Switzerland Updates Feed Additives to Align with EU Standards

Switzerland amended its feed additive regulations to align with European Union standards through authorization updates and withdrawals, including 21 new authorizations and one withdrawal in the first amendment and 43 renewals, 18 new authorizations, and 69 withdrawals in the second, as part of trade alignment efforts

Compliance Answer: Switzerland’s Updated Feed Additive Regulations Aligning with EU Standards

Switzerland has amended its feed additive regulations to align with European Union (EU) standards, introducing 21 new authorizations and one withdrawal in the first amendment and 43 renewals, 18 new authorizations, and 69 withdrawals in the second amendment. These changes are implemented under the Ordinance on the Book of Feed (OLALA, RS 916.307.1) and take effect on 1 January 2027¹. The updates are part of Switzerland’s obligations under the 1999 Agricultural Agreement with the EU (Annex 5, Art. 9), which mandates harmonization of authorized feed additives for products requiring prior approval¹.

Regulation Analysis

1. Legal Basis and Alignment with EU Standards

The amendments are grounded in the Ordinance on Animal Feed (OSALA, RS 916.307) and the Ordinance on the Book of Feed (OLALA, RS 916.307.1), specifically:

• Art. 20(1–4), 27(2), 31(1), 32(6), 36(1), and 69(4) OSALA¹.
• The changes reflect updates to EU Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003 (feed additives) and its implementing rules, including Regulation (EC) No 429/2008 (dossier requirements for authorization)¹.

Key provisions:

• Harmonization obligation: Switzerland must align its list of authorized feed additives with the EU’s to facilitate trade, as stipulated in Annex 5, Art. 9 of the 1999 Agricultural Agreement¹.
• Notification to the WTO: Amendments are notified under the SPS Agreement (Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures)¹.
• Dossier requirements: Authorization applications must comply with Annexes II–V of EU Regulation (EC) No 429/2008, covering safety, efficacy, and labeling.

2. Scope of Amendments

The updates include:

• New authorizations: 21 (first amendment) + 18 (second amendment) additives, such as:
  • 3c320 (L-lysine base, liquid) for all animal species².
  • 3a825vi (Riboflavin/Vitamin B2) for all species, with stability requirements for water-based use².
  • 3a880i/ii (Biotin) with mandatory safety procedures for users².
• Renewals: 43 additives, based on updated operator data or re-evaluations¹.
• Withdrawals: 70 additives (1 + 69), including:
  • 2b0001 (removed under Ch. 2.2.1)².
  • 3a890 (removed under Ch. 3.1)².
• Modifications: Updates to existing entries (e.g., 3c320, 3a670a) to reflect EU standards².

3. Implementation and Transitional Provisions

• Effective date: 1 January 2027¹.
• Transitional rules:
  • Withdrawn additives and premixes may still be marketed and used for 6 months post-entry into force¹.
  • Compound feeds and raw materials labeled under the old rules may be marketed for 1–2 years (depending on animal type)¹.
• Labeling requirements: Additives must include:
  • Composition (e.g., "minimum 50% L-lysine" for 3c320)².
  • Safety warnings (e.g., "avoid nutritional imbalances" for amino acids)².
  • Stability data (for water-based use)².
  • Endotoxin limits (e.g., max 1600 IU/m³ for L-isoleucine)².

4. Safety and Compliance Obligations

• Operator responsibilities:
  • Establish operational procedures to mitigate risks (e.g., dust exposure, endotoxins)².
  • Provide personal protective equipment (PPE) if risks cannot be eliminated (e.g., respiratory protection for biotin)².
• Ruminant-specific rules:
  • Amino acids (e.g., L-arginine, L-threonine) must be protected against ruminal degradation².
• Environmental impact: No adverse effects anticipated¹.

5. Trade and Economic Implications

• Trade alignment: Ensures compatibility of Swiss animal feed production with the EU, supporting cross-border commerce¹.
• No additional costs: Amendments impose no financial burden on the Confederation, cantons, or economy¹.

Key Requirements Table

Summary Answer

Switzerland’s amendments to its feed additive regulations, effective 1 January 2027, align its authorization lists with EU standards under the 1999 Agricultural Agreement (Annex 5, Art. 9)¹. The updates include 82 new authorizations, 43 renewals, and 70 withdrawals, with transitional periods allowing phased compliance^{1, 2}. Operators must adhere to EU dossier requirements (Regulation (EC) No 429/2008) and implement safety procedures (e.g., PPE, stability data)². The changes facilitate trade harmonization without imposing additional costs on stakeholders¹. For full details, refer to the Ordinance on the Book of Feed (OLALA, RS 916.307.1) and its annexes^{1, 2}.

Sources

1. ↩ WTO SPS notification 26-03351 — Switzerland https://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2026/SPS/CHE/26_03351_00_f.pdf
2. ↩ WTO SPS notification 26-01093 — Switzerland https://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2026/SPS/CHE/26_01093_00_f.pdf