According to the International Labor Organization (ILO), almost 3 million people worldwide die at work every year - an increase of over 12 percent compared to 2000. Most of these deaths are due to occupational diseases.

Deaths in Switzerland significantly lower compared to the rest of the world

According to statistics, deaths from occupational diseases are also higher than deaths from accidents at work in Switzerland. Between 2019 and 2023, around 218 employees died each year as a result of their work, 153 of these deaths were due to occupational diseases. The proportion of these deaths due to occupational diseases (70%) is well below the global average. It is also worth noting that 90 percent of deaths from occupational diseases in Switzerland are attributable to asbestos.

The culture of prevention: a cornerstone of health and safety in the workplace

On the occasion of World Day for Safety and Health at Work on April 28, 2025, Suva reminds us that the vital rules and checklists are still part of the basics of accident prevention. At the same time, however, the integration of a strong, evolving prevention culture that is practiced by all stakeholders must be further promoted.
For Suva, this requires six dimensions: Communication, values & rules, leadership, learning, responsibility and operational organization.

In order to master the current challenges in the area of occupational safety, health protection and leisure safety, it is important to integrate this prevention approach into everyday working life. "A strong prevention culture can be recognized by the fact that safe and healthy working is a matter of course for the company and its employees," reminds Heinz Waldmann, occupational safety/health protection expert at Suva.

After all, a strong prevention culture not only helps to significantly reduce accidents and absences, but also helps to improve performance, efficiency, the quality of work and the image and reputation of the company. According to Suva, a culture of prevention is therefore an important investment in the company and its employees.

More information: Suva

This article originally appeared on m-q.ch - https://www.m-q.ch/de/28-april-welttag-fuer-sicherheit-und-gesundheit-am-arbeitsplatz/

There is a change in the shareholder structure at Excom Media. The long-standing co-owners Hans-Ueli "Jöggi" Rihs and Theo Meister have decided to hand over their shares to Marc Goetti due to their age. Goetti is CEO and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the company and will take over all shares from Rihs and Meister on Thursday. He will thus become the main shareholder of Excom Media.

Rihs and Meister played a key role in the establishment and development of the company. Their departure is part of an orderly handover. With the takeover by Goetti, the management remains in experienced hands. According to a press release, he sees the move as an incentive to continue the company's development: "We will continue to pursue bold ideas, develop creative solutions and position Excom Media as a pioneer in the Swiss media landscape."

There will be no further changes to the Board of Directors. In addition to Marc Goetti, Dragan Dojcinovic, Managing Director and CCO of Nau.ch, and Markus Rihs, CFO of Excom Media, will remain in their roles.

Valérie Schelker will take over as Head of the Migros Group's Human Resources Management (HRM) department from November 2025. In her new role, she will also be responsible for Migros' quality organizations - namely SQTS and quality management - and will be a member of the Executive Board of the Federation of Migros Cooperatives.

The Migros Group employs around 99,000 people and is currently undergoing a comprehensive corporate transformation. As part of this realignment, the focus is to be increasingly placed on the core business. The HR department plays a central role in this process, particularly with regard to corporate culture, talent development and sustainable working relationships, according to a press release.

Valérie Schelker has many years of management experience in human resources. She has been a member of the Executive Board of Swiss Post since 2017, where she is responsible for the HR strategy for around 45,000 employees. Prior to that, she was a member of the Executive Board of PostFinance, among others. In her career to date, she has played a key role in shaping the transformation of the working world within the Swiss Post Group and successfully positioned the company in the labor market. She is also a member of the BLS Board of Directors and a board member of the Swiss Employers' Association.

In a statement, the agency paid tribute to outgoing Managing Partner Felix Adank, saying that he had played a key role in shaping the agency's strategic and content-related development - particularly in public relations and social media. He looked after numerous clients from the worlds of business and administration. He supported municipalities and cities in the communicative implementation of site development projects and in participation processes with the population. For three years, he also managed the office of the Smart City Association Bern.

He continues his commitment as climate officer and project manager of the "Smart Urban Heat Map" a publicly accessible online monitoring network that documents the urban heat in the Bern region. The agency's existing and new mandates in the areas of content, media relations and social media will in future be managed by the two Managing Partners Lorenz Jaggi and Marco Di Piazza. As part of this change, Consign is focusing on the targeted expansion of partnerships with established agencies or qualified individuals with proven expertise. Felix Adank will remain associated with Consign as Associated Partner and will continue to manage individual mandates and selected projects.

