Rebecca Manzi Switzerland has introduced new measures to regulate the fur trade, tightening ethical standards, and increasing accountability for retailers. A ban on cruelty-derived furs is set for July 2025.
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Switzerland has long been a hotbed for debates surrounding the fur industry, with many imported furs coming from farms and processing methods that don’t meet the country’s ethical standards. Despite being subject to a legal requirement for over a decade to disclose production methods, the fur industry continues to violate these regulations. In response, the Federal Council has taken a bold step, introducing concrete measures to tackle the issue.
On May 28, 2025, the Swiss government issued an official statement on the “Fur Initiative,” a proposal to ban the import of fur products derived from animals subjected to suffering. Rather than accepting the popular initiative outright, the government chose to implement an indirect counterproposal, which it believes to be more effective and in line with international agreements.
The new legislation not only bans the import of such furs but also prohibits their sale within Switzerland if they are produced using methods deemed cruel. Unlike the original initiative, which focused solely on imports, the counterproposal targets domestic distribution as well. The definition of animal suffering adheres to criteria set by the World Organisation for Animal Health, which promotes living conditions that respect the needs of various species.
New responsibilities for retailers and heightened controls
One of the cornerstones of the new approach is the accountability of retailers. Furriers, fashion stores, and online platforms will now be required to prove the ethical origin of the products they sell. Failure to do so will result in the products being withdrawn from the market and sellers facing criminal prosecution.
Switzerland will also ramp up border and internal trade checks to ensure the new ban is enforced effectively. Illegal imports will be penalized, and non-compliant goods will be removed from circulation.
Although the law still awaits final approval by the Swiss Parliament, the Federal Council has already implemented an import ban through an ordinance, set to take effect on July 1, 2025, with a two-year transitional period. This move underscores the government’s strong political will to send a clear message: Switzerland will no longer tolerate products obtained at the expense of animal welfare.
Source: Swiss Confederation
