Switzerland
Who's Who Top
Government
Governmental actors with a direct or indirect role in biosecurity and scientific oversight are included here. This is not a guide to overall governmental structure. Some departments listed here may have only a marginal interest or role in biosecurity. This is a “living” document and comments about the content or any potential omissions are welcome. Please contact webmaster@biosecuritycodes.org.
The Federal Council
Comment: COMING SOON
Department / Ministry / Agency:
Defence
Comment: COMING SOON
Division(s) within the Defence Ministry with a role or interest in biosecurity:
Education and Research
Comment: COMING SOON
Foreign Affairs
Comment: COMING SOON
Public Health
Comment: COMING SOON
Specialized Institutes / Centers:
Expert Committee for Biosafety (SECB)
Comment: The task of the SECB is to advise the Swiss authorities on the protection of people and the environment in the area of biotechnology and gene technology.
Federal Commission for NBC-Protection
Comment: The Federal Commission for NBC-Protection is tasked with ensuring Swiss preparedness in order to minimize the effects of NBC-events on human, animals and the environment. In terms of biological weapons they are responsible for observing and evaluating developments which may pose biological threats in the future and proposing measures to manage biological emergencies.
National Academies & Academia
Academic actors and national academies with a direct or indirect role in biosecurity and scientific oversight are included here. Some groups listed here may have only a marginal interest or role in biosecurity. This is a “living” document and comments about the content or any potential omissions are welcome. Please contact webmaster@biosecuritycodes.org.
National Academy:
Swiss Academy of Sciences
Comment: COMING SOON
Contact: +41 31 310 40 20
Academia:
Swiss Federal Institute of Technology's Centre for Security Studies (ETHCSS)
Comment: ETHCSS studies emerging security threats resulting from the end of the cold war and the events on September 11, 2001. They are producing a Handbook on Biodefence Strategies which will detail national and international efforts to counter threats posed by biological weapons.
Contact: + 41 44 632 40 25
Industry
This list of companies, with significant life sciences interests, illustrates the breadth of impact on industry that any changes in regulations governing the availability of life sciences information would have. This may include limitations on publication openness, control or review of experiments and research, or various other factors arising from the sensitive, dual-use nature of some life sciences work. This is a “living” document and comments about the content or any potential omissions are welcome. Please contact webmaster@biosecuritycodes.org.
Novartis Group
Comment: Coming Soon
Contact: + 41 61 324 11 11
Roche Group
Comment: Coming Soon
Contact: + 41 61 - 688 1111
Research Institutes & Non-Profits
Institutes and organisations with a direct or indirect role in biosecurity and scientific oversight are included here. Some groups listed here may have only a marginal interest or role in biosecurity. This is a “living” document and comments about the content or any potential omissions are welcome. Please contact webmaster@biosecuritycodes.org.
BioWeapons Prevention Project (BWPP)
Comment: COMING SOON
Contact: + 41 22 908 5834
International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
Comment: ICRC is one of the world’s largest humanitarian organizations. The ICRC is impartial, neutral, and independent; its only mission is to protect the lives and dignity of victims of war and internal struggles by providing assistance. It also endeavors to eliminate suffering by improving humanitarian law and universal humanitarian principles. ICRC has developed a set of General Principles that they feel should underpin any code of conduct for life scientists.
Contact: + 41 (22) 734 60 01
International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Association
Comment: COMING SOON
Contact: + 41 22 338 32 00
Events Top
This is a list of events relevant to biosecurity. This is a “living” document and comments about the content or any potential omissions are welcome. Please contact webmaster@biosecuritycodes.org.
2008
Meeting of States Parties to Biological Weapons Convention (BWC)
Date: 1 - 5 December, 2008
Location: Geneva, Switzerland
Participant(s): State Parties to the BWC
Description: This inter review conference meeting is part of a four-year programme mandated by the Sixth Review Conference aimed at, “strengthening the implementation of the Convention and improving its effectiveness as a practical barrier against the development or use of biological weapons.”
