Switzerland Updates Chemical Risk Reduction Ordinance

SafeGuardSAutomotive, Cosmetics & Personal Care, Electrical & Electronics, Hardgoods, Personal and Protective Equipment, Softlines, Toys and Juvenile ProductsDecember 11, 2025

SG 180/25

Switzerland aligns several provisions under its Chemical Risk Reduction Ordinance (ORRChem) with EU regulations

In May 2025, the World Trade Organization (WTO) announced a draft law from Switzerland to revise its Ordinance on the Reduction of Risks Relating to the Use of Certain Particularly Dangerous Substances, Preparations and Articles (aka ORRChem, SafeGuardS 86/25)

On November 21, 2025, Switzerland’s Federal Office for the Environment issued Official Collection 2025 747 (RO 2025 747, versions in French, German and Italian), updating its ORRChem (RS/SR 814.81, available in French, German and Italian).

Key changes in RO 2025 747 are summarized in Table 1.

Section to ORRChem	Highlight of change
Annex 1.1 ‘Persistent organic pollutants (POPs)’ Chapter 1 ‘Prohibitions’, point 3	Emphasizes that Annex 1.16 applies to: Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and its derivatives Perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS) and its related substances Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and its related substances
Annex 1.1 ‘Persistent organic pollutants (POPs)’ Chapters 3 ‘List or prohibited POPs’ and 4 ‘Transitional provisions’	Updates the list to include: PFHxS and related substances Dechlorane Plus (DP) and its syn- and anti-isomers Methoxychlor UV-328 Brings in time-limited derogations for DP and UV-328
Annex 1.16 ‘Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)’	Introduces definitions, requirements and derogations for perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA) and PFHxA-related substances, including ≤ 25 ppb (sum of PFHxA) and ≤ 1,000 ppb (sum of PFHxA-related substances) for a) cosmetics, b) food contact paper and board materials and articles, c) textiles, leather, furs and hides for the general public and d) mixtures for the general public
Annex 2.9 ‘Plastics, their monomers and additives’	Renews section with a new structure: Introduces requirements for synthetic polymer microparticles (SPM, aka microplastics). The requirements are similar to those under entry 78 to Annex XVII of REACH < 0.1% lead in mixtures containing PVC or articles containing PVC, with certain exceptions
Annex 2.17 ‘Wood-based articles and other articles containing resin’	Introduces formaldehyde emission requirements with several derogations: ≤ 0.062 mg/m³ for a) furniture and wood-based articles and b) interior of vehicles ≤ 0.08 mg/m³ for other articles

Table 1

Additionally, RO 2025 747 revises the following sections of the ORRChem:

Annex 1.2 ‘Halogenated organic substances’
Annex 1.4 ‘Ozone-depleting substances’
Annex 1.5 ‘Stable substances in the air’
Annex 1.17 ‘Substances listed in Annex XIV of Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 (Authorization list in REACH)
Annex 2.1 ‘Laundry detergents’
Annex 2.2 ‘Cleaning products and air fresheners’
Annex 2.3 ‘Solvents’
Annex 2.10 ‘Refrigerants’
Annex 2.12 ‘Aerosol generators’
Annex 2.19 ‘Insulating gases in electrical appliances and installations’

RO 2025 747 will be implemented in phases, starting December 1, 2025

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