WORLD TRADE G/TBT/Notif.97.697
22October 1997
ORGANIZATION
(97-4620)
Committee onTechnical Barriers toTrade
NOTIFICATION
Thefollowing notification isbeing circulated inaccordance withArticle 10.6.
1. Member toAgreement notifying: SWITZERLAND
Ifapplicable, name oflocalgovernment involved (Articles 3.2and7.2):
2. Agency responsible: Federal Office ofTransport
Agency orauthority designated tohandle comments regarding thenotification canbe
indicated ifdifferent from above:
3. Notified under Article 2.9.2 [X],2.10.1 [],5.6.2 [],5.7.1 [],other:
4. Products covered (HSorCCCN where applicable, otherwise national tariff heading.
ICSnumbers maybeprovided inaddition, where applicable): Rafts
5. Title, number ofpages andlanguage(s) ofthenotified document: Modification ofthe
Regulations ofInternal Navigation ontheSwiss Waters, Especially Introduction of
Regulations Concerning Inflatable Rafts andTheir Technical Equipment
6. Description ofcontent: ThenewRegulations intend toimprove thesafety standard of
inflatable rafts. They include general requirements onmaterials, subdivision ofthe
tubes, bilge system oftheraft, safety equipment. Furthermore regulations ofthe
equipment ofpassengers andtheguide areincluded.
7. Objective andrationale: TheRegulations willbeintroduced duetoanincreasing number
ofsevere accidents ontherivers inthelastcouple ofyears, some ofthem withfatal
outcome.
8. Relevant documents:
- LawontheInternal Navigation onSwiss Waters;
- Ordinance ontheInternal Navigation onSwiss Waters, Chapter 45
Special Regulations forInflatable Rafts.
9. Proposed dateofadoption:
Proposed dateofentry intoforce:EndMarch 1998
10. Final dateforcomments: 22December 1997
11. Texts available from: National enquiry point [X]oraddress andtelefax number ofother
body: