Although Switzerland is not a member of the European Union, European law plays a major strategic role for Swiss companies. Through the bilateral agreements, numerous rules of the EU internal market apply in Switzerland and directly influence cross-border economic activities. For companies active within the European Economic Area or doing business with partners established in the EU, compliance with these requirements is a key factor for competitiveness and legal certainty.
The importance of European law for Swiss businesses is based in particular on the complex network of bilateral agreements between Switzerland and the European Union, which grant privileged access to the internal market in key areas. It is also driven by the mechanism of “autonomous adaptation”, whereby Switzerland regularly aligns its national legislation with EU law in order to preserve compatibility in trade, notably in the fields of data protection, technical standards and product certification, competition law and public procurement. In addition, certain EU regulations have direct extraterritorial effects, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which applies to Swiss companies processing personal data of EU residents and exposes them to significant sanctions in case of non-compliance.
Our lawyers advise clients at the interface between Swiss law and European law. We assist them in analysing and applying relevant EU regulations in order to anticipate legal risks, ensure regulatory compliance and secure their economic activities. Our practice is based on continuous monitoring of developments in European law and their impact in Switzerland, as well as on tailored advice adapted to the specific needs of each company or institution.
The added value of our specialised lawyers lies in a pragmatic and strategic approach aimed at turning regulatory constraints into opportunities, strengthening our clients’ legal position and supporting their development in a constantly evolving European legal environment.