executed outside Switzerland the observance 
of universal minimum standards (i.e. the ILO core conventions) and not imposing the Standards of 
the Swiss law, Switzerland avoids trade distortions with regard to contracts executed abroad. The 
1998 ILO Declaration on fundamental principles and ri ghts at work makes it clear that these rights 
are universal, and that they apply to all people in all countries – regardless of the level of economic development. 
 
In the WTO-System Government procurement is  regulated by the plurilateral agreement on 
Government Procurement and does not fall under the GATT rules. Switzerland considers that its 
legislation complies with its obligations under the GPA. 
 Page 20 (para 1.76) 
 On 24 October 2012, the Federal Council approved  the total revision of the ordinance on the 
organization of the Confederation's procurement (Org-OMP). The revised ordinance came into force on 1 January 2013. The total revision of th e Org-OMP determines, in particular, the bases 
applicable to the introduction of a procurement control system ("procurement controlling") for the 
Federal Administration as a whole. This system has three computerized components, a tool for managing contracts, statistics on procurement and follow-up of sustainability. These three tools 
will make it possible to furnish more precise data  on the Confederation's procurement in the future 
and to undertake regular analyses.  
Question 19: 
 
In respect of government procurement contracts for the past three years, could Switzerland provide details of the percentage of government procurement by value that was sourced from non-
Swiss suppliers? 
 Answer: Idem answer to question 13  
 WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 144 - 
 
 
  
 THAILAND 
Page 19 Paragraphs 1.73-1.74 
 
With this change to the OMP, the Federal Council  enshrined the principle that bidders must, as a 
minimum, observe the eight core conventions of th e International Labour Organization (ILO). This 
principle applies indiscriminately to foreign and Swiss bidders. Pursuant to the Declaration by the ILO on fundamental principles and rights at work, adopted on 18 June 1998 by the 86th Session of 
the ILO General Conference held in Geneva, each member State has an obligation, inherent in ILO 
membership, to respect, promote and implement the principles that are the subject of these 
conventions. There are now 185 member States of the ILO. A contracting agency may reject the award of a contract or exclude a bidder if it does not observe the ILO's core conventions.”  
 
Question 1: Thailand would like to seek clarification from Switzerland on trade and labor 
standards policy, particularly on the Ordinance on Government Procurement (OMP) and its 
conditions related to compliance of ILO Core Conventions. For instance, how does Switzerland 
enforce the requirement under which bidders must  observe the core conventions?  Have there 
been bidders who were rejected on the ground that  they did not observe the conventions alone?   
 
Answer: 
 Switzerland is not aware of a case which would illustrate that a bidder would have been rejected 
on the ground of a violation of the ILO Core Convention. The Authorities of Switzerland agree with 
Thailand that it is not easy to enforce the requirement under which bidders must observe the ILO Core Conventions. They support ways where such a survey could be carried out by duly certified 
organizations or entreprises operating world wide. Switzerland also fully supports the decision 
taken by the Members of the GPA with regard to the work programme to be carried out in a plurilateral format in order to better understand the application of the concept of "sustainable 
development" – which contains in addition to the economic and environmental pillars also a social 
dimension – in the context of government procurement  
 1.3.1.8  Total revision of the law on alcohol 
UNITED STATES 
Page 20-21, paragraph 1.78-1.79:  
 
The Government report notes that Switzerland and Liechtenstein are planning to undergo a 
reorganization of the law on alcohol.  How do Switzerland and Liechtenstein believe this revised law would affect imports? 
 
Answer: 
 The new law won't affect imports at all. The Alcohol Monopoly for ethanol will be abolished and 
persons or companies in Switzerland and Liechtenstein will be able to import ethanol or spirits 
without permits etc. These persons or companies will  simply have the obligation to register in the 
Swiss Alcohol Register. 
 
MEXICO 
Página 23, párrafo 1.78. 
 
Pregunta 13: ¿Cuáles son los parámetros que se toman en cuenta con motivo de la revisión de la 
Ley sobre el alcohol (incluyendo Ley sobre la fiscalidad de las bebidas espirituosas y la Ley sobre el 
comercio del alcohol) para calcular los impuestos a las bebidas alcohólicas?  
 
Answer: 
 
L’impôt est calculé par litre d’alcool pur à une température de 20° Celsius. 
 WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 145 - 
 
 
 
 
  Le taux de l’impôt est de 29 francs suisse par litre d’alcool pur. Il est réduit de 50 % pour les 
produits suivants dont la teneur en alcool n’excède pas 22 % du volume: 
 les vins naturels, les vins de fruits et de baies et les vins faits à partir d’autres 
 matières premières dont la teneur en alcool excède 18 % du volume; 
 les vins de liqueur; 
 les vins aromatisés. 
 
L'impôt est de 116 francs suisse par litre d’alcool pur pour les boissons spiritueuses sucrées dont la 
teneur en alcool est inférieure à 15% du volume, qui contiennent au moins 50 grammes de sucre par litre exprimé en sucre inverti ou une édulco ration équivalente et qui sont mises dans le 
commerce sous forme de mélanges prêts à la consommation, en  bouteilles ou dans d’autres 
récipients. 
 Le Conseil fédéral suisse peut adapter les taux de l’impôt au renchérissement si l’indice suisse des 
prix à la consommation a augmenté de 5% depuis l’entrée en vigueur de la nouvelle loi ou depuis 
la dernière adaptation.  
Pregunta 14: ¿De qué manera la revisión total de la Ley sobre el alcohol (incluyendo Ley sobre la 
fiscalidad de las bebidas espirituosas y la Ley sobre el comercio del alcohol) aborda las 
indicaciones geográficas de bebidas espirituosas, es decir, existen disposiciones específicas para éstas?  
 
Answer:  
 
La nouvelle loi ne règle pas elle-même la protection des indications géographiques des spiritueux. 
C’est l’Office fédéral de l'agriculture suisse qui est compétent pour ces questions et qui tiens un registre.  
 
Le registre des appellations d’origine (AOP) et des indications géographiques (IGP) sert à protéger les noms géographiques ou traditionnels désignant des produits agricoles (autres que le vin) dont l'identité et les principales caractéristiques sont déterminées par leur origine. Lorsqu’un nom est 
protégé, son utilisation est réservée aux producteur s de l’aire géographique définie, pour autant 
qu'ils respectent un cahier des charges précis.   
La réglementation applicable dans ce domaine permet la reconnaissance réciproque des produits 
de qualité entre la Suisse et l’Union européenne  
 
Página 23, párrafo 1.79. 
 
