Legal and compliance-related aspects of working with WSL ¶

WSL is a public-law research institute of the Swiss Confederation within the ETH Domain. It does not act as a commercial provider, supplier or subcontractor in the private-sector sense. The statutory requirements of the Confederation and the ETH Domain are authoritative. This page summarises the key principles for clients in Switzerland and abroad.

This page provides a brief overview of the key legal and compliance-related framework conditions for collaboration with WSL. It answers frequently asked questions from clients and supports the transparent handling of joint projects.

The Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL is an autonomous public-law institution of the Confederation within the ETH Domain and has its own legal personality.

WSL’s legal status, structure and mandate are governed by the ETH Act and the ETH Domain Ordinance. Its public mandate includes, in particular, research, teaching, education and training, scientific services, and knowledge and technology transfer.

As a public-law institution:

• WSL is not a commercial enterprise.
• WSL is not entered in the commercial register.
• WSL is subject to supervision by the ETH Board and the Federal Council.
• WSL has the enterprise identification number (UID) CHE-116.133.452, which identifies it as a legal entity under public law.

WSL was established under federal law. Its legal existence and powers derive directly from public law, not from incorporation under commercial law.

WSL is subject to statutory requirements regarding compliance, ethics, accountability and governance. These constitute the authoritative framework.

Accordingly:

• WSL does not complete supplier forms designed for commercial providers.
• WSL does not issue declarations of conformity with specific third-party policies.
• WSL does not sign third-party codes of conduct or compliance policies.
• WSL does not sign third-party confidentiality agreements. The handling of confidential information is governed by WSL’s General Terms and Conditions for research projects and scientific services.

Where registration is required for administrative reasons, WSL provides only basic institutional identification and payment information and refers to this information page for further clarification. Where alignment with a client’s internal compliance and/or confidentiality requirements is necessary, this must be regulated contractually. The arrangement must be compatible with the federal law applicable to WSL and with the requirements of the ETH Domain.

Typical requests: commercial register extract, legal form (Ltd, LLC, corporation), shareholders or beneficial owners, signing authority, group structure

WSL’s position: WSL is a public-law institution of the Confederation within the ETH Domain and has its own legal personality. Accordingly:

• WSL has its own legal personality under public law.
• There is no commercial register entry.
• There are no shareholders.
• The relevant legal bases are the ETH Act and the ETH Domain Ordinance.
• Where registration is necessary for administrative reasons and/or forms containing basic institutional identification and payment information must be signed, the Head of Finance has signing authority.

Typical requests: statements on anti-corruption, human rights or ESG; confirmation of compliance with specific policies

WSL’s position: As a matter of principle, WSL does not sign or adopt third-party codes of conduct or compliance policies. As a federal institution, WSL and its employees are bound in particular by:

• Swiss federal law;
• requirements regarding integrity and accountability in the public sector;
• governance and supervisory mechanisms of the ETH Domain.

These requirements constitute the compliance framework applicable to WSL. As a matter of principle, WSL does not issue additional statements regarding specific third-party policies.

The ETH Domain also has a whistleblowing process that applies to WSL. Reports of possible violations may be submitted to the independent reporting office of the ETH Board.

Typical requests: confirmation of anti-corruption policies, conflict-of-interest declarations, evidence of ethical procurement standards

WSL’s position: WSL is subject to Swiss public procurement law. This law lays down binding rules on transparency, equal treatment, corruption prevention and the responsible use of public funds. The Federal Act on Public Procurement is authoritative for WSL procurements.

Typical requests: supply-chain due diligence, ESG or sustainability policies, statements on conflict minerals or modern slavery

WSL’s position: WSL is a research institution and does not, as a rule, operate commercial supply chains. Accordingly:

• WSL does not, as a rule, act as a commercial manufacturer or provider of serial products.
• Warranty and liability issues are governed by WSL’s General Terms and Conditions for research projects and scientific services or are regulated contractually.

Typical requests: ISO certifications, risk management systems, external audit reports

WSL’s position: WSL does not have a general certification profile comparable to that of a commercial enterprise. Supervision and accountability are ensured in particular through:

• governance of the ETH Domain in accordance with the ETH Act;
• the strategic objectives of the Federal Council;
• supervision by the ETH Board;
• audit and control mechanisms for federal institutions, in particular through the Swiss Federal Audit Office (SFAO).

Typical requests: ethics guidelines for research, data protection confirmations, evidence of lawful conduct of research

WSL’s position: Research at WSL is subject to the Swiss legal and ethical framework conditions and, where applicable, nationally coordinated standards. These include, in particular, data protection, scientific integrity and compliance with the relevant statutory requirements.

complianceofficer(at)wsl.ch