The main aims of the agreement are:
Elimination of tariff and non-tariff measures
Both parties are required to respect competition rules prohibiting abuse of dominant positions, cartels and monopolies along with rules on State aid.
The agreement sets up a joint committee consisting of members of both parties. It:
The agreement entered into force on 1 January 1973. A number of protocols have been subsequently attached to the agreement.
EU-Swiss political relations are governed by more than 100 ‘bilateral’ agreements covering a wide range of aspects including research and innovation, the Schengen zone, asylum policy and mutual recognition.
For more information see:
Agreement between the European Economic Community and the Swiss Confederation (OJ L 300, 31.12.1972, pp. 189-280)
Successive amendments to the agreement have been incorporated into the original text. This consolidated version is of documentary value only.
Regulation (EEC) No 2840/72 of the Council of 19 December 1972 concluding an agreement between the European Economic Community and the Swiss Confederation and adopting provisions for its implementation and concluding an additional Agreement concerning the validity, for the Principality of Liechtenstein, of the Agreement between the European Economic Community and the Swiss Confederation of 22 July 1972 (OJ L 300, 31.12.1972, p. 188)
Agreement between the European Community and the Swiss Confederation concerning the criteria and mechanisms for establishing the state responsible for examining a request for asylum lodged in a Member State or in Switzerland (OJ L 53, 27.2.2008, pp. 5-17)
Agreement between the European Union, the European Community and the Swiss Confederation on the Swiss Confederation's association with the implementation, application and development of the Schengen acquis (OJ L 53, 27.2.2008, pp. 52-79)
Agreement between the European Community and the Swiss Confederation amending the agreement between the European Economic Community and the Swiss Confederation of 22 July 1972 as regards the provisions applicable to processed agricultural products (OJ L 23, 26.1.2005, pp. 19-48)
Agreement between the European Community and the Swiss Confederation on mutual recognition in relation to conformity assessment (OJ L 114, 30.4.2002, pp. 369-429)
Framework Agreement for scientific and technical cooperation between the European Communities and the Swiss Confederation (OJ L 313, 22.11.1985, pp. 6-8)