Geoinformation Act (GeoIA)
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 Responsibility and Cooperation
Art. 34 Division of tasks between Confederation and cantons
1 The Confederation is responsible for: a. the National Survey; b. the Swiss Geological Survey; c. the strategic direction and overall supervision of Cadastral Surveying; d. the overall supervision of Cadastral Surveying; e. the strategic orientation of the Cadastre of public-law restrictions; f. the overall supervision of the Cadastre of public-law restrictions; g. the coordination and harmonisation of federal legislation relating to official geodata and of geodata services that are in the national interest. 2 The cantons are responsible for: a. carrying out Cadastral Surveying; b. the maintenance of the Cadastre of public-law restrictions. 3 If a canton fails to perform its tasks on time or if the work is of inadequate quality, the Federal Council may, after issuing a warning and holding a hearing, order that the work be done by a substitute organisation.
Art. 35 Participation of the cantons and consultation of partner organisations
When preparing federal legislation within the scope of this Act affecting the jurisdiction and interests of the cantons, communes and partner organisations, the Confederation shall ensure in an appropriate manner the participation of the cantons and the consultation of the partner organisations.
Art. 36 International cooperation
1 The Confederation shall in cooperation with other states promote the coordination, harmonisation and standardisation of work related to geoinformation. 2 It is responsible for the cooperation with other states in the field of official geodata under federal legislation. 3 The cantons may, where this lies within their competence, cooperate directly with the regional and local authorities in areas outside Switzerland close to its borders; in particular they may exchange geodata and coordinate the collection, updating and management of geodata.
Section 2 Financing
Art. 37 Tasks within the responsibility of the Confederation
The financing of the work in Article 34, paragraph 1 shall be provided by the Confederation.
Art. 38 Cadastral Surveying
1 Cadastral Surveying shall be jointly financed by the Confederation and the cantons. The Federal Assembly shall regulate the details in an ordinance. The Confederation shall grant the cantons contributions to the following measures and projects based on programme agreements: a. initial and new surveys; b. renovations; c. demarcations; d. measures following natural events; e. periodical updates; f. special adjustments of exceptional national interest; g. innovative projects to develop Cadastral Surveying and to test new technologies. 1bis The contributions shall be calculated according to the importance of the measures and projects for the coverage, homogeneity and harmonisation of Cadastral Surveying data for Switzerland. 1ter When there is exceptional national interest in implementing a measure or conducting a project, the contribution may cover up to 80 per cent of the overall costs. When funding an innovative project to develop Cadastral Surveying or to test new technologies, the c
Para. 1 let. g — Amended by No I 3 of the FA of 19 March 2021 on Administrative Facilities and Reducing the Burden on the Federal Budget, in force since 1 Jan. 2023 (AS 2021 654; BBl 2020 6985). Para. 1bis — Inserted by No I 3 of the FA of 19 March 2021 on Administrative Facilities and Reducing the Burden on the Federal Budget, in force since 1 Jan. 2023 (AS 2021 654; BBl 2020 6985). Para. 1ter — Inserted by No I 3 of the FA of 19 March 2021 on Administrative Facilities and Reducing the Burden o
Art. 39 Cadastre of public-law restrictions on landownership
1 The Cadastre of public-law restrictions on landownership shall be jointly financed by the Confederation and the cantons. The Confederation shall make global payments to the cantons on the basis of multi-annual programme agreements between the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport and the cantons. 2 The costs of the registration of a public-law restriction and the updating of the Cadastre of public-law restrictions shall be borne by the authority that decides the matter. 3 The Confederation shall finance the work by a substitute organisation (Article 34, paragraph 3). It shall reclaim the costs that remain after deduction of the agreed global payments from the defaulting canton.
Section 3 Education and Research
Art. 40 Advancement of education
1 The Confederation and the cantons shall encourage education in the field of geoinformation. 2 They shall ensure that the education curriculum and final qualifications at all levels correspond to the latest state of science and technology.
Art. 41 Licensed land surveyors
1 Licensed land surveyors who have successfully completed the federal state examinations and who are registered in the Register of Licensed Land Surveyors are authorised to perform independent (self-employed) work within Cadastral Surveying. 2 An administrative body of the Confederation comprising representatives from the Confederation, the cantons and the professional associations shall: a. conduct the state examinations; b. maintain the register and issue or refuse the licence to practise; c. exercise disciplinary supervision over those persons entered in the register. 3 The Federal Council shall issue detailed regulations concerning: a. the education required to obtain the licence to practise; b. the professional and individual conditions necessary for registration; c. the management of the register and the issuing of licences to practise; d. the composition, appointment and organisation of the administrative body; e. the responsibilities of the administrative body and the managemen
Art. 42 Advancement of research
The Confederation and the cantons shall encourage research in the field of geoinformation.