G/LIC/N/1/CHE/5  
4 December  2017 
(17-6650) Page: 1/2 
Committee on Import Licensing  Original:  French  
 
  
AGREEMENT ON IMPORT LICENSING PROCEDURES  
NOTIFICATION UNDER ARTICLE 1.4(A)i AND/OR 8.2(B) OF THE AGREEMENT  
SWITZERLAND  
The following notification, dated 30  November  2017, is being circulated at the request of the 
delegation of Switzerland . 
 
1. Notification under Article 1.4(a) [X] ; Article 8.2(b) [X] (If the notification is made 
under both Articles please mark both with an X)  
2. Source(s) where the Import Licensing Procedure(s) has(ve) been published 
(Official  Gazette, publication, website, etc.):  
Ordonnance sur la réduction des risques liés à l’utilisation de substances, de préparations 
et d’objets particulièrement dangereux (Ordinance on the reduction of risks relating  to the 
use of certain particularly dangerous  substances, preparations and articles ) 
(RO 2017 5963): 
https://www.admin.ch/opc/fr/official -compilation/2017/5963.pdf  
3. Date of publicationi: 14 November 20 17 
Effective date of requirement : 1 January 2018  
4. Copy(ies) of publication (in case of Art. 1.4(a))ii and/or legislation (in case of 
Art. 8.2(b))iii is(are) available for consultation by Members : 
[ ] at the WTO Secretariat (Market Access Division)  (In this case please attach copies 
of the publication and/or legislation, if possible in electronic format: Microsoft Word or 
compatible software)  
and/or  
 [X] by request at the following address and fax numbers, and/or email and 
website : 
Ordinance on the reduction of risks relating to the use of certain particularly dangerous 
substances, preparations and articles (RS 814.81):  
https://www.admin.ch/opc/fr/classified -compilation/20021520/index.html  
 
5. In the case that they are not in one of the three WTO official languages, (English, 
French or Spanish)  a SUMMARY of the publication (in case of Art. 1.4(a )) and/or 
the legislation (in case of Art. 8.2(b ))iv: G/LIC/N/1/CHE/5  
- 2 - 
  6. Other pertinent data or information (i.e. title of the proposed or adopted 
law/regulation establishing the Import Licensing Procedure) : 
Certain provisions concerning  mercury have had to be amended  so that  Switzerland can 
implement the Minamata Convention on Mercury . The amendments made to legislation  on 
chemical products  most notably introduce a control system for imports of mercury, 
mercury compounds and mercury alloys. These products can only be imported  after import 
authorization has been issued. Certain exception s to this rule may, however, apply  where 
the products concerned are imported for research and development purposes.  
 
__________  
 
 
 
 
                                                
i "[...] Publication shall take place, whenever practicable, 21 days prior to the effective date of the 
requirement but in all events not later than such effective date.  Any exception, derogations or changes in or 
from the rules concerning licensing procedu res or the list of products subject to import licensing shall also be 
published in the same manner and within the same time -periods as specified above."  See Article 1.4(a) of the 
Agreement.  
ii "The rules and all information concerning procedures for the sub mission of applications, including the 
eligibility of persons, firms and institutions to make such applications, the administrative body(ies) to be 
approached, and the lists of products subject to the licensing requirement shall be published, in the source s 
notified to the Committee on Import Licensing [...]. Copies of these publications shall also be made available to 
the Secretariat." See Art. 1.4(a) of the Agreement and document G/LIC/3 "Procedures for Notification and 
Review under the Agreement on Impor t Licensing Procedures" . 
iii See document G/LIC/3 "Procedures for Notification and Review under the Agreement on Import 
Licensing Procedures".