Federal administration of Switzerland
Encyclopedia
The federal administration of Switzerland is the ensemble of agencies that constitute, together with the Swiss Federal Council
, the executive branch of the Swiss
federal authorities. The administration is charged with executing federal law and preparing draft laws and policy for the Federal Council and the Federal Assembly.
The administration consists of seven federal departments and the Federal Chancellery
. The departments are roughly equivalent to the ministries
of other states, but their scope is generally broader. Each department consists of several federal offices, which are headed by a director
, and of other agencies. The much smaller Federal Chancellery, headed by the Federal Chancellor, operates as an eighth department in most respects.
, and the Federal Council and the administration are subject to parliamentary oversight
by the Federal Assembly. Each member of the Federal Council is also, in his or her individual capacity, the head of one of the seven departments. The Federal Council has the sole authority to decide on the size and composition of the departments, and to make all executive decisions that are not delegated by law to an individual department, or to the Chancellery. The Council also decides which department its members are appointed to lead, although it is customary that Councillors choose their preferred department in order of seniority.
The absence of hierarchic leadership within the Council has caused the departments to acquire a very considerable autonomy, to the extent that the federal executive has been characterised as "seven co-existing departmental governments."
cutbacks and the partial privatisation of federal enterprises such as PTT
(now Swisscom
and Swiss Post
). As of 2008, the Confederation employed some 102,000 people, all but 32,000 of which were working for federal enterprises such as the Post and the Swiss Federal Railways.
in Berne
. The entire administrative staff consisted of 80 persons in 1849, while the postal service
had 2,591 officials and the customs service 409. The first dedicated administrative building, now the western wing of the Bundeshaus
, was completed in 1857.
The number of departments and Federal Councillors has been constitutionally fixed at seven since 1848. The number of the departments' subordinate entities, which are constituted by statute – generally as "federal offices" after the 1910s – has grown substantially in step with the expanding role of the state in the 20th century, even though some have been merged or abolished.
A 1964 government reform made the Federal Chancellery into the general staff unit of the Federal Council, and created General Secretariats as departmental staff units. A 1978 statute granted the title of secretary of state
to the holders of two (later three) directoral posts whose functions require independent interaction with foreign authorities. Since the 1990s, New Public Management
models have been experimentally introduced; twelve offices are now run with autonomous budgets.
The seat of the federal authorities, including almost all of the administration, is Berne
. The departments and offices are located in the east and west wings of the Bundeshaus and in numerous buildings in or close to the city center. In the 1990s, some offices were moved to other parts of the country, in part to aid economic development of these regions. Also, some federal authorities have field offices in other cities.
(CVP/PDC
). It is composed of a several sectors, the Federal Chancellery sector headed directly by the incumbent Chancellor, while the other two sectors are led by the Vice-Chancellors, the Federal Council sector by Thomas Helbling, and the information and communications sector by André Simonazzi.
For administrative purposes, the Federal Data Protection and Information Commissioner (FDPIC) is affiliated to the Chancellery. The FDPIC is responsible for the supervision of federal authorities and private bodies with respect to data protection and freedom of information legislation
.
(FDFA) is Switzerland's ministry of foreign affairs. As of 2008, it is headed by Micheline Calmy-Rey
(SPS/PS
). It is composed of the General Secretariat and of the State Secretariat, which in turn is composed of the following directorates and agencies:
(FDHA) is Switzerland's ministry of the Interior. As of 2009, it is headed by Didier Burkhalter
(FDP/PRD
). It is composed of the following offices:
The following independent authorities are affiliated to the FDHA for administrative purposes:
(SVP/UDC
). It is composed of the following offices and institutes:
The following independent authorities are affiliated to the FDJP for administrative purposes:
(DDPS) is Switzerland's ministry of defence. As of 2009, is headed by Ueli Maurer
(SVP/UDC
). It is composed of the following departmental sectors:
The following services are also part of the DDPS:
is Switzerland's ministry of finance. As of 2008, it is headed by Hans-Rudolf Merz
(FDP/PRD
). It is composed of the following offices:
The following independent authorities are affiliated to the FDF for administrative purposes:
(FDEA) is Switzerland's ministry of the economy. As of 2008, it is headed by Doris Leuthard
(CVP/PDC
). It is composed of the following offices:
The following independent authorities are affiliated to the FDEA for administrative purposes:
(SPS/PS
). It is composed of the following offices:
The following independent authorities are affiliated to the DETEC for administrative purposes:
Swiss Federal Council
The Federal Council is the seven-member executive council which constitutes the federal government of Switzerland and serves as the Swiss collective head of state....