Suiza menciona que "La liberalización de los mercados del etanol y de las bebidas espirituosas va acompañado de un fortalecimiento de la protección de los jóvenes y de la instauración de un 
"régimen nocturno" aplicable a la venta del alcohol." 
 Pregunta 15: ¿En qué consiste la protección de los jóvenes mencionada, es decir, qué tipo de 
programas o disposiciones específicas se han implementado para lograr esta protección, por 
ejemplo para controlar el consumo de alcohol?  
Answer: 
 
At first there is a age-related limitation of sale for the different types of alcohol. It is prohibited to sell on one hand spirits to persons under 18, on the other hand other alcoholic drinks to persons 
under 16. (art. 7 para. 1 AlkHG). It is as well forbidden to give spirits or alcoholic drinks to 
persons under 16/18 with the intention to avoid the above mentioned age-related limitation (art. 7 para. 2 AlkHG). To assure, that these rules are observed, the law provides the possibility of 
mistery shopping (art. 11 AlkHG). The results of such mistery shopping can serve as evidence 
under particular requirements (see art. 13 para. 2 AlkHG) in a criminal or administrative procedure. 
 
Another measure to the protection of young people are the restrictions in the advertisements (art. 4 and 5 AlkHG). Forbidden are especially commercials for spirits that show moments of consumption or that are designed to evoke a special attitude of life such as wealth, success, WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 146 - 
 
 
  
 health, sportiness, youth, conviviality, holiday feelings or the like (see for more details art. 4 
AlkHG). Yet another example for restrictions in the advertisement is the prohibition of commercials 
with other alcoholic drinks that is designed to invite minors to drink the products in question (see for other restrictions art. 5 AlkHG). A further measure is the "night regime" (see question 16). In 
addition, there are different organisations that campaign against alcohol abuse  
 Pregunta 16: ¿En qué consiste el régimen nocturno aplicable a la venta del alcohol?  
 
Answer: 
 In order to limit the access to alcoholic drinks, th e law in question (Alkoholhandelsgesetz) provides 
a prohibition of sale for the retail business concerning any kind of alcohol from 10 pm til 6 am. In 
the same space of time it is prohibited to provide add-ons or other benefits for spirits and other alcoholic drinks saled at the counter (art. 10 AlkHG). The Cantons are allowed to provide advanced 
restraints (art. 11 AlkHG). 
 1.3.1.9  Intellectual property 
MEXICO 
Página 24, párrafo 1.83. 
 
El Informe del Gobierno de Suiza establece que: " se introdujo una disposición nueva en  la Ley 
Federal sobre Patentes de invención (LBI, RS 232.14), que entró en vigor el 1º de julio de 2009 y 
permite en concreto que una mercancía patentada puesta en circulación en Suiza o en el Espacio Económico Europeo por el titular de la patente o con su consentimiento sea importada, utilizada o 
revendida en Suiza con ánimo de lu cro, salvo algunas excepciones."  
 Pregunta 17:  ¿Cuáles son esas excepciones?  
 
Answer:  
 Exceptions are made for products whose patent protection for the functional characteristics of the 
product is only of subordinate importance and for agricultural inputs and capital goods as well as 
for products whose prices are fixed by the state in Switzerland or abroad.  
1.3.2  Foreign policy areas 
1.3.2.1  Relations between Switzerland and the EU 1.3.2.2  Free trade agreements 
CHILE 
Párrafo 1.91, página 26 
 
"Desde el último examen de las políticas comerciales, que se llevó a cabo en 2008, Suiza ha 
procurado ampliar su red de acuerdos de libre comercio. De este modo, desde principios de 2009, 
Suiza concluyó un acuerdo bilateral con el Japón, así como, en el marco de la AELC, acuerdos con el Canadá (2009), Albania y Serbia (2010), Colombia y el Perú (2011), Ucrania, Hong Kong-China 
y Montenegro (2012), lo que hace que el número de acuerdos de libre comercio concluidos en el 
marco de la AELC se eleve a 24. La mayor parte de los acuerdos de libre comercio concluidos con contrapartes exteriores al espacio euromediterráneo son acuerdos de cobertura sectorial ampliada. 
Generalmente abarcan, además de la circulación de mercancías, el derecho de competencia y la 
propiedad intelectual, compromisos importantes en materia de servicios, de inversiones y de contratación pública. Además, desde mediados de 2010, Suiza y los Estados de la AELC proponen a todos sus interlocutores en las negociaciones la inclusión de disposiciones específicas sobre el 
comercio y el desarrollo sostenible".  
 Pregunta:  ¿Podría Suiza indiciar cuáles son las características principales de las disposiciones del 
medio ambiente contenidos en dichos acuerdos comerciales? Asimismo podría especificar ¿Qué WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 147 - 
 
 
 
 
  tipo de actividades se han llevado a cabo en el marco de este tipo de instrumento en materia 
ambiental?   
 Answer: 
 Information regarding the content of the model provisions on Trade and Sustainable Development developed by the EFTA States in 2010 can be found on the website of the State Secretariat for 
Economic Affairs, under the following link:  
http://www.seco.admin.ch/themen /00513/00515/01330/in dex.html?lang=en&download=NHzLpZe
g7t,lnp6I0NTU042l2Z6ln1ad1IZn4Z2qZpnO2Yuq2Z6gpJCFen17g2ym162epYbg2c_JjKbNoKSn6A--  
 
So far, only the most recent FTAs concluded with Hong Kong and with Montenegro include the new 
model provisions on trade and sustainable de velopment. Switzerland has been undertaking 
cooperative activities in the environmental area with many FTA partners, for instance cooperation 
projects in the area of Cleaner Production Centres,  organic certification, sanitary and phytosanitary 
risk management, sustainable exploitation and commercial promotion of Biotrade (under UNCTAD initative), organic farming etc. 
 
Párrafo 1.103, página 28 LIE 
 "Para muchos países en desarrollo, la promoción de los productos de la agricultura biológica o del 
comercio equitativo constituye una buena posibilidad de penetrar en los mercados agrícolas de 
Suiza y de la UE, y permite también aumentar el valor añadido local de los productos agrícolas básicos y elaborados. Cabe señalar que, en Suiza, los productos regionales de alta calidad que 
reúnan las características exigidas tienen también un buen mercado comercial. Por ese motivo, los 
proyectos de asistencia técnica relacionada con el comercio tratan de mejorar el acceso a los mercados de esos productos. Suiza, además intensifica sus iniciativas de promoción del desarrollo 
sostenible en los mercados de masas. Los criterios mínimos en materia social y ambiental se 
definen de acuerdo con los representantes de los grupos de interés de los diversos eslabones de la cadena de creación de valor (productores de los países en desarrollo y representantes de los mayoristas, los minoristas y la industria agroalimentaria) y con organizaciones no 
gubernamentales. A fin de aumentar la utilización de estas normas voluntarias privadas y sus 
efectos, Suiza presta apoyo a iniciativas cuyo objetivo es mejorar la información disponible sobre las diferentes normas, mejorar y armonizar los medios de formación de los productores sobre las 
diferentes normas e integrar mejor a los responsables de las decisiones de los países emergentes 
y en desarrollo en los debates internacionales sobre esas normas. Con ese mismo objetivo, Suiza presta apoyo al Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) y al Pacto Mundial de las Naciones Unidas (UN 
Global Compact), a fin de permitirles extender sus redes respectivas en los países emergentes y 
así responder mejor a las necesidades locales en materia de gestión y de presentación de informes"  
Preguntas en relación a los párrafos 1.91/1.102/1103:  ¿Podría señalar si en su política 
interna se promueven las normas internacionalmente reconocidas sobre la materia, además del 
Pacto Global, mencionado en el informe, en especial la ISO 26.000 sobre Responsabilidad Social; 
la Declaración Tripartita de OIT sobre Principios sobre las Empresas Multinacionales y la Política 
Social; las Líneas Directrices de la OCDE para Empresas Multinacionales y los Principios rectores de las Naciones Unidas sobre las Empresas y Derechos Humanos?  
 
