Freedom of Information Ordinance (FoIO)
English is not an official language of the Swiss Confederation. This translation is provided for information purposes only and has no legal force.
Art. 2 Principle of equal access for everybody
(Art. 6 para. 1 FoIA) If access to a public document is granted to one person, each further applicant is granted such access to the same degree.
Art. 3 Assistance to the applicant
(Art. 6 para. 1 and 3 FoIA) 1 The authority shall provide information to the applicant about the official documents available and shall assist him through the procedure, particularly if the applicant is disabled. 2 Where official documents are accessible via the Internet or have been published in an official publication of the Federal Government, the authority may confine itself to providing references as to the sources where they may be found. 3 The authority is not required to translate official documents to which access has been granted in application of the Freedom of Information Act.
Art. 4 In situ inspection
(Art. 6 para. 2 FoIA) 1 Inspection of an official document shall take place at the authority which is responsible for processing the application for access. 2 The authority may confine itself to providing the applicant with a copy of the official document for inspection. 3 The identity of the applicant may be verified on entering the premises of the authority within the context of exercising domiciliary rights by the Federal Government pursuant to Article 62f of the Government and Administration Organisation Act of 21 March 1997.
Para. 3 — SR 172.010
Art. 5 Provision of copies
(Art. 6 para. 2 FoIA) 1 On request by the applicant, the authority shall provide a copy of the official document, provided that the production of such copies does not affect the physical integrity thereof. 2 If the document is subject to copyright, the authority shall inform the applicant as to the applicable limitations on its use.
Art. 6 Evaluation of conflicts of interest between the protection of third-party privacy and the public interest
(Art. 7 para. 2 FoIA) 1 Where it becomes apparent in the evaluation of an application for access that the public interest in obtaining such access would prejudice a third party’s right to the protection of privacy, the competent authority may, by way of an exception, grant access after having weighed up these interests against one another. 2 The public interest in gaining access shall outweigh the right to privacy where, in particular: a. the granting of access to a document serves a specific public interest in obtaining such information, particularly due to important events; b. the granting of access serves to protect a specific public interest, and in particular the protection of public order and security and the protection of public health; or c. the person whose privacy could be prejudiced by access to an official document has a legal or factual relationship with an authority subject to the Freedom of Information Act which affords him significant benefits.