Legal basis
Appendix 2.16: Chemical Risk Reduction Ordinance (ORRChem)
- Special provisions relating to metals (section 4: Heavy metals in packaging)
1. General
Heavy metal restrictions for packaging and packaging components match those in Regulation (EU) 2025/40 on packaging and packaging waste regarding:
- which heavy metals are regulated and their maximum levels
- which types of packaging are covered
- exemptions from the rules.
Consequently, packaging that complies with EU requirements can be sold in Switzerland.
2. Prohibitions
Packaging and its components cannot be marketed if the combined amount of mercury, lead, cadmium and chromium(VI) exceeds 100 mg/kg.
3. Exceptions
The ban does not apply to:
- packaging made entirely of lead crystal
- non-lead crystal glass packaging where excess heavy metals come from recycled materials and were not deliberately added during manufacture
- capsules on wine bottles from vintages before 1996
- plastic crates and pallets meeting the conditions in Commission Decision 2009/292/EC.
Last modification 28.04.2025
