In Switzerland, Research Ethics Committees are distinguished from other kinds of ethics committees, particularly the national ethics committees (CNE) and Clinical Ethics committees (CEC):

• The CNE does not issue opinions on research projects, but has an advisory role. It takes an ethical stand on social, scientific and legal issues relating to scientific developments and their application to human health and disease. It is an independent extra-parliamentary committee.
• CECs are directly attached to institutions such as hospitals, with the purpose of helping physicians and health care providers to take real-life decisions in connection with medical practice and the care of patients.

The ethical evaluation of research projects occurs at two levels:

• at the cantonal level through the REC,
• and at the federal level through The Swiss Agency for Therapeutic Products (Swissmedic) and the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH).

At the cantonal level, RECs can be organized under one of two models:

• The REC can be established by an act of government (ordinance, decision). The State Council appoints the members and regulates the organisation.
• The REC can be established independently, but is recognised by cantonal authorities. In the Geneva, Vaud and Zurich cantons, RECs were established by university hospitals. In the Valais, it was established by the central institute for Valais hospital, which is a foundation (an institution under private law), but which operates under legislative delegation on the basis of a service agreement issued by the State Council.

A Listing of all Swiss Ethics Committees may be found under the following Weblink:

SWISS ETHICS