Switzerland – Sectoral environmental auditing services – VASA-Kontrollen (Audits bei Deponien)

Based on Article 32e of the Federal Act on Environmental Protection (EPA, SR 814.01), the Ordinance on the Levy for the Remediation of Contaminated Sites (VASA, SR 814.681) was introduced in 2001. Its purpose is to ensure the financing of measures for the investigation, monitoring, and remediation of contaminated sites. The contractor is responsible for carrying out the levy collection audits outsourced by the Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN) in accordance with the Ordinance on the Levy for the Remediation of Contaminated Sites. Wherever possible, these audits should be conducted with as few people as possible to reduce the risk of conflicts of interest. The contractor will conduct the VASA audits according to the FOEN's specifications and ensure an independent and neutral assessment. Should the personal interests of the individuals involved be directly affected during the audit process, they must recuse themselves, and the contractor must immediately provide a replacement. The services to be procured comprise approximately 20 VASA audits annually. This contract runs for four years with the option to extend it twice by two years each time. The final list of landfills to be inspected is determined by the Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN) at the beginning of each year and sent to the contractor. This list includes the contact details of the landfill operators and the responsible cantonal representatives, who are also informed that the contractor has been commissioned and authorized to carry out the VASA inspections.