(FSO) - A partial revision of the Ordinance on the Conduct of Statistical Surveys by the Confederation is currently being prepared. In addition to amendments taking account of new EU legislation, the implementation provisions in Article 14a of the Federal Statistics Act (BstatG) in particular are being revised. The Federal Statistical Office (FSO) will be consulting affected and interested parties until mid-June 2013 on the draught Ordinance and explanations.

geo.admin.ch, the geoportal of the Swiss Confederation received on Mai 16th 2013 at Geospatial World Forum 2013 in Rotterdam the «Geospatial Policy Implementation Award». The distinction is issued by the Geospatial World Magazine and recognizes policy implementations which directly impacts development of geospatial science, technology and business.

The Federal Finance Administration (FFA) has for the first time published an app for tablets. The app gives an overview of federal finances and is available free of charge.

Neonicotinoid insecticides have adverse effects not only on bees but also on freshwater invertebrates. Exposure to low but constant concentrations of these substances – which are highly soluble in water – has lethal effects on these aquatic organisms.

(FSO) - According to the latest results from the Federal Statistical Office (FSO), 12,008 new bankruptcies were registered in Switzerland in 2012. In comparison with the previous year this represents an increase of 935 cases (+8.4%). Losses from completed bankruptcy proceedings rose during the same period by 4.4% to CHF 2.2 billion.