As a result of the extraordinary situation resulting from the spread of COVID-19 in Switzerland, the Executive Board of the Federal Procurement Conference (FPC) has issued recommendations for the public procurement of goods and services and contractual matters during the current COVID-19 crisis. The main goal is to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on the Swiss economy from a public procurement perspective.

The recommendations are valid during the exceptional situation as defined in the COVID-19-Ordinance 2 on measures to combat the coronavirus (SR 818.101.24) and for six months after the end of the exceptional situation.

However, owing to federalism, procurement law is not uniform. The recommendations of the FPC are not legally binding and, thus, the cantons may deviate from them.

On 25 March 2020, the Swiss Government, as part of its COVID-19 regulatory framework, adopted a Regulation, which took effect on 26 March, 12:00 AM, requiring a prior license for any exports of medical protective equipment to third countries, except for exports to EU and EFTA Member States.

In Order No. 40-3/2020-DM-I(A) dated March 24, 2020, the Government of India (“GOI”) imposed a nationwide shutdown to curtail the spread of COVID-19 epidemic in the country. The Order issues specific guidelines on the measures to be strictly implemented by all Ministries and Departments of the GOI, and the State…

The Indian Director General of Foreign Trade, Mr Alok Vardhan Chaturvedi, has called upon industry to introduce internal compliance programs for export controls.

The Swiss Federal Supreme Court rendered a leading decision regarding the significance of anti-competitive agreements under Swiss law

Following the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s latest nuclear test and rocket launch on 6 January 2016 and 7 February 2016 respectively, the UN Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 2270 (2016) on 2 March 2016.

As a consequence of the implementation of the JCPOA, Swiss sanctions against Iran will be lifted at the same time as those of the UN and the EU.

On 18 October 2015, Iran and the EU/E3+3 (China, France, Germany, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom, and United States) began preparations to implement their respective commitments under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action related to Iran’s nuclear programme.

On 21 October 2015 the Federal Council of Switzerland announced that it would also ease its sanctions measures on Implementation Day, in line with the UN and the EU.

To prevent the circumvention of international sanctions relating to the situation in Ukraine, Switzerland will, with effect from 18H CET today (Wednesday, 12 November), extend its anti-circumvention measures to apply to the sanctions that the EU introduced against Russia in September (pursuant to Council Regulation (EU) No 960/2014, amending Council…