These changes come into force in Switzerland on September 1
Published: Tuesday, Aug 20th 2024, 10:00
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A ban on the sale of certain invasive plants, stricter rules for health insurance companies when advertising for customers and the preventive shooting of wolves: These new regulations come into force in Switzerland on September 1.
NEOPHYTES: Certain alien plants may not be given away or sold in Switzerland from September 1. Importing them into the country will also be prohibited when the amendment to the ordinance adopted by the Federal Council comes into force. The plants affected include cherry laurel, butterfly bush and bluebell tree. Plants that are already in gardens are not affected by the ban. With the new regulation, the state government implemented a request from parliament. In doing so, it also extended the so-called ban on movement. This means that a number of invasive, alien plants may no longer be used. They may not be placed on the market, planted or propagated. This ban applies to the tree of heaven, ragweed and giant hogweed, among others. The aim of the measures is to prevent the affected species from spreading and causing damage to the environment.
LARGE WOLVES: From September 1 and until the end of January, the cantons can once again obtain federal approval for preventive wolf culls. This means that wolves can also be shot before they cause damage. The canton of Graubünden announced in mid-August that it intended to shoot two thirds of all this year's young wolves and two entire wolf packs in the fall and winter. In total, at least 35 of the approximately 120 wolves living in Graubünden are involved. The Federal Council brought the legal basis for preventive shooting - which is part of the revised Hunting Act - into force for a limited period in November 2023 and amended the corresponding ordinance at the same time. This meant that shooting was already possible between December 1 of last year and January 31, 2024. Around 50 animals were shot during this period.
HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANIES: From September 1, insurers will be prohibited from cold calling. With this amendment to the ordinance, the Federal Council wants to put a stop to unwanted calls from health insurance companies or companies that refer customers to health insurance companies. Insurers are now prohibited from contacting people who have never been insured with this insurer or who have not been insured with this insurer for more than three years. The new regulation also stipulates that insurance brokers are obliged to draw up a protocol during a consultation and have it signed by the customer. There is also a new upper limit for compensation for intermediary activities. Insurers who violate these rules must expect a fine of up to CHF 100,000.
IMPORTED EGGS: From September 1, the quota for imported eggs will be increased by 7,500 tons to 24,928 by the end of the year. This corresponds to an increase of 43 percent. The Federal Council approved the egg sector's application to the Federal Office for Agriculture in mid-August. The aim is to ensure that consumers are supplied with eggs for the coming months, as demand for eggs remains high. Every year, 17,428 tons of table eggs may be imported at a low rate of duty. In the current year, half of this partial tariff quota was already used up by the end of April 2024, i.e. three weeks after Easter. At the end of July, less than 20 percent of the quota remained.
PERSONAL DATA: From September 15, a new data protection framework will enable the secure exchange of personal data between Switzerland and certified US companies. The Federal Council has thus added the USA to the list of countries with an adequate level of data protection. In particular, the certification for US companies and a new US data protection court will in future allow the transfer of personal data from Switzerland to certified companies in the USA without additional guarantees.
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