Meeting of Experts from States Parties to the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC)
Date: August 18-22, 2008
Location: Geneva, Switzerland
Participant(s): State Parties to the BWC
Description: The Meeting of Experts (the second part of a four-year programme) is aimed at strengthening the implementation of the Convention and improving its effectiveness as a practical barrier against the development or use of biological weapons. The meeting will focus on n ational, regional and international measures to improve biosafety and biosecurity, as well as oversight, education, awareness raising, and adoption and/or development of codes of conduct.
2007
Meeting of States Parties to Biological Weapons Convention (BWC)
Date: 10 - 14 December, 2007
Location: Geneva, Switzerland
Participant(s): State Parties to the BWC
Description: This inter review conference meeting is part of a four-year programme mandated by the Sixth Review Conference aimed at, “strengthening the implementation of the Convention and improving its effectiveness as a practical barrier against the development or use of biological weapons.”
Meeting of Experts from States Parties to the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC)
Date: August 20-24, 2007
Location: Geneva, Switzerland
Participant(s): State Parties to the BWC
Description: The Meeting of Experts (the first part of a four-year programme) is aimed at strengthening the implementation of the Convention and improving its effectiveness as a practical barrier against the development or use of biological weapons. The 2007 Meeting of Experts will focus on ways and means to enhance national implementation and regional and sub-regional cooperation on implementation of the Convention.
2006
6th Review Conference for the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on Their Destruction - often referred to as the Biological Weapons Convention - BWC
Date: 20 November - 8 December 2006
Location: Geneva , Switzerland
Participant(s): State Parties to the BWC
Description: This is the 6th BWC Review Conference and the first since the establishment of intercessional Experts’ Meetings. At the Conference, States will discuss ways of strengthening the BWC. UN Secretary General Kofi Annan addressed the Conference, pointing to the heightened insecurity after September 11, 2001, and the growing importance of countries to come together to address the global threat of potential advancements in science and technology.
A Roundtable Discussion on “Developing a Comprehensive Global Biosecurity Regime”
Date: 8 November 2006
Location: Geneva , Switzerland
Participant(s): Green Cross International, and its affiliates, Green Cross Switzerland, Green Cross Russia, and Global Green USA
Description: The roundtable discussion will bring together experts in the fields of biological security, public health and disease surveillance, and biological weapons nonproliferation, as well as government representatives and officials from relevant United Nations agencies.The meeting aims to provide a unique platform for dialogue on effective and comprehensive approaches to global biosecurity, including a discussion on issues related to the BWC.
Scientific Working Group Meeting on Life Science Research and Global Health Implications
Date: October 16-18, 2006
Location: World Health Organisation (WHO), Geneva
Participant(s): Working Group Members
Description: The meeting seeks to present and discuss the issues raised by the working papers, background documents and the comments raised during the electronic conference. The participants are interested in providing suggestions scientific working group report while discussing the WHO's role and develop a strategy at the HQ and regional levels for raising awareness among WHO member states regarding the issue in implementing the project 'The implications of life science research and development (R&D) for global health security.’
Bioterrorism International Coordination Exercise (Black ICE)
Date: 7-8 September 2006
Location: Montreux, Switzerland
Participant(s): The United States Department of State and the Foreign Ministry of Switzerland as well as numerous intergovernmental organizations
Description: This two-day tabletop exercise is an opportunity for officials from numerous international organizations to examine the critical cooperation and coordination issues that would be necessary to respond to an international bioterrorism attack.
2005
Meeting of the States Parties to the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on Their Destruction - often referred to as the Biological Weapons Convention - BWC
Date: 5 – 9 December, 2005
Location: Geneva, Switzerland
Participant(s): State Parties to the BWC
Description: This is the final intercessional meetings of States Parties. At the Conference, States will discuss strengthening the BWC through codes of conduct for life scientists. States Parties agreed on the importance of codes being, "compatible with national legislation and regulatory controls and contributing to national implementation measures; simple, clear and easily understandable both to scientists and to wider civil society; relevant, helpful and effective for guiding relevant actors in making decisions and taking action in accordance with the purposes and objectives of the Convention; sufficiently broad in scope; and regularly reviewed, evaluated for effectiveness, and revised as necessary."
