# Swiss domestic industry protection measures

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/swiss-domestic-industry-protection-measures
> Updated: 2026-09-24T11:06:10.000Z. Sources: 5. Developments: 2.

The Swiss Council of States has initiated legislative actions to protect domestic industries from foreign competition and the erosion of national branding.

In mid-September, the Council moved to protect the bakery sector by adopting motions to modify the import regime. This follows data showing that imports of finished and semi-finished products, such as croissants and pizzas, have more than doubled over the last decade. To address a 30% decline in Swiss cereal production between 2000 and 2020, the Council passed a motion to remove preferential tariff treatment for these imports, though it rejected increasing customs duties to avoid raising consumer prices.

By late September, the Council expanded its focus to intellectual property by passing a motion to restrict the use of the Swiss cross to products manufactured within Switzerland. This measure seeks to reverse a March 2026 policy change by the Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (IGE) that allowed the symbol on foreign-made goods meeting certain ‘Swiss Engineering’ criteria. Supporters of the motion, including the Swiss Business Federation, argue that the current guidelines weaken the symbol’s exclusivity and disadvantage domestic small and medium-sized enterprises.

## Claims

- The Council of States passed a motion with 32 to 5 votes to restrict the use of the Swiss cross. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Fabio Regazzi, President of the Swiss Business Federation (SGV), argues the practice change weakens the exclusivity of the Swiss cross and disadvantages domestic SMEs. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (IGE) updated its practice in March 2026 to allow the Swiss cross on foreign-made products under specific 'Swiss Engineering' criteria. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The footwear brand On welcomed the IGE's practice clarification, stating it reflects modern Swiss value creation. (corroborated by 2 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-09-24: Swiss Council of States moves to restrict Swiss cross to domestic goods

The Swiss Council of States voted to restrict the use of the Swiss cross to domestically manufactured goods, challenging a recent policy change that allowed the symbol on foreign-made products.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/swiss-council-of-states-moves-to-restrict-swiss-cross-to-domestic-goods

### 2026-09-14: Swiss Council of States moves to protect bakery sector

The Swiss Council of States has adopted motions to modify import regimes to protect the domestic bakery sector from rising competition from semi-finished and finished food imports.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/swiss-council-of-states-moves-to-protect-bakery-sector

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Cite as: Swiss domestic industry protection measures. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/swiss-domestic-industry-protection-measures