Mercure
- Document symbol
- G/LIC/N/3/CHE/19
- Original language
- French
- Published on
- 06/11/2023
Outline of Systems
Q1. Give a brief description of each licensing system as a whole and, with respect to each, reply to the following questions as relevant, placing all of the material with respect to a given system in sequence together, and using cross references as appropriate when elements which have already been described are also present in another system.
Afin de mettre en œuvre la Convention de Minamata sur le mercure, ratifiée par la Suisse le 25 mai 2017, et qui a pour but de mettre en place des mesures visant à réglementer l'offre et la demande de mercure au niveau international, le droit sur les produits chimiques a été modifié afin d'introduire un système de contrôle des importations de mercure, de composés du mercure et d'alliages de mercure. Ces importations ne sont possibles qu'après délivrance d'une autorisation d'importation. Certaines exceptions à cette règle peuvent cependant s'appliquer lorsque l'importation est réalisée pour une utilisation à des fins de recherche et développement.
Purposes and Coverage of Licensing
Q2. Identify each licensing system maintained and state what products, appropriately grouped, are covered.
Le régime de licence d'importation concerne le mercure (no CAS 7439-97-6), les préparations présentant une teneur en mercure d'au moins 95% masse, les alliages au mercure ainsi que certains composés du mercure, numéros du tarif des douanes 2805.4000, 2852.1010, 2852.1090 et 2852.9000.
Q3. The system applies to goods originating in and coming from which countries?
Le régime s'applique indépendamment de l'origine/de la provenance.
Q4. Is the licensing intended to restrict the quantity or value of imports, and if not, what are its purposes? Have alternative methods of accomplishing the purposes been considered and if so which? Why have they not been adopted?
Pas de restrictions ni de la quantité ni de valeur. L'objet de la mesure est de se conformer à la convention de Minamata.
Q5. Cite the law, regulation and/or administrative order under which the licensing is maintained. Is the licensing statutorily required? Does the legislation leave designation of products to be subjected to licensing to administrative discretion? Is it possible for the government (or the executive branch) to abolish the system without legislative approval?
Le régime d'importation se base sur les dispositions de l'Annexe 1.7 de l'ordonnance sur la réduction des risques liés aux produits chimiques (ORRChim, RS 814.81, https://www.admin.ch/opc/fr/classified-compilation/20021520/index.html), pour lesquelles le gouvernement a, en vertu de la loi du 15 décembre 2000 sur les produits chimiques (LChim, RS 813.1, https://www.admin.ch/opc/fr/classified-compilation/19995887/index.html) ainsi que de la loi du 7 octobre 1983 sur la protection de l'environnement (LPE, RS 814.01, https://www.admin.ch/opc/fr/classified-compilation/19830267/index.html), la compétence d'en modifier la teneur notamment en ce qui concerne les restrictions d'importations.
Procedures
Q6. For products under restriction as to the quantity or value of imports (whether applicable globally or to a limited number of countries or whether established bilaterally or unilaterally):
Q6.I. Is information published, and where, concerning allocation of quotas and formalities of filing applications for licences? If not, how is it brought to the attention of possible importers? Of governments and export promotion bodies of exporting countries and their trade representatives? Is the overall amount published? The amount allocated to goods from each country? The maximum amount allocated to each importer? How to request any exceptions or derogations from the licensing requirement?
Q6.II. How is the size of the quotas determined: on a yearly, six-monthly or quarterly basis? Are there cases where the size of quota is determined on a yearly basis but licences are issued for imports on a six-monthly or quarterly basis? In the latter case, is it necessary for importers to apply for fresh licence on a six-monthly or quarterly basis?
Q6.III. Are licences allotted for certain goods partly or only to domestic producers of like goods? What steps are taken to ensure that licences allocated are actually used for imports? Are unused allocations added to quotas for a succeeding period? Are the names of importers to whom licences have been allocated made known to governments and export promotion bodies of exporting countries upon request? If not, for what reason? (Indicate products to which replies relate.)
Q6.IV. From the time of announcing the opening of quotas, as indicated in I above, what is the period of time allowed for the submission of applications for licences?
Q6.V. What are the minimum and maximum lengths of time for processing applications?
Q6.VI. How much time remains, at a minimum, between the granting of licences and the date of opening of the period of importation?
Q6.VII. Is consideration of licence applications effected by a single administrative organ? Or must the application be passed on to other organs for visa, note or approval? If so, which? Does the importer have to approach more than one administrative organ?
Q6.VIII. If the demand for licences cannot be fully satisfied, on what basis is the allocation to applicants made? First come, first served? Past performance? Is there a maximum amount to be allocated per applicant and, if so, on what basis is it determined? What provision is made for new importers? Are applications examined simultaneously or on receipt?
