War materials ordinance revamped after grenades showed up in Syria
BERN, SWITZERLAND – The Swiss government will tighten its rules on war materials 1 November, the Federal Council said 10 October. In future any country that is the destination for finished products as well as parts or elements needed for assembly must sign a declaration of non-re-exportation. The declaration covers agreement not to export, sell, loan or in any way offer or give to another country any war materials without the express consent of Switzerland, which reserves the right to carry out post-shipment inspections to verify the agreement is being respected.
The revised war materials ordinance in fact matches current practice that has been in place since 2006, says Bern, but stricter rules on re-exports covered by law will increase transparency and make it easier to ensure compliance.
The federal department of foreign affairs was asked 21 September to draw up the revised ordinance after the Federal Council earlier that month verified that grenades sold to Saudi Arabia and then passed on to Jordan ended up in Syria.
