Committed to PEOPLE'S RIGHT TO KNOW
Vol. 5 Num 1097 Mon. July 02, 2007  
   
Business


Swiss watch makers to face new tougher regulations


Swiss watchmakers have agreed to new regulations making it more difficult for timepieces to receive the Swiss Made label, the official Swissinfo website reported on Friday.

At its annual meeting on Thursday, the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry said at least 80 percent of the production costs for mechanical watches must be attributable to operations in Switzerland.

The percentage will be 60 percent for other kinds of watches, particularly electronic ones, the industry said in a statement. Exempted are raw materials, precious stones and batteries.

In future, technical construction and prototype development must also be carried out in Switzerland.

Jean-Daniel Pasche, head of the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry, said he was convinced that the Swiss Made label requiring that only 50 percent of costs are incurred in Switzerland needed to be strengthened.