Swissness law change sparks outrage among Vaudois industry leaders

A recent amendment to Switzerland's 'Swissness' law has ignited fierce opposition from industrial circles in the canton of Vaud, who view it as a betrayal of national quality standards. The change, enacted in March, allows the Zurich-based company On to feature the Swiss cross on its sneakers, despite them being produced in Asia.

This decision has sent shockwaves through Vaud's industrial sector, a vital part of the Swiss economy. The canton is home to nearly 43,000 jobs in industry, representing almost 10% of the national total, and is responsible for four-fifths of Vaud's exports. Industrial leaders argue that diluting the 'Swiss made' label undermines the integrity of the entire local ecosystem.

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Dilution of a fabulous asset

The controversy has escalated to the national political stage. The cantonal Minister of Economy, Isabelle Moret, met with industry representatives to discuss the issue. Her involvement is partly driven by two motions recently submitted to the federal government in Bern by politicians Daniela Schneeberger and Fabio Regazzi. These motions compel the Federal Council to publicly state its position on the matter.

Industry representatives have expressed strong disapproval, with some calling the law change a "dilution of a fabulous asset" and a "betrayal." They argue that the symbol of the Swiss cross is intrinsically linked to high-quality manufacturing within Switzerland, and its application to products made elsewhere devalues this hard-earned reputation. The debate highlights a tension between supporting domestic manufacturing and accommodating the global business strategies of Swiss companies.

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betrayal