Asimismo, ¿podrían especificar cuáles han sido los mecanismos adoptados para tal promoción, específicamente en los procedimientos de compras públicas?   
Pregunta:  ¿Podría Liechtenstein indicar si tiene las mismas políticas y experiencias que Suiza 
sobre la materia y, en caso contrario, podrían indicar las diferencias?  
 WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 148 - 
 
 
  
 1.3.2.3  Cooperation with developing co untries and countries with economies in 
transition 
1.3.2.3.1  Trade policy-related cooperation COLOMBIA 
El párrafo 1.96 del informe de Gobierno señala  que... "La complejidad creciente del comercio 
mundial plantea desafíos importantes a los países en desarrollo, en particular a los países menos adelantados, que se ven obligados a reforzar su capacidad institucional para hacer oír su voz en 
las negociaciones de los acuerdos comerciales multilaterales y bilaterales, incluso para poner en 
práctica los resultados de esas negociaciones. Por eso, Suiza apoya las iniciativas multilaterales en 
favor de los países menos adelantados, como por ejemplo el Marco Integrado mejorado (Enhanced Integrated Framework), la Ayuda para el Comercio (Aid for Trade) o el Grupo Interinstitucional 
sobre Comercio y Capacidad Productiva del Consejo de Jefes de Secretaría de los Organismos de 
las Naciones Unidas (UN Trade Cluster). El objetivo de estas iniciativas es integrar el comercio en las estrategias nacionales de lucha contra la pobreza, como instrumento de desarrollo, y coordinar 
mejor la asistencia técnica prestada por los países industrializados y los organismos multilaterales 
en relación con el comercio."  
El documento hace amplia referencia al tema de cooperación que adelanta Suiza con países en 
desarrollo, pero no es claro el aprovechamiento que dichos países hacen de los recursos de cooperación, que ascienden anualmente a más de cien millones de francos suizos;  
¿Qué países hacen mayor uso de ellos, en qué sectores y casos exitosos? 
 Answer: 
 L'Aide au commerce de la Suisse est destinée principalement aux pays prioritaires de l’aide économique de notre pays, à savoir : 
Pays en développement : Afrique du Sud, Colombie, Egypte, Ghana, Indonésie, Pérou et Vietnam 
Pays en transition : Albanie, ARY de Macédoine, Bosnie Herzégovine, Koso vo, Kirghizstan, Serbie, 
Tadjikistan et Ukraine.  
Ces pays absorbent plus de 50% de l’aide économique – partant de l’aide au commerce – de la 
Suisse.  
L’Aide au commerce de la Suisse se matérialise dans trois domaines principaux : 
1. La mise à disposition de conditions-carde favorables au commerce 
2. L’accroissement de la compétitivité internationale des producteurs et des PME 
3. L’accès aux marchés pour les biens et services produits de manière durable. 
 1.3.2.3.2  Trade efficiency /international standards 
MALAYSIA 
Reference is made to the page 24 (Para) 1.99 
 
Switzerland is supporting the development of a comprehensive range of services intended for 
SMEs in developing countries.  
 Q: Please indicate the types of capacity building as sistance that have been given by EFTA to assist 
in the development of the SMEs in developing countries 
 Answer: 
 
Technical cooperation is foreseen under some of EFTA’s Free Trade Agreements (FTAs). EFTA 
technical cooperation activities are organised and coordinated by the EFTA Secretariat and are normally implemented in close cooperation with the partner country.  Upon request and in close 
consultation with the recipient countries, EFTA arranges seminars, workshops, study visits or 
provides scholarships. The objectives of EFTA's technical cooperation are: to strengthen relations WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 149 - 
 
 
 
 
  and promote trade between EFTA and partner countries; to  increase knowledge and enhance 
understanding of EFTA’s FTAs and the global trad e regime; to strengthen the capacity of public 
and private sector interlocutors in partner countries to maximise the potential benefits offered by EFTA’s FTAs and the global trade regime; and to harmonise and integrate trade practices and 
information flows between EFTA States and trade partners. EFTA’s technical cooperation focuses 
on areas where special expertise may be provided, such as on technical standards, rules of origin and general customs procedures, fisheries, trade in  services and intellectual property rights.  
 
Reference is made to the page 24 (Para) 1.100 
 Switzerland also has in place, programmes to help SMEs comply with international market 
standards, which covers among others examination of standards and quality criteria. 
 Q: How can developing economies obtain assistance from Switzerland in the area of developing 
and adherence to international standards and quality criteria? 
 Answer: 
 In the framework of its economic development cooperation (of which measures in the area of international standards and quality criteria are part), the responsible Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs has defined a number of priority developing and transition countries where 
bilateral programs and projects can be implemented. Under certain conditions, interventions in the 
priority countries of the Swiss Agency for Deve lopment and Cooperation (SDC) are also possible. 
In all other countries, interventions are generally on ly possible if they are part of a broader global 
or regional program. 
 1.3.2.3.3  Market access 
CHINA 
Page 25 (Para. 1.101) 
 
"In order to facilitate access to its market for products from developing countries, under its 
Generalized System of Preferences (GSP), Switzerl and gives them extensive reductions in customs 
duty on agricultural and textile goods and exempt ion for all other goods. These tariff preferences 
are of particular benefit to LDCs, which can export  all their goods to Switzerland free of duty and 
without quotas. Another instrument, the Swiss Import Promotion Programme (SIPPO) is intended 
for export-oriented SMEs in developing countries or countries with economies in transition. It facilitates direct links between exporters in developing countries and European importers, including 
those in Switzerland; it also assists SMEs and national export promotion institutions to sustainably 
enhance the competitiveness of SMEs and to gain a foothold in international markets."  Questions : 
 
Are there any preferential treatments for the market access of characteristic healthcare service, such as traditional Chinese medicine service, in Switzerland? 
 
Answer: 
 
The Swiss GSP applies to goods from HS chapters 1-99 but does not apply to services. 
 COSTA RICA 
Página 28 (Párrafo 1.101) 
 
El Programa suizo de promoción de las importaciones (SIPPO), tiene por beneficiarias a las PYME de los países en desarrollo o en transición orientadas a la exportación. 
 
