Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research EAER

At its meeting on 13 June 2025, the Federal Council approved the agreements in the new package to stabilise and develop Switzerland's bilateral approach with the EU and opened the domestic consultation process. After Switzerland brought the negotiations with the EU to a successful close in December 2024, the Federal Council finalised the implementing legislation and accompanying measures. Previously unresolved issues concerning wage protection, immigration, electricity and the type of referendum to be held have since been settled and presented to the public over the last five months. The consultation process will last until 31 October 2025. With this package, the Federal Council is aiming for customised sectoral participation in the EU single market as well as cooperation in selected areas. Given the current global unrest, maintaining good relations with neighbouring countries is key.

Romania is one of the EU's largest methane emitters from oil and gas production facilities, but emissions have fallen sharply thanks to targeted information on leaks. An international research team led by Empa has shown that measurements not only reveal actual emissions, but also prompt companies to take action.

The UN sanctions committee has amended the list of sanctioned individuals, companies and organizations. The SESAM database has been updated accordingly.

In May 2025 the consumer sentiment index stood at –37 points. This is 1.5 points higher than in May 2024. The following sub-indices were higher than in May 2024: past financial situation, financial outlook and moment to make major purchases. The following sub-index is lower than a year ago: economic outlook.

On 6 June the Federal Council appointed Martin Keller and Matthias Leuenberger to the ETH Board. Martin Keller will take office on 1 August, succeeding Christiane Leister, who passed away at the beginning of March. From 1 January 2026 Matthias Leuenberger will succeed Susan Gasser, whose term of office comes to an end in December. Martin Keller has many years of experience in corporate management and development and Matthias Leuenberger in leading positions in the pharmaceutical industry, making them ideal new members of the ETH Board.

When fractions of a second make all the difference: Empa researchers developed a process for manufacturing advanced thin films in which sophisticated timing enables high-quality functional layers at low process temperatures. The new method has applications in the semiconductor industry as well as in future quantum and photonics technologies.