On 12 June 2009, the National Council and the Council of States adopted a bill that revises the technical barriers to trade act (THG). The essence of the bill is the introduction of the so-called 'Cassis-de-Dijon' principle. After coming into effect, products that can legally be bought in the EC and EEA can in principle circulate in Switzerland without additional control. Exceptions in order to protect public interests exist and will be enumerated. Moreover, imports of EC/EEA food products that do not comply with Swiss provisions need to get a first approval from the Federal Office of Public Health.
The following measures will be adopted so that Swiss producers are not discriminated against by EC/EEA producers:

• Special provisions for Swiss producers will be reduced in stages.
• Swiss exporters can sell their EC/EEA compatible products also in Switzerland.
• Swiss producers that are not exporting can produce their products according to EC/EEA regulations and sell them in Switzerland.

On 19 May 2010, the Federal Council approved the changes proposed in the revision of the THG. It will enter into force on 1 July 2010.
Our assignment of the measure is thatthe Cassis-de-Dijon principle reduces technical barriers to trade and associated forms of discrimination.