, the executive branch of the Swiss
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
federal authorities. The administration is charged with executing federal law and preparing draft laws and policy for the Federal Council and the Federal Assembly.
The administration consists of seven federal departments and the Federal Chancellery
Federal Chancellery of Switzerland
The Federal Chancellery of Switzerland is a department-level agency of the federal administration of Switzerland. It is the staff organisation of the federal government, the Swiss Federal Council...
. The departments are roughly equivalent to the ministries
Ministry (government department)
A ministry is a specialised organisation responsible for a sector of government public administration, sometimes led by a minister or a senior public servant, that can have responsibility for one or more departments, agencies, bureaus, commissions or other smaller executive, advisory, managerial or...
of other states, but their scope is generally broader. Each department consists of several federal offices, which are headed by a director
Director-general
The term director-general is a title given the highest executive officer within a governmental, statutory, NGO, third sector or not-for-profit institution.-European Union:...
, and of other agencies. The much smaller Federal Chancellery, headed by the Federal Chancellor, operates as an eighth department in most respects.
Federal Council
The administration in its entirety is directed by the Swiss Federal CouncilSwiss Federal Council
The Federal Council is the seven-member executive council which constitutes the federal government of Switzerland and serves as the Swiss collective head of state....
, and the Federal Council and the administration are subject to parliamentary oversight
Oversight
Oversight may refer to:*Oversight , a French Thoroughbred racehorse*Regulation – rulemaking*Separation of powers - the concept of separate branches of government or agencies exercising authority over one another...
by the Federal Assembly. Each member of the Federal Council is also, in his or her individual capacity, the head of one of the seven departments. The Federal Council has the sole authority to decide on the size and composition of the departments, and to make all executive decisions that are not delegated by law to an individual department, or to the Chancellery. The Council also decides which department its members are appointed to lead, although it is customary that Councillors choose their preferred department in order of seniority.
The absence of hierarchic leadership within the Council has caused the departments to acquire a very considerable autonomy, to the extent that the federal executive has been characterised as "seven co-existing departmental governments."
Size
From 1954 to 1990, roughly two percent of Switzerland's resident population were federal employees. This percentage has since declined due to armyMilitary of Switzerland
The Swiss Armed Forces perform the roles of Switzerland's militia and regular army. Under the country's militia system, professional soldiers constitute about 5 percent of military personnel; the rest are male citizen conscripts 19 to 34 years old...
cutbacks and the partial privatisation of federal enterprises such as PTT
Postal Telegraph and Telephone
A postal, telegraph, and telephone service is a government agency responsible for postal mail, telegraph, and telephone services. Such monopolies existed in many countries, though not in North America or Japan. Many PTTs have been partially or completely privatized in recent years...
(now Swisscom
Swisscom
Swisscom AG is a major telecommunications provider in Switzerland. Along with Swiss Post, it is a successor company to the former state-owned PTT. Its headquarters are located at Worblaufen near Bern...
and Swiss Post
Swiss Post
Swiss Post is the postal service of Switzerland. A public company owned by the Swiss Confederation, it is the country's second largest employer...
). As of 2008, the Confederation employed some 102,000 people, all but 32,000 of which were working for federal enterprises such as the Post and the Swiss Federal Railways.
Development
After the founding of the Swiss federal state in 1848, the Federal Council and its handful of officials took up residence in the ErlacherhofErlacherhof
The Erlacherhof is a town mansion on the Junkerngasse No. 47 in the Old City of Bern, only a few steps away from the Béatrice-von-Wattenwyl-Haus....
in Berne
Berne
The city of Bern or Berne is the Bundesstadt of Switzerland, and, with a population of , the fourth most populous city in Switzerland. The Bern agglomeration, which includes 43 municipalities, has a population of 349,000. The metropolitan area had a population of 660,000 in 2000...
. The entire administrative staff consisted of 80 persons in 1849, while the postal service
Swiss Post
Swiss Post is the postal service of Switzerland. A public company owned by the Swiss Confederation, it is the country's second largest employer...
had 2,591 officials and the customs service 409. The first dedicated administrative building, now the western wing of the Bundeshaus
Bundeshaus
The Federal Palace is the name of the building in Bern in which the Swiss Federal Assembly and the Federal Council are housed.The building was designed by the architect Hans Auer and its inauguration took place on 1 April 1902...
, was completed in 1857.
The number of departments and Federal Councillors has been constitutionally fixed at seven since 1848. The number of the departments' subordinate entities, which are constituted by statute – generally as "federal offices" after the 1910s – has grown substantially in step with the expanding role of the state in the 20th century, even though some have been merged or abolished.
