A Swiss authorised representative is
any natural or legal person established on Swiss soil who is responsible for acting on behalf of the manufacturer
to assist it at the regulatory level in the Swiss market.
Switzerland
has never been a member of the European Union, but in the interest of ensuring a smooth bilateral flow of goods across borders, it has traditionally signed Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs) with the EU.
When the EU Medical Device Regulation (MDR) came into force, no agreement had been reached to renew the MRA on medical devices.
Although the Swiss had updated their Medical Device Ordinance (MepV, MedDO) to diligently copy the MDR, without an MRA, Switzerland became an EU "third country" just like the UK.
Therefore, medical device and IVD manufacturers without a registered office in Switzerland must now appoint a local Swiss authorized representative and a Swiss importer
to continue selling in Switzerland.