We would be delighted to meet you personally so that we can present the convincing advantages that your company would gain from membership.

Do not hesitate and contact us straight away. We thank you for your interest in our Association.

The Swiss Cosmetics and Detergent Association SKW is the leading national association of the cosmetics, detergent and cleaning agent industry. It represents around 30 international and 70 Swiss manufacturers or importers, who achieve a domestic turnover of approx. CHF 3 billion and an export volume of approx. CHF 2 billion.

As the "voice of the industry", the SKW is an indispensable instrument for asserting the interests of the industry with all stakeholders. The strongly developed national and international network enables the association to provide rapid and target group-oriented information within the association. Compliance with antitrust law has the highest priority in all activities.

Advantages for all members

Information and competence center

Knowledge and competence center for national and global regulatory and technical issues
Permanent exchange of knowledge and experience with the stakeholders
Relief of the member companies thanks to the possibility of delegation or review of various in-house activities (e.g. regulatory, technical, export) to the association

Representation of interests in politics, legislation and law enforcement

Personal contacts and close cooperation with the relevant federal authorities and parliamentarians
Coordination and submission of official industry statements in case of legislative revisions
Combating special national regulations that deviate from EU legislation
Constant cooperation with the cantonal enforcement authorities for transparent and uniform law enforcement
Acceleration of administrative processes for the submission of product notifications under chemicals legislation and for biocide approvals
Coordinated effort for administrative simplification of the VOC incentive fee

Extended SKW network

Coordination of the political representation of interests in the "SKW Netzwerk Politik", direct contacts to various parliamentarians (national and cantonal parliaments)
Extensive network to all relevant national stakeholders
"SKW Stakeholder Council" as an advisory body to the Managing Board (representatives from authorities, environmental and consumer organizations, partner associations, education, science, trade)
Extensive international network to international corporations and partner associations in export countries (International Association Collaboration, IAC)

Focus: Communication

Representation of the industrial standpoints in the media
Professionally developed crisis PR organization that can be deployed at short notice
Individual access to the "ARGUSavenue" platform, daily media monitoring of industry-relevant reports (print, radio, TV, online)
Weekly media review by e-mail (press review)
Online presence of the brands, specialist fields and fields of activity of all members on the SKW website
International coordination of media topics with Cosmetics Europe, PCPC (USA) and International Associations Collaboration (IAC)
Monitoring of commercial publications and product tests for compliance with the competition law guidelines of the Swiss Commission for Fair Trading
Target-group oriented and current SKW publications, e.g. "Waschen heute" (Washing today)

Expertise and market figures

Events and workshops of the various working groups according to special fields
- SKW Conference of Managing Directors
- Technical Committees (Cosmetics or Detergents and Cleaning Agents)
- Working Group Communication
- Expert Team Packaging and Environment
- Expert Team VOC
- Working Group Natural and Organic Cosmetics
Access to events of partner organizations at reduced rates
Partnership with Nielsen Switzerland, publication of market figures on the website and in the annual report, regular updates on market developments

Additional advantages for international groups

Knowledge of the Swiss specifics of legislation, law enforcement and market
Exchange of knowledge and experience with national manufacturers and stakeholders enables confidential and rapid clarification of questions
Commitment to the prevention of Swiss unilateral action in legislation or in the interpretation of legislation by the enforcement authorities (e.g. aluminium salts, furocoumarins)
Direct access for foreign headquarters of SKW member companies to the SKW office for technical and legal questions

Additional advantages for Swiss manufacturers

Permanent exchange of experience and representation of interests in the working group Swissness & Export, the Swissness network of the cosmetics industry for companies and partner organisations
Support of the protection of the designation of origin "Swiss Made" abroad as a member of the Public Private Partnership "Swissness Enforcement", coordinated by the Institute of Intellectual Property IPI
Access to the worldwide SKW contacts in the network International Association Collaboration (IAC)
Information and advice on legislation, registration and market entries in export countries
Advantages of the cooperation with swiss export and Switzerland Global Enterprise for trade fair presentations, information, and further education
Issue of Free Sale / GMP certificates for the export of cosmetics

Additional advantages for B2B areas

Own working groups for professional hair care and professional cleaning
Integration of B2B products into the SKW network; no separate associations
Specific statistics panels, not available elsewhere
Technical and legal exchange of experience in an antitrust protected environment
Great synergies with the entire SKW network, increase in representativeness

How to become a member

Any company entered in the commercial register and engaged in the research, development, production, or distribution of cosmetic products, detergents, cleaning agents, or related goods may become a member of the association.

Admission of new members is based on a written application, accompanied by an extract from the commercial register, and requires approval by resolution of the executive committee.

Provisions