Sanctions database

After consultation with the responsible departments of the FDFA, DETEC and the FDF, SECO may authorize exceptions to the prohibitions if the activities:
a. are necessary to ensure the energy supply of Switzerland or an EEA member state in the event of an imminent or already existing serious shortage or to transport natural gas and crude oil, including refined petroleum products, from or through the Russian Federation to Switzerland or the EEA member states; or
b. exclusively for the benefit of a legal person, company or organization which is active in the energy sector in the Russian Federation and which is owned by a company or organization incorporated or incorporated under the laws of Switzerland or the laws of an EEA member state.

The prohibition does not apply to:
a. humanitarian activities, responding to public health emergencies, the urgent prevention or containment of an event that is expected to have a serious and material impact on human health, safety or the environment, or responding to natural disasters;
b. crop protection and veterinary programs;
c. intergovernmental cooperation on space programs and cooperation within the framework of the international thermonuclear experimental reactor ITER;
d. intergovernmental cooperation within the framework of the agreement of November 30, 2009 on the construction and operation of a European X-ray free-electron laser facility and the agreement of December 16, 1988 on the construction and operation of a European synchrotron radiation facility;
e. the operation, maintenance and decommissioning of civilian nuclear facilities, the management of their radioactive waste, their fuel supply and reprocessing and ensuring their safety, the supply of raw materials for the production of medical radioisotopes, similar medical applications and critical technologies for radiological environmental monitoring and civil nuclear cooperation, particularly in the field of research and development;
f. mobility and exchange programs for individuals and to promote people-to-people contacts;
g. Climate and environmental programs that do not serve research and innovation;
h. the official activities of diplomatic and consular representations of Switzerland and its partners or international organizations enjoying immunity under international law in the Russian Federation.

The prohibitions do not apply if the founders or beneficiaries are Swiss nationals or nationals of an EEA member state or have a temporary or permanent residence permit in Switzerland or an EEA member state.
After consultation with the responsible departments of the FDFA and the FDF, SECO may grant exceptions for services that are necessary for:
a. humanitarian activities such as providing or facilitating the delivery of relief, including the delivery of medical supplies and food, the transportation of humanitarian workers and related relief or evacuation;
b. civil society activities directly promoting democracy, human rights or the rule of law in Russia.

*** The amendments also provide new exemptions for pre-existing measures and clarification on certain restrictions, including the ban on trust services.

After consultation with the responsible departments of the FDFA, DETEC and the FDF, SECO may authorize exceptions to the prohibitions if the activities:
a. are necessary to ensure the energy supply of Switzerland or an EEA member state in the event of an imminent or already existing serious shortage or to transport natural gas and crude oil, including refined petroleum products, from or through the Russian Federation to Switzerland or the EEA member states; or
b. exclusively for the benefit of a legal person, company or organization which is active in the energy sector in the Russian Federation and which is owned by a company or organization incorporated or incorporated under the laws of Switzerland or the laws of an EEA member state.

After consultation with the responsible departments of the FDFA, DETEC and the FDF, SECO may authorize exceptions to the prohibitions if the activities:
a. are necessary to ensure the energy supply of Switzerland or an EEA member state in the event of an imminent or already existing serious shortage or to transport natural gas and crude oil, including refined petroleum products, from or through the Russian Federation to Switzerland or the EEA member states; or
b. exclusively for the benefit of a legal person, company or organization which is active in the energy sector in the Russian Federation and which is owned by a company or organization incorporated or incorporated under the laws of Switzerland or the laws of an EEA member state.

The prohibition does not apply to the sale, delivery, export or transit of banknotes denominated in Swiss francs or an official currency of a member state of the EU if this sale, delivery, export or transit is necessary for :
a. personal use by persons traveling to the Russian Federation or their close relatives traveling with them; or
b. the performance of official activities of diplomatic or consular representations or international organizations in the Russian Federation.

Switzerland introduced import quota mineral fertilizers effective from July 29, 2022 to July 28, 2023 (Annex 21) for: potassium chloride (3104 20) – 1720 tons; mineral or chemical fertilizers (containing the three fertilizing substances nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (3105 20), containing the two fertilizing substances phosphorus and potassium (3105 60), containing potassium chloride (3105 90) – 1636 tons combined