Search

3.103. In Liechtenstein, only agriculture receives sector specific government subsidies (Section 4.1). Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in every sector can benefit from incentives such as the CHF 15,000 Innosuisse "innovation cheque" to pursue research and innovation activities in partnership with universities or R&D facilities based in Switzerland or Liechtenstein. Applications have to be submitted to the Office of Economic Affairs and the cheque is transmitted to the research institutions that will work with the SME. In addition, SMEs can benefit from a "digital cheque" to develop digital concepts, investments or training of staff, and grants to conduct projects for improving their energy efficiency. (...) In the context of Liechtenstein's CO2 reduction targets ( 40% compared to 1990 by 2030 ), the Government provides financial subsidies for renewable energy use and improved building insulation. Liechtenstein is part of the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) and applies EU directive 2003/87/EC, which includes optional exclusion of small emitters from the ETS.

3.112. Labelling under Swiss legislation is extensively harmonized with EU regulations. Utility articles and food labelling requirements are determined by the Federal Department for Home Affairs and are laid out in Articles 36 (food), 37 (GMO food products) [181], and 47 (utility articles) of the 2016 Ordinance on Food Products and Utility Products (as amended in 2020). The specific label requirements for food products are detailed in Section 3.3.3. Chemical Ordinance RS 813.11 sets the mandatory labelling requirements for hazardous substances, such as product identifier labels, hazard pictograms, signal words (guide to the severity of the hazard), hazard statements, safety instructions, manufacturer, ingredients, and other complementary information. (...)
[181] Further information on the labelling of GMO food products can be found at: https://bit.ly/3noM7fA.

3.126. Switzerland: The specific label requirements for organic food are determined by the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER), and are set in the Ordinance of 22 September 1997 on Organic Farming and the Labelling of Organically Produced Products and Foodstuffs (RS 910.18) as amended in 2021. Imported products may be labelled as organic if they have been produced and prepared in accordance with rules equivalent to those detailed in the Ordinance and that production is subject to an inspection procedure also equivalent to that laid out in the Ordinance. A list of countries that are able to guarantee that their products meet these conditions was established by the Federal Office for Agriculture (FOAG) [211]. Since 2020, a "GMO free" label is available for food of animal origin, to help consumers make more informed choices. (...)
[211] The list is available in the Ordinance of 11 November 2020 on Organic Agriculture (RS 910.184).

3.131. Switzerland and Liechtenstein: A phytosanitary certificate issued by an official authority is mandatory for all imports and exports from/to non EU countries of plants and certain plant products, such as vegetables, fruits, cut flowers, and seeds, and border controls apply. (...) Protected species must be accompanied by a Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) export permit issued by the country of origin.

3.133. Switzerland notified to the WTO in 2019 the creation of a legal basis for the prohibition of importation of species of fauna and flora that can be easily confused with other protected and threatened species according to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

3.134. Special regulations apply to products that are, contain, or are derived from GMOs. An authorization is required for placing these products on the market. After the authorization from the Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (FSVO) has been delivered, the manufacturers must regularly demonstrate to the FSVO that the characteristics of the authorized GMO food have not changed. The federal authorities will reassess the safety of the GMO based on the available science. The maximum duration of the authorization is 10 years. (...) The moratorium on approvals for the cultivation of biotechnology crops was extended in 2021 for four more years as some regulatory aspects still needed to be clarified before its waiver. As of early 2022, GMO cultivation is allowed in Switzerland only for research purposes.

3.150. Switzerland: In the case of administered prices, the Price Supervisor may request the relevant State entity to increase abusive prices or to lower them. If the State entity does not follow the request, it must give its reasons. (...) Goods and services subject to administered prices include (...) water (...) In addition, (...) tariffs for garbage and wastewater collection, amongst others, are regulated at the municipal level.

3.152. Switzerland: The Price Supervisor publishes an annual report on the main investigations. During the period under review, the Price Supervisor opened multiple investigations into abusive or administered prices, including (...) the incineration plant Limeco in 2018, as the communal rates that the latter had charged for waste disposal were high.

3.170. Switzerland: The main changes introduced in the revised Federal Law on Public Procurement concern the increased emphasis on quality and sustainability aspects in public procurement (...)

4.3. (...) New Zealand contributes to trade-related capacity building in developing countries to help them meet biosecurity requirements.