The declaring of furs needs to be improved

Bern, 15.10.2020 - The 2019/2020 report on fur declaration inspections shows that significant knowledge gaps remain in the sector. Inspections by the Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (FSVO) found deficiencies at 79% of sales outlets. Based on the knowledge gained, the FSVO will provide more information to points of sale but also tighten up on enforcement.

As in previous years, in 2019/20 the FSVO carried out its inspections in small shops, online outlets and large retail chains alike. Of the 180 inspections carried out, 142 (79%) led to rejections. In 110 of these cases, the shortcomings were rectified within the time limit. Orders were issued in 32 cases and criminal proceedings were instituted in four cases.

Jacket collars are the most problematic fur product
In the 2019/20 period, a total of 6,950 fur products were inspected; 63% of these were correctly declared. The remaining products were rejected because they were either not declared at all (15%) or were incorrectly declared (22%). The most problematic fur products were jacket collars, which accounted for 55% of all rejected products. The majority of rejected products were made from raccoon dog fur, followed by arctic fox and mink products.

Inspections to be intensified
The FSVO has been carrying out inspections since 2013. The high rejection rate shows that fur declarations are still not being implemented correctly at many points of sale and that significant knowledge gaps remain in the sector. The FSVO will therefore intensify its educational work and, above all, tighten up on enforcement. For example, the time limit for correcting defective declarations will be shortened. And if the declaration is still incorrect after the time limit expires, the FSVO will take legal action.

Better information for customers
The Fur Declaration Ordinance was revised on 1 April 2020. New provisions were introduced, such as the requirement to label products clearly as “real fur” if they are derived from animals. This should enable customers to tell immediately whether the fur is real or artificial. Labels must now contain five items of information: the declaration “real fur”, the zoological name and scientific name of the species, the country of origin and the method of production (i.e. the method of rearing or catching the animal from which the fur is derived). This will enable customers to make purchasing decisions with full knowledge of the facts.


Address for enquiries

Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (FSVO)
Media Unit
Tel. +41 58 463 78 98
media@blv.admin.ch



Publisher

Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office
http://www.blv.admin.ch

General Secretariat FDHA
http://www.edi.admin.ch

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