Third Intercessional Meeting of Experts of Parties to the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on their Destruction (BWC)
Date: 13 – 24 June, 2005
Location: Geneva, Switzerland
Participant(s): State Parties to the BWC
Description: This was the third intercessional expert’s meeting prior to the 6th BWC Review Conference (to be held in 2006). It focused on the content, promulgation, and adoption of codes of conducts for scientists.
2004
Second Intercessional Meeting of the States Parties to the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on their Destruction - often referred to as the Biological Weapons Convention - BWC
Date: 6 - 10 December, 2004
Location: Geneva, Switzerland
Participants: State Parties to the BWC
Description: This was the second intercessional meeting of states of parties to the BWC. At the Conference, States discussed ways of strengthening the BWC.
Second Intercessional Meeting of Experts of Parties to the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on their Destruction - Often referred to as the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC)
Date: 19 - 30 July, 2004
Location: Geneva, Switzerland
Participants: State Parties to the BWC, UN, Specialized Agencies, Non-Governmental Organisations and Guests
Description: This was the second intercessional experts' meeting prior to the 6th BWC Review Conference (to be held in 2006). It focused on strengthening biological weapons surveillance systems and enhancing international capabilities for responding to the alleged use of biological weapons.
2003
First meeting of the States Parties to the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of bacterial (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on their Destruction (BWC)
Date: 10 - 14 November, 2003
Location: Geneva, Switzerland
Participants: State parties to the BWC, UN, Specialized Agencies, Non-Governmental Organisations and Guests
Description: This was the second intercessional meeting of states of parties to the BWC. At the Conference, States discussed ways of strengthening the BWC.
First Intercessional Meeting of Experts of Parties to the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on their Destruction (BWC)
Date: 10 - 14 November, 2003
Location: Geneva, Switzerland
Participants: State parties to the BWC, UN, Specialized Agencies, Non-Governmental Organisations and Guests
Description: This was the first intercessional experts' meeting prior to the 6th BWC Review Conference (to be held in 2006). It focused on the adoption of national implementation measures to implement the prohibitions set forth in the BWC and the security and oversight of pathogens by parties to the BWC.
20th Pugwash Workshop Study Group on the
Implementation of the CBW Conventions:
The BWC Intercessional Process towards the Sixth Review Conference and Beyond
Date: 8 - 9 November, 2003
Location: Geneva, Switzerland
Participants: The Harvard Sussex Program, Swiss Pugwash Group, and guests
Description: This workshop focused on the 5th BWC review conference and discussed codes of conduct that would function to increase awareness among biologists, chemists, and geneticist of the possibility of misuse of their research for the production or delivery of chemical or biological weapons.
2002
Fifth Review Conference (2nd of 2 sessions, first session held on 19 November - 7 December, 2001) of Parties to the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on their Destruction (BWC)
Date: 11 - 22 November, 2002
Location: Geneva, Switzerland
Participants: State Parties of the BWC
Description: During this review a draft text of an international protocol for BWC verification was produced. It was eventually rejected, but other proposals for strengthening the BWC were issued. In order to discuss implementation of these proposals, it was decided that an intercessional expert's meeting would occur every year for the 3 years prior to the 6th BWC Review Conference (to be held in 2006).
18th Workshop of the Pugwash Study Group on the
Implementation of the Chemical and Biological Weapons Conventions:
The Resumption of the Fifth BWC Review Conference 2002 and Beyond
Date: 9 -10 November, 2002
Location: Geneva, Switzerland
Participants: The Harvard Sussex Program, Swiss Pugwash Group, and guests
Description: This workshop focused on the 5th BWC review conference and discussed codes of conduct that would function to increase awareness among biologists, chemists, and geneticist of the possibility of misuse of their research for the production or delivery of chemical or biological weapons.
