Compulsory stockpiling in Switzerland

  • Compulsory stockpiling ensures the maintenance of goods essential to life (food and medicine as well as petroleum products) to cater for shortages during supply crises and when stocks are low. They cover requirements for a certain period.
  • There are compulsory stockpiles of motor gasoline, diesel, heating oil and  kerosene type jet fuel. The compulsory stockpiles are sufficient for four and a half months of consumption (three months in the case of kerosene type jet fuel).
  • Compulsory stockpiles are the responsibility of industry. The Federation lays down the general framework. The stockpiling system is financed by contributions on imports (so-called guarantee fund contributions).