Executive Summary
Switzerland has implemented the revised PEM Agreement (Pan-Euro-Mediterranean Rules of Origin) as of 1 June 2026 in free trade agreements with the Faroe Islands and the Turkey-Albania region. At the same time, previous restrictions according to the information letter on EFTA agreements with Turkey and Serbia have been lifted. The footnote on cumulation restrictions for coal, steel and agricultural products with Moldova and Georgia is also being removed.
Persons
- No specific persons mentioned
Topics
- Customs and rules of origin
- Free trade agreements
- PEM Agreement
- International trade regulations
Clarus Lead
The revision of rules of origin simplifies trade procedures for Swiss companies in several free trade agreements. By lifting previous restrictions and harmonizing cumulation rules, the administrative burden is reduced and the competitiveness of Swiss exporters is strengthened.
Detailed Summary
The revised PEM Agreement regulates the rules of origin for goods within the framework of free trade agreements. The application to the CH-Faroe Islands and Turkey-Albania agreements enables more uniform handling of certificates of origin.
The lifting of the information letter on the application of the PEM Agreement in EFTA agreements with Turkey and Serbia means that the restrictions laid down there no longer apply. This eliminates previous special regulations that had complicated trade flows.
The deletion of the footnote on cumulation restrictions for coal, steel and agricultural products with Moldova and Georgia liberalizes these product categories. Cumulation allows raw materials or intermediate products from multiple countries to be processed without loss of origin – a relief for complex supply chains.
Key Messages
- Revised PEM Agreement valid since 1 June 2026 in Faroe Islands and Turkey-Albania agreements
- Previous restrictions in EFTA-Turkey and EFTA-Serbia lifted
- Cumulation restrictions for coal, steel and agricultural products with Moldova and Georgia eliminated
Critical Questions
Evidence/Data Quality: What specific trade volumes or business groups benefit directly from the simplification of rules of origin?
Conflicts of Interest: To what extent do Swiss export interests in the affected sectors (chemicals, pharmaceuticals, machinery) influence the design of these rules of origin?
Causality/Alternatives: What economic effects did the previous more restrictive regulation have, and how were alternatives to liberalization examined?
Feasibility/Risks: How do customs authorities ensure that the new regulation is applied uniformly, and what transition periods were provided for affected companies?
Causality/Counter-hypotheses: Could the lifting of cumulation restrictions with Moldova and Georgia lead to circumvention of rules of origin?
Source Directory
Primary Source: Free Trade Agreements: Revised PEM Agreement – Swiss Federal Customs Administration (FCA) https://www.news.admin.ch/de/newnsb/I0fY5T6YOdWgKcvxDZqDU
Contact: Swiss Federal Customs Administration FCA [email protected]
Verification Status: ✓ 1 June 2026
This text was created with the support of an AI model. Editorial responsibility: clarus.news | Fact-checking: 1 June 2026