On 21st of May 2014, the Swiss Federal Council adopted the order on official labels for mountain and alpine products. The order, entered into force last 1st of July, provides the first official labels for Swiss agricultural products and foodstuffs, certifying the mountain or mountain pasture origin of the product.
The order defines official labels for mountain and mountain pasture products as well as the graphical presentation and the use of design elements. These labels may also be used on products, business documents as well as media communication and advertising.
In order to be able to use the mountain and alpine labels, the product must be composed mainly of raw materials from these areas, and as a general rule, have also been processed in such areas.
The purpose of these labels is to provide formal protection to mountain and alpine products as well as greater transparency. The goal is not to compete with other brands and private labels, but to complement them and make the products more recognizable on the market and therefore to improve their commercialisation and market performance.
More information:
http://www.blw.admin.ch/themen/00013/00085/00273/index.html?lang=fr
15 July 2014