Switzerland-UK relations

The United Kingdom (UK) is an important economic, political and migration partner for Switzerland. It is not only a key sales market but also a significant supplier for the pharmaceutical industry. And not least, the pharmaceutical industry needs a certain number of experts from the UK. Until the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union (EU) and the end of the transition period, relations were largely governed by the agreements between Switzerland and the EU. Since January 1st, 2021, Switzerland has been regulating its relationship with the United Kingdom through new bilateral agreements that emerged from the Federal Council’s “Mind the Gap” strategy.

MRA and free movement of people

Mutual recognition of conformity assessments is central to the pharmaceutical industry. The trade agreement signed by Switzerland and the United Kingdom as part of the “Mind the Gap” strategy ensures the continuation of the MRA arrangements for “Good Laboratory Practice (GLP)” and “Inspection of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) for Medicinal Products and Batch Certification”. For the remaining chapters of the MRA, the focus is on concluding a “traditional MRA” as far as possible to avoid double conformity assessment. Admission to the labor market is regulated by national legislation; separate quotas apply for the UK.