What product compliance requirements must I meet as a merchant?

What product compliance requirements must I meet as a merchant?


Product Compliance

Product compliance means that products comply with the applicable rules according to laws, guidelines or own standards. Product compliance can save time, reduce costs and minimise risks for the company and the customer. The following list is therefore a guide to meet our restrictions in our product range. These are not exhaustive.

Notes due to the group requirements of the Migros Group

Information regarding legal provisions Digitec Galaxus CH marketplace

Alcohol

For alcoholic products, it is mandatory to indicate the alcohol content.

Pharmaceuticals / Medical Devices

As Digitec Galaxus AG is not licensed as a pharmacy, only category E medicines are offered. We also do not offer veterinary medicines due to the lack of authorisation. Due to the different categorisation in Switzerland and the EU, only category E products from Switzerland are offered. When transmitting medical products, it is important to note that all information in the online shop, on the product and in the product insert is available in three official languages (German, French, Italian). Here too, the Digitec Galaxus AG platform only offers products from Switzerland.

Baby Food

It is prohibited to label infant formulae or follow-on formulae in such a way as to discourage breastfeeding. It is also forbidden to use pictures of babies, other images or wording that could idealize the use of this food. The use of terms such as «humanised», «materialised» or «adapted» is prohibited.

Bamboo Plastic Commodity

Since July 2021, there is a sales ban in Switzerland for bamboo plastic commodities (articles that come into contact with food) such as cups, plates or cutlery. Due to this, we ask you to refrain from making such offers. Bamboo articles in which the structure of the bamboo is recognisable ("pure bamboo") are still permitted.

Copper Cup Commodity

Cups made of copper may only contain copper on the inside of the vessel if this side has a coating.

Biocidal Products and Plant Protection Products

Biocidal products and plant protection products must be labelled with the following mandatory product information: "Use biocides or plant protection products with caution. Always read the label and product information before use." Only biocides and plant protection products authorised in Switzerland may be offered for sale.

Biocidal treatment

A product treated with biocides may contain one or more biocidal products for protection against microorganisms, insects or other harmful organisms. Such products must indicate their biocidal properties (e.g., odour control) and the name of the substance concerned (e.g., silver) in their product description. Examples of «treated products» are sportswear with sweat protection or a keyboard with a germicidal coating.

Cannabidiol (CBD)

Since, according to the current legal regulations, CBD oil can only be offered with denaturant (not approved as food), we have decided not to offer CBD oils.

Chemicals

Chemicals must be declared according to the GHS labelling system (Globally Harmonised System), in accordance with Regulation (EC) No. 1272/2008 applicable in Switzerland. No products will be accepted that are labelled according to a predecessor or other system. The import of chemicals that are not authorised in Switzerland is prohibited.

Products in Group 2 of chemicals are only included in the Digitec Galaxus AG range subject to strict testing. Retailers are therefore forbidden to supply products with the following H-phrases in combination with the respective hazard pictograms without further ado:

Electrical Safety

If appliances originate from the EU, a fixed adapter suitable for Switzerland (type 11 / contour plug CEE 7/17 or type 12 / Schuko CEE 7/7) or a suitable Swiss mains cable must be supplied. Products with British connections or electrical connections that are common outside Europe cannot be offered as no suitable fixed adapters exist. It is prohibited to offer products with a travel adapter instead of a fixed adapter.

Devices with plugs that have mechanical reverse polarity protection may also not be offered, as no suitable fixed adapters are available for these either.

image-20250527-062312.png
The symmetrical contour plug (CEE 7/17) is authorised in Switzerland (left).
The asymmetrical contour plug (CEE 7/17) is not authorised in Switzerland (right). It is not possible to connect a fixed adapter to the mechanically polarised version.

Please also note that products with an output of over 2,300 watts may not be offered with a fixed adapter in Switzerland.

Energy Efficiency

Energy efficiency is regulated in Switzerland in accordance with the Energy Efficiency Ordinance (EnEV).
Accordingly, the following product categories must display the energy efficiency class and a corresponding energy label:

  • Refrigerators and freezers

  • Washing machines

  • Washer-dryers

  • Tumble dryers

  • Dishwashers

  • Ovens

  • Extractor hoods

  • Televisions and monitors

  • Room air conditioners

  • Water heaters and hot water tanks

  • Room and combination heaters

  • Ventilation systems

  • Lamps

  • Domestic coffee machines (exempt from mandatory labelling in the EU)Fireworks

Due to the regulations concerning storage, transport and sale of fireworks, Digitec Galaxus AG has no fireworks in its product range.

