News

Researchers from Empa, EPFL and CSEM have developed a green smart sensing tag that measures temperature and humidity in real time – and can also detect whether a temperature threshold has been exceeded. In future, this could be used to monitor sensitive shipments such as medicines or food. The sensor tag itself is completely biodegradable.

In Switzerland, 46 931 new businesses were created in 2023, a high figure that confirms the trend observed last year. The sustainability of these companies is uncertain, however. Nearly 20% of new businesses cease operations within one year. Only half are still active after five years. More than 80% of new businesses begin as sole proprietorships, making them more vulnerable compared with businesses launched with multiple employees. These are the some of the results from the Federal Statistical Office’s (FSO) Statistics on Business Demography (UDEMO).

The Association for the Decarbonization of Industry (VZDI) and its partners today inaugurated a unique methane pyrolysis plant on the V-ZUG production site. The innovative plant is the result of a visionary collaboration between 16 leading companies and Empa, supported by the canton of Zug. It was realized with investments of over CHF 8 million and marks a significant step toward Swiss industry's net-zero targets for 2050.

Switzerland has completed its second humanitarian operation to evacuate injured children from the Gaza Strip. In collaboration with Norway, 13 children and 51 family members, who had previously travelled from Gaza to Jordan, were transported to Switzerland on Friday. They will be hosted by eight Swiss cantons, where they will receive medical treatment at various university and cantonal hospitals. They will also undergo an asylum procedure in Switzerland. As part of this humanitarian operation, Switzerland has evacuated a total of 20 injured children and 78 accompanying family members from Gaza.

The amending protocol to the double taxation agreement (DTA) between Switzerland and the United Arab Emirateshas entered into force. With a few exceptions, most of the changes will apply from 1 January 2026.

The amending protocol to the double taxation agreement (DTA) between Switzerland and Germany has entered into force. With a few exceptions, most of the changes will apply from 1 January 2026.

The protocol of amendment to the double taxation agreement (DTA) between Switzerland and Hungary has entered into force. The changes will apply from 1 January 2026.

A new research project by the Swiss Federal Institute of Sport Magglingen (SFISM) will examine the mental health of young performance athletes in Switzerland over several years, starting in 2025. The focus will not only be on those who make it to the top, but also on those who leave the performance sport system prematurely.

In the third quarter of 2025, Switzerland's GDP adjusted for sporting events fell 0.5%, following 0.2% growth in the previous quarter.[1],[2] The negative result is largely down to the chemical and pharmaceutical industry, where strong exports gave way to a compensatory decline. Below-average growth in the services sector failed to offset the downturn in the industrial sector.

Researchers at the Paul Scherrer Institute PSI have developed a new analytical method that can detect even tiny amounts of critical impurities in biogas. This procedure can be used even by small biogas plants without the need for major investment – thus facilitating the energy transition.

On 27 November 2025, the Conference of the States Parties to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) appointed Ambassador Sabrina Dallafior as Director-General. She will take up her new post on 25 July 2026. The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) supported Sabrina Dallafior's candidacy and welcomes her appointment as the new OPCW Director-General.

The Council Meeting at Ministerial Level of the European Space Agency (ESA) held in Bremen on 26-27 November focused on the strategic orientation and financing of key space programmes for the coming years, totalling EUR 22.1 billion. Switzerland, represented by State Secretary Martina Hirayama, will contribute EUR 771 million to strengthen and advance the space sector in Europe together with its European partners.