A 1964 government reform made the Federal Chancellery into the general staff unit of the Federal Council, and created General Secretariats as departmental staff units. A 1978 statute granted the title of secretary of state
Secretary of State
Secretary of State or State Secretary is a commonly used title for a senior or mid-level post in governments around the world. The role varies between countries, and in some cases there are multiple Secretaries of State in the Government....
to the holders of two (later three) directoral posts whose functions require independent interaction with foreign authorities. Since the 1990s, New Public Management
New Public Management
New public management is a management philosophy used by governments since the 1980s to modernise the public sector. New public management is a broad and very complex term used to describe the wave of public sector reforms throughout the world since the 1980s...
models have been experimentally introduced; twelve offices are now run with autonomous budgets.
Location
Berne
The city of Bern or Berne is the Bundesstadt of Switzerland, and, with a population of , the fourth most populous city in Switzerland. The Bern agglomeration, which includes 43 municipalities, has a population of 349,000. The metropolitan area had a population of 660,000 in 2000...
. The departments and offices are located in the east and west wings of the Bundeshaus and in numerous buildings in or close to the city center. In the 1990s, some offices were moved to other parts of the country, in part to aid economic development of these regions. Also, some federal authorities have field offices in other cities.
Federal Chancellery
The Swiss Federal Chancellery is the staff organisation of the Federal Council and the federal administration. As of 2009, it is headed by Federal Chancellor Corina CasanovaCorina Casanova
Corina Casanova is the Federal Chancellor of Switzerland.Born 1956 in Ilanz, Graubünden, Casanova worked as a lawyer in the practice of the former President of the Swiss Federal Supreme Court, Giusep Nay, as well as a Red Cross delegate in South Africa, Angola, Nicaragua and El Salvador...
(CVP/PDC
Christian Democratic People's Party of Switzerland
The Christian Democratic People's Party of Switzerland is a Christian democratic political party in Switzerland. It is the fourth-largest party in the National Council, with 31 seats, and the largest in the Council of States, with 15 seats. It has one seat, that of Doris Leuthard, on the Swiss...
). It is composed of a several sectors, the Federal Chancellery sector headed directly by the incumbent Chancellor, while the other two sectors are led by the Vice-Chancellors, the Federal Council sector by Thomas Helbling, and the information and communications sector by André Simonazzi.
For administrative purposes, the Federal Data Protection and Information Commissioner (FDPIC) is affiliated to the Chancellery. The FDPIC is responsible for the supervision of federal authorities and private bodies with respect to data protection and freedom of information legislation
Freedom of information legislation
Freedom of information legislation comprises laws that guarantee access to data held by the state. They establish a "right-to-know" legal process by which requests may be made for government-held information, to be received freely or at minimal cost, barring standard exceptions...
.
Federal Department of Foreign Affairs
The Federal Department of Foreign AffairsFederal Department of Foreign Affairs
The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs is a department of the federal administration of Switzerland. It is charged with maintaining the foreign relations of Switzerland and serves as Switzerland's ministry of foreign affairs...
(FDFA) is Switzerland's ministry of foreign affairs. As of 2008, it is headed by Micheline Calmy-Rey
Micheline Calmy-Rey
Micheline Anne-Marie Calmy-Rey is the President of the Confederation in Switzerland, head of government. She is also Switzerland's foreign minister as head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs. She has been a member of the Swiss Federal Council since 2003, and was President of the...
(SPS/PS
Social Democratic Party of Switzerland
The Social Democratic Party of Switzerland is the largest centre-left political party in Switzerland....
). It is composed of the General Secretariat and of the State Secretariat, which in turn is composed of the following directorates and agencies:
- Directorate of Political Affairs: Led by the Secretary of State, responsible for coordinating Swiss foreign policy and administering Swiss foreign missions.
- Directorate of Corporate Management (DCM): Manages the Department’s human and financial resources and provides legal advice.
- Directorate of Public International Law (DPIL): Responsible for the study and application of public international law.
- Swiss Agency for Development and CooperationSwiss Agency for Development and CooperationThe Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation is an office-level agency in the federal administration of Switzerland, and a part of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs...
(SDC): Engages in development cooperation and provides humanitarian aidHumanitarian aidHumanitarian aid is material or logistical assistance provided for humanitarian purposes, typically in response to humanitarian crises including natural disaster and man-made disaster. The primary objective of humanitarian aid is to save lives, alleviate suffering, and maintain human dignity...
. - Protocol section: Responsible for diplomatic protocol, ceremony and precedenceSwiss order of precedenceThe Swiss order of precedence is a hierarchy of important positions within the government of Switzerland. It has no legal standing but is used by ceremonial protocol....
