Transplants

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.

L'office fédéral de la santé publique (OFSP, https://www.bag.admin.ch/bag/fr/home.html) est l'organe compétent en ce qui concerne l'autorisation pour l'importation d'organes, tissues et cellules non manipulés (qui ne sont pas des transplants standardisés) d'origine humaine destinés à être greffés sur l'homme. La loi sur la transplantation vise à garantir la sécurité de toute manipulation des transplants, en vue notamment de protéger les donneurs et les receveurs.

Purposes and Coverage of Licensing

Q2. Identify each licensing system maintained and state what products, appropriately grouped, are covered.

Une autorisation est requise pour importer des organes, tissues et cellules allogéniques d'origine humaine destinés à être greffés sur l'homme. Cela concerne le numéro du tarif douanier suisse (SH 2017) suivant: 3001.9000.

Q3. The system applies to goods originating in and coming from which countries?

Tous les pays.

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?

La quantité et la valeur des produits importés ne sont pas restreintes.

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?

Loi fédérale du 8 octobre 2004 sur la transplantation d'organes, de tissus et de cellules (Loi sur la transplantation; RS 810.21, https://www.admin.ch/opc/fr/classified-compilation/20010918/index.html) entrée en vigueur le 1er juillet 2007. Les procédures à suivre pour l'importation sont notamment décrites dans l'Ordonnance du 16 mars 2007 sur la transplantation d'organes, de tissus et de cellules d'origine humaine (Ordonnance sur la transplantation; RS 810.211, https://www.admin.ch/opc/fr/classified-compilation/20051806/index.html). La législation n'accorde pas à l'administration le droit de choisir les produits auxquels s'applique le système de licence. Le gouvernement est autorisé à réviser l'ordonnance.

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):

N/A

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?

N/A

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?

N/A

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.)

N/A

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?

N/A

Q6.V. What are the minimum and maximum lengths of time for processing applications?

N/A

Q6.VI. How much time remains, at a minimum, between the granting of licences and the date of opening of the period of importation?

N/A

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?

N/A

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?

N/A

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?

N/A

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?

N/A

Q6.XI. Are there products for which licences are issued on condition that goods should be exported and not sold in the domestic market?

N/A

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)?

L'importation n'est pas possible sans autorisation. La procédure d'obtention de l'autorisation dure environ quatre mois. Dans des cas exceptionnels, une procédure plus courte peut être envisagée.

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.

N/A

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?

Seul l'OFSP est chargé d'examiner les demandes d'autorisation.

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?

Une autorisation ne sera refusée que si le requérant ne satisfait pas aux critères. Les raisons du refus seront indiquées dans le rapport d'inspection préalable à l'autorisation. Il est possible de faire 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?

Toute personne, entreprise ou institution est habilitée à demander une autorisation d'importation à condition d'être domiciliée en Suisse. Des listes des autorisations délivrées sont publié sur l'internet: https://www.bag.admin.ch/bag/fr/home/gesetze-und-bewilligungen/gesuche-bewilligungen/gesuche-bewilligungen-bereich-transplantation.html.

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?

Différents documents et certificats peuvent être demandés en fonction du type de transplant (selon la demande et la liste de contrôle correspondante, disponibles sur la page de déclaration et d'autorisation du domaine de la transplantation de l'Office fédéral de la santé publique, https://www.donneestransplantation.admin.chhttps://www.bag.admin.ch/bag/fr/home/gesetze-und-bewilligungen/gesuche-bewilligungen/gesuche-bewilligungen-bereich-transplantation.html). Une inspection préalable à l'autorisation est obligatoire.

Q11. What documents are required upon actual importation?

Une fois que l'autorisation est délivrée, aucun (pour l'importation).

Q12. Is there any licensing fee or administrative charge? If so, what is the amount of the fee or charge?

Cinq cents à 2,000 CHF par autorisation (en sus de l'inspection).

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 durée de validité de l'autorisation est cinq ans au maximum et peut être renouvelée.

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.