EFTA adopts new guidelines for the Safety Gate system
The EFTA Surveillance Authority adopted Decision No. 146/25/COL approving the guidelines for the operation of the Safety Gate early warning system, established by Directive 2001/95/EC on general product safety. The document sets out uniform rules for the notification of products posing a risk and the exchange of information between EFTA and EU countries. The guidelines clarify the procedures for risk assessment, hazard classification and publication of warnings to consumers. The aim of the decision is to increase the consistency and speed of the response to dangerous products and to ensure full interoperability of the Safety Gate/RAPEX system in the EFTA countries. The decision strengthens consumer protection by unifying the standards for reporting and supervision of products that pose a risk.
EU is introducing a common framework for age verification in digital services
The European Commission has adopted Recommendation (EU) 2026/1035 establishing a common framework for EU-wide age verification technologies for digital services. The document sets out the minimum requirements for interoperability, security and protection of users' privacy. The Commission points out that age verification technologies should allow for effective age verification with a minimum amount of data processing, in line with the principle of minimisation. The framework aims to support uniform standards for online platforms, content providers and digital services, including services requiring legal proof of age. The Recommendation is part of the EU's efforts to make children safer online and to implement the Better Internet for Kids strategy.
EU Deforestation Regulation Update
The Commission has published its simplification package for the EU Deforestation Regulation. The report to the European Parliament and Council describes the simplification measures that have been implemented since the entry into force of the EUDR in June 2023, as well as those introduced in today's package. These measures together will lead to a substantial reduction in administrative burden. They are expected to reduce annual compliance costs for companies subject to EUDR obligations by about 75%, compared to the original EUDR. It also presents planned trade facilitation tools, such as repositories of legislation of producing countries and certification schemes for commodities under the EUDR, to facilitate risk assessment and due diligence. In addition, the report shows that the EUDR is already contributing to structural changes in global supply chains, with increased investment in traceability and more transparency, thereby supporting more sustainable and competitive production practices.
EU: Export control exemptions to apply to all EU and EFTA states
On 27 May 2026, the Federal Council decided to extend country-specific exemptions under Swiss export control legislation on trade in military equipment to include all EU and EFTA states. The annexes to three federal ordinances will be amended accordingly. As of 1 July, states added to the lists will benefit from the same concessions as those already applicable to most EU member states and to Norway. The Federal Council has decided to update Annex 2 to the War Materiel Ordinance (WMO), Annex 7 to the Goods Control Ordinance and Annex 34 to the Ukraine Ordinance, effective 1 July 2026. EFTA member Iceland and EU members Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia will be added to the country lists, meaning that all European Economic Area (EEA) States will benefit from export control exemptions from that date.
All EU member states already apply the internationally harmonised control lists under the relevant EU regulations and are bound by the same export control principles as Switzerland. Iceland likewise subscribes to these export control principles. The updated annexes further clarify the legal baseline ahead of the autumn 2026 referendum. On 19 December 2025, Parliament adopted the revised War Materiel Act (WMA), which provides that a partner state listed in Annex 2 to the War Materiel Ordinance may continue to receive war materiel even if it is involved in an armed conflict, provided it does not use the war materiel in that conflict and provided this is consistent with the law of neutrality, human rights and Switzerland's other international obligations.
EU is digitizing waste supervision – the launch of the DIWASS system
A new EU regulation on waste shipments has come into force, and the European Commission has launched the digital platform DIWASS (Digital Waste Shipment System). As highlighted in the communication, the new rules "strengthen control over waste flows and increase the transparency of the entire system". DIWASS enables electronic submission of documents, shipment tracking and data exchange between Member States and supervisory authorities. The aim of the reform is to reduce illegal waste trade and reduce administrative burdens.
EU registers imports of acrylic esters from four countries
The European Commission has published Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1085, which registers imports of certain acrylic esters originating in China, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and the United States. As indicated in the act, the purpose of registration is to "enable the collection of anti-dumping duties on imports subject to registration". The anti-dumping proceeding was initiated on 12 March 2026 following a complaint by Union producers representing more than 25% of the Union production of acrylic esters. Butyl acrylate (BA) and 2-ethylhexyl acrylate (2EHA) were registered under CN code ex 2916 12 00 (TARIC 2916 12 00 15). The Commission considered that there was 'sufficient prima facie evidence' pointing to dumping and the possibility of injury. The registration is valid for 9 months from the entry into force of the regulation and is intended to allow for the possible retroactive collection of duties if the investigation confirms violations. The regulation enters into force on 22 May 2026 and is directly applicable in all Member States.
New e-dec System Certificates for Encrypted Submission of Customs Declarations
On 24.08.2026, various e-dec system certificates on the production and acceptance environment will expire. These are certificates that customs customers use to electronically encrypt customs declarations by e-mail and send them to e-dec.
The same certificate is also used by customs customers to verify the signature of the SMIME mails that e-dec sends in response to the customs declaration. The new system certificates will be available on the production and acceptance environment as of 22.05.2026. Customers who purchase services via the mail channel can encrypt their request with an old or new certificate (SMIME) until the expiration date mentioned above, and will receive the mail response signed with the old or new e-dec key (signature of the SMIME response).
United States: CBP Published Best Practices for Protecting IEEPA Refund Data
In a Cargo Systems Messaging Service (CSMS) bulletin published on May 7, 2026, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) provided tips to help avoid scams and protect your data regarding the process of refunding International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) duties. Users should only use verified Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) accounts to submit a Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries (CAPE) declaration. This is the only way to submit an IEEPA refund request.
CBP reminds the trade to be on the alert for:
- Requests for personal or financial information;
- Offers of refunds in exchange for date;
- Unsolicited communications;
- Being pressured to act quickly;
- Poor grammar, spelling errors, and suspicious links in solicitation emails.
United States: CBP Transitions Drawback to Petroleum, Natural Gas and Minerals CEE
In a Cargo Systems Messaging Service (CSMS) bulletin published on May 8, 2026, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced that the drawback program was consolidated under the Petroleum, Natural Gas and Minerals Center of Excellence and Expertise (PNGM Center). Filers should continue to file drawback claims in accordance with the existing requirements in the CBP and Trade Automated Interface Requirements (CATAIR). The CSMS provided an updated contact list for drawback specialists. Claims filed before the transition will remain at the drawback office location they were initially filed with. This transition to the PNGM Center went into effect on April 22, 2026.
President Donald J. Trump Secures Historic Deals with China, Delivering for American Workers, Farmers, and Industry
This week, during the first visit of a U.S. President to the People’s Republic of China since 2017, President Donald J. Trump reached consensus with President Xi Jinping on several issues that will enhance stability and confidence for businesses and consumers around the world. President Trump and President Xi agreed that the United States and China should build a constructive relationship of strategic stability on the basis of fairness and reciprocity. As the cornerstone of this historic agreement, President Trump and President Xi chartered two new institutions to optimize the bilateral economic relationship: the U.S.-China Board of Trade and the U.S.-China Board of Investment. President Trump negotiated a sweeping package of commitments that will drive high-paying American jobs and open new markets for U.S. goods.