The continued blockade of the bilateral path following the failure of negotiations on a framework agreement with the EU could soon claim even more casualties in the Swiss economy. After the medical device industry and in vitro diagnostics, it now threatens to hit the machine industry. Easier access to the EU’s internal market could soon be abolished.
Swiss industry still benefits from gallows rest. So far, the new EU Machinery Regulation has not removed all hurdles: EU parliaments and EU states are arguing over details such as the length of transition periods. Despite everything, the new EU regulation should come into force in the first half of 2023.
The agreement between Switzerland and the EU should also be updated with the new regulation. However, there are currently no signs that Brussels will agree to this update. This should affect Swiss producers.
The result would be a “considerable extra effort”.
Because just like the currently applicable EU regulation, the new regulation also provides for two categories of machines. The vast majority of machines belong to the first category – such as coffee machines, mixers and packaging machines.
The manufacturers are already allowed to certify here themselves. This should also remain under the new regulation. This is good news for Swiss producers.
But Swissmem expects Swiss exporters now “need a so-called economic player in the EU”. This person must then be stated on the product, “which in the case of mass-produced products leads to a considerable extra effort”.
And there are more hurdles to overcome
The second category includes products with a special risk potential if used incorrectly. Think of hand chainsaws, milling machines and plastic injection molding machines. These must, with few exceptions, be certified by a third party.
While the EU today recognizes certifications by Swiss bodies, this will no longer be the case unless the agreement is updated. According to Swissmem, the certification must then be carried out by an authority in the EU. “Otherwise the certificate will not be recognized by the authorities”, which in turn creates more bureaucracy and costs for Swiss manufacturers.
Cassis remains optimistic
But there is still hope. Relations between Switzerland and the EU have recently improved again. The hangover is gone, the dynamics with the EU are positive, FDP Federal Councilor Ignazio Cassis (61) recently confirmed in an interview with the “NZZ”. It is now important to use this positive dynamic.
“If the Bundesrat sees a viable basis for an agreement, I can well imagine that it will also be ready to start negotiations in the election year,” said Foreign Minister Cassis, still optimistic. (SDA/dba)