From 1 January 2026, Switzerland enforces mandatory notification requirement for hazardous mixtures placed on the Swiss market, serving the same purpose as Poison Centre Notification (PCN) under EU legislation. This obligation is set out in Article 48 of the Swiss Chemicals Ordinance (ChemO) and is the final step in the phased implementation of notification requirements for poison centre purposes. These requirements are largely aligned with the EU PCN framework under Article 45 of the CLP Regulation, while retaining important national specifics.
Scope and Notification Requirements
Under the enforced notification regime, manufacturers and importers of dangerous mixtures classified for physical, human health, or environmental hazards are required to submit a notification dossier to the Swiss Register of Products for Chemicals (RPC). The notification must include:
This submitted information is made available to Tox Info Suisse, the officially designated poison centre, to support 24/7 medical advice and emergency response in cases of poisoning or suspected exposure.
Phased Implementation of UFI and Notification Requirements
Switzerland introduced UFI-related notification requirements in stages. From 1 January 2022, the inclusion and reporting of UFIs became mandatory for preparations that were newly placed on the market for private users, as well as for preparations that already carried a UFI, including products imported from the EEA. From 1 January 2026, this obligation extends to all remaining preparations classified as dangerous due to physical or health hazards. This completes the phased implementation of notification requirements for poison centre purposes under ChemO.
Relationship with Existing ChemO Notification Rules
While the 1 January 2026 deadline is an important enforcement milestone, Switzerland has long applied notification obligations for hazardous chemicals under ChemO. Article 48, read together with Article 19 of the Ordinance, already requires the notification of dangerous substances and preparations, PBT/vPvB substances, substances listed in Annex 3 ChemO, and certain non-classified preparations containing hazardous constituents above defined concentration thresholds.
Switzerland continues to apply a strict approach with no general exemption for trivial quantities, except for intermediates and mixtures intended exclusively for professional users, for which a threshold of 100 kg/year applies.
Representation Requirement for Non-Swiss Companies
In addition, non-Swiss companies are required to appoint a local Swiss commercial representative to carry out notification submissions on their behalf.
Companies that completed early compliance actions are better positioned to maintain uninterrupted market access to the Swiss market following the entry into force of the enforced notification requirement.
