Switzerland is also taking a stand against the most persistent and polluting chemicals. With the revision of the Ordinance on the Reduction of Risks Related to Chemical Products (ORRPChem), approved on 29 October 2025, the Federal Council introduced new measures to limit the spread of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and microplastics, aligning Swiss legislation with that of the European Union.
Stop PFAS and microplastics in cosmetics and detergents
The use of perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA) and related substances in products such as waterproof fabrics and waxes is thus prohibited, while the addition of microplastics in cosmetics and detergents will be prohibited.
The modification, which is part of a broader framework of technical and regulatory updates, also includes new requirements on PVC containing lead, on objects that release formaldehyde, and a tightening of the rules on substances that damage the ozone layer and on synthetic greenhouse gases, in line with the most stringent international commitments.
Safer soils and protection of biodiversity
The Federal Council has also lowered the limits for lead and hydrocarbon contamination in playgrounds, to protect children, and strengthened the protection of biotopes of national importance, such as swamps, peat bogs and dry meadows, which are fundamental for biodiversity.
Furthermore, the exemption for petrol with bioethanol has been extended until 2030, while the new waste ordinance clarifies the obligation to recover phosphorus from sewage sludge and animal meals, to promote a more circular economy.
A green turning point also for Switzerland
After years of debate on PFAS and microplastics, Switzerland is also making an important choice: to protect the environment and public health from substances that should no longer be part of our daily lives.
Of course, there is still a lot to do, both in Switzerland and in the rest of Europe, to achieve a complete ban on PFAS and a real reduction in microplastic pollution. But this decision represents a first concrete step towards a more ambitious ecological transition – one that also involves legislative choices and the daily gestures of each of us.