Biotechnology, Weapons and Humanity
Date: 23 -24 September, 2002
Location: Montreux, Switzerland
Participants: The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and guests
Description: This ICRC meeting brought together experts to discuss concerns related to the fields of biotechnology, biological weapons, and social responsibility. During the meeting a draft Declaration on Biotechnology, Weapons and Humanity was presented to governments proposing a range of measures which could reduce the potential for biotechnology to be put to hostile uses.
2001
Fifth Review Conference (first of 2 sessions) of Parties to the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on their Destruction
Date: 19 November - 7 December, 2001
Location: Geneva, Switzerland
Participants: State Parties to the BWC
Description: Draft text of an international protocol for Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) verification is rejected by the US. The US delegation makes proposals to strengthen the BWC and proposes intercessional meetings of states and experts in each of the following three years.
16th Workshop of the Pugwash Study Group on the
Implementation of the Chemical and Biological Weapons Conventions:
The Fifth BTWC Review Conference
Date: 24 - 25 November, 2001
Location: Geneva, Switzerland
Participants: The Swiss Pugwash Group and guests
Description: This workshop focused on the 5th BWC review conference and discussed codes of conduct that would function to increase awareness among biologists, chemists, and geneticist of the possibility of misuse of their research for the production or delivery of chemical or biological weapons.
1996
Fourth Review Conference of Parties to the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacterial (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on their Destruction (BWC)
Date: 25 November - 6 December 1996
Location: Geneva, Switzerland
Participants: State Parties to the BWC
Description: State Parties to the BWC gathered to reaffirm their commitment to the BWC and discuss ways to improve its effectiveness.
1991
Third Review Conference of Parties to the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of bacterial (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on their Destruction (BWC)
Date: 9 - 27 September, 1991
Location: Geneva, Switzerland
Participants: State parties to the BWC
Description: State parties to the BWC gathered to reaffirm their commitment to the BWC and discuss ways to improve its effectiveness.
1986
Second Review Conference of Parties to the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of bacterial (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on their Destruction (BWC)
Date: 8 - 26 September, 1986
Location: Geneva, Switzerland
Participants: State parties to the BWC
Description: State parties to the BWC gathered to reaffirm their commitment to the BWC and discuss ways to improve its effectiveness.
1980
First Review Conference of Parties to the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of bacterial (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on their Destruction (BWC)
Date: 3 - 21 March, 1980
Location: Geneva, Switzerland
Participants: State Parties to the BWC
Description: State parties to the BWC gathered to reaffirm their commitment to the BWC and discuss ways to improve its effectiveness.
1928
Entry into Force of the 1925 Geneva Protocol/Protocol for the Prohibition of the Use in War of Asphyxiating, Poisonous or Other Gasses, and of Bacteriological Methods of Warfare
Date: 8 February, 1928
Location: Geneva, Switzerland
Participants: 132 States
Description: The 1925 Geneva Protocol was a response to the extensive use of poisonous gas during the First World Was. It expressly forbids the further use of such weapons.
Legislation Top
Below is a select list of laws in Switzerland. As biosecurity is a relatively new and rapidly developing field, many countries have yet to devise or implement laws specific to biosecurity. Since biosecurity has much in common with national security, biosafety, bioterrorism, biological weapons, import / export of dual-use materials, and biodiversity, some countries may develop biosecurity legislation by adapting existing laws within these other areas. Therefore, biosecurity legislation and other laws that could potentially be used as background for biosecurity legislation are included here.
- The Federal Law on War Materials (In French)
- Date: 13 December, 1996
- Comment: Implements the BWC into Swiss national legislation. It has been revised since inception.
- The Ordinance on the Contained Use of Organisms (In French)
- Date: 25 August, 1995
- Comment: This ordinance regulates the use and transport of GMOs, pathogens, and certain types of confidential information. It has been revised since inception.
Biosecurity Code Examples Top
Below are codes of conduct for life scientists that have been proposed, are in use, or are under development in Belgium. If there are any other codes that should be included on this site, please contact webmaster@biosecuritycodes.org.
ICRC: General Principles
