Eligible units for trading and surrendering

* Only attestations and emission reduction certificates (ERU/CER) from projects listed on the Whitelist are eligible for surrendering.

Linking with the European registry

Detailed information on linking the Swiss-EU emissions trading systems can be found at Swiss-EU ETS Linking.

Inclusion of shipping in the European Emissions Trading System

From the beginning of 2024, shipping will be included in the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS). Further information on this can be found on the website of the European Commission.

Account number format in the EU emissions trading registry

To submit a transaction from a Swiss Emissions Trading Registry account to an destination account with the EU prefix, it is important to omit the last two digits.
Example: Instead of EU-100-XXXXXXX-0-YY only enter the following part of the account number EU-100-XXXXXXX-0 (in green characters).

Transfer calendar between the Swiss and EU registries

As of 21 September 2020, transfers in emission allowances can be carried out between the two registries. Since the beginning of 2024, transfers have been executed daily (Monday to Friday) in accordance with the rules of the respective registry, e.g. only after a transaction delay. No transfer takes place on the following dates:

• Thursday, 28 March 2024 (Maundy Thursday)
• Friday, 29 March 2024 (Good Friday)
• Monday, 01/04/2024 (Easter Monday)
• Wednesday, 01/05/2024 (Labour Day)
• Thursday, 09 May 2024 (Ascension Day / Schuman Day)
• Friday, 10 May 2024 (day after Ascension Day)
• Monday, 20 May 2024 (Whit Monday)
• Thursday, 1 August 2024 (Swiss bank holidays)
• Thursday, 15 August 2024 (Assumption Day)
• Friday, 01.11.2024 (All Saints' Day)
• Monday, 23 December 2024 to Friday, 27 December 2024 (52nd calendar week of 2024)
• Monday, 30 December 2024 to Friday, 3 January 2025 (1st calendar week of 2025)

In general, transfer calendars cover a period of 12 months (January to December) and are published at least one month in advance. All changes to transfer dates are published at least five working days in advance, with the exception of last-minute changes due to unforeseen temporary closures of the registry connection (e.g. force majeure, technical or security issues). Unless explicitly announced, cancelled transfer dates will not be rescheduled.

Information on auctions

In accordance with Article 48 paragraph 2 letter b of the CO2 Ordinance, the FOEN may cancel an auction without making an award if the clearing price during the auction period differs significantly from the applicable price on the secondary market in the EU. Additional information is available at Auction of emissions allowances.

How and when must ETS companies surrender units for compliance

Operators of installations and aircraft operators must surrender emission allowances to the extent of their greenhouse gas emissions from the previous year by 30 September, i.e. they must transfer sufficient emission allowances from their operator holding account into the surrender account. The units surrendered must cover the actual verified emissions of the previous year.

How does the transaction delay work?

Every transaction originating from an account is carried out at least 24 hours after the transaction has been initiated by the customer (only exception: transactions on a Swiss government account). Transactions subject to the transaction delay will be executed from Monday to Friday (working days) at 12 noon as follows:

• upon confirmation by a transaction validator before 12 noon on a working day: execution of the transaction on the next working day
• upon confirmation by a transaction validator after 12 noon on a working day: execution of the transaction on the working day following the next working day

Under these rules, transactions that are executed on an official holiday or on a working day on which the EHR helpdesk is closed for other reasons will be executed on the first working day thereafter. Official holidays and planned closures will be announced at least 5 working days in advance on the home page of the Swiss Emissions Trading Registry.

Registered account holders and users of affected accounts can notify the FOEN by 10 a.m. on the day of the expected execution of a deferred transaction that the transaction should be aborted. The notification must be sent by email to the (EHR helpdesk). The transaction will only be aborted if the following are provided:

• Exact transaction number (example: CH-00000)
• Justification for aborting the transaction

Central European time (CET/CEST) applies to all the times mentioned above.

Who can hold an account in the Swiss Emissions Trading Registry?

Any natural or legal person can apply for an account in the Swiss Emissions Trading Registry. A distinction is made between companies that are exempt from the CO2 tax and therefore open an account in the Swiss Emissions Trading Registry, and all other natural and legal persons who wish to trade emission units.

