Switzerland Proposes Chemical Classification And Testing Updates

Switzerland has notified proposed changes to Annexes 2 and 3 of its Chemicals Ordinance, covering chemical classification, testing methods and the candidate list of substances of very high concern. WTO notification G/TBT/N/CHE/304 was circulated on 3 November 2026, with comments due by 2 January 2027. The changes remain a draft, not binding requirements.

Classification And Testing References

The notified text would add a reference to the EU’s 24th adaptation to technical progress under the Classification, Labelling and Packaging Regulation. The EU instrument number and publication details are still placeholders in the draft.

It would also amend existing references to the 14th and 21st adaptations. The proposed 14th-adaptation reference excludes the specified titanium-dioxide entry and associated notes; the 21st-adaptation reference includes its September 2025 corrigendum. These are changes to the Swiss ordinance’s technical-reference table.

For testing, the draft updates its reference to EU Regulation 440/2008 through Regulation 2025/2573 and references the OECD chemical-testing guidelines in their 2 July 2026 version. Draft Annex 2, points 1–2.

Proposed Timetable And Candidate List

The draft proposes entry into force on 1 February 2027. Its candidate-list reference would point to the version of that date containing 253 substances and substance groups.

A transitional provision would allow supply of substances covered by the 24th adaptation, and preparations containing them, with classification and labelling that do not yet meet that adaptation’s requirements until a date in 2028. The precise endpoint remains blank in the draft, so it is not a confirmed compliance deadline. Draft section II, Annex 2 point 17 and Annex 3.