./.WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONS/WPDR/W/16
4 September 2001
(01-4210)
Working Party on Domestic Regulation Original:  French
COMMUNICATION FROM SWITZERLAND
Applicability of the Disciplines on Domestic Regulation in the Accountancy Sector
to Other Professional Services
The following communication has been received from the Swiss Delegation with the request
that it be circulated to Members of the Working Party on Domestic Regulation.
_______________
I. INTRODUCTION
1. This paper outlines the results of the consultations held to date with Swiss professional
organizations regarding the relevance and applicability of the disciplines on domestic regulation in the
accountancy sector.  The organizations canvassed represent the following professions:  engineers,
consulting engineers, architects, lawyers, notaries, members of the health profession, doctors, dentistsand veterinary surgeons.
II. METHODOLOGY
2. The organizations listed in the attached anne x were asked to answer the following three
questions:
(a) Do you feel that certain aspects of the accountancy disciplines need to be
strengthened as far as your profession is concerned?  If so, which and why?
(b) Should any aspects of the regulations relating to your profession which currently do
not come within the provisions of these disciplines also be covered?
(c) Are there any elements which, as far as your profession is concerned, are unnecessary
or inappropriate?  If so, which and why?  What modifications could, if need be, make
such elements appropriate?
III. RESULTS
3. As stated orally at meetings of the Working Party on Domestic Regulation, there has been no
opposition to accountancy disciplines being transposed to other sectors.  Neither did the organizations
consulted have any specific comments to make about their own professions.S/WPDR/W/16
Page 2
ANNEX
List of Organizations Consulted in Switzerland
• Swiss Veterinary Association
• Swiss Conference of Cantonal Directors for Health Affairs
• Swiss Conference of Architects
• Swiss Medical Federation
• Swiss Federation of Lawyers
• Swiss Federation of Notaries
• Swiss Society of Engineers and Architects
• Swiss Society of Consulting Engineers
• Swiss Dental Association
• Swiss Union of Liberal Professions
__________