Products with gas connections

Digitec Galaxus only offers gas barbecues from Switzerland, as there is no international standard for the connections. This means that gas-powered appliances may only be sold with the respective country-specific gas connection.

Laser Pointer

According to the Ordinance to the Federal Act on Protection against Hazards from Non-Ionising Radiation and Sound (V-NISSG), laser pointers must be assigned to laser class 1. The possession, import, distribution and use of laser pointers of higher laser classes (1M, 2, 2M, 3R, 3B and 4) is prohibited in Switzerland.

Food

Since May 1, 2018, all information required by food law must be made available online for foods offered online (Art. 44 of the Foodstuffs and Utility Articles Ordinance, available only in German, French and Italian), which are:

  • Article description

  • List of ingredients including allergen declaration (allergens are written in capital letters)

  • Mandatory nutrition labelling and nutritional values:

    • Energy (kcal/kJ)

    • Fat, of which: - saturated fatty acids

    • Carbohydrates, of which: - sugar

    • Protein

    • Salt

  • Contact address of the responsible company or online shop

  • Country of production

Example «Chocolate sticks with Kirsch filling (30%)»

  • Description: Cherry sticks with Kirsch filling (30%)

  • Product image:

  • List of ingredients: Sugar, cocoa mass, Kirsch(12%), cocoa butter, low-fat cocoa powder, CLARIFIED BUTTER, SKIMMED MILK POWDER, gelling agent (gum arabic), emulsifier (SOJALECITHIN), flavouring. May contain WHEAT, HAZELNUTS, ALMONDS and other SHELL FRUITS. Chocolate contains: Cocoa: 49% minimum.

  • Mandatory nutrition labelling and nutritional values:

    • Energy (kcal/kJ)

    • Fat, of which: - saturated fatty acids

    • Carbohydrates, of which: - sugar

    • Protein

    • Salt (not for baby food)

Fig. 1 Example of nutritional value table
  • Contact address and country of production: Made in Switzerland by: Lindt & Sprüngli (Switzerland) AG, CH-8802 Kilchberg

The food information can be transmitted in a product document (Fig 1.), in a picture (Fig 1.) or in our free text field for food information.

Further mandatory product-specific information must also be provided.

Food and beverages must comply with Swiss food regulations.

Food supplements

  • Advertising: labelling, presentation and advertising that suggest food supplements are necessary for a balanced, varied diet are not permitted.

  • The maximum permitted levels: In Switzerland, maximum levels for vitamins and minerals apply. These are listed in the Regulation on Food Supplements by the Federal Department of Home Affairs FDHA (only available in German, French and Italian). The applicable regulations in Switzerland may differ from regulations in other countries.

  • The content of vitamins and minerals is to be transmitted to us as a picture.

Precious woods

Precious woods such as rosewood, rosewood, mahogany, sandalwood, cedar and yew are CITES protected species and are subject to special import regulations. As a supplier from the EU, we ask that you do not send us any such products.

Salt

All salts and salt mixtures with a sodium chloride (NaCl) content of 30% or more and salt solutions with a sodium chloride content of 18% or more are subject to authorisation when imported into Switzerland. Therefore, products from abroad cannot be offered. For example, seasoning salts, bath salts & salt lamps.

Solid wood / products under the Timber Trade Ordinance (HHV)

In order to increase transparency for customers and to influence their conscious decision to purchase, a declaration obligation applies in Switzerland for round and raw wood as well as certain wood products made of solid wood.

The following products are subject to declaration:

  • Wood for walking sticks, umbrellas, tool handles and sticks.

  • Charcoal

  • Wooden frames for pictures, photographs, mirrors or similar objects

  • Seating and other furniture with main components made of solid wood (but not sofas with solid wood legs!)
    solid wood legs!)

