In Switzerland, the COVID19 certificate is universal and cannot be falsified

Until the end of May, the Confederation will pursue two hypotheses: one from the Federal Office of Information Technology and Telecommunication and the other from SICPA/ELCA

By the end of the summer, the Swiss Confederation will develop a standardized, unforgeable and internationally recognized COVID-19 certificate.
Two technical solutions will initially be pursued for this purpose. A final decision on the variants will be made in mid-May.

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The Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) is involving interested parties in the work to ensure that the chosen solution is applicable in practice and easy to use.

A legal basis provided by article 6a of the ad hoc rule

By virtue of the legal mandate (COVID-19 Act, Article 6a) all persons vaccinated, cured, and with a recent negative test must be able to receive a COVID-19 certificate, which will be issued by the facilities performing the testing or vaccination.
Data related to the vaccination, test, or cure shall remain stored only at these facilities and with the individuals concerned.

Compatibility with the EU Green Digital Certificate

The COVID-19 certificate must ensure decentralized storage, data protection and security, as well as compatibility with the EU’s “digital green certificate.”
Other key criteria are introduction deadlines, practical applicability and ease of use; the certificate will be issued both as a smartphone app and in paper form.

Working on alternative solutions: FOITT and private individuals

After hearing Digital Switzerland, economiesuisse, CH++ and the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Council and reviewing the approximately 50 solution offers received, the FOPH has decided to continue to pursue two technical approaches until the end of May 2021: on the one hand, a solution from the Federal Office of Information Technology and Telecommunication (FOITT) and, on the other, a solution from SICPA/ELCA.

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SICPA/ELCA’s solution has the advantage of already functioning components and the necessary engineering expertise for further development.
In collaboration with SICPA, the Swiss IT service provider ELCA offers CERTUS electronic seal technology to implement the Swiss COVID-19 certificate.
SICPA, a western Swiss company with a nearly 100-year history, is a global leader in the field of physical and digital security for authorities and industry.

The need to involve all stakeholders emerges

The broadcasters are involving the cantons, the FMH, pharmaSuisse as well as the doctors and pharmacists who carry out the vaccinations in the work of the project.
In the coming weeks, the organizations that issue the test certificates and then have to check them will also be invited to cooperate.
As long as the COVID-19 certificate is not obtainable and valid, vaccination certificates issued by vaccination facilities as well as certificates of recovery or test certificates will remain valid in Switzerland.

Das Covid-Zertifikat
Le certificat COVID
Il certificato COVID-19

The focus is on the security of the system and authentication of the facilities that will issue the certificate.
As soon as they are ready, the technical solutions will be tested by internal and external specialists. The certificate must also be personal and not falsifiable.
When presenting it, the holder must therefore be further identified, for example by passport or identity card.
To ensure data protection, the authenticity and validity of the certificate can only be verified on site.

Opportunities for international recognition

The COVID-19 certificate should be able to be used for entry and exit to/from other countries and be compatible with international solutions.
With a view to the introduction of an internationally recognized certificate, the Swiss Confederation is supporting the work of the World Health Organization WHO with the “Smart Vaccination Certificate” project and that of the EU with the “Green Digital Certificate”.
The latter is to be the reference for the respective national certificates of vaccination, testing and recovery, the use of which will be decided by the respective states.