¿Podría Suiza ampliar en qué consiste el programa SIPPO?  
 WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 150 - 
 
 
  
 Answer: 
 
The Swiss Import Promotion Programme (SIPPO) enables SMEs from priority developing and transition countries to expand their exports to the Swiss and European markets. The SIPPO does 
this in applying three approaches: (i) accompanying selected companies to international trade fairs 
in Europe and enabling them to link up with potential buyers; (ii) enabling local Business Development Organizations to do this by building their capacities and (iii) conducting gap analyses 
and, in coordination with local stakeholders, look ing for solutions to sustainably boost exports. The 
SIPPO program is implemented by the private organization Switzerland Global Enterprise (formerly Osec) on a mandate from the Swiss government (SECO), with an annual budget of around 6-7 mio CHF and is mainly active in the priority countries of Switzerland’s economic development 
cooperation, namely:  
 Developing countries : Colombia, Egypt, Ghana,  Indonesia, Peru, South Africa and Viet Nam 
Transition countries : Albania, Bosnia Herzegovina,  FYR of Macedonia, Kosovo, Serbia and Ukraine.  
 1.3.2.3.4  Sustainability of exports 
CHINA 
Page 25 (para. 1.102) 
 
"Switzerland pursues this objective by endeavorin g to promote the efficient use of resources in 
production, to encourage the transfer of environmentally friendly technology, to convince firms to 
adopt core labour and human rights standards, to give priority to exports manufactured using 
sustainable methods, and in the agricultural sector, the use of organic certification and good 
agricultural practices." 
 Questions: 
 What's the position of Switzerland on the transfer of environmentally friendly technology? Has the Swiss government taken any measures to promote the transfer of environmentally friendly technology? If so, please illustrate it with a specific example. 
 
Answer: 
 
SECO has been promoting environmental technology transfer since 1998, in the follow-up to the 
1992 Rio conference. With regard to the transfer of environmental technologies in industrial 
production, a comprehensive concept plan was formulated, which was also elaborated within the 
framework of the OECD-DAC. This focuses on Cl eaner Production Centers (CPCs) – raising eco-
efficiency as a means of improving competitiveness and integration into global value chains – and on Green Credit Lines as well as the work being done in intellectual property / TRIPs. CPCs were established with SECO’s funds in xy countries. An example of a successful CPC is the one in 
Vietnam, established in 1998 as part of the Hanoi University of Technology.. It provided training 
and consultancy to businesses, governments and other organizations with a focus on the following industry sectors: pulp and paper, textile, food  processing, seafood processing, metal finishing, 
building materials, chemicals and handicraft. To date, the Centre staff has trained 15,703 people 
out of which 108 experts on cleaner production , 10 Masters of Science and 200 lecturers for 
cleaner production courses at universities. Cleane r production methodologies and techniques have 
been integrated into the curriculum of 20 unive rsities. Reports from more than 300 companies 
show that, with investments of USD 4,800,000, th e companies achieved annual savings of around:  
 
 USD 9,700,000 
 63,000 MWh electricity 
 43,000 tonnes coal 
 8 million m
3 water 
 4,700 tonnes chemicals. 
 Another example of environmental technology transfer  is recycling. Electrical and electronic waste 
from discarded computers, televisions, mobile phones and other such devices contains a variety of 
materials, some of which are of value and may be reused but others that are highly toxic. This WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 151 - 
 
 
 
 
  e-waste poses a serious health and environmental risk. SECO’s project in South Africa helps to 
mitigate this risk while, at the same time, creating jobs in a profitable recycling business. Since 
2003 SECO has funded international knowledge partnerships to set up environmentally sound and efficient recycling systems for e-waste in China, India and South Africa. EMPA provides specialist 
consulting in the areas of regulation (legislation, standards), the organization of collection 
systems, and recycling technologies (contact with Swiss recycling operators). This technology and knowledge transfer facilitated by SECO helps prot ect workers’ health and the environment, opens 
up new opportunities for trade, and creates valuable  jobs in the recovery of secondary resources. 
For instance, specialist global companies achieve a 95% recovery rate for precious metals contained in circuit boards, three times more than informal recycling businesses in developing countries. Switzerland is thus contributing to poverty reduction and, at the same time, helping to 
overcome the global shortage of resources. In South Africa, Green e-Waste Channels have been 
funded in Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg, guaranteeing the safe and regulated disposal of e-waste. 
 
CHILE 
Párrafo 1.102, página 28 
 
"Un objetivo transversal, de importancia excepcional, de la cooperación suiza en materia de comercio es la sostenibilidad de las exportaciones. Suiza procura conseguir ese objetivo favoreciendo la utilización eficiente de los recursos, alentando la transferencia de tecnologías 
respetuosas con el medio ambiente, incitando a las empresas a adoptar las normas fundamentales 
del trabajo y de los derechos humanos, favoreciendo los productos de exportación fabricados con métodos sostenibles y, en el sector agropecuario, de acuerdo con las exigencias de la certificación 
biológica, y las buenas prácticas agropecuarias. En lo que respecta a la protección de la diversidad 
biológica, se tienen en cuenta varios temas: acceso a los recursos genéticos y reparto equitativo de los beneficios obtenidos mediante la explotación de esos recursos (Access & benefit sharing), 
los conocimientos tradicionales y las indicaciones geográficas. En relación con la Convención Marco 
de las Naciones Unidas sobre el Cambio Climático, Suiza apoya la promoción de proyectos experimentales en el sector industrial a través de un programa de producción propio, la creación 
de nuevos mecanismos de mercado para el intercambio de derecho de emisión de CO2 y el 
reforzamiento de las instituciones en la esfera del Protocolo de Kyoto" 
 Párrafo 1.103, página 28 
 "Para muchos países en desarrollo, la promoción de los productos de la agricultura biológica o del comercio equitativo constituye una buena posibilidad de penetrar en los mercados agrícolas de 
Suiza y de la UE, y permite también aumentar el valor añadido local de los productos agrícolas 
básicos y elaborados. Cabe señalar que, en Suiza, los productos regionales de alta calidad que reúnan las características exigidas tienen también un buen mercado comercial. Por ese motivo, los proyectos de asistencia técnica relacionada con el comercio tratan de mejorar el acceso a los 
mercados de esos productos. Suiza, además intensifica sus iniciativas de promoción del desarrollo 
sostenible en los mercados de masas. Los criterios mínimos en materia social y ambiental se definen de acuerdo con los representantes de los grupos de interés de los diversos eslabones de la 
cadena de creación de valor (productores de los países en desarrollo y representantes de los 
mayoristas, los minoristas y la industria agroalimentaria) y con organizaciones no gubernamentales. A fin de aumentar la utilización de estas normas voluntarias privadas y sus 
efectos, Suiza presta apoyo a iniciativas cuyo objetivo es mejorar la información disponible sobre 
las diferentes normas, mejorar y armonizar los medios de formación de los productores sobre las diferentes normas e integrar mejor a los responsables de las decisiones de los países emergentes y en desarrollo en los debates internacionales sobre esas normas. Con ese mismo objetivo, Suiza 
presta apoyo al Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) y al Pacto Mundial de las Naciones Unidas (UN 
Global Compact), a fin de permitirles extender sus redes respectivas en los países emergentes y así responder mejor a las necesidades locales en materia de gestión y de presentación de 
informes" 
 Preguntas en relación a los párrafos 1.91/1.102/1103: ¿Podría señalar si en su política 
interna se promueven las normas internacionalmente reconocidas sobre la materia, además del 
Pacto Global, mencionado en el informe, en especial la ISO 26.000 sobre Responsabilidad Social; la Declaración Tripartita de OIT sobre Principios sobre las Empresas Multinacionales y la Política WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 152 - 
 
 
  
 Social; las Líneas Directrices de la OCDE para Empresas Multinacionales y los Principios rectores de 
las Naciones Unidas sobre las Empresas y Derechos Humanos?  
 Asimismo, ¿podrían especificar cuáles han sido los mecanismos adoptados para tal promoción, 
específicamente en los procedimientos de compras públicas?  
Pregunta: ¿Podría Liechtenstein indicar si tiene las mismas políticas y experiencias que Suiza sobre la materia y, en caso contrario, podrían indicar las diferencias? 
 