Lidl Switzerland is underlining its commitment to Swiss products with "Qualité Suisse". In future, Swiss products will be bundled under the new own brand and given a uniform brand identity. Previously, Swiss products at Lidl Switzerland were sold under various own brands such as Milbona, Fromani, Maestade and Bonvalle and were labeled with a Swiss cross on the shelf.

From May 8, 2025, around 200 items with the label will initially be available in the stores - 30 of which have been newly introduced. According to Lidl, the range is set to grow to 500 products by the end of the year. The new brand stands for Swiss origin and is intended to make it easier for customers to identify and access local products.

At the start, the range will include fruit and vegetables, fresh bread, fresh meat, cheese, charcuterie and dairy products. Other categories such as frozen products, drinks, ice cream and baked goods will follow over the course of the year.

CEO Nicholas Pennanen describes the launch as "a clear commitment to Swiss production" and a significant investment in domestic agriculture. Around 300 Swiss suppliers currently work with Lidl Switzerland, and more than 50 percent of sales are already accounted for by products from Switzerland. The company aims to further increase this share with the new own brand.

Check Point Research (CPR), the threat intelligence division of Check Point® Software Technologies Ltd.a leading provider of cyber security solutions, has published its cyber attack statistics for the period Q1 2025.

Highest increase in Switzerland

In Germany, general cyber attacks increased significantly compared to the first quarter of 2024 (+55%). The increase was even greater in Austria (+69%) and Switzerland (+113%). Ransomware attacks are also on the rise, with a global increase of 126% compared to Q1 2024 and a total of 2,289 reported incidents. However, most ransomware attacks again took place in North America, where 62% of all reported cases occurred, followed by Europe with 21%.

Figure 1: Table with selected figures (Kafka Kommunikation GmbH & Co. KG).

Heavily affected education sector

In terms of industries, the education sector was the most affected in the first quarter of 2025 with an average of 4,484 attacks per organization per week - an increase of 73% compared to the previous year. The government sector followed closely behind with 2,678 attacks per organization per week, an increase of 51%, while the telecommunications sector recorded the highest percentage increase with a rise of 94% to 2,664 attacks per organization per week.

Figure 2: Attacks by sector (Check Point Software Technologies Ltd.).

In the first quarter of 2025, the global average number of cyber attacks per company per week was 1,925, an increase of 47% compared to the same quarter of the previous year.

Figure 3: Global average of weekly cyber attacks (Check Point Software Technologies Ltd.).

The data in the report comes from the ThreatCloud AIthe Big Data Intelligence Engine from Check Point. This is where big data telemetry and Indicators of Compromise (IoC) converge millions of times a day. The network is fed by 150,000 connected networks and millions of end devices. Check Point's security researchers also add data from their own research and from external expert sources. The ThreatCloud AI also updates the threat data of all connected Check Point products in real time on this basis. Over 50 AI engines generate weekly reports from the attacks intercepted by Check Point products and from corporate networks that Check Point protects, broken down by sector and country.

Best practice recommendations against cyber attacks

The increasing frequency and sophistication of cyber attacks underscores the need for comprehensive security strategies that must go beyond traditional defenses. The following recommendations are based on Check Point best practices:

• Advanced threat detection: Use technologies such as sandboxing and anti-ransomware tools to detect and block tricky attacks.
• Implementation of a zero-trust architecture: Enforce strict identity verification for every person and device that wants to access network resources.
• Regular data backups and incident response planning: Regularly back up critical data and create comprehensive incident response plans to manage attacks and minimize their impact immediately.
• Strengthening of safety precautions: Update your systems regularly to eliminate vulnerabilities. It's important to have multiple layers of security, including firewalls and endpoint protection.
• Training and sensitization of employees: Regular training can inform employees about the risks and phishing techniques and thus promote a culture of vigilance.
• Network segmentation: Isolate critical systems to contain the spread of attacks and protect sensitive data.
• Vulnerability management: Conduct regular vulnerability assessments and penetration tests and prioritize remediation of potential impacts.

This article originally appeared on m-q.ch - https://www.m-q.ch/de/anstieg-von-cyber-angriffen-auf-schweizer-unternehmen-im-ersten-quartal-2025/

Following the successful completion of the this year's Swiss Cyber Security Days the organizers are already planning the next edition. In 2026, leading national and international speakers will once again shed light on the opportunities and challenges of cyberspace and new technologies such as artificial intelligence over two days on the Main and Tech Stages of the congress area. The speakers come from the fields of science, research, administration, business and the media. In addition, a large number of exhibitors will once again be offering concrete solutions and products in the field of cyber security in the Bernexpo exhibition halls.

