Secured Single Market Access
Summary: The updated MRA agreement secures access for Swiss industrial exports worth over 96 billion francs annually. The MRA blockade in the medical technology sector is lifted. Critics argue that this access would also be possible without institutional integration.
¶ The Advantage
¶ MRA -- The Backbone of the Export Economy
The Agreement on Mutual Recognition of Conformity Assessments (Mutual Recognition Agreement, MRA) is economically the most significant of the bilateral agreements. It enables Swiss companies to sell their products in the EU without dual approval procedures [1][4].
MRA figures (2023) [4]:
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| MRA trade volume Switzerland-EU | >96 bn CHF |
| Share of industrial exports to the EU | 72% |
| Sectors affected | Machinery, pharma, medtech, electrical engineering, chemicals |
¶ The Medtech Blockade
Since May 2021, the MRA chapter for medical devices has been suspended. Swiss medtech companies have since had to [1][4]:
- Undergo dual approval procedures in Switzerland and the EU
- Designate authorised EU representatives -- with estimated additional costs of CHF 75,000-125,000 per company per year
- Accept longer time-to-market -- a competitive disadvantage vis-a-vis EU competitors
The Bilateral Agreements III reactivate the MRA in the medical technology sector and update it to the latest EU legal status [1][5].
¶ Update of All Single Market Agreements
In addition to the MRA, five further existing single market agreements are updated (see Updated Agreements) [1][5]:
| Agreement | Update |
|---|---|
| Free Movement of Persons (AFMP) | Specified safeguard clause, institutional elements [1] |
| Land Transport | Adaptation to current EU regulations [1] |
| Air Transport | Update of aviation regulation [1] |
| Agriculture | Extension to include food safety [1] |
| Public Procurement | Modernisation of procurement rules [1] |
¶ Economic Benefit
economiesuisse quantifies the overall economic benefit of the Bilateral Agreements III on the basis of a BAK Economics study [4]:
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Per-capita benefit (cumulative to 2045) | ~CHF 45,700 |
| Per-capita benefit (annual to 2045) | ~CHF 5,200 |
| Avoided erosion costs | ~CHF 1.3 bn/year |
| Electricity system savings | up to CHF 1 bn/year |
Note: The BAK study was commissioned by economiesuisse. The figures should be read in the context of this commissioning relationship [4].
¶ The Objections
¶ Cost of Access
Critics argue that secured single market access is not "free" [2]:
- The quid pro quo -- dynamic law adoption, CJEU role, cohesion payments -- restricts Swiss sovereignty [2]
- The costs (around CHF 1.4 bn/year) are substantial (see Costs and Payments) [4]
- The EU could use market access as leverage to press Switzerland into adopting its law [2]
¶ Alternative Paths
autonomiesuisse advocates an autonomous strategy: Switzerland could secure its economic access through independent regulation and bilateral free trade agreements, without binding itself institutionally to the EU [2].
¶ Sources
[1] EDA (2026). Paket Schweiz-EU (Bilaterale III). Federal Department of Foreign Affairs. [Open Access]
[2] UNSER RECHT (2026). Bilaterale III -- um was geht es? Information platform. [Open Access]
[4] economiesuisse (2026). Bilaterale III -- Die beste Option. Dossier Politik. [Open Access] Note: Business umbrella organisation.
[5] Bundesrat (2026). Erläuternder Bericht zur Vernehmlassung. Swiss Confederation. [Open Access]
Last updated: March 2026