At its meeting on 13 November 2024, the Federal Council decided to implement the legislative amendments from the parliamentary initiative 20.433 ‘Strengthening the Swiss circular economy’ in stages. Most of the new regulations will enter into force on 1 January 2025 and shall create the basis for closing material cycles and strengthening the circular economy for products and buildings.

The Federal Assembly adopted the parliamentary initiative 20.433 ‘Strengthening the Swiss circular economy’ on 15 March 2024. The revisions to the Environmental Protection Act (EPA), the Energy Act (EnA) and the Federal Act on Public Procurement (PPA) shall create an overarching legal framework for strengthening the circular economy in Switzerland aiming to reduce environmental pollution and resource consumption while increasing the competitiveness and security of supply of the Swiss economy the same time.

The important principles of resource conservation and recycling management shall be enshrined in in a federal law. Among other things, recycling is to take precedence over incineration. The Federal Council furthermore notified that it will also formulate requirements for products and packaging considering developments in the EU in order to avoid trade barriers. Some of the legislative revision requires implementing provisions, which the Federal Council will submit for consultation, as stated in its press release.