How do you open an account in the Swiss Emissions Trading Registry?

Companies and natural persons that want to open a holding account can apply online in the Swiss Emissions Trading Registry. Click on the menu item Request Account for more information. A copy of the application must be signed and sent by registered mail along with the required documents to:

Federal Office of the Environment FOEN, Climate Division, Swiss Emissions Trading Registry, 3003 Bern.

Once the fully completed request and the required documents have been received, each authorised person will receive a unique user name directly by e-mail and a password by registered mail.

What are transactions?

The term "transaction" covers all movements (domestic and foreign) between two different accounts. This includes the surrendering and cancellation of units.

Are the transactions carried out in the Swiss Emissions Trading Registry secure?

All data is transferred using a 256-bit encryption in accordance with the recognised standard for Internet banking and online credit card payments. SSL will be used for the connection between the user and the registry and between the registry and the ITL. All data in the Swiss Emissions Trading Registry is automatically backed up on the server.

Technical requirements

The following are the minimum technical requirements for accessing the EHR:

• Internet browser: Microsoft Internet Explorer version 11 or higher, Firefox, Safari, or Chrome in their most up-to-date versions. The browser must provide a Transport Layer Security (TLS) encryption with at least a 256-bit key length for secure access to the EHR website. Please note that you should not use your browser’s 'Back' button when browsing in the EHR.
• Current version of a PDF-Viewer

Peripheral devices: mobile telephone for 2-stage authentication using the TAN procedure (transaction numbers are received by SMS) or OTP (one time passwords)

Digital submission of legally binding documents

The electronic submission of application forms has been possible for some time now. In this case, it is not necessary to submit a hand-signed version by post. However, the digital documents must be provided with a qualified electronic signature (QES) and submitted via a recognised delivery platform (in German, French or Italian only).
Detailed information on electronic signatures can be found on the website of the Federal Office of Communications OFCOM. Please note that no foreign electronic signatures are currently accepted due to a lack of international agreements.

Value Added Tax (VAT) on emission allowances, emission reduction certificates and attestations

As of 1 January 2021, the Federal Tax Administration FTA, Main Division Value Added Tax, has changed its enforcement practice with regard to emission allowances, emission reduction certificates and attestations as a result of a court ruling (Federal Supreme Court ruling 2C_488/2017 of 9 April 2019).
The sale of emission allowances, emission reduction certificates and attestations in Switzerland has been taxable at the standard rate since 1 January 2021. This does not affect the transfer of auctioned emission allowances by the FOEN. Further information can be found in the VAT Info 04 Tax object (in German, French or Italian only). If you have any questions on this topic, please contact the (legal department) of the FTA directly.

Which emission reduction certificates can be traded and counted toward the emission reduction objective?

In general, all types of emission reduction certificates under the Kyoto Protocol can be traded nationally and internationally. On 9 September 2023, the so-called true-up period of the second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol ends. From this date onwards, all transactions with Kyoto units, such as emission reduction certificates of the type CER or ERU, between registries of different countries (international transactions) will be prohibited. Transactions within the Swiss Emissions Trading Registry (CH EHR) as well as the initial transfer of CER from the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) Registry to the CH EHR will continue to be possible. According to the Secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the suspension of international transactions is permanent. However, international transactions could be re-enabled at a later date by a decision of the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol (CMP), provided that all countries agree to this decision.
In the frequently asked questions you can find various answers to the points mentioned, see in particular questions 03 and 04. You can find detailed information on the conclusion of the second commit-ment period of the Kyoto Protocol under this link.

The crediting of emission reduction certificates to the emission targets of ETS companies is no longer permitted as of 1 January 2021. More Information on Emission reduction projects and certificates.

Who can request a Letter of Authorisation (LoA) for CDM/JI projects?

Since 2022, Switzerland does not issue Letters of Approval (LoA) to participate in a CDM project anymore. Switzerland does not host any JI projects. Therefore, it does not issue ERU.