Release Ordinance (RO)
English is not an official language of the Swiss Confederation. This translation is provided for information purposes only and has no legal force.
Art. 1 Purpose
1 This Ordinance is intended to protect human beings, animals and the environment, as well as biological diversity and its sustainable use, from hazards or harm caused by handling organisms, their metabolic products and wastes. 2 It also aims, during the handling of genetically modified organisms, their metabolic products and wastes, to guarantee consumers’ freedom of choice and protect production that does not use genetically modified organisms.
Art. 2 Scope and area of validity
1 This Ordinance regulates the handling of organisms, their metabolic products and wastes in the environment, in particular the handling of genetically modified, pathogenic or alien organisms. 2 Handling organisms in contained systems is regulated by the Containment Ordinance of 9 May 2012 (ContainO). 3 The protection of personnel when working with microorganisms is governed by the Ordinance of 25 August 1999 on Protection of Employees from Dangerous Organisms. 4 Putting pathogenic organisms into circulation is regulated by: a. the Plant Protection Products Ordinance of 20 August 2025 (PlantPPO), where the organisms are used as plant protection products in agriculture b. the Biocidal Products Ordinance of 18 May 2005,where the organisms are used as biocidal products, 5 Putting beneficial organisms as defined in Article 4 paragraph 2 letter b of the PlantPPO into circulation for the purposes specified in Article 3 paragraph 1 of the PlantPPO and the experimental release of such organism
Para. 2 — SR 814.912 Para. 2 — Amended by Annex 5 No 10 of the Containment Ordinance of 9 May 2012, in force since 1 June 2012 (AS 2012 2777). Para. 3 — SR 832.321 Para. 4 let. a — Amended by Annex 10 No II 6 of the Plant Protection Products Ordinance of 20 Aug. 2025, in force since 1 Dec. 2025 (AS 2025 565). Para. 4 let. a — SR 916.161 Para. 4 let. b — SR 813.12 Para. 5 — Amended by Annex 10 No II 6 of the Plant Protection Products Ordinance of 20 Aug. 2025, in force since 1 Dec. 2025 (AS 2025
Art. 3 Definitions
1 In this Ordinance: a. organisms means cellular or non-cellular biological entities capable of replication or of transferring genetic material. Mixtures and articles and products containing such entities are also regarded as organisms; [tab] b. microorganisms means microbiological entities, in particular bacteria, algae, fungi, protozoa, viruses and viroids; cell cultures, parasites, prions and biologically active genetic material are also regarded as microorganisms; c. small invertebrates means arthropods, annelids, nematodes and flatworms; d. genetically modified organisms means organisms in which the genetic material has been altered by methods of gene technology in accordance with Annex 1 in a way that does not occur under natural conditions by crossing or natural recombination, as well as pathogenic or alien organisms that have also been genetically modified; e. pathogenic organisms means organisms that can cause diseases in human beings, livestock and useful plants, in wild flor
Para. 1 let. tab — Amended by Annex 5 No 10 of the Containment Ordinance of 9 May 2012, in force since 1 June 2012 (AS 2012 2777). Para. 1 let. e — Amended by Annex 5 No 10 of the Containment Ordinance of 9 May 2012, in force since 1 June 2012 (AS 2012 2777). Para. 1 let. f — Amended by Annex 5 No 10 of the Containment Ordinance of 9 May 2012, in force since 1 June 2012 (AS 2012 2777). Para. 1 let. g — Repealed by Annex 5 No 10 of the Containment Ordinance of 9 May 2012, with effect from 1 June