The division is responsible for the protection of our soils, for the remediation of contaminated sites and for biotechnology and genetic engineering
The division:
- deals with the protection of the soil against chemical, physical and biological damage such as erosion and compacting;
- surveys the status of the soil through the "National Soil Monitoring Network" (NABO);
- assists the cantons in the implementation of the Soil Pollution Ordinance;
- harmonizes and assists the Cantons in enforcing the Contaminated Sites Ordinance (CSO);
- enforces the Ordinance on the Charge for the Remediation of Polluted Sites in the area of subsidies and evaluates subsidy applications of the cantons;
- is responsible for elaborating and implementing the provisions on the handling of pathogenic, alien and genetically modified organisms in the environment (Release Ordinance) and in contained systems (Containment Ordinance);
- coordinates international activities in the area of biosafety with regard to the environment, in particular the Convention on Biological Diversity; it is also responsible for implementing the Convention on Biological Diversity in the area of genetic resources (Nagoya Protocol) and biosafety (Cartagena Protocol).
The division is responsible for the topics:
Management:

Bettina Hitzfeld
Position: head of division

Christiane Wermeille
Position: head of section Contaminated sites, deputy head of division

Gudrun Schwilch
Position: head of section Soil

Anne-Gabrielle Wust Saucy
Position: head of section Biotechnology
Last modification 13.01.2023
Contact
Federal Office for the Environment FOEN
Soil and Biotechnology Division
Postal address:
CH-3003 Bern
Location of our offices:
Monbijoustrasse 40, 3003 Bern
Tel.: +41 58 462 93 49