Answer: 
 Switzerland promotes internationally recognized CSR norms on the domestic level. For instance, 
the Swiss National Contact Point for the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises regularly 
participates in events with the business sector and other stakeholders in order to increase the awareness of the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises. Moreover, regarding the UN 
Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, Switzerland has launched a multistakeholder 
dialogue with all interested parties in May 2012.   
To facilitate sustainable procurement by public procurers and private company buyers, Switzerland 
has created an e-platform (called "Kompass Nachhaltigkeit" or "compass sustainability") which provides information on applicable sustainability standards and local experiences in sustainable procurement. In the framework of its support to the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), Switzerland 
plans to organize an information event in collaboration with the UN Global Compact Local Network 
to inform Swiss companies (especially SMEs) on  the methods and benefits of sustainability 
management and reporting.  
 
With regard to public procurement sustainability  criteria may be requested or evaluated in the 
tender process. The administration developed recommendations for including sustainability criteria 
in public tenders. This recommendations are publicly available under the following weblink: 
http://www.bbl.admin.ch/bkb/0261 7/02632/index.html?lang=de&d ownload=NHzLpZeg7t,lnp6I0N
TU042l2Z6ln1acy4Zn4Z2qZpnO2Yuq2Z6gpJCDfIB5e2ym162epYbg2c_JjKbNoKSn6A-- . 
Furthermore, the Swiss legislation obliges the supp lier to observe the eight core conventions of the 
International Labour Organization (ILO) (cf. para 1.74, p. 19 of the report of Switzerland). 
 1.3.2.4  Rules and disciplines 
1.3.2.5  Export promotion 
COSTA RICA Página 29 (Párrafo 1.106) 
 
En Suiza existe una organización, dotada de personalidad jurídica independiente de la Confederación, la Assurance suisse contre les risques à l'exportation (ASRE), que se basa en la Ley 
Federal de 16 de diciembre de 2005 sobre el seguro suizo contra los riesgos de exportación 
(LASRE; RS 946.10 ); la organización está sometida a la vigilancia del Consejo Federal, que es 
asumida por el Departamento Federal de Economía, Formación e Investigación (DEFR) y ejercida por la SECO. La ASRE introdujo en 2009 cuatro productos nuevos: el seguro de los créditos a la 
fabricación, la garantía de "bonos", la garantía de refinanciación y el seguro de confirmación de 
carta de crédito.  
Pregunta: 
 
Ante el compromiso inicial asumido a nivel multilateral (Programa de Doha para el Desarrollo) de eliminar todo tipo de subvención a la exportación, ¿Qué acciones ha dado Suiza respecto al Seguro 
Suizo de Riesgo de las exportaciones (ASRE)? 
 Answer: 
 The OECD Export Credit Arrangement stipulates  a minimum premium to cover the political and 
delcredere risks involved in export credits. SERV is an economically viable organisation from a 
long-term standpoint. This means that premiums and other income generated by SERV are WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 153 - 
 
 
 
 
  sufficient to cover claims, risk-related costs and operational expenses. In conclusion this is not an 
export subsidy.  
 1.3.2.6  Other external policy priorities 
1.3.2.6.1  Environment 
CHINA Page 26 (Para. 1.108) 
 
"Switzerland considers that implementing trade-re lated measures that are both non-discriminatory 
and non-protectionist within the framework of multilateral environmental agreements is, under 
certain circumstances, the most effective way of ensuring that environmental objectives are met." 
 
Questions:  
 
Please explain whether implementing trade-related measures has met the objectives of 
environment protection.  How does Switzerland conduct qualitative or quantitative evaluation on such measures? 
 
Answer: 
 Measures foreseen in or derived from Mulitlat eral Environmental Agreements (MEAs), including 
trade-related measures, have contributed to meet ing objectives of environment protection in 
Switzerland. However, Switzerland does not syst ematically conduct evaluations of trade-related 
measures with environmental purposes. There are more than 500 MEAs and many contain trade-
related rules such as requirements or restrictions on imported or exported products, the 
Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal, the Convention on International Trade in Enda ngered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, the 
convention on Biological Diversity and the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone 
Layer to name just a few relevant from  a Swiss environmental perspective.  
 For example Switzerland has ratified the Montreal  Protocol of 16 September 1987 on Substances 
that Deplete the Ozone Layer. The Montreal Protocol has 196 parties of which 150 are WTO 
Members. The trade of certain substances can be banned under the protocol. In 2000 Switzerland introduced the incentive tax on volatile organic compounds (VOCs) (see 3.32 and 3.80 of the 
Report by the Secretariat). The tax on VOCs is a financial incentive to reduce emissions. The tax 
covers VOCs produced in Switzerland. Imported goods containing VOCs are taxed at the border 
according to their VOCs content. Since 1990, it has been possible to reduce the emissions of VOCs 
by 65% in Switzerland. 
 Page 26 (Para. 1.10) 
 
"The SERV introduced four new products in 2009: working capital insurance … originally scheduled 
to end in Dec. 2011."  
Questions:  
 
Please elaborate the categories of SERV’s products and the interaction among different categories. 
Has the SERV provided any specific products or  policies to support the exports of different 
industries and enterprises? Are there any specific products for small and medium enterprises?  Answer: 
 Export transactions can be in connection with investment projects, or involving goods or services with a short economic life (consumer goods) or involving goods or services for the manufacture of 
capital goods (parts and components). Hence export  transactions require a range of cover options. 
These options vary not only with regard to risk cover before and/or after the despatch of goods, 
but also with regard to credit terms and risk groups such as countries, banks and private buyers. 
Overall the issuance of an insurance policy is subject to conditions laid down by international WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 154 - 
 
 
  
 agreements and Swiss law. Depending on the type of export good (consumer goods, capital goods, 
services), the applicable conditions vary. Insurable risks are political risk, transfer risk, delcredere 
risk and force majeure risk. There are not generally any restrictions on insurable export transactions in the goods or services sector. Although SME use the SERV products extensively, 
there are no specific products targeted at SME. 
 Except for the SERV's credit and insurance produc ts, could Swiss export enterprises buy the export 
insurance products provided by other commercial export and credit insurance corporation?  
 Answer: 
 
SERV provides services supplementary to the existi ng market offer. The organisation only insures 
risks that are not marketable or for which no sufficient insurance offer exists. SERV generally distinguishes between marketable and non-marketab le risks on the basis of European Commission 
notifications. 
 What are the differences between the four new products introduced by SERV in 2009 and other 
export insurance products available on the market at that time? Are there any data to demonstrate 
the effect of those new products on the export of Switzerland since 2009?  Answer: 
 In 2009 SERV introduced following additional pr oducts on a temporary basis extended until the 
end of 2015 as follows: 1. working capital insurance, 2. counter guarantee and 3. refinancing 
guarantee. While the first two products targeted liquidity issues, the latter addressed the problems 
of a tense interbank market. There was no comparable market offer from private companies. See also response to question 2 above. There is a substantial demand for the new products. 
 
