Range of compulsory stocks

The Swiss compulsory stock range is divided into four categories: foodstuffs, energy, therapeutic products and industry. The specialist departments of the National Economic Supply organisation (NES) specify the type and quantity of goods to be stockpiled. Target quantities are set for all compulsory stocks in order to ensure Switzerland's security of supply. These target quantities are calculated – with the exception of therapeutic products – on the basis of the average demand over the past three years. The actual quantity held may differ from the target quantity in certain areas.

Compulsory stocks of foodstuffs

Compulsory food stocks include directly consumable foodstuffs such as sugar, rice and edible oils as well as products that require processing such as cereals for making bread. Production inputs such as fertiliser and animal feed are also stored. Enough stocks are held to cover the country's average requirements for between two and four months, depending on the product.

Compulsory stocks of energy

Mineral oil, natural gas and electricity are key to securing energy supply. Enough stocks of petrol, diesel and heating oil are held to meet the average Swiss requirement for four and a half months; the amount of aviation fuel held is sufficient for three months.

Compulsory stocks of therapeutic products (medicaments and medical devices)

Sufficent stocks of human anti-infectives are held to last five to six months. These are used against all common infectious diseases. A compulsory stock of virostatics is held in case of a flu pandemic. A three-month stock of strong painkillers and a four-month supply of vaccines are also held. In the veterinary sector, antibiotics are stockpiled for an average requirement of two months.

Compulsory stocks for industry

Supplementary compulsory stocks

Supplementary compulsory stocks may be established without a statutory stockholding obligation. Entering into a stockholding agreement with the Federal Office for National Economic Supply (FONES) is in this case voluntary. This type of compulsory stockholding is particularly suitable for essential goods with low demand or for products supplied by only a limited number of manufacturers. Examples include yeast, uranium fuel assemblies, blood bags, and plastic granulates for the packaging industry. Supplementary compulsory stocks account for only a small proportion of the overall compulsory stockholding system.