Swiss Medtech commissioned the gfs.bern opinion research institute to survey its 800+ members on the Bilateral Agreements III. «Our Association Board doesn’t want to dictate a position on the Switzerland-EU package but wishes to seek input from the businesses affected. Their perspective is essential to the political discussion, as they are directly responsible for innovation and employment in the industry», stated Damian Müller, President of Swiss Medtech.
Bilateral approach absolutely essential for the medtech sector
Eight of ten companies support the current bilateral process. A good two-thirds are in favour of the new Switzerland-EU package and would vote «yes» as it stands today. Over 70% of medtech companies consider the Switzerland-EU package important for their own business. The picture becomes even clearer when considering Switzerland as a medtech business location – over 80% believe the package necessary to ensure competitiveness. This overwhelming support underscores how essential stable contractual relations with the EU are. It is the Swiss medical technology industry’s most important trading partner. One third of the 70,000+ industry jobs rely directly on orders from the EU.
Robust response – Clear mandate
In terms of employee numbers and turnover, Swiss Medtech represents 800+ members and therefore around 90% of the Swiss medical technology sector. «At 40 percent, response to the survey was exceptionally high – particularly considering it was conducted in the middle of the summer holidays», explains Lukas Golder, Co-Head of the opinion research institute gfs.bern commissioned to conduct the survey.
«This doesn’t surprise me. Many companies are directly affected and responded accordingly,» stated Adrian Hunn, Managing Director of Swiss Medtech. Over 70% of those surveyed believe that the association should advocate for the package. «I see our members’ unmistakable vote not only as validation, but also as a clear mandate to actively support the Bilateral III in the interest of the medtech industry», says the Director.
Key issues: market access and free movement of persons
Direct market access under the Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) and the free movement of persons are the two key drivers behind the sector’s broad support for the Switzerland-EU package. The medtech industry lost direct access to the EU single market in May 2021 following the breakdown of negotiations between Switzerland and the EU. «Our companies don’t have to speculate – since May 2021, they’ve experienced firsthand what the loss of unrestricted access to their most important trading partner means. No other industry in Switzerland is more qualified to comment on these issues», says Adrian Hunn.
Almost 80% believe that the Swiss medtech sector’s competitiveness is weakened by the loss of direct market access. This assessment is shared by companies of all sizes and across all language regions, and underscores how strongly the entire industry is hindered by the additional market barriers.
Critical voices regarding the package are clearly in the minority and are almost all ideological or institutional in nature. The debate is still ongoing, but as more information becomes available, opinion is likely to shift further in favour of the package as secure access to the European single market is essential for the majority of companies. «Our economic wellbeing is largely dependent on a strong export industry. International competition is fierce, which is why companies require reliable framework conditions. Our industry needs unbureaucratic market access and legal certainty to invest, grow, and safeguard jobs», explains Damian Müller, President of Swiss Medtech.
Overview of key points
- Response rate: All 823 Swiss Medtech members were surveyed. 323 responded; equaling a very high response rate of approx. 40%.
- Opinion of bilateral process: More than eight of ten medtech companies (81%) firmly support the current bilateral approach.
- Views on the new Switzerland-EU package: A good two-thirds (63%) of medtech companies approve of the package and would vote «yes» today. In contrast, 11% disapprove, 13% have not yet formed an opinion, and a further 13% did not respond.
- Mandate for the association: 71% of respondents believe that the association should actively advocate for the package.
- Effect of the Switzerland-EU package on competitiveness: 73% of medtech companies consider the package important for their own business. As many as 83% consider it significant for Switzerland as a medtech business location as a whole.
- Grounds for approval: Market access via the MRA and the free movement of persons are the two main reasons for the widespread support for the Switzerland-EU package.
- Uniformity of responses: There were slight differences in feedback between large companies and SMEs, as well as amongst the language regions. Start-ups and companies in French-speaking Switzerland tended to be more cautious. Overall, however, the differences are not statistically significant.
Swiss Medtech represents around 800 members in its role as industry association for Swiss medical technology. With 71,700 employees and a contribution of 11.9% to the positive trade balance, medical technology is an economically significant sector in Switzerland. Swiss Medtech advocates for conditions that enable the medtech industry to perform at peak capacity and provide first-class medical care.