Archiving Act (ArchA)
English is not an official language of the Swiss Confederation. This translation is provided for information purposes only and has no legal force.
Art. 17 Further duties of the Federal Archives
1 The Federal Archives preserves the historical archives of the Helvetian Republic, the Mediation Era and the Tagsatzung Period. 2 It undertakes to obtain archives and bequests from persons under private or public law that are of importance to Switzerland as a whole. It may enter into contracts for the acquisition of such archives. 3 It shall ensure the secure and professional safekeeping, classification and accessibility of archive records and participate in their exploitation. 4 The Federal Archives shall cooperate with other federal authorities, the cantons and with private individuals. It shall ensure the promotion of archiving activities. It shall collaborate with national and international archiving organisations.
Art. 18 Specialist services
1 The Federal Council may authorise the Federal Archives as part of a service mandate to provide to third parties specialist services within its area of responsibility, in particular restoration and conservation work, as well as advisory services in the field of information management. The terms and conditions of such services shall be regulated by private law contracts. 2 Such services may be provided as activities ancillary to the fulfilment of statutory duties and may not be offered at below cost price.
Art. 19 Commercial use of the archive records
1 The use of the archive records for commercial purposes requires authorisation. 2 Authorisation may be made subject to the contractual regulation of the scope of use and, if applicable, the participation of the Confederation in any profits made. 3 The Federal Council regulates the requirements, procedure and responsibilities for authorising and entering into contracts for the commercial use of archive records.
Art. 20 Prohibition of transfer of ownership and of acquisitive prescription
1 The archive records of the Confederation are inalienable. The Federal Council may provide for exceptions by means of an ordinance. 2 Third parties may not acquire archive records, even through acquisitive prescription.
Art. 21 Regulations on use; Administrative measures
The Federal Archives shall issue regulations on use. It may in particular provide therein that persons who have been in serious violation of this Act or the regulations on use are refused access to the Federal Archives.
Art. 22 Specimen copies
A specimen copy must be provided free of charge of all work and publications that relate wholly or partly to archive records in the Federal Archives.