. - Integration office: Operated jointly with the FDEA and responsible for coordinating Switzerland’s policy on Europe.
- Presence Switzerland: Responsible for promoting Switzerland abroad.
Federal Department of Home Affairs
The Federal Department of Home AffairsFederal Department of Home Affairs (Switzerland)
The Federal Department of Home Affairs is a department of the federal administration of Switzerland and serves as the Swiss ministry of the interior...
(FDHA) is Switzerland's ministry of the Interior. As of 2009, it is headed by Didier Burkhalter
Didier Burkhalter
Didier Burkhalter is a Swiss politician of FDP.The Liberals. He is a member of the Swiss Federal Council who was elected on 16 September 2009, and succeeded Pascal Couchepin on 1 November 2009 when he became head of the Federal Department of Home Affairs .A native of the Canton of Neuchâtel, he...
(FDP/PRD
Free Democratic Party of Switzerland
The Free Democratic Party was a classical liberal political party in Switzerland. It was one of the major parties in Switzerland until its merger with the smaller classical liberal Liberal Party, to form FDP.The Liberals on 1 January 2009....
). It is composed of the following offices:
- General Secretariat
- Federal Office for Gender Equality (FOGE): Responsible for gender equalityGender equalityGender equality is the goal of the equality of the genders, stemming from a belief in the injustice of myriad forms of gender inequality.- Concept :...
matters. - Federal Office of Culture (FOC): Responsible for national heritage preservation, archaeology, the federal art collections, the Swiss National LibrarySwiss National LibraryThe Swiss National Library is the national library of Switzerland. It is part of the Federal Office of Culture. Under the terms of the law which governs it, it is charged with collecting, cataloging and conserving information in all fields and disciplines, and in any medium, connected with...
, the Swiss National MuseumSwiss National MuseumThe Swiss National Museum — part of the Musée Suisse Group, itself affiliated with the Federal Office of Culture — is one of the most important art museums of cultural history in Europe and the world...
and affiliated museums, as well as the support and promotion of Swiss culture. - Swiss National LibrarySwiss National LibraryThe Swiss National Library is the national library of Switzerland. It is part of the Federal Office of Culture. Under the terms of the law which governs it, it is charged with collecting, cataloging and conserving information in all fields and disciplines, and in any medium, connected with...
: The national libraryNational libraryA national library is a library specifically established by the government of a country to serve as the preeminent repository of information for that country. Unlike public libraries, these rarely allow citizens to borrow books...
of Switzerland. - Swiss Federal Archives: The national archives of Switzerland.
- Swiss Meteorological Institute (MeteoSwiss): The national Weather services.
- Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH): Responsible for public healthPublic healthPublic health is "the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through the organized efforts and informed choices of society, organizations, public and private, communities and individuals" . It is concerned with threats to health based on population health...
at the federal level, including disease prevention, epidemiologyEpidemiologyEpidemiology is the study of health-event, health-characteristic, or health-determinant patterns in a population. It is the cornerstone method of public health research, and helps inform policy decisions and evidence-based medicine by identifying risk factors for disease and targets for preventive...
, substance abuseSubstance abuseA substance-related disorder is an umbrella term used to describe several different conditions associated with several different substances .A substance related disorder is a condition in which an individual uses or abuses a...
, food safetyFood safetyFood safety is a scientific discipline describing handling, preparation, and storage of food in ways that prevent foodborne illness. This includes a number of routines that should be followed to avoid potentially severe health hazards....
, noise and radiation protection, regulation of chemicals and toxic products, stem cell research, bioterrorismBioterrorismBioterrorism is terrorism involving the intentional release or dissemination of biological agents. These agents are bacteria, viruses, or toxins, and may be in a naturally occurring or a human-modified form. For the use of this method in warfare, see biological warfare.-Definition:According to the...
and health and accident insurance. - Federal Statistical OfficeFederal Statistical OfficeFederal Statistical Office may refer to* Federal Statistical Office of Germany* Federal Statistical Office...
(FSO): Compiles and publishes statistical informationStatisticsStatistics is the study of the collection, organization, analysis, and interpretation of data. It deals with all aspects of this, including the planning of data collection in terms of the design of surveys and experiments....
for use by the government, the economy and scientific research. - Federal Social Insurance Office (FSIO): Regulates the Swiss social insuranceSocial insuranceSocial insurance is any government-sponsored program with the following four characteristics:* the benefits, eligibility requirements and other aspects of the program are defined by statute;...
and system, including old age and survivors' insurance, invalidity insurance, supplementary benefits, occupational pension funds, income compensation for people on national service and for women on maternity leave as well as family allowances in the agricultural sector. - State Secretariat for Education and Research (SER): Responsible for higher educationHigher educationHigher, post-secondary, tertiary, or third level education refers to the stage of learning that occurs at universities, academies, colleges, seminaries, and institutes of technology...
and research at the federal level.
