On 14 October 2026, the Federal Council opened the agreement on the plurilateral agreement on electronic commerce. The so-called e-commerce agreement (ECA) aims to create a common framework for digital trade between 67 members of the World Trade Organisation.
There is a ban on customs duties on electronic transmissions. Electronic procedures and documents are to be recognized more easily; paperless business processes, consumer and data protection and cyber security are also part of the rule.
According to the Federal Government, the participating WTO members represent around 70 percent of world trade, including Switzerland, the EU states, Australia, China, Japan, Canada, Singapore and the United Kingdom.
More uniform rules can simplify access to foreign markets and prevent competitive disadvantages. At the same time, the agreement does not replace parliamentary advice: Switzerland has not yet fully agreed to the agreement. The Federal Council is now examining the statements before the further legal path is set.