The latest information can be viewed in the IMI document on the right.

Update as of August 4, 2005

A Swiss system for the recycling of electronic/electric-waste has been in place for some 4 years as a result of private sector initiatives. The Swiss Environmental Protection Agency followed-up with a law, which has been in effect as of January 1, 2005. The law, following the system established by the private sector, imposes a recycling fee on all electronic and electrical equipment, which is collected from the end-user by the seller.

The importer and/or the retailer are exclusively responsible for paying the recycling fees, which are collected from the end-users (consumers) as an integrated part of the purchasing price. The importers or sellers (retailers) are required by law to take old equipment back (free of charge - as the recycling fee has been paid in advance).

The system is implemented by the following private sector industry associations on behalf of the Swiss government:

Consumer electronics incl. IT, toys, audiovisual equipment, Hi-Fi etc.
SWICO: http://www.swico.ch/en/default.asp

Household appliances and similar equipment
SENS: http://www.sens.ch

Government Agency in charge:
http://www.umwelt-schweiz.ch/buwal/eng/index.html

The system assigns all relevant responsibilities to the local importers/retailers and, as a result, has no impact at all on American manufacturers and exporters. It applies on all relevant equipment independent from its origins.

For further information, please contact:

Elisabeth Mbitha-Schmid, Commercial Assistant
email: elisabeth.mbitha-schmid@N0SPAM.mail.doc.gov
tel: +41 31 357 7313

Links to web sites outside the U.S. Government or the use of trade, firm, or corporation names within U.S. Commercial Service web sites are for the convenience of the user. Such links and use do not constitute an express or implied official endorsement or approval by the United States Department of Commerce of any private sector web site, or of the products or services of specifically identified companies or entities.

Documents

WEEE in Switzerland