All articles by Andrea Meule

Amendments to various federal decrees will come into force on 01 January and 01 July 2022. We have selected and briefly summarised the most important changes for you.

At the end of 2020, the Parliament adopted the revised law of succession. The aim of the revision was to do more justice to today's diverse forms of life. The article deals with these newly won freedoms and shows whether there is a need for action for testators who have already disposed of their estate by means of a will or a contract of succession.

In addition to AHV, IV and helplessness allowances, the social foundation of our state also includes supplementary benefits (EL for short). If the pension income and assets are not sufficient to cover the minimum living costs, it is necessary to check whether there is a claim for supplementary benefits.

Since September 27, 2020, the Covid-19 law has been in force. A referendum on this law will be held on June 13, 2021. The law provides the basis for the Federal Council to order the "Covid-19 measures" in the ordinances based on it. In this issue of krfacts, selected applicable federal regulations are highlighted. Status: June 10, 2021

The public initiative "For responsible companies - to protect people and the environment" (so-called corporate responsibility initiative) was rejected on November 29, 2020. Consequently, the indirect counter-proposal of the Federal Assembly will be implemented. In addition to the planned amendments to the Code of Obligations (CO), the preliminary draft of the associated Federal Council Ordinance is now available. Although the referendum period against the planned amendment and also the consultation period for the new Federal Council Ordinance are still running, it is useful to review the possible future obligations and the companies that will be affected perhaps as early as Q1 2022.

Even though many of the provisions of the new Federal Data Protection Act (FADPA) are not new, they have taken on a new significance, not least because of the expanded enforcement mechanisms. This article shows where Swiss SMEs need to take action.

In order to harmonize the federal and cantonal public procurement regulations as far as possible and reasonable, the latest revision of the public procurement law comprehensively changed the Swiss procurement system. This article outlines the basics of procurement law and focuses on the revision, which came into force at the federal level on January 1, 2021.

In order to harmonize the federal and cantonal public procurement regulations as far as possi-ble and reasonable, the latest revision of the public procurement law comprehensively changes the Swiss procurement system. This article outlines the basics of procurement law and focuses on the revision, which will come into force at the federal level on January 1, 2021.

With effect on January 1, 2021, the Swiss Commercial Register Law will be revised and modernized. The revision will bring administrative relief for companies and streamline the regulations. The aim is also to improve the quality and timeliness of the personal data held in the Commercial Register. The new regulations will lead to changes in the Commercial Register Law in the Swiss Code of Obligations (OR), in the Commercial Register Ordinance (HRegV) and to a new Ordinance on Fees for the Commercial Register (GebV-HReg).

The measures adopted by the Federal Council in order to protect the general public in relation to the spread of the Coronavirus also have implications for operators in the healthcare sector. In this issue of krfacts we would like to provide you with information concerning 1) the postponement of non-urgent procedures and treatment; 2) export controls onprotective equipment; 3) the supply of important medical products; and 4) advance healthcare directives.