1.3.2.6.2  Core labour standards 
CHILE Párrafo 1.111, página 31 
 
"En cuanto a la promoción de las normas fundamen tales del trabajo, Suiza se pronunció en la OMC 
sobre la importancia de este asunto: pidió que los temas relacionados con el comercio y las 
cuestiones sociales fueran tratados de manera coherente (Consenso de Singapur, confirmado en 
Doha en 2001). Suiza también especificó que la OMC debe ocuparse del comercio y no tratar la cuestión de los derechos humanos de manera independiente. Así, la OMC –al igual que las demás 
organizaciones internacionales- debe ceñirse a sus competencias y cerciorarse al mismo tiempo de 
que las disposiciones que se establezcan en su seo sean compatibles con las elaboradas en otras organizaciones internacionales, y viceversa. Suiza está determinada tanto en la OMC como en la OIT a que los temas transversales, como son el comercio y las normas sociales, se traten de 
manera coherente y global. Suiza aboga por la intensificación y la mejora de la colaboración entre 
la OMC y la OIT, y es partidaria de que la OIT tenga la condición de observadora en la OMC. A finales de 2011, la OMC y la OIT prepararon conjuntamente dos publicaciones importantes sobre el 
tema de la globalización y los mercados de tr abajo. Estas dos publicaciones constituyen una 
aportación constructiva al debate actual sobre los vínculos entre el comercio y el desarrollo a nivel nacional, regional y mundial. Cabe destacar que estas publicaciones contienen propuestas relativas 
a la forma en que unas políticas comerciales y sociales coherentes pueden contribuir a la 
formación de empleos de calidad, dotados de una  protección adecuada, en el contexto de unos 
mercados abiertos"  
Pregunta en relación a lo señala do en los párrafos 1.91/1.102/1.111 : ¿Con qué países 
Suiza ha suscrito acuerdos relativos al Desarrollo Sostenible en el marco de negociaciones 
comerciales, específicamente acuerdos o cláusulas laborales? ¿Podrían describirse específicamente 
el contenido de tales acuerdos o cláusulas, así como indicar la metodología para su 
implementación?   WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 155 - 
 
 
 
 
  Answer: 
 In 2010, the EFTA States have developed a new model chapter on Trade and Sustainable 
Development, addressing both environmental and labo ur issues related to trade. So far, only the 
most recent FTAs concluded with Hong Kong and with Montenegro include the new model 
provisions on sustainable development. The texts of these agreements can be found on the EFTA website, under the following link: http://www.efta.int/free-trade/free-trade-agreements.aspx . The 
monitoring of the implementation of the provisio ns on Trade and sustainable development is being 
carried out by the joint committees established und er these FTAs which meet on a regular basis. 
 MALAYSIA 
Reference is made to the page 27 (Para) 1.108, 1.109 and 1.110 
 
1.3.2.6.1 Environment  
It is stated that Switzerland cooperates with other governments in order to ensure that the laws 
governing import and export of goods that might be hazardous to human health or the environment. 
 
Q1: Appreciate if Switzerland to share the cooperation made with other governments in order to ensure laws governing import and export of goods that might be hazardous to human health or the environment.  
 
Answer: 
 
Chemicals  play a central role in human prosperity, however they also pose risks and dangers to 
the environment and human health. A large number of hazardous chemicals are conveyed throughout the world through the air, water, food chain, the trade in products and in the form of 
waste. The trade in chemicals is still dominated by  the industrialised countries. The involvement of 
developing and newly-industrialised countries in their production is increasing rapidly, however, 
and their contribution should reach around 40  % by 2030. Hence, the effective protection of 
humans and the environment and the fair distribution of the opportunities and risks require 
intensified international cooperation.  
The safe use of chemicals throughout their entire life cycle and the protection against the harmful 
effects of chemicals and waste are important concerns. For this reason Switzerland supports the 
extension of the international agreements and processes that exist in these areas (  the Basel,
9 
Rotterdam,  10 and Stockholm  11 Conventions, Montreal Protocol  12, Strategic Approach to 
International Chemicals Management, SAICM  ) to other hazardous substances. In addition it 
advocates the establishment of complementary rules on heavy metals and the handling of 
nanomaterials. 
 
Action is also required in the area of waste . Switzerland would like to develop existing agreements 
in the direction of sustainable resource and materials management. A focus area for action here is 
partnership initiatives for the recycling of electronic waste. Switzerland is also committed to the 
formulation of rules that would prohibit the export of hazardous waste to countries that are unable to manage this waste safely.  
For more info, see http://www.bafu.admin.ch/international/04692/04746/index.html?lang=en  
 
Q3: In minimizing CO2, many car manufacturers are moving towards hybrid solution. Does 
Switzerland have any plan to manage hazardous wastes such as batteries that might be hazardous 
to humans and the environment?  
                                               
9 Basel Convention of 22 March 1989 on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes 
and their Disposal (with annexes). 
10 Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent (PIC) Procedure for Certain Hazardous 
Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade of  10 September 1998 (PIC Convention) (with annexes). 
11 Stockholm Convention on Pers istent Organic Pollutants (POP Convention) (with annexes). 
12 Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer of 16 September 1987 (with annexes). WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 156 - 
 
 
  
 Answer: 
 
Consumers in Switzerland must return used batteries and accumulators to sales outlets or take them to the designated collection points. All de alers - distributors, retailers, department stores, 
stores specialized in mobile communication, kiosks or shops at petrol stations - are obliged to take 
back batteries and accumulators free of charge (except for those weighing more than 5 kg). Batteries and accumulators up to 5kg in weight are sold with a compulsory Prepaid Disposal Fee. 
This fee is included in the sales price and covers the cost of collecting, transporting and recycling 
the returned batteries and accumulators.   For more info, see 
http://www.bafu.admin.ch/abfall/01472/01706/index.html?lang=en  
 
1.4  Switzerland and negotiations at the WTO 
MALAYSIA 
Reference is made to the page 29  
 
1.118. At the same time, together with many other Members, Switzerland is actively working 
towards an updated Agreement on information technology and the negotiation of an ambitious 
International agreement on services. Such an agreement should be open to all WTO Members 
ready to participate.  
 
Q: The strength of the WTO is in its multilateralism. How does Switzerland view this plurilateral approach fitting into the multilateral process and advancing the overall WTO negotiations? 
 