The following independent authorities are affiliated to the FDHA for administrative purposes:
- ETH Board and the ETH Domain: The system of federal technical universities and research institutes, including the ETH ZurichETH ZurichThe Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich or ETH Zürich is an engineering, science, technology, mathematics and management university in the City of Zurich, Switzerland....
, the EPFL Lausanne, the Paul Scherrer InstitutePaul Scherrer InstituteThe Paul Scherrer Institute is a multi-disciplinary research institute which belongs to the Swiss ETH-Komplex covering also the ETH Zurich and EPFL...
, the Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research, the Federal Laboratory for Materials Testing and Research and the Federal Institute for Environmental Science and Technology. - Swiss Agency for Therapeutic Products (SwissmedicSwissmedicSwissmedic, the Swiss Agency for Therapeutic Products, is the Swiss surveillance authority for medicines and medical devices, registered in Berne. It started operations on 1 January 2002 as successor of Interkantonale Kontrollstelle für Heilmittel , which was itself the successor of Schweizerische...
): Certification and supervisory authority for drugs and other medical products.
Federal Department of Justice and Police
The Federal Department of Justice and Police is Switzerland's ministry of justice. As of 2008, it is headed by Eveline Widmer-SchlumpfEveline Widmer-Schlumpf
Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf is a Swiss lawyer, politician, and member of the Swiss Federal Council since 2008. She is currently the head of the Federal Department of Finance ....
(SVP/UDC
Swiss People's Party
The Swiss People's Party , also known as the Democratic Union of the Centre , is a conservative political party in Switzerland. Chaired by Toni Brunner, but spearheaded by Christoph Blocher, the party is the largest party in the Federal Assembly, with 58 members of the National Council and 6 of...
). It is composed of the following offices and institutes:
- General Secretariat
- Federal Office of Justice (FOI): Responsible for providing legal advice to the administration, preparing general legislation, supervising government registers and collaborating on international judicial assistanceJudicial assistanceJudicial Assistance is the admittance and enforcement of a judicial order by a court from one jurisdiction to a court in another jurisdiction. Such admittance requires a treaty between the governments of the two jurisdictions...
. - Federal Office of PoliceFederal Office of PoliceThe Federal Office of Police or fedpol of Switzerland is subject to the Federal Department of Justice and Police. It is responsible for the coordination between cantonal police corps and between Swiss and foreign police forces...
(fedpol): Responsible for intercantonal and international information, coordination and analysis in internal security matters. It also operates the domestic intelligence service (Service for Analysis and Prevention SAP), and the Federal Criminal Police (FCP), which investigates crimes subject to federal jurisdiction. - Federal Office for Migration (FOM): Responsible for matters relating to foreign nationals and asylum seekers.
- Federal Office of Metrology (METAS): Provides calibration and accreditation services, supervises the use of measuring instruments and provides training in metrologyMetrologyMetrology is the science of measurement. Metrology includes all theoretical and practical aspects of measurement. The word comes from Greek μέτρον , "measure" + "λόγος" , amongst others meaning "speech, oration, discourse, quote, study, calculation, reason"...
. - Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual PropertySwiss Federal Institute of Intellectual PropertyThe Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property is the federal agency in charge of intellectual property matters in Switzerland. Its seat is in Bern...
(IIP): Registration authority for patentPatentA patent is a form of intellectual property. It consists of a set of exclusive rights granted by a sovereign state to an inventor or their assignee for a limited period of time in exchange for the public disclosure of an invention....
s, trademarkTrademarkA trademark, trade mark, or trade-mark is a distinctive sign or indicator used by an individual, business organization, or other legal entity to identify that the products or services to consumers with which the trademark appears originate from a unique source, and to distinguish its products or...
s and industrial designIndustrial designIndustrial design is the use of a combination of applied art and applied science to improve the aesthetics, ergonomics, and usability of a product, but it may also be used to improve the product's marketability and production...
. - Swiss Institute of Comparative LawSwiss Institute of Comparative LawThe Swiss Institute of Comparative Law is an agency of the federal administration of Switzerland charged with research and consultancy in comparative law....
(SICL): Provides consultancy services on issues of comparative lawComparative lawComparative law is the study of differences and similarities between the law of different countries. More specifically, it involves study of the different legal systems in existence in the world, including the common law, the civil law, socialist law, Islamic law, Hindu law, and Chinese law...
