Sustainability & Corporate Responsibility

For multinational companies, sustainable business practices are of central importance. Regulatory requirements in Switzerland and internationally are constantly evolving. SwissHoldings monitors these developments, with a particular focus on corporate responsibility, due diligence, and reporting requirements. The association advocates for internationally coordinated, proportionate, and practical regulations that strike an appropriate balance between sustainability and competitiveness.

Key Issues

09/18/2026

Corporate Responsibility

Requirements for sustainable corporate governance, as well as due diligence and reporting obligations, have evolved significantly in Switzerland and internationally in recent years. In Switzerland, the Federal Act on Sustainable Corporate Governance is being discussed as an indirect counterproposal to the Corporate Responsibility Initiative 2.0. The consultation draft provides, among other things, for new requirements on due diligence, sustainability reporting, liability, and supervision.

SwissHoldings’ Position

SwissHoldings supports the targeted and effective further development of regulations on sustainable corporate governance. This requires practical, proportionate, and internationally coordinated rules. Unilateral national approaches and a “Swiss Finish” should be avoided.
SwissHoldings rejects the consultation draft of the Federal Act on Sustainable Corporate Governance in its current form. In particular, the proposed special statutory liability regime and the far-reaching powers of a new supervisory authority go beyond internationally established standards and create additional legal uncertainty and regulatory burdens.

Topics: Sustainability and Corporate Responsibility

Publications on Sustainability & Corporate Responsibility All posts

Sustainability Regulation: Switzerland Should Not Go It Alone on Corporate Responsibility

07/09/2026

As the consultation period on the preliminary draft of the Federal Act on Sustainable Corporate Governance (VE-NUFG) comes to a close, SwissHoldings is issuing a statement on the Federal Council’s indirect counterproposal to the new Corporate Responsibility Initiative. The association supports further development of regulations in the area of sustainable corporate governance but rejects the preliminary draft in its current form. It goes beyond international standards on several key points and would undermine Switzerland’s competitiveness as a business location.

No Swiss Finish: Counterproposal to the Responsible Business Initiative Goes Too Far

04/02/2026

SwissHoldings rejects the draft counterproposal to the Responsible Business Initiative published today by the Federal Council in its current form. In an economic climate that is already challenging for multinational companies, this would lead to additional regulatory burdens and new liability risks. At the same time, the proposal does not sufficiently take into account current international developments in sustainability regulation, which increasingly aim for a stronger focus on materiality and simplification. The bill in its current form would amount to a “Swiss Finish” that is detrimental to our business location.

No class actions for Switzerland: Council of States clearly rejects the bill

09/16/2025

The introduction of class actions has been discussed in Switzerland for over ten years. Yesterday’s decision by the Council of States to vote against the proposal means it is now off the table. Among other things, this was due to fears of high risks of abuse, a possible overloading of the courts and negative effects on the established culture of litigation. SwissHoldings welcomes this decision, which ensures legal certainty and continuity.

No Class Action Lawsuits: Council of States Committee Opts for Mediation and Ombudsman Procedures

08/18/2025

The Legal Affairs Committee of the Council of States voted against introducing class action lawsuits into Swiss law last week. SwissHoldings welcomes this clear decision. Instead of a risky system change, the focus should be placed on proven instruments such as mediation and ombudsman procedures. To achieve this, the committee has adopted a corresponding postulate.