Press information
EAER Press releases
COMCO Closes Chapter on Financial Market Investigations
Over a period of more than ten years and in nine separate proceedings, COMCO investigated agreements on the financial markets. The investigations involving twenty banks in total concerned the business areas of interest rate derivatives, foreign exchange spot trading and precious metals trading. COMCO concluded seven investigations with settlements and discontinued two proceedings. It imposed fines totaling CHF 237.5 million.
Thin interlayers strengthen flexible composite materials: Cool satellites and flexible electronics
Ultra-light, super-flexible, highly insulating: An aluminum-coated polymer film is used to shield satellites from temperature extremes. Researchers at Empa have succeeded in making the material even more resistant by implementing an ultra-thin intermediate layer. The technology could in future also be used to improve flexible electronics and medical sensors.
Economic forecast: outlook improves slightly
The Federal Government Expert Group on Business Cycles has slightly revised upwards its forecast for economic growth in 2026 (GDP adjusted for sporting events: 1.1%; October forecast: 0.9%). The reduction in US tariffs has improved prospects for the sectors concerned. In 2027, growth in Switzerland is expected to normalise at 1.7% as the global economy gradually recovers. The forecast is based on the technical assumption that international tariffs will remain at current levels. However, uncertainty remains high.
Solid-state cooling takes off: Ionic Wind secures US $2.1M to industrialize technology
Swiss deep-tech startup and Empa Spin-Off Ionic Wind has closed an oversubscribed US $2.1 million pre-seed round to fast-track the industrialization of its solid-state airflow technology. The funding will accelerate the rollout of Ionic Wind’s ultra-thin, silent airflow accelerators – a new class of cooling modules with unprecedented design freedom that can eliminate the need for mechanical fans.
L’Escalade, métaphore historique d’une ville en pleine ascension
Allocution de M. Guy Parmelin, Conseiller fédéral, Chef du Département fédéral de l’économie, de la formation et de la recherche (DEFR) à l’occasion de la Fête de l’Escalade 2025
Total revision of the Ordinance on Measures against the Islamic Republic of Iran
On 12 December, the Federal Council decided to adapt the sanctions against Iran to the status prior to the conclusion of the Vienna Agreement on Iran's nuclear programme. To make that possible, it conducted a total revision of the Ordinance on Measures against the Islamic Republic of Iran. The new ordinance enters into force at 11pm on 12 December.
Ukraine: Switzerland expands its sanctions lists
On 12 December, the Federal Council expanded the sanctions lists concerning Russia and Belarus. Switzerland is thus adopting various changes that the EU decided on as part of its 19th package of sanctions. The measures will come into force on 13 December.
The Secretariat of COMCO launches preliminary investigation into NFC access on Apple devices
Swiss app providers have access to the NFC & SE platform on iOS devices. The Secretariat of the Swiss Competition Commission is investigating whether Apple’s terms and conditions for granting access could raise competition law concerns.
Empa Young Scientist Fellowship: Calculating quantum effects in carbon molecules
Modern materials science combines lab experiments with mathematical modeling. However, when it comes to novel quantum materials such as two-dimensional nanographene, existing models reach their limits. Empa researcher Goncalo Catarina wants to develop a reliable model for these quantum molecules. To this end, he has been awarded the two-year Empa Young Scientist Fellowship.
Sanctions: Ordinance on Economic Measures against the Republic of Iraq
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.Reduction in US additional tariffs to enter into force retroactively
The US is applying a tariff ceiling of 15% on imports from Switzerland. This applies retroactively from 14 November 2025. In return, Switzerland will reduce import tariffs on certain fish and agricultural products from the USA. The basis for this is the joint statement published on 14 November between Switzerland, Liechtenstein and the USA.
ALLOCUTION DEVANT L’ASSEMBLÉE FÉDÉRALE
Discours de M. le Conseiller fédéral Guy Parmelin, Chef du Département fédéral de l’économie, de la formation et de la recherche (DEFR) à l’occasion de l’élection à la présidence de la Confédération 2026
Laser draws made-to-order magnetic landscapes
Researchers at the Paul Scherrer Institute PSI, in collaboration with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in Boulder, Colorado, have for the first time succeeded in using existing laser technology to continuously vary the magnetic properties of two-dimensional materials. This simple and fast method should make a large number of applications possible, including techniques for data storage and processing.
How microtubules take part in cellular signal processing
Microtubules perform an active role in communication within the cell by transmitting received signals to the cell's functional units. Researchers at the Paul Scherrer Institute PSI and the Department of Biomedicine at the University of Basel have now, for the first time, structurally elucidated how these protein strands of the cytoskeleton accomplish this. Their findings could help make it possible to intervene in this communication and, for example, prevent tumour growth. The study was published in the scientific journal Cell.
Research Libraries as Data Hubs – New Report from the Swiss Science Council SSC
Reliable knowledge is an essential public good for science and the future prosperity of our society. Research libraries play a central role here. How can these infrastructures be strengthened in the face of current developments in the fields of automation, big data, and artificial intelligence?
SECO: Ordinance instituting measures in relation to Sudan
On 8 December 2025 the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research EAER has amended annex 2 of the ordinance instituting measures in relation to Sudan. One natural person was newly added to the annex. Technical corrections were made to two entries. The measures come into force on 9 December 2025 at 23:00.
ICOS Cities project completed: Novel approaches for determining a city‘s CO₂ emissions
To date, CO₂ emissions in urban areas were typically monitored using emissions inventories. In the city of Zurich, they can now also be determined reliably based on atmospheric measurements. As part of the Europe-wide research project ICOS Cities, Empa researchers tested this new approach and achieved results that were very close to the values calculated beforehand.
Optimising the treatment of eye tumours
The Insel Group and the Paul Scherrer Institute PSI are expanding their collaboration to provide faster and better coordinated access to proton therapy for patients with eye tumours. The two institutions have signed a new cooperation agreement, creating an integrated patient pathway that offers patients medically coordinated, high-precision treatment and improves the long-term quality of the care they receive.
Consumer sentiment higher than a year ago
In November 2025 the consumer sentiment index stood at –34 points. This is 3 points higher than in November 2024. The following sub-indices were higher than in November 2024: past financial situation, financial outlook and moment to make major purchases. The following sub-index is lower than a year ago: economic outlook.
Home moves remain at a record low
In 2024, 9.3% of the Swiss population moved home, the same as in 2023 (9.3%). Young adults were still the persons who changed accommodation most often. Occupants of single-family houses moved less often than occupants of multi-dwelling housing. The average moving distance was 13.4 km. These are some of the results of the Moving Statistics compiled by the Federal Statistical Office (FSO).