The framework agreement shall enter into force on the spot

Before the Federal Council has signed the institutional agreement (Insta), wants to enter into the EU, no new bilateral agreements with Switzerland, or the existing update. The lack of a current agreement directly affected the electricity market works on a provisional basis. For the stock market, the worst was averted. The medical devices industry forecasts, however, even today, with billions of dollars of losses.

reason is the new EU regulation on the strengthening of patient safety, the on 25. In may 2020, will be implemented. Although the Parliament has adapted to the Swiss legislation fast-tracked. This change in the law but only comes fully to the fore, if the EU agrees to the updating of the agreement on the mutual recognition of conformity assessments (MRA).

Switzerland as a third country

Today, the MRA, a Swiss medical device manufacturers are granted equal access to the EU market. Without the update, the Switzerland would have the Status of a Third country, said Peter Studer is the industry Association of Swiss Medtech at the request of Keystone SDA.

the Swiss manufacturer could export medical products such as bandages, diagnostic devices or implants is the only one Authorised in the EU. On the basis of a survey among Swiss Medtech estimates that the direct costs to over a billion francs.

Much higher the bill will be for the medium-term consequences of the system change. The companies would have to ask whether it still makes sense to produce out of Switzerland and to engage in trade, said Studer. For a business location, this is bad news, the Medtech industry but as an engine of innovation.

The Swiss Supervisory authorities threaten to the flow of information from Brussels to cut off. In the worst case, would need to be supported by the company for admission to the European testing centres. The Swiss authorities would then have no influence on the process of placing on the Market of products, said Studer.

shortages

And finally, a bottleneck of supply, the patients would meet both sides of the border threaten. Due to the resinous certification process under the new Regime is on the one hand. On the other hand, it could be missing in the EU soon, to medical devices from Switzerland, which is likely to have an impact, among other things, is strong in the area of the implants.

The Brexit would further exacerbate this shortage of supply in addition. Studer hopes, therefore, that even without the framework agreement, a solution is possible. Because both sides had an interest, he said. Currently, however, there is no indication that it is coming up in may to reach an agreement. For the MRA, the competent state Secretariat for economic Affairs (Seco) has dropped a request to provisionally unanswered.

standstill on the diplomatic Front,

Also, the lead the Department of foreign Affairs FDFA has reported nothing New. To request a speaker reminded that the Federal Council of wool to complete an institutional agreement with the EU, as soon as satisfied with available solutions. In the case of the accompanying measures, state aid, and the Union citizens Directive, the positions seem so far, however, incompatible.

The FDFA points out that the Federal President Ueli Maurer added at the end of September by letter to contact the elected EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and a Meeting has stimulated. It did not come so far. According to the EDA, no Meetings between the Secretary of state, Roberto Balzaretti, and EU representatives are scheduled to time.

Also in Brussels is to identify any movement. It is hoped, although still on a signing of the Insta in the spring of 2020 as the Switzerland competent EU official Christian Leffler last week before the foreign Affairs Committee in the European Parliament, said. He assumes that after the General elections to the Federal Council in December, the movement comes in the Dossier. Until then, the new EU-Commission-operatively.

Whether this hope is fulfilled is questionable. The vote on the termination of the initiative of the SVP will take place at the earliest in may 2020. Prior to this ballot, the Federal Council will want to confront the electorate with more of a framework agreement. The price you have to pay Switzerland, you will even favor a good outcome of the negotiations only a few. (aru/fal/sda)

Created: 12.11.2019, 15:26 PM