Forest Ordinance (ForO)
Amended by Annex 2 No 13 of the O of 21 May 2008 on Geoinformation, in force since 1 July 2008 (AS 2008 2809).
English is not an official language of the Swiss Confederation. This translation is provided for information purposes only and has no legal force.
Section 1 Basic Training and Continuing Education
Art. 32 Theoretical and practical basic and continuing education and training
(Art. 29 para. 1 and 2 ForA) 1 The FOEN shall ensure, together with the universities, the cantons and other organisations, institutions, and professional associations concerned, that the knowledge and skills acquired during education and training are maintained, and that forestry engineers are introduced to new theoretical and practical advances. 2 The cantons shall offer sufficient places for practical continuing education and training and coordinate this offer with each other. Practical continuing education and training shall in particular: a. focus on forest planning, forest management and forest conservation in the context of all forest functions; b. aim to improve management skills and administrative knowledge; c. be attested by a certificate detailing the acquired skills and knowledge.
Art. 32 — Amended by No I of the O of 17 Aug. 2016, in force since 1 Jan. 2018 (AS 2016 3215).
Art. 33 Forestry personnel
(Art. 29 para. 4 and 51 para. 2 ForA) 1 The cantons shall provide: a. the higher vocational training of forest wardens and operate the professional colleges required for this purpose; b. together with the responsible organisations, the working environment for the continuing professional education and training of forestry personnel. 2 In accordance with Articles 19 paragraph 1, 28 paragraph 2 and 29 paragraph 3 of the Vocational and Professional Education and Training Act of 13 December 2002 (VPETA), the enactment or approval of regulations in the field of forestry education and training shall be subject to a hearing of the FOEN.
Art. 33 — Amended by Annex No II 2 of the Vocational and Professional Education and Training Ordinance of 19 Nov. 2003, in force since 1 Jan. 2004 (AS 2003 5047). Para. 2 — SR 412.10
Art. 34 Worker safety
(Art. 21a and 30 ForA) 1 The cantons shall work with agricultural and forestry organisations to organise courses to improve worker safety during wood harvesting for workers with no forestry training. 2 Federally recognised courses must provide basic skills in worker safety, in particular the correct and safe felling of trees, removal of branches, and the scoring and dragging of trees and tree trunks. Such courses must run for at least 10 days in total.
Art. 34 — Amended by No I of the O of 17 Aug. 2016, in force since 1 Jan. 2017 (AS 2016 3215).
Art. 35 Coordination and documentation
(Art. 29 para. 1 ForA) 1 … 2 The FOEN shall operate a central coordination and documentation agency for measures concerning forestry education and training.
Para. 1 — Repealed by No I 7.4 of the O of 9 Nov. 2011 (Review of Extra-Parliamentary Commissions), with effect from 1 Jan. 2012 (AS 2011 5227).
Section 2 …
Art. 36 and 37
Repealed by No I 7.4 of the O of 17 Aug. 2016, with effect from 1 Jan. 2018 (AS 2016 3215).
Section 3 Surveys
Inserted by Annex 2 No 13 of the O of 21 May 2008 on Geoinformation, in force since 1 July 2008 (AS 2008 2809).
Art. 37a
(Art. 33 and 34 ForA) 1 The FOEN is responsible for the collection of survey data on the forest. 2 In cooperation with the WSL, it surveys: a. by means of the National Forest Inventory, the basic data relating to the locations, functions and condition of the forest; b. the long-term development processes in natural forest reserves. 3 As part of its basic remit, the WSL shall conduct long-term research programmes to survey the pressure on the forest ecosystem. 4 The FOEN shall inform the authorities and the general public about these surveys.
Art. 37a — Amended by No I of the O of 17 Aug. 2016, in force since 1 Jan. 2017 (AS 2016 3215).
Section 4 Timber Production
Inserted by No I of the O of 17 Aug. 2016, in force since 1 Jan. 2017 (AS 2016 3215).
Art. 37b Marketing and use of sustainably produced timber
(Art. 34a ForA) 1 The marketing and use of sustainably produced timber shall be promoted only in pre-competitive circumstances not relating to one particular company. 2 In particular, innovative research and development projects that promote sustainable forest management by improving data, opportunities for marketing and use, resource efficiency or public relations may be promoted. 3 Results and findings relating to the supported activities shall be made available to the FOEN on request.
Art. 37c Use of timber in federal buildings and installations
(Art. 34b ForA) 1 In the planning, construction and operation of federal buildings and installations the use of timber and timber products shall be promoted. 2 The sustainability of timber and timber products shall be assessed in accordance with existing guidelines and recommendations such as those issued by the Coordination Group for Construction and Property Services.