News

On 12 January 2026, the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research EAER amended annex 1 of the ordinance on measures against Venezuela. The entries concerning four individuals were modified. These measures will come into force on 13 January 2026 at 11 p.m.

On 12 January 2026, the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research EAER amended annex 2 of the ordinance on measures concerning the Democratic Republic Congo. The entries concerning three individuals were modified. These measures will come into force on 13 January 2026 at 11 p.m.

On 12 January 2026 the Federal Department of Economic Affairs EAER has amended annexes 8, 14, 15b and 33 to the ordinance. As a result, 5 individuals, 4 organizations and 41 ships were newly added to the annexes. Technical corrections were made to 7 entries. The measures come into force at 11 pm on 13 January 2026.

Epoxy resin is a clear, robust polymer that is widely used – especially as part of fiber-reinforced materials in aviation, the automotive industry, and more. Until now, however, it has not been possible to recycle it. Researchers at Empa have developed an epoxy resin that can be reprocessed and chemically recycled, in addition to being flame-retardant and easy to manufacture.

The Offset Register currently comprises eighteen procurement projects with offset obligations in the amount of CHF 5.42 billion, which must be settled by foreign suppliers to Swiss companies and research facilities. Of this, offset transactions in the amount of around CHF 2.85 billion have been carried out as at the end of 2025.

The Swiss Confederation is offering two bonds on a public tender system on 14.01.2026: 2.25%, maturity 22.06.2031 (reopening) and 4.00%, maturity 06.01.2049 (reopening).

The head of the FDFA, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, will be in Vienna on 15 January 2026 to officially open Switzerland's chairpersonship of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). In his capacity as chairman-in-office, Mr Cassis will present the focus, programme and special representatives of the Swiss chairpersonship. He will also meet with Austrian Federal Minister for European and International Affairs, Beate Meinl-Reisinger, among others.

This year, the Marcel Benoist Swiss Science Prize, endowed with CHF 250,000, will be awarded in the field of life sciences (biology and medicine). Nominations can be submitted up to 23 February 2026. The prize has been awarded every year since 1920.

On 9 January, SECO published the second call for proposals to mobilise reconstruction projects in Ukraine in cooperation with Swiss companies. The federal government is contributing up to CHF 150 million towards such projects.

Scientists at the Paul Scherrer Institute PSI have refined an X-ray diffraction technique for detecting biological structures from nanometres to millimetres – reducing the time needed to make the measurement from around one day to about an hour. This opens up a wide range of possibilities for biomedical research – from analysing bone and tissue structures to supporting the development of new implants.

The Federal Tax Administration has updated the course listings and bonus shares 2025.

In December 2025 the consumer sentiment index stood at –31 points. This is practically the same as in December 2024. The following sub-indices were higher than in December 2024: past financial situation and moment to make major purchases. The following sub-indices are lower than a year ago: economic outlook and financial outlook.