Aktualisierte Sanktionsmeldung: Russland
Executive Summary
The publication announces updates by the Swiss Federal Department for Economic Affairs, Education and Research (WBF) to Annex 8 of the Ordinance on Measures in Connection with the Situation in Ukraine (SR 946.231.176.72), aligning Swiss sanctions against Russia with ongoing international restrictions. This matters for Swiss financial intermediaries as it imposes immediate obligations to block assets, report relationships, and conduct AML checks, amid escalating sanctions that heighten compliance risks and enforcement scrutiny from FINMA. #
What Changed
- Amendments to Annexes 8, 14, 15b, and 33 of the Ordinance, though specific details on new listings or prohibitions are not detailed in the announcement. - Continuation of standard requirements: Implement prohibitions, freeze assets of sanctioned persons, and report affected business relationships to SECO (State Secretariat for Economic Affairs). - These updates follow a pattern of prior changes, such as expanded export bans on dual-use goods (e.g., chrome ore, chemicals), transaction bans on additional Russian banks, and prohibitions on dealings with the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF). #
What You Need To Do
- Screen and freeze assets
- Report to SECO
- Conduct AML due diligence
- Review transactions
- Document compliance
Compliance Impact
Urgency: Critical – Effective immediately at 23:00 on January 13, 2026, with no grace period, this demands urgent system updates, screenings, and reporting to avoid FINMA enforcement (e.g., fines, licenses at risk). It amplifies AML / Financial Crime risks in a high-scrutiny environment, as FINMA's Risikomonitor 2025 highlights Russia sanctions as a top concern amid iterative updates.
Who is Affected
Summary
Das Eidgenössische Departement für Wirtschaft, Bildung und Forschung WBF hat Änderungen des Anhangs 8 der Verordnung vom 4. März 2022 über Massnahmen im Zusammenhang mit der Situation in der Ukraine (SR 946.231.176.72) publiziert.