Product safety: Agreement with Liechtenstein
The Directorate of Labor at Seco and the Liechtenstein Office of Economic Affairs recently signed a new agreement in the area of product safety. This means that from January 2024, Swiss market surveillance authorities will be able to carry out random checks in the Principality, for example on machinery or personal protective equipment.
The customs treaty between Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein has existed for 100 years. Annex I of the Customs Treaty incorporates the Federal Act on Product Safety and the sector ordinances for the product areas of machinery, elevators, pressure equipment, pressure vessels, personal protective equipment and gas appliances, which fall under the responsibility of Seco, into Liechtenstein legislation.
Control bodies such as Suva or BFU
Until now, the Principality of Liechtenstein has had to carry out product inspections itself. The agreement signed between Seco and the Liechtenstein Office of Economic Affairs (AVW) is intended to exploit synergies in market surveillance: The inspection bodies mandated by Seco, such as Suva or the Swiss Council for Accident Prevention (BFU), can also carry out random checks on products in the Principality in cooperation with the AVW. This increases efficiency and serves the safety and health of users in the customs union between Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein, according to the statement. The Swiss inspection bodies will be compensated by the Principality for these market surveillance activities. The agreement will enter into force on January 1, 2024.
