After six years of work, the Swiss Parliament has passed the Swissness bill, which sets at 60% the minimum rate of Swiss value for Swiss industrial products.
The FH (Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry), which has been closely involved in this issue and has consistently supported the 60% rate, welcomed the move.
The bill as passed will bolster Switzerland's industrial marketplace and employment, as well as the reputation of Swiss products abroad. Above all it answers the wishes of consumers, who rightly expect that products marked "Swiss Made" should be manufactured for the most part in Switzerland.
Approval of the Swissness bill was a prerequisite for advancing the project to strengthen Swiss made in the watch industry. The latter, approved by the great majority in the industry and referred to the Federal Department of Justice and Police as far back as 2007, will now be able to forge ahead on a concrete footing. No further obstacles or time limits now stand in the way of commencing the revision procedure.
TZ
