Switzerland/Minister/Environment Transport Energy and Communications

Switzerland/Minister/Environment Transport Energy and Communications  (Environment Minister,  Transport Minister,  Minister of Energy,  Minister of Communications)
Swiss minister with many infrastructure responsibilities; regulates radio and TV stations

The Federal Department of Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications is one of the seven departments of the Swiss federal government, headed by a member of the Swiss Federal Council.

The Minister regulates radio and TV stations, notably the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation, and is responsible for the Nuclear Safety and the Swiss Transportation Safety Investigation Board.

Of particular interest for European interests is the large rail and road transit traffic through the Alps.

Organisation

The Department is composed of the following offices:

• General Secretariat
• Federal Office for Spatial Development (ARE): Coordinates area planning between the federal agencies, the cantons and the municipalities.
• Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN): Responsible for matters of the environment, including the protection of plants and animals and the protection against noise, air pollution or natural hazards.
• Federal Office for Civil Aviation (FOCA): Regulates civil aviation.
• Federal Office of Communications (OFCOM): Regulates radio and TV stations, notably the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation.
• Federal Office of Energy (FOE): Responsible for the provision of electrical energy at the federal level, as well as for the supervision of dams.
• Federal Office of Transport (FOT): Responsible for public transport at the federal level, including the development of the federal rail network and navigation on the Rhine.
• Federal Roads Authority (FEDRO): Responsible for the construction, maintenance and operation of the national highway network.

The following independent authorities are affiliated to the DETEC for administrative purposes:

• Swiss Transportation Safety Investigation Board (formerly Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau and Investigation Bureau for Railway, Funicular and Boat Accidents).
• Federal Communications Commission (ComCom): Regulates the telecommunications market, awards service licences, rules on interconnection disputes and approves frequency and numbering plans.
• Federal Inspectorate for Heavy Current Installations (ESTI): Responsible for inspecting low and heavy-current electrical installations.
• Federal Nuclear Safety Inspectorate (HSK): Assesses and monitors security and radiation protection in Swiss nuclear installations.
• Federal Pipelines Inspectorate (ERI): Responsible for the planning, construction and operation of fuel pipeline systems in Switzerland and Liechtenstein.
• Independent Complaints Authority for Radio and Television: Decides on complaints about radio and television programmes.
• PostReg: Regulates the Swiss Post.
• Railways Arbitration Commission (RACO): Arbitrates in disputes over access to the rail network.

 

An Office Holder on Wikispooks

Name	From
Doris Leuthard	1 November 2010

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