Revision of the watch industry ordinance

Following the decision taken by the Federal Council and a final vote in parliament which could have further postponed implementation, Swissness is now certain to take effect in 2017.

The Swiss watch industry still has to overcome one final obstacle: the public consultation on the revision of the Ordinance governing the use of the designation “Swiss” for watches.

In early September, the Federal Council took important decisions on the subject of Swissness. It set 1 January 2017 as the date for the entry into force of the Swissness package and adopted the relevant implementing ordinances. A few days later, the National Council rejected a motion seeking to delay the entry into force of the project by 108 votes to 72. Products which qualify for the “Swiss” label will be better protected and more effective measures to prevent unauthorized uses will become possible. Under the revised law, the Swiss value must reach a rate of 60% for industrial products. In addition, the activity which has conferred its particular features on the product must be performed in Switzerland.

The final stage in this long process which was initiated in 2007 by the FH consists in adapting the Swiss made watch industry ordinance which lays down the conditions that must be respected to permit use of the label on watches. To qualify for the Swissness designation, the 60% figure must be introduced into the ordinance together with a requirement for technical development of the watch and movement to take place in Switzerland. It is precisely this activity which confers their particular characteristics on watch industry products. The Federal Council has laid this proposed revised text open for consultation until 2 December 2015. It is expected to take a decision in early 2016 and so bring the new Swiss made watch industry ordinance into force definitively.

September 24, 2015