Answer: 
 
Switzerland considers this plurilateral approach as a stepping stone to the multilateral process. The 
aim is to create an ambitious agreement for services that is attractive to a large number of parties and that could be multilateralised in future. Discussions initiated in different areas of the trade in services agreement may also bring new ideas into the multilateral process. 
 WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 157 - 
 
 
 
 
  References 
 
Swiss National Bank, Bulletin trimestriel, Zurich. 
Swiss Federal Council, Rapport sur la politique économique extérieure 2009, Messages concernant 
des accords économiques internationaux et Rapport concernant les mesures tarifaires prises 
pendant l’année 2009 , OFCL (Federal Office for Buildings and Logistics), Bern, 13 January 2010, 
406 pages. See http://www.seco.admin.ch/dokumentat ion/publikation/00008/00101/04074/ 
index.html?lang=fr . 
Swiss Federal Council, Rapport sur la politique économique extérieure 2010, Messages concernant 
des accords économiques internationaux et Rapport sur les mesures tarifaires prises en 2010 , 
OFCL, Bern, 12 January 2011, 411 pages. See 
http://www.seco.admin.ch/dokumentation/publik ation/00008/00101/0460 8/index.html?lang=fr . 
Swiss Federal Council, Rapport sur la politique économique extérieure 2011, Messages concernant 
des accords économiques internationaux et Rapport sur les mesures tarifaires prises en 2011 , 
Bern, 11 January 2012, 323 pages. See 
http://www.seco.admin.ch/dokumentation/publik ation/00008/00101/0484 0/index.html?lang=fr . 
Swiss Federal Council, Rapport sur la politique économique extérieure 2012, Messages concernant 
des accords économiques internationaux et Rapport sur les mesures tarifaires prises en 2012 , 
Bern, 9 January 2013, 166 pages. See http://www.seco.admin.ch/aktuell/00277/01164/ 01980/index.html?lan g=fr&msg-id=47392 . 
State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), Tendances conjoncturelles , quarterly annex to 
"La Vie économique ", in the issues for February, April, July and October. See 
http://www.seco.admin.ch/dokumentation/pu blikation/00007/00021/index.html?lang=fr . 
Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Le rapport sur la croissance , Grundlagen der 
Wirtschaftspolitik Nr. 3F, Bern, 2002. 
Swiss Federal Council, Rapport de croissance 2008-2011  Bern, 2 April 2008, 122 pages. See 
http://www.seco.admin.ch/themen/003 74/00459/00460/inde x.html?lang=fr . 
State Secretariat for Economic Affairs, Politique de croissance 2012-2015 , Report of the Federal 
Council, Bern, 2012, 69 pages. See http://www.news.admin.ch/NSBSubscrib er/message/attachments/27193.pdf . 
Federal Department of Finance, Les finances publiques 2012: Co nfédération, cantons, communes , 
Bern, October 2012, 10 pages. See 
http://www.efv.admin.ch/f/d ownloads/oeff_finanzen/T aschenstatistik_f_web.pdf . 
Federal Office for Agriculture, Rapport agricole 2009,  Bern, 2009, 379 pages. 
Federal Office for Agriculture, Rapport agricole 2010, Bern, 2010, 268 pages. 
Federal Office for Agriculture, Rapport agricole 2011 , Bern, 2011, 284 pages. See 
http://www.blw.admin.ch/dokumentation /00018/00498/01515/in dex.html?lang=fr . 
Federal Office for Agriculture, Rapport agricole 2012 , Bern, 2012, 312 pages. See 
http://www.blw.admin.ch/dokumentati on/00018/00498/index.html?lang=fr . WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 158 - 
 
 
  
 2  REPORT BY LIECHTENSTEIN 
2.1  Introduction 
2.2  Trade and economic policy environment MEXICO 
Página 34, párrafo 2.6. 
 
El Gobierno de Liechtenstein menciona que: “Durante los últimos cuatro años,  (…) ha seguido 
manteniendo su tradicional política económica liberal, basada en unos agentes económicos 
autónomos y unas intervenciones del Estado que se limitan a establecer un marco de condiciones favorables para la empresa.”  
 
México pregunta 18:  ¿A qué se refiere Liechtenstein exactamente con “agentes económicos 
autónomos”? ¿Por autónomo, podemos interpretar que se permite y reconoce la autorregulación 
privada como regla general en todos los sectores de su economía? 
 
2.2.3 Actividades del Estado 
Página 38, párrafo 2.28. 
 
México pregunta 19:  ¿De qué manera Liechtenstein evalúa los resultados de las subvenciones o 
garantías que otorga a la exportación o a las empresas que se dedican a las explotaciones 
agrícolas? 
 
2.2.1  Economic growth 
2.2.2  The economic sectors 
2.2.3  State activities 
2.3  Trade policy developments and future policy directions 2.3.1  The World Trade Organization (WTO) 
MALAYSIA 
Reference is made to the page 36  
 
2.36. Services form an important part of the ov erall package of the current negotiating Round. 
Services account for a large part of economic growth, both in industrialized and developing 
countries. Therefore, Liechtenstein welcomes the initiative on a possible ambitious plurilateral 
trade in services agreement. 
 
Q :  A s  L i e c h t e n s t e i n  i s  n o t  a  m e m b e r  t o  t h e  R e a l l y  G o o d  F r i e n d s  o f  S e r v i c e s  ( R G F S ) ,  w h a t  i s  Liechtenstein’s view on how the current plurilateral approach would fit into the multilateral process 
and advance overall WTO negotiations?  
 2.3.2  The European Economic Area (EEA) 
2.3.3  The European Free Trade Association (EFTA) 
CHILE 
"Desde principios del decenio de 1990, la AELC ha venido creando una amplia red de relaciones 
contractuales con los Estados y territorios de Euro pa Central y Oriental, con la región mediterránea 
y con ultramar. En la actualidad, los Estados de la AELC tienen una red de 24 acuerdos de libre 
comercio, con un total de 33 países y territorios asociados de todo el mundo: con Albania (2010), WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 159 - 
 
 
 
 
  la Autoridad Palestina (1998), el Canadá (2009), Chile (2003), Colombia (2011), el Consejo de 
Cooperación del Golfo (CCG, integrado por Arabia Saudita, Bahrein, Emirato Árabes Unidos, 
Kuwait, Omán y Qatar), Croacia (2001), Egipto (2007), Hong Kong, Cina (2012), Israel (1992), Jordania (2001), Líbano (2004), Macedonia (2000), Marruecos (1997), México (2000), Montenegro 
(2012), el Perú (2011), la República de Corea (2005), Serbia (2010), Singapur (2002), Túnez 
(2004), Turquía (1991). Ucrania (2012) y la Unión Aduanera del África Meridional (UAAM, integrada por Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, Sudáfrica y Swazilandia) (2006). Los acuerdos de libre 
comercio concertados por los Estados de la AELC tienen el propósito de mejorar el acceso mutuo a 
los mercados y velar por que se conceda a los agentes económicos un trato no discriminatorio con respecto a sus principales competidores en esos mercados".   
Párrafo 2.42, página 40 
 