.
The following independent authorities are affiliated to the FDJP for administrative purposes:
- Federal Gaming Board (FGB): Regulates casinoCasinoIn modern English, a casino is a facility which houses and accommodates certain types of gambling activities. Casinos are most commonly built near or combined with hotels, restaurants, retail shopping, cruise ships or other tourist attractions...
s and enforces Swiss gamblingGamblingGambling is the wagering of money or something of material value on an event with an uncertain outcome with the primary intent of winning additional money and/or material goods...
law (except lotteriesLotteryA lottery is a form of gambling which involves the drawing of lots for a prize.Lottery is outlawed by some governments, while others endorse it to the extent of organizing a national or state lottery. It is common to find some degree of regulation of lottery by governments...
, which are regulated by the cantons). - Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland (OAG): Criminal prosecuting authority with respect to crimes subject to federal jurisdiction, led by the Attorney General of Switzerland.
Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sports
The Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and SportsFederal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sports
The Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport is one of the seven departments of the Swiss federal government, headed by a member of the Swiss Federal Council.-Organisation:...
(DDPS) is Switzerland's ministry of defence. As of 2009, is headed by Ueli Maurer
Ueli Maurer
Ueli Maurer is a member of the Swiss Federal Council and head of the Swiss Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sports...
(SVP/UDC
Swiss People's Party
The Swiss People's Party , also known as the Democratic Union of the Centre , is a conservative political party in Switzerland. Chaired by Toni Brunner, but spearheaded by Christoph Blocher, the party is the largest party in the Federal Assembly, with 58 members of the National Council and 6 of...
). It is composed of the following departmental sectors:
- Defence / Armed ForcesArmed ForcesArmed Forces is Elvis Costello's third album, his second with the Attractions, and the first to officially credit the Attractions on the cover. It was released in the UK by Radar Records and in the U.S. by Columbia in 1979...
sector: Swiss Armed Forces headquarters and staff, Land Forces, Air ForceSwiss Air ForceThe Swiss Air Force is the air component of the Swiss Armed Forces, established on July 31, 1914, as part of the Army and as of January 1966 an independent service.In peacetime, Dübendorf is the operational Air Force HQ...
, Armed Forces Logistics Organisation (AFLO), Armed Forces Command Support Organisation (AFCSO). - Civil Protection sector: Federal Office for Civil Protection (FOCP), responsible for the coordination of the civil protection services of the cantons and municipalities. Operates the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) and the Spiez Laboratory, which is responsible for weapons of mass destructionWeapons of mass destructionA weapon of mass destruction is a weapon that can kill and bring significant harm to a large number of humans and/or cause great damage to man-made structures , natural structures , or the biosphere in general...
research and protection. - Sport sector: Federal Office of Sports (FOSPO), responsible for sport policy, the National Youth Sports Centre Tenero and the Youth and Sport organisation.
- armasuisse sector: Responsible for armaments procurement, technology and research. The sector includes the Federal Office of Topography (swisstopoSwisstopoSwisstopo is the official name for the Swiss Federal Office of Topography , Switzerland's national mapping agency.The current pseudo-English name was made official in 2002...
), which compiles and manages geographical reference data and maps.
The following services are also part of the DDPS:
- General Secretariat
- Office of the Military Attorney General: The military prosecutor's office.
- Strategic Intelligence Service (SIS): Switzerland’s foreign intelligence service.
- Directorate for Security Policy (DSP): Responsible for strategy development, defence and procurement policy, arms control and disarmament policy.
Federal Department of Finance
The Federal Department of FinanceFederal Department of Finance
The Federal Department of Finance ; ; ) is one of the seven departments of the Swiss federal government. The department is headquartered in Bern and is headed by a member of the Swiss Federal Council, Switzerland's finance minister...
is Switzerland's ministry of finance. As of 2008, it is headed by Hans-Rudolf Merz
Hans-Rudolf Merz
Hans-Rudolf Merz is a Swiss politician of FDP.The Liberals and member of the Swiss Federal Council . He is the head of the Federal Department of Finance and President of the Swiss Confederation for 2009...
(FDP/PRD
Free Democratic Party of Switzerland
The Free Democratic Party was a classical liberal political party in Switzerland. It was one of the major parties in Switzerland until its merger with the smaller classical liberal Liberal Party, to form FDP.The Liberals on 1 January 2009....
). It is composed of the following offices:
- General Secretariat, including the Federal Strategy Unit for IT (FSUIT).
