Press information
EAER Press releases
Identifying chemicals of concern in plastics – and pathways towards safer polymers
To curb global plastic pollution and to make plastics safer and more sustainable, countries are currently negotiating a global treaty. A new study published in Nature provides a comprehensive and systematic overview of all chemicals that can be present in plastics, their properties, uses, and hazards. Moreover, the study also provides a scientific approach for identifying chemicals of concern. This allows scientists and manufacturers to develop safer plastics and policy makers to promote a non-toxic circular economy.
Sanctions: Ordinance on Measures concerning Haiti
The UN sanctions committee has amended the list of sanctioned individuals, companies and organizations. The SESAM database has been updated accordingly.
On 4 March 2016 the Federal Council has adopted the Ordinance on the automatic application of the UN Security Council’s sanctions lists. Hence, the amendments of the UN Security Council’s sanctions lists enter into force in Switzerland without delay.X-ray analytics in motion: Dynamic 3D diagnosis for unstable shoulders
Shoulder instabilities are difficult to diagnose as they usually only occur when the shoulder joint is in motion. A time-resolved 3D analysis now makes it possible for the first time to precisely capture these dynamics. Empa researcher Ameet Aiyangar combines X-ray videos with virtual 3D models of the joints to detect these instabilities with millimeter precision.
“Switzerland's Security 2025”: Global confrontation has direct effects on Switzerland
The security situation around Switzerland is deteriorating year by year. A global confrontation is emerging, with the USA on one side and China and Russia on the other. This has direct implications for Switzerland: the threat of espionage is high and proliferation activities are increasing. The terrorist threat remains elevated. Particularly concerning is the growing online radicalization of youth. In its new situation report “Switzerland's Security 2025,” the Federal Intelligence Service (FIS) assesses the threat landscape facing the country.
Rare flying squirrel species inspires robotics: Safely navigating treetops thanks to a scaly tail
African scaly-tailed squirrels use their scaled tails to safely move across the smooth bark of trees in their native rainforest habitats. Researchers from Empa, the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, and the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems have for the first time investigated the physics of these thorn-covered scales located on the underside of the squirrel tails through mathematical and physical models. Their findings could eventually enable agile and energy-efficient bionic robots and drones.
Swiss chairmanship of Eureka
From today, Switzerland will be taking over the chairmanship of the intergovernmental Eureka initiative for one year. With its 45 member countries, Eureka is the world’s largest network for innovation.
Biodiversity in the Agricultural Landscape: Lessons from Ten Years of Monitoring
Agroscope has monitored the biodiversity of the Swiss agricultural landscape since 2015. Taken as a whole, the situation has not changed over this period. Individual improvements can be observed in the ecological focus areas in particular.
Switzerland attends 4th International Conference on Financing for Development
Switzerland will be participating in the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4) in Seville, Spain, from 30 June to 3 July 2025. Organised under the auspices of the United Nations, this global event aims to address financing challenges in order to help achieve the 2030 Agenda’s Sustainable Development Goals. The conference will cover a wide range of issues relating to development policy, environmental, economic and social sustainability, and macroeconomics. The Swiss delegation is being led by Patricia Danzi, director general of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).
Award-winning concrete to save the climate : The “Oscar” for engineering achievements goes to … Empa!
Empa is one of the winners of the Building Award 2025. A team from Empa's Concrete and Asphalt lab was recognized for its CO₂-storing concrete – a promising approach to significantly curbing emissions in the construction industry. The award ceremony took place at the KKL Lucerne in late June.
Secretary of State Martina Hirayama on science and economic mission to Australia and New Zealand
On behalf of Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin, Head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER), Martina Hirayama, State Secretary for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) will travel to Sydney and Melbourne (Australia) and Auckland (New Zealand) from 30 June to 8 July. The aim of the trip is to reinforce and broaden bilateral ties in the domains of education, research, innovation and economic affairs. She will be accompanied by a high-ranking delegation from the scientific and business community.
Solar energy as a basic service for the public: Solar electricity for all
How can we accelerate the energy transition in a socially responsible way? Empa researchers propose a publicly funded basic service in solar energy that would increase energy autonomy, create social justice and promote further investment in renewable energies. This requires – among other things – a third of all roofs in Switzerland and a total investment every 30 years that is roughly equivalent to the average gross monthly salary per Swiss citizen.
SECO: Ordinance instituting measures in relation to the situation in Guatemala
On 24 June 2025 the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research EAER has amended the annex of the Ordinance instituting measures in relation to the situation in Guatemala. The entries for five individuals have been modified and three individuals and one entity has been added to the annex. The measures come into force on 26 June 2025.
Bilateral agreement with Ukraine
At its meeting on 25 June, the Federal Council approved the draft of a bilateral cooperation agreement between Switzerland and Ukraine on reconstruction of the country. The draft agreement would establish the legal basis for closer involvement of the Swiss private sector in Ukraine's reconstruction process. This agreement will be signed at the 2025 Ukraine Recovery Conference to be held in Rome. Once signed, the Federal Council will initiate a consultation procedure and submit a corresponding dispatch to the Swiss parliament for ratification.
Federal Council discusses the status of discussions on US tariffs
During the meeting on 25 June 2025, Federal President Karin Keller-Sutter and Vice President Guy Parmelin informed the Federal Council about the status of discussions with the United States on the definitive removal of additional tariffs announced by the United States. The Federal Department of Finance (FDF) and the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER) were instructed to continue discussions with the United States, with the aim of achieving the swift conclusion of a non-binding memorandum of understanding.
Free trade agreement with Thailand: Federal Council submits dispatch to Swiss Parliament
On 25 June, the Federal Council adopted its dispatch on the free trade agreement signed by EFTA and Thailand. This agreement will enhance competitiveness and brings greater legal certainty for Swiss companies on the Thai market.
Secretary of State Martina Hirayama on scientific mission to South Korea
From 22 to 25 June, State Secretary for Education, Research and Innovation Martina Hirayama led a scientific delegation to Seoul. The aim of the trip was to strengthen Switzerland's cooperation with South Korea in research and innovation. The agenda included a meeting with Chang Yune Lee, Vice Minister for Science and ICT, as well as visits to research institutions, universities, companies and start-ups. The thematic focus was on quantum science, artificial intelligence (AI), high-performance computing and life sciences. Ms Hirayama was accompanied on her trip to South Korea by a high-ranking Swiss science delegation.
Empa-TCS study: Electric cars stay atop in noise duel at traffic lights
Empa and the Touring Club Switzerland (TCS) have, for the first time, conducted a joint research project. The study set out to investigate how the noise levels of electric cars and cars with combustion engines differ. While hardly any differences can be detected at constant speed, e-cars are significantly quieter when accelerating.
EFTA Ministerial Conference in Norway: free trade policy outlook in focus
On 23 June, Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin attended the Ministerial Conference of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) in Norway. In addition to signature of the free trade agreement with Malaysia, a key item on the agenda was the free trade policy outlook for EFTA member states within the current trade policy environment.
Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin signs free trade agreement with Malaysia
On 23 June, on the sidelines of the EFTA Ministerial Conference in Tromsø, Norway, a free trade agreement was signed by Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin and representatives of fellow EFTA countries Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway with the Malaysian Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, Mr Tengku Zafrul Aziz.
AI paves the way towards green cement
The cement industry produces around eight percent of global CO₂ emissions – more than the entire aviation sector worldwide. Researchers at the Paul Scherrer Institute PSI have developed an AI-based model that helps to accelerate the discovery of new cement formulations that could yield the same material quality with a better carbon footprint.