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Table 3.17 Federal assistance, 2010-15
(SwF million, unless otherwise indicated)
Programme/industry Outlays Legislation
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
Environmental policy
CO2 tax refund to specific industries n.a. n.a. n.a. 43 47.4 .. Article 31 of the Federal Law on the Reduction of CO2 Emissions of 23 December 2011
(...)

The Federal Law on the Reduction of CO2 Emissions of 23 December 2011 (RS 641.71) authorizes energy-intensive industries to be exempted from the Swiss CO2 levy on the condition that they participate in the Swiss Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) or commit to reducing emissions (non-ETS). Large, greenhouse gas-intensive enterprises are required to enrol in the ETS, while medium-sized companies participate on a voluntary basis. Companies in certain sectors particularly affected by the CO2 levy may apply for exemption, provided that they commit to emission reductions. Reimbursements (non-ETS and voluntary ETS) amounted to SwF 43 million in 2013 and SwF 47.4 million in 2014 (Table 3.17). Sanctions apply to enterprises that fail to meet their reduction targets.

The Federal Government compensates forest owners for services rendered to the public, such as the maintenance of protection forests and the conservation of biodiversity. Indemnities and financial assistance are provided in accordance with the Reorganization of Financial Equalization (NFA) programme of 2008, whereby the federal grants are made available based on cantonal proposals. The subsidies to the forest sector for defined products and services are implemented by the cantons.

The Confederation continues to provide financial support for the investigation, monitoring, and rehabilitation of polluted sites. A tax on the deposit of waste in landfills is applied for this purpose. The funds available from the tax amount to approximately SwF 40 million per year, whereas expenditures depend on the demands of the cantons. Outlays totalled SwF 40.8 million in 2014 and SwF 38.8 million in 2015.

According to the legislation relating to volatile organic compounds, companies may be exempted from the tax (Article 9) provided that they modify their stationary installations (i.e. install purification plants) to reduce emissions to significantly below the limit values stipulated in the Air Protection Ordinance, or reduce VOCs emissions at every step of the production process according to the best available technique.

[Context:
3.104. On 1 July 2010, Switzerland had introduced the "Cassis de Dijon" principle as a new, additional trade policy instrument to dismantle technical barriers to imports from the EU and EFTA markets and thereby enhance import competition and help reduce the high prices prevailing in Switzerland. Under the "Cassis de Dijon" principle, products that are lawfully put into circulation on the EU and EEA markets and comply with the technical requirements of the EU or the EEA may be placed on the market in Switzerland without any prior inspection or other conformity assessment, even if the products do not comply with Swiss technical requirements.]

From the beginning, there have been a number of exceptions to the "Cassis de Dijon" principle. The instrument is not applicable to products that are subject to an import permit; import prohibition; authorization; notification pursuant to the Swiss legislation concerning chemicals; or an exemption granted by the Federal Council. Products affected by the exceptions include pharmaceuticals, certain chemicals , certain dangerous substances, certain detergents, fertilizers, plant protection products, certain measuring instruments, certain motor vehicles, boats, certain animal feedstuffs, GMOs, and certain foodstuffs. The SECO keeps an indicative list of exceptions as a guide for operators (negative list).

(...) 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. The labelling requirements for GMOs remain unchanged.

(...) Switzerland has mutual recognition agreements (MRAs) with the EU (covering 20 industrial sectors), EEA/EFTA, Canada, and Turkey. For selected agricultural products, Switzerland and the EU recognize the equivalence of their respective laws in order to facilitate trade. [80]

[80] Feedstuffs, seeds, wine, spirits and alcoholic beverages from wine, bio-products, fruits, vegetables, animals, and animal products.

Switzerland continues to apply a stringent regulatory regime for agricultural biotechnology products. The Gene Technology Law and related ordinances regulate genetically modified organisms for food and feed use. Commercialization and cultivation of biotechnology crops are subject to approval by the competent federal authorities. Approvals are valid for ten years but may be withdrawn in case of reasonable suspicion that they are hazardous to health or the environment. One GM soya variety and three GM maize varieties are currently authorized for food use. A number of GMO products are authorized for use as feedstuffs. Many applications are under review in the authorization procedure. The 2006-17 moratorium on approvals for the cultivation of biotechnology crops has been extended for four years until 2021.

(...) A plant passport is required for plant imports from EU member States that are potential carriers of pests hazardous to Switzerland. (...)