Q6.IX. In the case of bilateral quotas or export restraint arrangements where export permits are issued by exporting countries, are import licences also required? If so, are licences issued automatically?
Q6.X. In cases where imports are allowed on the basis of export permits only, how is the importing country informed of the effect given by the exporting countries to the understanding between the two countries?
Q6.XI. Are there products for which licences are issued on condition that goods should be exported and not sold in the domestic market?
Q7. Where there is no quantitative limit on importation of a product or on imports from a particular country:
Q7.a. How far in advance of importation must application for a licence be made? Can licences be obtained within a shorter time-limit or for goods arriving at the port without a licence (for example, owing to inadvertency)?
Compte tenu du délai d'octroi par l'administration compétente de la licence de 30 jours à compter de l'obtention de toute la documentation requise, la demande devrait être déposée au moins un mois avant l'importation proprement dite. Dans des cas exceptionnels, une licence peut être exceptionnellement obtenue dans un délai plus court si tous les documents requis (cf. 10.) sont présents.
Q7.b. Can a licence be granted immediately on request?
Non.
Q7.c. Are there any limitations as to the period of the year during which application for licence and/or importation may be made? If so, explain.
Non.
Q7.d. Is consideration of licence applications effected by a single administrative organ? Or must the application be passed on to other organs for visa, note or approval? If so, which? Does the importer have to approach more than one administrative organ?
Une seule autorité, l'office fédéral de l'environnement (OFEV, https://www.bafu.admin.ch/bafu/fr/home.html) examine la demande.
Q8. Under what circumstances may an application for a licence be refused other than failure to meet the ordinary criteria? Are the reasons for any refusal given to the applicant? Have applicants a right of appeal in the event of refusal to issue a licence and, if so, to what bodies and under what procedures?
Il n'y a pas d'autres raisons de refuser une licence que celle de la non-conformité avec les critères spécifiques. Les motifs d'un rejet éventuel sont communiqués à l'intéressé, qui dispose d'un droit de recours auprès du Tribunal administratif fédéral et, en deuxième instance, auprès du Tribunal fédéral.
Eligibility of Importers to Apply for Licence
Q9. Are all persons, firms and institutions eligible to apply for licences: (If not, is there a system of registration of persons or firms permitted to engage in importation? What persons or firms are eligible? Is there a registration fee? Is there a published list of authorized importers?) a) under restrictive licensing systems? b) under non-restrictive systems?
En principe toute personne, entreprise ou institution est habilitée à demander une licence d'importation.
Documentational and Other Requirements for Application for Licence
Q10. What information is required in applications? Submit a sample form. What documents is the importer required to supply with the application?
Les demandes d'autorisation d'importation doivent contenir le nom et l'adresse du requérant, le nom et l'adresse de l'exportateur étranger, pour chaque substance et préparation devant être importée: son nom chimique, sa position tarifaire, son usage prévu, la quantité prévue, et la confirmation de l'importateur que la substance ou la préparation devant être importée n'est pas destinée à être réexportée. Dans le cas où le pays exportateur n'est pas partie à la convention de Minamata, une confirmation écrite que le mercure ne provient ni de l'extraction minière primaire ni de la production de chlore-alcali est exigée.
Q11. What documents are required upon actual importation?
Le numéro de licence est à transmettre aux autorités douanières avant l'importation et une copie de la licence d'importation peut être exigée lors de l'importation effective.
Q12. Is there any licensing fee or administrative charge? If so, what is the amount of the fee or charge?
Des frais administratifs, régis par l'ordonnance du 18 mai 2005 Ordonnance sur les émoluments relatifs aux produits chimiques (OEChim. RS 813.153.1) sont facturés sur la base du temps effectif consacré au traitement de la demande.
Q13. Is there any deposit or advance payment requirement associated with the issue of licences? If so, state the amount or rate, whether it is refundable, the period of retention and the purpose of the requirement.
Non.
Conditions of Licensing
Q14. What is the period of validity of a licence? Can the validity of a licence be extended? How?
La licence d'importation est accordée pour 12 mois au plus et ne peut être prolongée (à moins d'établir une nouvelle demande).
Q15. Is there any penalty for the non-utilization of a licence or a portion of a licence?
Non.
Q16. Are licences transferable between importers? If so, are any limitations or conditions attached to such transfer?
Non.
Q17. Are any other conditions attached to the issue of a licence? a) for products subject to quantitative restriction? b) for products not subject to quantitative restriction?
Non.
Other Procedural Requirements
Q18. Are there any other administrative procedures, apart from import licensing and similar administrative procedures, required prior to importation?
Non.
Q19. Is foreign exchange automatically provided by the banking authorities for goods to be imported? Is a licence required as a condition to obtaining foreign exchange? Is foreign exchange always available to cover licences issued? What formalities must be fulfilled for obtaining the foreign exchange?
Aucune restriction de change n'est en vigueur.