At its meeting on 26 May 2021, Switzerland’s Federal Council evaluated the results of Switzerland’s negotiations with the EU around the institutional framework agreement, an agreement aimed at replacing the country’s current patchwork of agreements with the bloc, and decided not to sign the document as it stands and communicated its decision to Brussels.
The key sticking points were wage protection, state aid and citizens’ rights in connection with the free movement of people, in particular the right of EU citizens working in Switzerland to claim Swiss welfare benefits.
Economic links between Switzerland and the EU are governed by more than 100 bilateral agreements dating back as far as 1972. These are likely remain in place, but any changes to them are unlikely, and some have expiry dates. A deal related to medical devices expired on 26 May 2021.
SWISS MEDTECH IS NOW A «THIRD COUNTRY»
On 26 May 2021, the EU Commission published a statement for stakeholders on the «Status of the EU-Switzerland Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) for Medical Devices». They indicated that the mutual recognition and any associated facilitation of trade of medical devices between the EU and Switzerland ceases to apply as of 26 May 2021. The Swiss medtech industry has lost its previously barrier-free access to the EU internal market.
Below you will find more information and links about what regulations are now in place for trade of medical devices between Switzerland and EU countries.
Swiss Medtech – Swiss Medical Technology Association
S-GE – Switzerland Global Enterprise
BILATERAL AGREEMENTS – AN OVERVIEW
For more information about all the bilateral agreements between Switzerland and EU, please click here.
