This page provides a comprehensive summary of all lead-related regulations in Switzerland, including chemicals, food, water, air, soil, toys, cosmetics, workplace safety, and more. All legal references are hyperlinked to their official entries in the Fedlex database.
| Area / Use Case | Regulation & Legal Reference | Threshold / Restriction | Notes / Exceptions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chemicals – General Handling and Classification | Chemicals Ordinance (ChemO) SR 813.11 | Lead and its compounds are classified as hazardous chemicals; many are SVHCs due to reproductive toxicity. – Mandatory classification, labeling, and safety data sheets – Restrictions on sale to private users |
Information must be provided to professionals without request; to private users upon request |
| Biocidal Products | Ordinance on Biocidal Products (OBP) SR 813.12 | Lead compounds not eligible for approval due to reproductive toxicity (Category 1A) | |
| Plant Protection Products | Ordinance on Plant Protection Products SR 916.161 (not available in English) | Lead compounds not eligible for approval as active substances. Products with calcium hydroxide may contain max. 2 mg Pb/kg (dry matter) |
|
| Organic Fertilisers in Organic Farming | EAER Ordinance on Organic Farming SR 910.181 | Max. 45 g Pb/t dry matter for compost or digestate from household waste | Also applies to sediment from oxygen-free inland waters |
| Animal Feed | Ordinance on the Animal Feed Book (FMBV) SR 916.307.1 (not available in English) | – Feed materials: 10 mg/kg – Premixes: 200 mg/kg – Complete feed: 5 mg/kg – Mineral feed: 15 mg/kg – Yeast: 5 mg/kg |
Based on Directive 2002/32/EC; other limits apply for special formulations |
| Hunting Ammunition | Hunting Ordinance (JSV) SR 922.01 (not available in English) | Ban on use of lead shot for waterfowl hunting | Expanded over time; current ban is general for waterfowl |
| Fireworks / Explosives | Explosives Ordinance (SprstV) SR 941.411 (not available in English) | Fireworks must not contain lead | Based on EU Directive 2013/29/EU and standards EN 15947-5, EN 16261-2 |
| Cosmetics | FDHA Ordinance on Cosmetics (VKos) SR 817.023.31 (not available in English) | Lead and its compounds must not be used in cosmetic products. | Bans align with EU Cosmetic Regulation standards |
| Food and Commodities | Foodstuffs and Commodities Ordinance (LGV) SR 817.02 (not available in English) | – Max lead in drinking water: 10 µg/l – Food: various thresholds per category (e.g. 0.10 mg/kg for fruit) – Toys and items in contact with mucous membranes must be lead-free |
Many thresholds refer to EU food safety regulations |
| Drinking Water | DFHA Ordinance on Drinking Water (TBDV) SR 817.022.11 (not available in English) | Maximum allowable lead concentration: 10 µg/l | Lead pipe use is prohibited |
| Soil | Ordinance on Soil Contamination (VBBO) SR 814.12 (not available in English) | Target value for lead in soil: 50 mg/kg | Guide and intervention values apply depending on land use |
| Air Quality | Ordinance on Air Pollution Control (OAPC) SR 814.318.142.1 | Ambient air lead concentration must not exceed 0.5 µg/m³ (annual average) | Applies nationwide as an immissions limit |
| Contaminated Sites | Contaminated Sites Ordinance (CSO) SR 814.680 | Guide value for soil lead content: 300 mg/kg (for playgrounds) | Different thresholds apply based on land use (playgrounds, residential, industrial) |
| Occupational Exposure | Ordinance 2 of the Labour Law (ArGV2) SR 822.112 (not available in English) | MAK value (workplace limit): 0.1 mg/m³ for lead and inorganic compounds (inhalable fraction) | Employers must monitor air and ensure health surveillance |
| Waste Handling and Disposal | Waste Ordinance (ADWO) SR 814.600 | Specific limits apply for classifying hazardous waste containing lead | Waste containing heavy metals must be treated separately |
| Water Protection | Waters Protection Ordinance (WPO) SR 814.201 | Surface water quality standard for lead: 7.2 µg/l | Limits based on ecotoxicological and health criteria |