Press information
EAER Press releases
Sanctions: Ordinance on measures against persons, groups, undertakings and entities associated with ISIL (Da'esh) and Al-Qaida
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.
Ukraine: Switzerland expands its sanctions lists
The Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER) expanded the sanctions lists concerning Russia and Belarus on 22 May. Switzerland is thus adopting various changes that the EU decided on as part of its 20th package of sanctions. The measures come into force at 11pm on 22 May.
ETH Domain strengthens existing cooperation with the DDPS and armasuisse
At its meeting of 20/21 May, the ETH Board discussed the conditions for the cooperation with the DDPS and the Federal Office for Defence Procurement, armasuisse, which is to be intensified in accordance with the Federal Council’s new armaments policy strategy. Like the Federal Council, the ETH Board rejects the “No to a Switzerland with 10 million” initiative. In addition, the ETH Board appointed three new members to the Directorate of PSI and two to the Directorate of WSL.
19 new professors appointed at ETH Zurich and EPFL
At its meeting of 20/21 May 2026 and upon application of the President of ETH Zurich, Professor Joël Mesot, and the President of EPFL, Professor Anna Fontcuberta i Morral, the ETH Board appointed a total of six women and thirteen men as professors and awarded the title of professor to five individuals and the title of Professor of Practice to two individuals. It also took note of the resignation of 15 professors and thanked them for their services. In the last 12 months, the ETH Board has made a total of 25 new appointments for women and 27 for men; the proportion of women among these new appointments thus amounts to 48%.
Poland's President Karol Nawrocki to pay a state visit to Switzerland next week
President Karol Nawrocki of Poland is expected to arrive in Switzerland on Wednesday, 27 May, for a two-day state visit. This invitation from the Federal Council, headed by President Guy Parmelin, highlights the importance of bilateral relations between Switzerland and Poland. Since the turning point in 1989, a Polish head of state has visited Switzerland every decade.
New materials for electrolysis: Making green hydrogen more affordable
Green hydrogen – produced from water using renewable energy – is an important sustainable fuel and energy storage medium. However, its industrial production is significantly more expensive than the conventional production of hydrogen from fossil sources. Empa researchers and their partners are developing materials for water electrolysis that are not only efficient and more cost-effective but can also be scaled up to an industrial level.
GDP flash for the first quarter of 2026: Growth accelerates compared to the previous quarter
According to the early estimate of Switzerland's quarterly real GDP approximately 45 days after the quarter end ('GDP flash'), Swiss economic output is estimated to have grown by 0.5 % in the first quarter of 2026 [1]. Both the industrial and services sectors contributed to this growth.
Note: The flash estimate is based on early information available on the production components of GDP. Estimates are used where values are not yet available. The result may therefore change after the complete and updated source data become available. The regular release of quarterly GDP figures, including details on production, expenditure and income as well as updated calculations for the previous quarters, will be published on 1 June 2026.
[1] Adjusted for seasonal/calendar effects and sporting events. Growth relative to the previous quarter.Pollution from aircraft
During takeoff and landing, planes emit ultrafine aerosol particles. Some particles also contain lubricating oil, as shown by measurements made by researchers from the Paul Scherrer Institute PSI in the environs of the Zurich Airport. Low-sulphur fuels could be the solution.
Swiss Science Council recommends national AI infrastructure strategy
The Swiss Science Council SSC sees significant strategic development opportunities for Switzerland in the field of data- and compute-intensive research. In a recent report, the SSC highlights the potential for the targeted further development of existing academic computing infrastructures in order to meet growing demands, particularly in the field of artificial intelligence (AI), in a sustainable manner. To ensure internationally competitive research on and with AI, Switzerland requires a suitable national computing infrastructure with sufficient computing ressources and international connectivity. Computing resources are understood to include all necessary components, services and personnel required to make them usable for the end-user. The SSC proposes a multi-tiered, interoperable computing infrastructure system that covers regional to international levels, is based on a national strategy, is led by a strategic committee and is supported by long-term funding.