  • Other furniture with main components made of solid wood

This product information shall be provided in the properties:

  • The trade name

  • The origin of the wood

These properties must also be observed for wood and paper products that fall under the HHV. All information on the declaration obligation for wood and wood products as well as the Wood Trade Ordinance are also listed in the BFK and bafu guidelines.

Animal cages

When sending animal cages (aviaries, small animal enclosures, terrariums & aquariums), please also include the following information:

  • Internal dimensions

  • Volume

  • Target animal species

  • Permitted maximum number of animals

The animal welfare regulations of Switzerland apply for the Swiss Shop.

Animal welfare

Illegal training aids are not permitted in the range. These include, for example, choking collars for dogs.

Weapons

Digitec Galaxus does not sell weapons. Furthermore, we reserve the right to exclude weapon-like items or dangerous items from our range for ethical reasons.

Information regarding legal provisions Galaxus EU Marketplace

Alcohol

We do not offer alcoholic drinks.

Bamboo Plastic Commodity

There is a sales ban on bamboo plastic commodities (items that come into contact with food) such as cups, plates or cutlery. Due to this, we ask you to refrain from making corresponding offers. However, bamboo articles in which the structure of the bamboo is recognisable ("pure bamboo") are permitted.

Biocidal Products and Plant Protection Products

Biocidal products must be labelled with the obligatory product information: "Use biocides with caution. Always read the label and product information before use." Galaxus only offers biocides authorised in the EU. A BAuA registration number (N-XXXXX or N-XXXXXX) is required for the sale of biocidal products in Germany.

We do not sell plant protection products as we cannot fulfil the legal requirements for their sale.

Biocidal treatment

A biocide-treated product may be treated with or contain one or more biocidal products to protect against infestation with microorganisms, insects or other harmful organisms. Such products must indicate their biocidal properties (for example, odour-inhibiting effect) as well as the name of the corresponding active substance (e.g. silver) in their product description. Examples of "treated goods" are sportswear with sweat protection or a keyboard with a germicidal coating.

Cannabidiol (CBD)

Since CBD oils are neither approved as medicinal products nor as novel foods, any transmission of corresponding products is to be refrained from.

Chemicals

Chemicals must be declared according to the GHS labelling system (Globally Harmonised System), in accordance with Regulation (EC) No. 1272/2008 applicable in Switzerland. No products will be accepted that are labelled according to a predecessor or other system. The import of chemicals that are not authorised in Switzerland is prohibited.

Products in Group 2 of chemicals are only included in the Digitec Galaxus AG range subject to strict testing. Suppliers are therefore not permitted to send products with the following H-phrases in combination with the respective hazard pictograms without further ado:

Electrical safety

If appliances originate from the EU, our logistics department will check the electrical connection in the event of a stock delivery and configure either a fixed adapter suitable for Switzerland (type 11 / contour plug CEE 7/17 or type 12 / Schuko CEE 7/7) or a suitable Swiss mains cable. Products with British connections or electrical connections that are common outside Europe cannot be offered as no suitable fixed adapters exist. It is prohibited to offer products with a travel adapter instead of a fixed adapter.

Devices with plugs that have mechanical reverse polarity protection may also not be offered, as no suitable fixed adapters are available for these either.

Please also note that products with an output of over 2,300 watts may not be offered with a fixed adapter in Switzerland.

Energy efficiency

The following product categories must have an energy efficiency class, a corresponding energy label and a product data sheet in accordance with Directive 2010/30/EU:

  • Refrigerators and freezers

  • Washing machines

  • Washer-dryers

  • Tumble dryers

  • Dishwashers

  • Ovens

  • Extractor hoods

  • Televisions and monitors

  • Room air conditioners

  • Water heaters and hot water tanks

  • Room and combination heaters

  • Ventilation systems

  • Lamps

Food

Currently no food on offer.

Food supplements

Currently no offer of food supplements.

Pyrotechnic articles

Galaxus does not sell pyrotechnic objects (fireworks).

Weapons

Galaxus does not sell weapons. Furthermore, we reserve the right to exclude weapon-like items or dangerous items from our range for ethical reasons.

Wood

Due to the current regulations within the framework of the European Timber Regulation (EUTR), the enrichment of wood & paper products that fall under the EUTR with the following properties is mandatory:

  • Trade name of the wood

  • Origin of wood