Switzerland Consults On Mandatory Industry Support For Tox Info Suisse

The Swiss Federal Council announced a consultation on 21 October 2026 proposing statutory industry participation in operating and financing the poison information service Tox Info Suisse. The proposed amendments concern the Chemicals Act and Therapeutic Products Act and do not create immediate new operating or payment obligations. Primary source.

In September 2025, the Federal Council favoured an agreement to stabilise public and private financing. Its October announcement says subsequent talks did not secure lasting voluntary industry support. Primary source.

Businesses And Operating Duties

Draft Article 30 would require joint operation of a poison information centre by manufacturers of substances and preparations subject to notification and reporting requirements, holders of biocidal and plant-protection product authorisations, and medicinal-product marketing-authorisation holders. A companion amendment to Article 67c of the Therapeutic Products Act links medicinal-product holders to that framework. Primary source.

Substitute Operation And Estimated Costs

If covered businesses failed to operate the centre, draft Article 30f would require the Federal Department of Home Affairs to designate one, with costs billed annually. Chemical-sector contributions under this substitute-operation mechanism would combine a fixed base amount and product-count component; medicinal-product holders’ contributions would depend on medicine turnover. Primary source.

The government estimates approximately 5,500 chemical-sector firms and 300 medicinal-product authorisation holders would be affected. Estimated average annual costs are around CHF 240 and CHF 5,300 respectively, rather than adopted flat-rate charges. Primary source.

Consultation And Commencement

The invitation dated 21 October specifies a comment deadline of 8 February 2027. The bill leaves commencement to the Federal Council. Primary source.