National Focal Points

Below find a list of the Swiss National Focal Points (NFP) for the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety as well as for the Convention on Biological Diversity:

• NFP for the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety
• NFP for the Biosafety Clearing House (BCH)
• NFP for emergency measures according to Art. 17 of the Cartagena Protocol
• NFP for the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
• NFP for the Clearing House Mechanism (CHM) of the CBD
• NFP for the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA)

National Focal Point for the Cartagena Protocol

Dr. Albert Spielmann
Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN)
Waste Management, Chemicals and Biotechnology Division
CH-3003 Bern
Tel.:  +41 (0)31 322 20 82
Fax:  +41 (0)31 324 79 78
E-Mail: albert.spielmann(at)bafu.admin.ch

National Focal Point for the Biosafety Clearing House

Dr. Albert Spielmann
Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN)
Waste Management, Chemicals and Biotechnology Division
CH-3003 Bern
Tel.:  +41 (0)31 322 20 82
Fax:  +41 (0)31 324 79 78
E-Mail: albert.spielmann(at)bafu.admin.ch

National Focal Point for emergency measures according to Art. 17 of the Cartagena Protocol

Dr. Albert Spielmann
Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN)
Waste Management, Chemicals and Biotechnology Division
CH-3003 Bern
Tel.:  +41 (0)31 322 20 82
Fax:  +41 (0)31 324 79 78
E-Mail: albert.spielmann(at)bafu.admin.ch

National Focal Point for the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)

Mr. Robert Lamb
Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN)
International Affairs Division
CH-3003 Bern
Tel.:  +41 (0)31 324 4989  
Fax: +41 (0)31 323 03 49
E-Mail: robert.lamb(at)bafu.admin.ch

NFP CHM CBD

National Focal Point for the Clearing House Mechanism (CHM) of the CBD

Ms. Sarah Pearson Perret
Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN)
Species Management Division
CH-3003 Bern
Tel. +41 (0)31 322 68 66   
Fax  +41 (0)31 323 89 74  
E-Mail: sarah.pearson(at)bafu.admin.ch

NFP COP (SBSTTA)

National Focal Point for the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA)

Mr. Robert Lamb
Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN)
International Affairs Division
CH-3003 Bern
TTel.:  +41 (0)31 324 4989  
Fax: +41 (0)31 323 03 49
E-Mail: robert.lamb(at)bafu.admin.chrobert.lamb@dont-want-spambafu.admin.ch

Competent Authorities

Competent Authorities

In Switzerland the Biotechnology Section of the Federal Office of the Environment (FOEN) is the compe-tent authority:

• on the implementation of the Biodiversity Convention in the area of genetic resources
• on the development and implementation of environmental regulations in the area of biotechnology and gene technology
• on issues associated with the safe, sustainable use of biotechnology and gene technology including the issue of bioethics
• on all international activities in the area of environmental biosafety, in particular for the OECD and the Convention on Biodiversity
• on the development and implementation of the Environment Protection Law in the area of pathogens and non-native organisms.

Depending on the product category (intended use of the GMOs) other authorities for issuing licences and the applicable authorisation procedure were involved:

• the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) for food and biocidal products
• Swissmedic for medicines
• the Federal Veterinary Office (FVO) for immunobiological veterinary medicines
• the Federal Office for Agriculture (FOAG) for plant propagation material, animal feed, fertilisers or plant protection products