Chemical Risk Reduction Ordinance (ORRChem)
English is not an official language of the Swiss Confederation. This translation is provided for information purposes only and has no legal force.
Art. 13 Cantons
In the absence of regulations to the contrary, the cantons are responsible for monitoring compliance with the provisions of this Ordinance.
Art. 14 Confederation
The Confederation is responsible for: a. the tasks assigned to it in Articles 4, 7–12 (certificates) and 19; b. the granting of authorisations in accordance with the Annexes; c. enforcement of the provisions concerning imports and exports; d. enforcement with regard to substances, preparations and articles serving the interests of national defence.
let. a — Amended by No I of the O of 7 Nov. 2012, in force since 1 Dec. 2012 (AS 2012 6161).
Art. 15 Delegation of tasks and powers to third parties
1 The competent federal agencies may delegate to appropriate public bodies or private individuals some or all of the tasks and powers assigned to them by this Ordinance. 2 Insofar as the enforcement of health protection is concerned, delegation is limited to Articles 7–12 (certificates) and the provision of information under Article 28 of the Chemicals Act.
Art. 16 Special provisions concerning enforcement
1 With regard to medical devices, enforcement is based on the Medical Devices Ordinance of 17 October 2001. 2 With regard to substances, preparations and articles relating to systems and activities serving the interests of national defence, Article 82 of the Chemicals Ordinance of 5 June 2015 (ChemO) applies. 3 With regard to fertilisers, the enforcement provisions of the Fertiliser Ordinance of 1 November 2023 also apply.
Para. 1 — SR 812.213 Para. 2 — SR 813.11 Para. 2 — Amended by No I of the O of 1 July 2015, in force since 1 Sept. 2015 (AS 2015 2367). Para. 3 — SR 916.171 Para. 3 — Amended by Annex 5 No II 3 of the Fertilisers Ordinance of 1 Nov. 2023, in force since 1 Jan. 2024 (AS 2023 711).
Art. 17 Monitoring of imports and exports
1 At the request of the FOPH, FOAG or FOEN, customs offices shall check whether substances, preparations and articles comply with the provisions of this Ordinance. 2 In cases of suspected infringement, they are authorised to detain goods at the border and call in the other enforcement authorities in accordance with this Ordinance. These authorities shall carry out further investigations and take the necessary measures.
Para. 1 — Amended by Annex 4 No 45 of the Customs Ordinance of 1 Nov. 2006, in force since 1 May 2007 (AS 2007 1469).
Art. 18 Inspections
1 On a spot-check basis or at the request of the FOPH, FOAG, FOEN or SECO, the cantonal enforcement authorities shall inspect substances, preparations and articles placed on the market at the premises of manufacturers, traders and professional or commercial users. They shall check whether the substances, preparations and articles comply with the provisions of the Annexes, in particular with regard to composition, labelling and information for purchasers. 2 They shall also check whether the use of these substances, preparations and articles complies with the requirements of this Ordinance. 3 If the substances, preparations or articles inspected or the use thereof give cause for complaint, the inspection authority shall inform the authorities responsible for rulings under Article 19. If the latter are cantonal authorities, it shall additionally inform the FOPH, FOEN and SECO and also, in cases of complaints concerning plant protection products, the FSVO and the FOAG, and in cases of comp
Para. 1 — Amended by No I of the O of 1 July 2015, in force since 1 Sept. 2015 (AS 2015 2367). Para. 3 — Amended by Annex 10 No II 5 of the Plant Protection Products Ordinance of 20 Aug. 2025, in force since 1 Dec. 2025 (AS 2025 565).
Art. 19 Rulings arising from inspections
If an inspection reveals that provisions of this Ordinance have been violated, the federal authority or the authority of the canton in which the manufacturer, trader or user is domiciled or has a registered office shall, by means of a ruling, order the necessary measures.
Art. 20 Specialist advice on the use of fertilisers, plant protection products and basic substances
1 The cantons shall ensure that specialist advice is offered on the use of fertilisers, plant protection products and basic substances, and that funding is available for these services. 2 They may require persons who use fertilisers, plant protection products and basic substances on a professional or commercial basis in polluted areas: a. to avail themselves of the specialist advice offered for this purpose; b. to make available the operational data required for such advice.
Art. 20 — Amended by Annex 10 No II 5 of the Plant Protection Products Ordinance of 20 Aug. 2025, in force since 1 Dec. 2025 (AS 2025 565).
Art. 21 Data confidentiality and data exchange
Data confidentiality and the exchange of data among enforcement authorities and with other countries are governed by Articles 73–76 of the ChemO.
Art. 21 — Amended by No I of the O of 1 July 2015, in force since 1 Sept. 2015 (AS 2015 2367). SR 813.11
Art. 22 Fees
The obligation to pay fees and the calculation of fees for administrative acts performed by the federal enforcement authorities in accordance with this Ordinance are based on the Chemicals Fees Ordinance of 18 May 2005.
SR 813.153.1
