On 29 September 2023, the Swiss legislator ratified the Corporate Relief Act (Unternehmensentlastungsgesetz, UEG, hereinafter «CRA»). The purpose of the CRA is to promote the digitalization of government services and reduce the regulatory expenses of companies. Following the expiration of the referendum deadline on 18 January 2024, the Federal Council decided on 15 March 2024, to implement the new law gradually. Consequently, on 1 April 2024, Articles 9 – 18 CRA (except for Article 11 CRA), which contain provisions regarding the central electronic platform for the provision of government services, will come into force. These provisions specifically pertain to the handling of personal data. These are essential components for the continuous functioning and growth of EasyGov.

Federal authorities, cantonal authorities, and third parties entrusted with administrative responsibilities (in the implementation of federal law) are required by Article 11 CRA to provide EasyGov access to digital government services. Due to the requirement of a specific ordinance, the implementation of Article 11 CRA and the corresponding ordinance is anticipated to commence in 2026.

According to the press release of the Federal Council, Articles 1 – 8 CRA will come into effect as of 1 October 2024. These encompass the obligatory evaluation of regulatory cost estimates and relief alternatives for newly implemented regulations, the assessment of relief potential for established regulations (referred to as “area studies”), and ongoing monitoring (Art. 6 et seq. CRA). The subsequent implementation, as stated by the Federal Council, is due to supplementary obligations pertaining to explanatory reports on consultations and Federal Council dispatches. The purpose of the lead time is to facilitate the incorporation of these requirements and any further clarifications that may be required for ongoing legislative projects.

Moreover, the Federal Council has incorporated the organisational ordinance of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education, and Research (EAER) into the CRA’s implementation. SECO will be entrusted with the oversight of the regulatory obligations imposed on businesses. In addition, the guidelines for regulatory impact assessments established by the Federal Council were modified to accommodate the EAER’s new requirements.