SG 018/26
Switzerland plans to update the nation’s Chemical Risk Reduction Ordinance (ORRChem).
On January 27, 2026, the World Trade Organization (WTO) announced a draft law from Switzerland to revise the nation’s Ordinance on the reduction of risks relating to the use of certain particularly dangerous substances, preparations and articles (Chemical Risk Reduction Ordinance, ORRChem, RS/SR 814.81, version 01.01.2026 in French, German and Italian).
The draft ordinance, provided in French, contains important changes to ORRChem by revising, inter alia, the requirements for mercury and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs).
Key changes in the draft ordinance are summarized in Table 1.
| Section to ORRChem | Highlights of change |
| Annex 1.1 ‘Persistent organic pollutants (POPs)’, Chapter 1 ‘Prohibitions’, point 3 |
|
| Annex 1.1, Chapter 2 ‘Exceptions’ |
|
| Annex 1.1, Chapter 3 ‘List of prohibited POPs’ |
|
| Annex 1.1, Chapter 4 ‘Transitional provisions’ |
|
| Annex 1.7 ‘Mercury’ Chapter 1.1 ‘Placing on the market: Prohibitions’ |
|
| Annex 1.16 ‘Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)’ Chapter 1.1 ‘PFOS and its derivatives: Definitions’ |
|
| Annex 1.16, Chapter 1.2 ‘PFOS and its derivatives: Prohibitions’ |
|
| Annex 1.16, Chapter 3.2 ‘PFOA, LC-PFCAs and related substances: Prohibitions’ |
|
| Annex 1.16, Chapter 3.3 ‘PFOA, LC-PFCAs and related substances: Exceptions’ |
|
| Annex 1.16, Chapter 6.1 ‘PFAS in certain uses: Special packaging and labeling for partially halogenated unsaturated hydrofluorocarbons’* |
|
| Annex 1.16, Chapter 6.2 ‘PFAS in firefighting foams’* |
|
| Annex 1.16, Chapter 6.3 ‘PFAS in packaging, materials and articles in contact with food’* |
|
| *Present Chapter 6 will become Chapter 7 | |
Table 1
Comments will be accepted until March 28, 2026.
If approved, the new measures will be phased in starting December 1, 2026.
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