Switzerland notifies WTO of changes to chemical safety regulations

On 14 April 2025, Switzerland notified the World Trade Organisation (WTO) of two proposed amendments to its chemical safety regulations through the publication of notifications G/TBT/N/CHE/292 and G/TBT/N/CHE/293.

G/TBT/N/CHE/292 and G/TBT/N/CHE/293: Objective?

These amendments aim to improve public health protection by restricting the availability of certain hazardous substances to the general public and by harmonising Swiss regulations with the European REACH and CLP frameworks.

G/TBT/N/CHE/292 and G/TBT/N/CHE/293: Amendments?

• •The amendment of the Ordinance on the Reduction of Risks Related to the Use of Particularly Hazardous Substances, Preparations and Articles (ORRChim) prohibits the supply to the public of substances classified as carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic for reproduction (CMR)as of 31 August 2025. This ban applies to substances listed in Annexes 1 to 6 of Annex XVII of the EU REACH Regulation, as well as to mixtures containing these substances at concentrations exceeding the threshold set out in the regulation.
• •The amendment to the Ordinance on Protection against Hazardous Substances and Preparations (OChim) is updated by incorporating EU Adaptations to Technical Progress (ATP) 22 and 23 together with updated references to test methods according to Regulation (EC) No 440/2008, the latest OECD Test Guidelines and the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria. A transition period until 30 April 2026 is established for ATP 22 and until a date to be determined for ATP 23.
• •One existing entry is updated and seven new entries are added to Annex 3 of ChemO, the Swiss list of substances of very high concern (SVHC). The revised list will contain 247 substances and groups of substances as of 1 August 2025.

G/TBT/N/CHE/292 and G/TBT/N/CHE/293: When?

Both amended ordinances are scheduled to enter into force on 1 August 2025, allowing the alignment of the country's regulation with the European regulation. SIAM keeps our databases updated to facilitate the implementation of these changes in the documents generated by Chemeter users.