Government tightens rules for Swiss mountain guides
Mountain guides and other providers of high-risk sporting activities that earn at least CHF1 will need to obtain a license from cantonal authorities starting in May.
Keystone
Stricter rules for mountain guides and organisers of high-risk sports will come into effect in May to raise professional standards and improve customer safety.
On Wednesday, the Federal Council (executive body) announced a revision to the Risk Activities Act would come into force on May 1, setting new standards for organisers of high-risk sports or recreational activities such as bungee jumping, river rafting, alpine hiking and canyoning.
From May, anyone who earns over one franc per year for providing such activities will be considered a commercial entity and, thus, will be required to obtain a license from cantonal authorities. This would eliminate the current threshold requirement for a licence of CHF2,300 per year.
Non-profit associations, in which activities are only offered to association members, are exempt from the rules.
The revisions also introduce minimum safety requirements based on ISO standards. The Federal Office of Sport will recognise the certification bodies.
New entrants to the profession including climbing teachers and aspiring mountain guides are also expected to receive authorisation as they may accompany their own clients.
The initial Risk Activities Act came into force in 2014. It was initiated by a former member for parliament, Jean-Michel Cina, after a canyoning accident in the Bernese Oberland in central Switzerland. In 2016, the government wanted to repeal the law as part of a cost-cutting measure and thus save CHF150,000 but criticism caused it to back down.
The Swiss Alpine Club reported that the number of deadly incidents in the Swiss mountains nearly doubled to 136 in the first nine months of 2018, compared with the same period last year.
Popular Stories
More
Banking & Fintech
UBS releases ‘hundreds’ of staff in fresh wave of job cuts
Should Switzerland take measures to support its struggling industries?
Industrial policies are back in fashion, not only in the United States but also in the EU. Should Switzerland, where various industries are struggling, draw inspiration from such policies?
Over 6,000 Swiss companies go bankrupt but start-ups see growth
This content was published on
Switzerland recorded a spike in bankruptcies last year, but there was also a rise in new start-ups. Trends varied significantly by region and sector.
Basel greenlights funding for Eurovision Village 2025
This content was published on
MCH Group Ltd. is set to receive CHF1 million ($1.1 million) for the Eurovision Village at the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 in Basel.
Geneva researchers discover potential for targeted cancer drug delivery
This content was published on
Researchers in Geneva have discovered how some bacteria inject dangerous enzymes into cells, potentially enabling targeted drug delivery to cancer cells.
Macron denies involvement in Nestlé Waters scandal
This content was published on
French President Emmanuel Macron denied any “agreement” or “collusion” with the Swiss company Nestlé over the bottled water scandal on Tuesday.
UBS has cut 10,000 jobs since Credit Suisse takeover in 2023
This content was published on
UBS Group has cut more than 10,000 roles since it bought Credit Suisse, marking a milestone in the lender’s efforts to integrate its former rival.
Swiss multinational SGS to move HQ from Geneva to Zug
This content was published on
The Swiss multinational SGS, the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company, plans to move its headquarters from Geneva to canton Zug in central Switzerland.
Swiss army takes part in international tank competition
This content was published on
Around 20 Swiss army personnel and two Leopard 2 tanks are taking part in an international tank competition in Grafenwöhr, Germany, this week.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Mountain deaths in Swiss Alps nearly double
This content was published on
The number of deadly mountain incidents nearly doubled to 136 in the first nine months of the year compared with the same period last year.
This content was published on
Six people died in the Alps on Monday after bad weather forced them to spend a night outdoors. A seventh victim died in hospital on Wednesday.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.