The objectives to be achieved within the framework of geological services are set by federal and cantonal law. The overlapping areas include land-use planning, construction, energy, environmental and water protection, as well as coordination tasks. 

In order to prevent lasting damage to property and persons as well as to the environment, geological work must be planned and carried out according to recognized professional standards. In order to assess the feasibility of projects, it is particularly important that geological information and data relating to the subsoil be available in sufficient quantity and quality.

In contrast to surface surveying, however, the norms and standards applicable to the geological subsurface are still largely lacking in Switzerland, which does not guarantee a uniform documentation of the subsurface. This means that the required level of preliminary investigations can vary greatly from one region to another. 

In order to guide the work of professionals, the Federal Offices, in collaboration with the specialized cantonal services and representatives of the private and academic sectors, ensure that specialized documentation is regularly published and updated.

In addition to methodological and technical aspects, this documentation contributes to the clarification of unspecified legal concepts from laws and ordinances in order to guarantee a transparent application of the legislation.

An overview of the most important publications relevant to the provision of geological services in Switzerland is provided by subject area (non-exhaustive list).

Groundwater

The references mentioned below are published by the Federal Office for the Environment.

• Utilisation des traceurs artificiels en hydrogéologie (2002). Guide pratique.
• Aide à l'exécution Protection des eaux souterraines (2012). Vue d'ensemble sur tous les modules.
• Aide à l'exécution pour la protection de l'environnement dans l'agriculture (2016). Vue d'ensemble sur tous les modules.
  

See also this link for comprehensive documentation on FOEN publications related to the water sector.

Natural hazards

The references mentioned below are published by the Federal Office for the Environment.

• Glissements de terrain: hydrogéologie et techniques d’assainissement par drainage. (2010)
• Dangers naturels: Aides à l'exécution (2018)
  
• Dangers naturels: Informations pour spécialistes (2018)

See also this link for comprehensive documentation on FOEN publications related to the natural hazards sector.

Works and infrastructures

The references mentioned below are published by the Federal Office for the Environment and the Federal Roads Office.

• KarstALEA: Instructions pratiques pour la prévision des dangers liés au karst lors de travaux souterrains (2012)
• Comportement à long terme des tunnels autoroutiers suisses et de leurs principales pathologies (2012)
• Cartographie du potentiel d’infiltration des eaux par les bas-côtés des routes nationales (2015)
• Construction parasismique ( 2018)

See also this link for access to FEDRO standards related to national roads (in particular geotechnical, environnemental and risk topics).

Geothermy

The references mentioned below are published by the Federal Office of Energy.

• Geothermal energy: general information and downloads.
• Ground source heat pump (GSHP): technical reports in the framework of the SwissEnergy programme.

Georessources

The references mentioned below are published by the Federal Office of Topography swisstopo.

• Sustainable use of domestic mineral resources. General information and downloads.

Geodata

Observations and information gathered during geological work constitute basic geodata under federal law. As such, this geodata must be described and structured in accordance with the technical specifications issued by the responsible Federal Offices:

• Theme Water
• Theme Natural hazards
• Theme Material extraction
• Theme Geology
  
• Theme Contaminated sites

SIA - Swiss Society of Engineers and Architects

The SIA, with its collection of widely applied standards, is at the origin of recognized and indispensable national rules for the art of building in Switzerland.

VSS - Swiss Association of Road and Transport Professionals

The VSS develops and manages the collection of Swiss standards in the field of road and transport.

CHGEOL - Swiss Association of Geologists

CHGEOL develops and publishes factsheets relevant to the profession of geology.

The federal government, in accordance with Art.3 of the Federal Constitution, can only act in those areas in which it has been assigned the relevant authority. There are only a few provisions on the federal level in the field of geology and the subsurface. Geological themes are mostly regulated at cantonal level and reflect the respective conditions and historical development.

However, following the approval of the Energy Strategy 2050 by the Swiss people on May 21, 2017, it was possible to clarify the regulatory framework regarding geological data on the subsurface in the revision of the National Geology Ordinance of January 1, 2018, in view of the growing interest in the subsurface for geothermal energy and CO2 storage projects.   

Classified Compilation of Acts and Ordinances

The portal of the Swiss Government provides a classified compilation of federal and international law, divided into chapters and topics.