- Federal Finance Administration (FFA): Responsible for the budget, financial planning, financial policy, the federal treasury and financial equalisation between the Confederation and the cantons. Operates the federal mintSwissmintSwissmint is the official mint of the Swiss Confederation. It is responsible for manufacturing Swiss franc coins, both of the currency and bullion variety. Apart from making coins for the government, Swissmint also manufactures medals and commemorative coins for private customers.Swissmint is an...
. - Federal Office of Personnel (FOPER): Responsible for human resources management, personnel policy and personnel training.
- Federal Tax Administration (FTA): Responsible for federal revenue collection and the application of federal tax laws in the cantons.
- Federal Customs Administration (FCA): Responsible for monitoring the import, export and transit of goods, collecting customs duties, traffic charges and taxes. Operates the Swiss Border Guard, which carries out border police duties.
- Swiss Alcohol Board (SAB): Regulates the alcohol market.
- Federal Office of Information Technology, Systems and Telecommunication (FOITT): Provides ITInformation technologyInformation technology is the acquisition, processing, storage and dissemination of vocal, pictorial, textual and numerical information by a microelectronics-based combination of computing and telecommunications...
services for the federal administration. - Federal Office for Buildings and Logistics (FBL): Responsible for property management, central procurement of non-durable goods, federal publications and the production of the Swiss passportSwiss passportA Swiss passport is a document known as the passport of the Swiss Confederation.Swiss passports are issued to citizens of Switzerland to facilitate international travel. For traveling inside the European community, Swiss citizens can use an identity card.-History of Swiss passports :The first Swiss...
.
The following independent authorities are affiliated to the FDF for administrative purposes:
- Swiss Federal Audit Office (SFAO): The federal government audit office. Examines accounting practices and verifies the proper and efficient use of resources by the administration, other public service institutions and subsidy recipients.
- Swiss Financial Market Supervisory AuthoritySwiss Financial Market Supervisory AuthoritySwiss Financial Markets Authority is the Swiss government body responsible for financial regulation. This includes the supervision of banks, insurance companies, stock exchanges and securities dealers as well as other financial intermediaries in Switzerland.FINMA is an independent institution...
(FINMA): Regulates banks, insurances, securities dealers, investment funds and stock exchanges, as well as the disclosure of shareholding interests, public takeover bids and mortgage lenders. - Federal Pension Fund (PUBLICA): Provides insurance coverage to employees of the federal administration, the other branches of the federal government and associated organisations.
Federal Department of Economic Affairs
The Federal Department of Economic AffairsFederal Department of Economic Affairs
The Federal Department of Economic Affairs is one of the seven departments of the federal government of Switzerland, headed by a member of the Swiss Federal Council.-Organisation:The Department is composed of the following offices:...
(FDEA) is Switzerland's ministry of the economy. As of 2008, it is headed by Doris Leuthard
Doris Leuthard
Doris Leuthard is a Swiss politician and lawyer. Since 1 August 2006, she has been a member of the Swiss Federal Council. From 1 August 2006 till 31 October 2010 she was head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs...
(CVP/PDC
Christian Democratic People's Party of Switzerland
The Christian Democratic People's Party of Switzerland is a Christian democratic political party in Switzerland. It is the fourth-largest party in the National Council, with 31 seats, and the largest in the Council of States, with 15 seats. It has one seat, that of Doris Leuthard, on the Swiss...
). It is composed of the following offices:
- General Secretariat, including the Federal Consumer Affairs Bureau FCAB (responsible for consumer affairs) and the Swiss civilian serviceCivilian serviceCivilian service is service to a government made as a civilian, particularly such service as an option for conscripted persons who are conscientious objectors and object to military service...
agency (ZIVI). - State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (seco): Responsible for national and international economic policyEconomic policyEconomic policy refers to the actions that governments take in the economic field. It covers the systems for setting interest rates and government budget as well as the labor market, national ownership, and many other areas of government interventions into the economy.Such policies are often...
, trade negotiations and labour policy. - Federal Office for Agriculture (FOAG): Responsible for agricultural policyAgricultural policyAgricultural policy describes a set of laws relating to domestic agriculture and imports of foreign agricultural products. Governments usually implement agricultural policies with the goal of achieving a specific outcome in the domestic agricultural product markets...
and for direct paymentsDirect PaymentsThe Direct Payments scheme is a UK Government initiative in the field of Social Services that gives users money directly to pay for their own care, rather than the traditional route of a Local Government Authority providing care for them...
to Swiss farmers. - Federal Office for Professional Education and Technology (OPET): Responsible for vocational educationVocational educationVocational education or vocational education and training is an education that prepares trainees for jobs that are based on manual or practical activities, traditionally non-academic, and totally related to a specific trade, occupation, or vocation...
and training, Universities of Applied Sciences and innovation promotion. - Federal Veterinary office (FVO): Responsible for animal welfareAnimal welfareAnimal welfare is the physical and psychological well-being of animals.The term animal welfare can also mean human concern for animal welfare or a position in a debate on animal ethics and animal rights...
and health, the safety of food of animal origin and the implementation of the CITES convention. - Integration Office (see FDFA above)
- Federal Office for National Economic Supply (FONES): Manages emergency supplies of essential goods and services.
- Federal Housing Office (FHO): Responsible for housing policy.
The following independent authorities are affiliated to the FDEA for administrative purposes:
- Price Supervisor: Price ombudsmanOmbudsmanAn ombudsman is a person who acts as a trusted intermediary between an organization and some internal or external constituency while representing not only but mostly the broad scope of constituent interests...
and responsible for the supervision of regulated prices. - Competition Commission: Swiss competition regulatorCompetition regulatorA competition regulator is a government agency, typically a statutory authority, sometimes called an economic regulator, which regulates and enforces competition laws, and may sometimes also enforce consumer protection laws...
. - Swiss Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (SFIVET): Provides training for vocational educationVocational educationVocational education or vocational education and training is an education that prepares trainees for jobs that are based on manual or practical activities, traditionally non-academic, and totally related to a specific trade, occupation, or vocation...
professionals.
Federal Department of Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications
As of 2008, the Federal Department of Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (DETEC) is headed by Moritz LeuenbergerMoritz Leuenberger
Moritz Leuenberger is a Swiss politician, lawyer, was a member of the Swiss Federal Council from 1995 to 2010 and President of the Confederation in 2001 and in 2006....
(SPS/PS
Social Democratic Party of Switzerland
The Social Democratic Party of Switzerland is the largest centre-left political party in Switzerland....
). It is composed of the following offices:
- General Secretariat
- Federal Office for Spatial Development (ARE): Coordinates area planning between the federal agencies, the cantons and the municipalities.
- Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN): Responsible for matters of the environment, including the protection of plants and animals and the protection against noise, air pollution or natural hazards.
- Federal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA): Regulates civil aviationCivil aviationCivil aviation is one of two major categories of flying, representing all non-military aviation, both private and commercial. Most of the countries in the world are members of the International Civil Aviation Organization and work together to establish common standards and recommended practices...
. - Federal Office of Communications (OFCOM): Regulates radio and TV stations, notably the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation.
- Federal Office of Energy (FOE): Responsible for the provision of electrical energy at the federal level, as well as for the supervision of dams.
- Federal Office of Transport (FOT): Responsible for public transportPublic transportPublic transport is a shared passenger transportation service which is available for use by the general public, as distinct from modes such as taxicab, car pooling or hired buses which are not shared by strangers without private arrangement.Public transport modes include buses, trolleybuses, trams...
at the federal level, including the development of the federal rail network and navigation on the Rhine. - Federal Roads Authority (FEDRO): Responsible for the construction, maintenance and operation of the national highway network.
The following independent authorities are affiliated to the DETEC for administrative purposes:
- Aircraft Accident Investigation BureauAircraft Accident Investigation BureauAircraft Accident Investigation Bureau is the Switzerland bureau of aircraft accident investigation. The bureau is headquartered on the grounds of Payerne Airport and in Payerne.-External links:* *...
(AAIB): Technical investigating authority for aircraft accidents. - Federal Communications Commission (ComCom): Regulates the telecommunications market, awards service licences, rules on interconnectionInterconnectionIn telecommunications, interconnection is the physical linking of a carrier's network with equipment or facilities not belonging to that network...
disputes and approves frequency and numbering plans. - Federal Inspectorate for Heavy Current Installations (ESTI): Responsible for inspecting low and heavy-current electrical installations.
- Federal Nuclear Safety Inspectorate (HSK): Assesses and monitors security and radiation protection in Swiss nuclear installations.
- Federal Pipelines Inspectorate (ERI): Responsible for the planning, construction and operation of fuel pipeline systems in Switzerland and Liechtenstein.
- Independent Complaints Authority for Radio and Television: Decides on complaints about radio and television programmes.
- Investigation Bureau for Railway, Funicular and Boat Accidents: Technical investigating authority for accidents on railways, cableways, funicular railways and ships.
- PostReg: Regulates the Swiss PostSwiss PostSwiss Post is the postal service of Switzerland. A public company owned by the Swiss Confederation, it is the country's second largest employer...
. - Railways Arbitration Commission (RACO): Arbitrates in disputes over access to the rail network.