Ensuring product safety
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Do you manufacture, import, or sell products? If so, you are responsible for ensuring that they are safe and comply with legal requirements. This page explains the necessary measures and how to properly label and document your products.
Table of contents
Key Points at a Glance
Companies must ensure that their products:
- Do not pose a danger to consumers
- Are correctly labeled (labels, warnings, instructions for use)
- Are documented in a traceable manner
- Comply with legal norms and standards
This is particularly relevant for food, consumer goods, toys, cosmetic products, and technical devices.
In the event of problems, products may need to be recalled.
Requirements, Guidelines, and Formalities
The following legal foundations must be observed in particular:
- Product Safety Act (PrSG): General requirements for product safety
- Food Act (LMG): Specific requirements for food
- Industry-specific regulations: Depending on the product category (e.g., Toy Ordinance, Cosmetics Ordinance)
- Obligation to conduct internal quality control: Regular monitoring of product quality
Companies must also ensure the traceability of their products—that is, they must be able to track where the products come from and where they are going.
Important notes:
- Responsibility for product safety lies with the manufacturer or distributor—not with the buyer.
- Safety deficiencies can lead to fines, product recalls, and criminal penalties.
- Documentation is crucial—keep a written record of all inspections, tests, and measures taken.
How to proceed
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Determine which product category your products belong to:
- Food
- Household goods (e.g., furniture, textiles, electronics)
- Toys
- Cosmetic products
The category determines the applicable laws and regulations.
Find out about the applicable requirements:
- Cantonal requirements: Contact the Zurich Cantonal Laboratory
- Federal requirements: Follow the guidelines of the Federal Department of Home Affairs (EDI)
- International standards: CE marking, harmonized standards
Implement regular self-monitoring measures:
- Incoming inspections: Inspection of raw materials and supplier products
- Production monitoring: Inspections during the manufacturing process
- Final inspections: Inspection of the finished product before sale
- Storage conditions: Proper storage to prevent quality loss
Document each inspection in writing.
Maintain complete documentation:
- Origin information: Where do the raw materials come from?
- Traceability: Which batch was produced and when?
- Test results: Records of safety tests and inspections
- Distribution channel: To whom was the product sold?
This documentation is required during regulatory inspections.
If you have questions or need to verify your measures, contact the relevant authorities:
- Food/consumer goods: Cantonal Laboratory Zurich
- Technical safety: State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO)
- Toys/cosmetics: Specialized agencies
The authorities can advise you and help you optimize your operations.
If you discover a safety defect in your product or are notified of one, you must act immediately:
- Notify the relevant authorities immediately
- Conduct a product recall if necessary
- Inform affected customers transparently
- Document all measures
Note:
The information on this page is for guidance only and is not exhaustive. Details should be clarified with experts or the relevant authorities as early as possible.
Further information
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