Summary
The Federal Council opened a consultation procedure on 28 January 2026 for the fundamental reorganization of extraparlimentary commissions. The procedure provides for the dissolution of 9 commissions, the merger of 9 commissions into 3, as well as the reduction of membership numbers. These measures are intended to lead to a reduction of over 20 percent by 2028 and require amendments to 15 laws and 16 ordinances. The consultation period runs until 28 April 2026.
Persons
Topics
- Administrative reform
- Extraparlimentary commissions
- Organizational optimization
- Legislative amendments
- Consultation procedure
Detailed Summary
The Federal Council has decided to initiate a comprehensive consultation procedure for the reorganization of extraparlimentary commissions following an initial review phase. Already on 5 November 2025, it commissioned the departments, under the lead of the Federal Chancellery, to prepare this procedure.
The proposal includes several optimization measures: nine commissions are to be dissolved, including the Federal Commission for Pandemic Preparedness (EKP), the Federal Commission for ABC Protection, and the Swiss Science Council. Nine additional commissions will be merged into three new units – particularly in the field of healthcare and medicine. In addition, the accreditation commission will be completely redesigned and the membership of the Medical Professions Commission will be reduced.
Implementation requires amendments to 15 laws and 16 ordinances as well as clarification of the Government and Administration Organization Act. By the end of 2026, the responsible departments will examine further merger and dissolution options.
Key Messages
- Comprehensive reorganization: 9 dissolutions, 9 mergers into 3 commissions, overall reduction of over 20 percent by 2028
- Legal adjustments: 15 laws and 16 ordinances must be amended
- Focus areas: Dissolution of pandemic, spatial planning, and housing commissions; merger of healthcare and medical examination commissions
- Timeline: Consultation period until 28 April 2026; implementation by 1 January 2028
- Further reviews: Departments to evaluate additional optimization options by end of 2026
Stakeholders & Affected Parties
| Group | Impact |
|---|---|
| Commission members | Affected by dissolutions and mergers; reorganization of work structures |
| Affected sectors | Pandemic preparedness, spatial planning, housing, consumer protection, medical examinations |
| Departments | Organizational restructuring and increased coordination effort |
| Parliament | Changed interfaces with commissions; new communication regulations |
| Public | Potential efficiency gains through streamlining of administrative structures |
Opportunities & Risks
| Opportunities | Risks |
|---|---|
| Increased efficiency through reduction of redundancies | Loss of specialization through mergers |
| Cost savings through 20% reduction in commissions | Transition difficulties during reorganization |
| Better coordination through consolidation of related areas | Possible delays in decision-making |
| Modernization of communication structures | Resistance from affected sectors |
| Clarification of commission purpose through legislative amendments | Complexity of 31 required legal changes |
Action Relevance
Relevant for decision-makers:
- Submit statements: Interested organizations and associations should submit consultation responses by 28 April 2026
- Monitor affected areas: Special attention to mergers in healthcare and medical examinations
- Prepare implementation: Departments must initiate transition planning for 2026–2028
- Parliamentary coordination: Clarification of new interfaces between commissions and parliamentary bodies
- Additional reviews: Use departmental evaluations by end of 2026 for further optimizations
Quality Assurance & Fact-Checking
- [x] Central statements and data verified
- [x] All commission names and merger assignments verified
- [x] Dates confirmed (28 January 2026, 28 April 2026, 1 January 2028)
- [x] Legal requirements (15 laws, 16 ordinances) documented
- [x] No unverified statements identified
Supplementary Research
Recommendation for further information:
- Official consultation documents: https://www.news.admin.ch – Detailed proposals and justifications
- Historical context: Previous commission reforms and their evaluation results
- Comparable reforms: Administrative reforms in other federal systems (Germany, Austria)
Bibliography
Primary source:
Press release of the Federal Council – "The Federal Council opens the consultation procedure for the reorganization of extraparlimentary commissions" (28 January 2026)
https://www.news.admin.ch/de/newnsb/TeMeoMXsLfhom351L-RZ2
Supplementary sources:
- Federal Chancellery – Consultation Portal (https://www.vernehmlassung.admin.ch)
- Government and Administration Organization Act (RVOG) – Current version
- Federal Council – Press releases on administrative reform (Archive 2025–2026)
Verification status: ✓ Facts checked on 28 January 2026
Footer (Transparency Notice)
This text was created with the support of Claude.
Editorial responsibility: clarus.news | Fact-checking: 28 January 2026