Executive Summary

The Swiss Federal Council submitted a partial revision of the Federal Act on Technical Trade Barriers (THB) for public consultation on 5 June 2026. The proposal introduces a digital information system – the digital product passport – which enables electronic transmission of product data. The objective is to promote reuse and recycling as well as strengthen competitiveness. At the same time, responsibilities of manufacturers and online marketplace operators are clarified, and provisions on market surveillance, accreditation, and data protection are modernized. The consultation period runs until 28 September 2026.

Persons

  • Federal Council (collective body)

Topics

  • Digitalization
  • Circular Economy
  • Product Safety
  • Market Surveillance

Clarus Lead

The revision responds to fundamental market changes driven by digitalization and the circular economy, which are putting pressure on national regulatory frameworks. The digital product passport creates a European-compatible infrastructure for product transparency – a key element for Switzerland to remain competitive in international goods trade. Coordination with the parallel partial revision of the Product Safety Act indicates a comprehensive realignment of Swiss product regulation that will significantly alter compliance requirements for economic actors.

Detailed Summary

The revision of the THB addresses three core areas: First, the digital product passport creates a technical foundation that enables manufacturers and distribution actors to exchange product information electronically. This promotes circular processes by systematically making reuse and recycling data available – a requirement for implementing EU directives on extended producer responsibility.

Second, responsibilities along the value chain are redefined. Manufacturers, importers, distributors, and operators of online marketplaces receive clear roles and obligations to ensure that only compliant products reach the Swiss market. This reduces legal uncertainty and enables more effective market surveillance.

Third, existing provisions on market surveillance, accreditation of testing facilities, and data protection are modernized – necessary to keep pace with international standards and ensure digital business processes are legally sound. Coordination with the Product Safety Act avoids contradictions and creates a coherent regulatory framework.

Key Messages

  • Digital product passport as central infrastructure for transparent product data and circular economy
  • Clarification of responsibilities for all economic actors along the value chain
  • Modernization of market surveillance, accreditation, and data protection to secure international competitiveness

Critical Questions

  1. Data Quality and Standardization: What technical standards and validation mechanisms will ensure that data entered into the digital product passport is reliable and uniform?

  2. Compliance Costs for SMEs: How will smaller companies be supported in economically implementing the new IT requirements of the digital product passport?

  3. Interoperability with EU Systems: How is the Swiss solution coordinated with parallel EU initiatives on the digital product passport to avoid trade barriers?

  4. Enforcement and Sanctions: What control mechanisms and sanctions are provided to penalize non-compliance by economic actors?

  5. Data Protection and Trade Secrets: How will sensitive production data and trade secrets be protected in the digital system while ensuring transparency for recyclers?

  6. Transition Period and Implementation: What transition period will companies be granted to adapt existing systems to the new requirements?

Source Directory

Primary Source: [Partial Revision of the Federal Act on Technical Trade Barriers (THB)] – https://www.news.admin.ch/de/newnsb/C4ZSiawUQONc-lEkYfOtv

Verification Status: ✓ 05.06.2026

This text was created with the support of an AI model. Editorial responsibility: clarus.news | Fact-check: 05.06.2026