Authorisation of research projects

In human research, a distinction is drawn in Switzerland between projects that require authorisation and those that do not.

No requirement to obtain authorisation for research projects with anonymised data

In the case of projects where anonymised biological material or anonymised health-related data of human beings are evaluated, the persons concerned need fear no disadvantage or harm. For that reason, no authorisation is required for these types of projects.

Requirement to obtain authorisation for research projects with traceable data or actively induced effects on participants

If a research project actively induces an effect among research participants or uses traceable health-related data or traceable biological material, the persons involved may incur a disadvantage or harm. These types of projects are thus subject to the Human Research Act and have to be officially approved.

Human research projects that require/do not require authorisation: No authorisation is required for projects using anonymised data, whereas projects that use traceable data and those that actively induce an effect among participants do require authorisation.
Human research projects that require/do not require authorisation

No authorisation is required for projects using anonymised data, whereas projects that use traceable data and those that actively induce an effect among participants do require authorisation.