PFAS-free outdoor clothing: Alternatives to PFAS in textiles
Hiking, jogging, biking – when enjoying outdoor activities, it's easy to get caught off guard by unexpected weather. Modern performance clothing can be waterproof and stain-resistant, but it is often treated with chemicals containing PFAS. It's not easy to find alternatives to these harmful substances. Researchers at Empa are therefore working with textile manufacturers to develop a technology that can be used to find substitutes for PFAS and apply them more precisely – in line with the Safe and Sustainable by Design principle.
Professional education: An asset for independents
A year after completing their studies, 13% of people who obtain an Advanced Federal Diploma of Higher Education are self-employed. Agriculture and healthcare are among the most common fields of study for those who go on to be self-employed. Most of these professionals were already self-employed before obtaining their qualification and continue to work in the company or practice that they founded. These are the findings of the Survey on Professional Education conducted by the Federal Statistical Office (FSO).
Greater biodiversity through the restoration of wetland forests
Wetland forests are particularly valuable for biodiversity and help to mitigate the effects of climate change. However, many of these forests in Switzerland have been drained during the last few centuries. In a newly published guide, researchers from Eawag, WSL and the ETH, together with experts from the field, set out the positive effects of wetland forests and the measures required to restore them.
AiiDAlab: software that drives research forward
The software platform AiiDAlab was originally developed to simplify computer simulations in materials research. A team of researchers, led by the Paul Scherrer Institute PSI and Empa, have now demonstrated its use in new areas: from atmospheric research and controlling experiments to teaching.
Consumer sentiment slightly higher than a year ago
In April 2026 the consumer sentiment index stood at –40 points. This is 2 points higher than in April 2025. The following sub-indices are higher than in April 2025: economic outlook and past financial situation. The following sub-index is lower than a year ago: moment to make major purchases. The following sub-index has barely changed compared to April 2025: financial outlook.
Cooling without pumps: New measurement data for modular reactors
Passive cooling systems for nuclear power plants operate without pumps or electricity: They rely solely on physical effects such as density differences to dissipate heat. Researchers at the Paul Scherrer Institute PSI have now experimentally investigated such systems for small modular reactors, collecting high-resolution measurement data for the first time. This provides an important basis for developing future generations of reactors.
SECO: Ordinance on Measures Relating to the Situation in Ukraine
On 7.05.2026 the Federal Department of Economic Affairs EAER has amended the formular “ Reporting services and software (art. 28e (9) Ukraine Ordinance) ”.
Empa spin-off Lepto GmbH: More efficient communication for satellites with terahertz radiation
Terahertz radiation is a promising part of the electromagnetic spectrum that has so far been underutilized. Empa researchers Elena Mavrona and Erwin Hack want to help close the so-called terahertz gap. With their spin-off company Lepto, they manufacture filters and other devices for terahertz radiation, enabling a wide range of applications both in space and on Earth.
Scenarios for Switzerland’s future
How could life in Switzerland develop socially, economically and politically by the end of the century? Researchers at the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL investigated this as part of the NCCS-Impacts programme. The result? Five scenarios with significantly different impacts on greenhouse gas emissions, as shown by modelling in a new publication.
President Parmelin meets with President Mattarella and Deputy Prime Minister Tajani in Rome
On Tuesday, 5 May, President Guy Parmelin met with Italian President Sergio Mattarella and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani in Rome. The talks focused on bilateral relations, security issues and competitiveness in Europe, as well as current international affairs. The response to the devastating fire in Crans Montana was also discussed. On 6 May, President Parmelin will attend the swearing-in ceremony of the new Swiss Guards at the Vatican. During his visit, he will meet Pope Leo XIV and Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin.
Field Trial with Cisgenic Potatoes: Sustainable Disease Resistance Sought
Agroscope is testing the use of new breeding technologies by cultivating a late blight-resistant potato cultivar in the field. Authorised by the Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN), the field study serves as a basis for researching potato varieties containing no foreign DNA. These so called ‘cisgenic’ varieties reduce the need for plant-protection products and can better withstand extreme weather conditions.