At the occasion of the 7th Food Law Meeting of Wädenswil in May 2012, dedicated to an update on EU Food Law, Adrian Kunz, the representative of Swiss Food Law Authorities (BAG) gave a review on the legislation process in Switzerland following the entering into force of the new European Information Regulation.
Swiss Food Law authorities are aware, that foods are marketed in globalized world and that differences between Swiss national and EU regulations impede the free movement of foods, which is the case for imports as well as for exports. The EU Information Regulation 1169/2011 differs in many points to the actual Swiss legislation, mainly with regard to the content and presentation of nutrition information, the origin labelling, information on allergens, and font size for mandatory information.
In order to prevent non tariff barriers the BAG plans a two step revision approach combined with adequate transition periods: in a first step – as part of the routine yearly revision 2012 – first amendments to relevant Verordnungrecht will be made and enter into force early 2013, in a second step Swiss Food Regulations will be adapted to the EU Information Regulation to the extent this makes sense and if non-adoption of a provision would lead to trade barriers in the movement of foods.
