Commercial Information Circulars

24-hour hotline : 23 922 922

e-mail address : enquiry@tid.gov.hk

Ref. : EIC 215/4

7 December 2018

Dear Sirs,

Commercial Information Circular No. 1097/2018

Switzerland : End of Transition Period for New Requirements on "Made in Switzerland" Label

The revised Federal Act on the Protection of Trade Marks and Indications of Source and the Federal Act on the Protection of the Swiss Coat of Arms and Other Public Signs (collectively referred to as "Swissness legislation") sets a minimum requirement of 100% Swiss-origin raw materials weight for dairy products, 80% for foodstuffs and 60% Swiss manufacturing costs for industrial products such as watches, in order to qualify for using the "Made in Switzerland" label.  The revised acts are available at : https://www.admin.ch/opc/en/classified-compilation/19920213/201701010000/232.11.pdf and https://www.admin.ch/opc/en/classified-compilation/20091656/201701010000/232.21.pdf.

2.The Swissness legislation came into force on 1 January 2017 with a two-year transition period. Industrial products manufactured before 1 January 2017 that meet the criteria of the previous law can be placed on the market for the first time for up to a maximum period of two years from 1 January 2017. Foodstuffs manufactured prior to 1 January 2017 may use geographical indications of source that correspond to the previous law up until the best-before date of the product, but not later than 1 January 2019. New criteria have to be fulfilled for all the above products on the market after 1 January 2019.

3.For enquiries concerning the content of this circular, please contact the undersigned at 2398 5684.

Yours faithfully,

(Manus LUI)
for Director-General of Trade and Industry

Note: While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the above information, the Department cannot guarantee this to be so and will not be held liable for any reliance placed on the same.