"La AELC mantiene actualmente negociaciones comerciales con Argelia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, 
cuatro Estados de América Central (Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras y Panamá), la India, 
Indonesia, Tailandia, la Unión Aduanera de Rusia, Belarús y Kazajstán y con Viet Nam. Las negociaciones con Malasia se iniciarán pronto. Además, los Estados de la AELC estudian la 
posibilidad de abrir negociaciones con otros terceros países".  
 Pregunta en relación a los párrafos 2.41 y 2.42: ¿Podría Liechtenstein mencionar con qué países la AELC ha suscrito acuerdos relativos a Desarrollo sostenible en el marco de negociaciones 
comerciales, específicamente acuerdos o cláusulas laborales? ¿Podrían describir el contenido de 
tales acuerdos o cláusulas así como indicar la metodología para su implementación?   
MALAYSIA 
Reference is made to the page 37 (Para) 2.42 
 
Malaysia takes note of EFTA’s concluded FTAs with WTO members. Malaysia also takes note that 
there are countries which EFTA is negotiating with e.g. India, Thailand and Indonesia.   Q: Malaysia would like to know when does EFTA expect to conclude these negotiations.   
 
Answer: 
 
The negotiations with India and Indonesia are in a rather advanced stage and parties aim at a 
swift conclusion. Regarding Thailand, negotiations are currently on hold and both parties are in contact to examine the possibility of re-launching the process. 
 
2.3.4  Customs Union Treaty/Econo mic Integration with Switzerland 
 WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 160 - 
 
 
  
 OTHER QUESTIONS 
 
CHINESE TAIPEI  
The website of the Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (IGE/IPI) 
(www.ige.ch/en/patents/protec tion-in-switzerland.html , visited on 2 April 2013) indicates that the 
IGE/IPI does not examine for the novelty or inventive step in a national patent application.  It is 
noted also that the material examination usually takes place three to four years after a patent 
application is filed.  
 Question(s): 
 
It would be appreciated if Switzerland could please explain the reason why the material 
examination takes such a long time to complete, es pecially since the novelty or inventive step is 
not examined.   
 
Would the IGE/IPI consider taking action to facilitate the patent applications examination process with a view to shortening the length of time  currently taken to complete the examination? 
 
Answer: 
 During material examination the technical claims are examined in order to determine whether the 
invention fulfils the legal requirements for a patent. Except where the applicant required an 
expedited procedure, the material examination ta kes place in the order of arrival of patent 
applications (beginning with the older ones). The length of time necessary for the material 
examination is thus due to the number of patent applications to be examined.  
 According to Article 63 of the Ordinance on Patents, patent applicants may require an expedited 
procedure for which an additional fee of CHF 200.- is to be paid. The time necessary is about 6 
months depending on the case  
 ARGENTINA 
Dado que los aspectos Ownership e Instruments, dentro de Availability of Information y Exchange 
of Information, respectivamente, han sido evaluados como "Not in place" por el Global Forum y que durante 2013 Suiza está participando de las reuniones del canal de finanzas del G-20. ¿Cuál 
es su posición respecto de la posibilidad de implementar como metas el intercambio de 
información automático y el "Legal Entity Identifier" en el mencionado grupo?  
Answer: 
 
Pour ce qui concerne l’échange automatique d’information, la Suisse approuve par principe toutes les mesures qui visent à combattre l’évasion fiscale et à assurer une imposition efficace. La Suisse 
poursuit un tel objectif en appliquant sa stratégie de l’argent propre du 19.12.2012. Le groupe 
d’experts composé de représentants des milieux académiques et de l’administration fédérale examine pour l’heure l’évolution de cette stratégie. La place économique suisse tisse des liens 
dans le monde entier. Pour juger des conditions-cadres, il ne faut pas tenir uniquement compte 
des changements qui touchent l’Union européenne, mais aussi de l’évolution d’autres places financières internationales en Amérique et en Asie.  
 
With regard to the Global Forum and the recommend ations on ownership and identity information, 
Switzerland has provided on 19 March 2013 a follow up report to the PRG providing details of actions taken by its Government to implement the recommendations made in its report: 
 
Extract:  
 
The Federal Council adopted on the 27 February 2013 a consultation draft which proposes 
legislative measures for the implementation of the revised international recommendations on combating money laundering and terrorist financing. The mandatory consultation period will run 
until 15 June 2013. Based on the results of the cons ultation, the proposed legislative measures will 
be finalized for submission to parliament. WT/TPR/M/280/Add.1 
 
- 161 - 
 
 
 
 
  To ensure transparency of unlisted companies th at have issued bearer shares, the proposed 
legislative measures require that all owners of bearer shares be identified. Companies (sociétés 
anonyms, sociétés en commandite par actions and sociétés d’investissement à capital variable) that have issued or are issuing bearer shares will need to choose between one of the following 
options: 
(i) disclosure by all shareholders of their iden tity and interests in the company and of the 
identity of the ultimate beneficial owner, including any subsequent changes thereto to 
the company itself; 
(ii) disclosure by all shareholders of their id entity and interests in the company and of the 
identity of the ultimate beneficial owner, including any subsequent changes thereto to a financial intermediary subject to the anti-money laundering legislation;  
(iii) simplified conversion of bearer shares into registered shares. 
 Finally, concerning "Legal Entity Identifier" Switze rland is an observer in the Regulatory Oversight 
Committee of the LEI and will decide on the implem entation of the LEI in the course of the new 
regulation of OTC derivatives markets and financial market infrastructure. This revision of the legislative and regulatory framework is ongoing. 
 
¿Cuál es la posición de Suiza respecto de la iniciativa tendiente a que el BIS transparente la información de movimientos de capitales desde los países en desarrollo a cualquier otra jurisdicción? 
 
Si bien Suiza sostiene que son varios los motivos para mantener el secreto bancario, y ha explicado los motivos para haberlo implementado en la década de 1930, dichos motivos parecen 
haber cambiado. En ese sentido, ¿cuál es la razón por la cual se mantiene actualmente tal secreto? 
 Answer: 
 Switzerland wants to maintain the bank secrecy be cause she is convinced of the lawful need of 
protecting the clients' privacy. At the same time, she wants to further strengthen withholding tax agreements with foreign countries as a credible alternative to the automatic exchange of 
information. Withholding tax agreements, administrative and mutual assistance in accordance with 
the international standard and additional due diligence requirements represent effective and 
forward looking means of combating abuses in the area of taxation. 
 
THAILAND 
Question 2:  Thailand would like to learn about Switzerland’s measures regarding the permission 
of workers from abroad to work in Switzerland.  Could you inform us if there is a public channel 
from which we can learn about these measures? Has there been any change of such measures? If so, please explain how.  
Answer: 
 
Information on working in Switzerland (working permits, recent changes, FAQ etc.) is available in 
the Swiss national languages as well as in English on the following website : 
http://www.bfm.admin.ch/content/b fm/en/home/themen/arbeit/nic ht-eu_efta-angehoerige.html . 
 
 
 
__________