The motto of the SCSD 2026: Digital Sovereignty - The New Frontier

At a time when geopolitical developments are focusing on the importance of digital autonomy and sovereignty, the SCSD 2026 is sending out a strong signal with its motto "Digital Sovereignty - The New Frontier". The event will focus on jointly developing new solutions to shape our digital future in a self-determined way. The program will highlight current findings from technology, research, society and geopolitics in the digital context and create a platform for national and international exchange.

"In February 2026, Bern will once again become Switzerland's cyber metropolis under the motto 'Digital Sovereignty - The New Frontier'. National and international experts will not only discuss the opportunities and risks in cyberspace and present possible solutions, but also how digital sovereignty is a key concept for the future. The focus will be on pioneering technologies and their impact on society in order to develop ways in which states, organizations and individuals can gain control and independence in the digital space," explains Nik Gugger, President of the SCSD and National Councillor.

Largest Swiss expo in the field of cyber security

Alongside the top-class congress program, the event has developed into the largest Swiss trade fair in the field of cyber security in recent years. Next year, the organizers are expecting over 120 well-known exhibitors to present the latest solutions and services for authorities, large corporations, SMEs and people with an interest in IT and security in two exhibition halls. The Expo offering will be complemented by spacious networking areas, the podcasting lounge, two best-practice stages and the special "StartUp" and "Career" zones.

More information: www.scsd.ch

This article originally appeared on m-q.ch - https://www.m-q.ch/de/swiss-cyber-security-days-2026-geben-motto-bekannt/

Samsung Switzerland is continuing the AI Experience Tour in 2025. After the start in Zurich, the company made a stop at the SunIce Festival in St. Moritz and is planning further appearances at events with large audiences, including Fantasy Basel at the end of May.

The Galaxy AI roadshow aims to give visitors an understanding of the many ways in which Samsung's own AI technology can be used in everyday life. Functions such as live translations, smart image editing and creative text support will be demonstrated. Samsung is focusing on a playful format with the support of promoters. The "How Long Can You Hang" challenge was also held in St. Moritz, where participants could win a Galaxy Ring. There was also cash and a Galaxy S25 Ultra to be won at the festival in St. Moritz.

The tour will be accompanied by content creators who will share their experiences with Galaxy AI on site and engage in dialog with the audience. "With the AI Experience Tour 2025, we want to show how much creative power and practical use there is in our Galaxy AI features in a fun, accessible way. Festivals like SunIce offer the perfect environment for this," explains Marketing Director Toni Koller.

The next stop on the tour is Fantasy Basel from May 29 to 31. Further locations are being planned and will be announced at a later date.

BloqSens AG is a young company based in Biel, Switzerland, which specializes in Digital Product Passports (DPP, see background article from MQ 3-4/2025 - with costs - here) based on distributed ledger technology (DLT). The company is now moving into new premises at the Switzerland Innovation Park Biel/Bienne (SIPBB). The SIPBB is a private, non-profit organization based in the canton of Bern that conducts and supports industry-related, predominantly applied research and development. "We are delighted to welcome Peter Krummenacher and his team to our park. With its offering, BloqSens AG is making an important contribution to fully exploiting the potential of digital transformation in companies," says Anita Jörg, COO & CMO of Switzerland Innovation Park Biel/Bienne.

As a "Swiss Made Digital Service", BloqSens AG is developing a platform for digital product passports, including the digital battery passport, which will be mandatory for e-cars, e-bikes and e-scooters as well as industrial batteries from 2027 in accordance with EU regulations. Using distributed ledger technology (DLT), BloqSens offers tamper-proof and scalable solutions that enable transparency and traceability along the entire value chain and support the principles of the circular economy. In addition to developing industry-specific applications, the company also offers consulting services, including SAP consulting. It also has an excellent network as a GS1 Solution Partner and as a member of CES (Circular Economy Switzerland) and iBAT (Swiss Battery Association).

Peter Krummenacher, CEO of BloqSens AG, comments: "We are delighted to become part of the SIPBB network. The proximity to leading technology partners and the use of the park's infrastructure will help us to further develop our solutions and drive digital transformation in the industry." The Switzerland Innovation Park Biel/Bienne is a leading competence center for applied research and development in the fields of Industry 4.0 and sustainable technologies. With its Swiss Smart Factory, the park offers a platform for test and demonstration projects as well as a strong network of industry and research partners.

Source and further information: www.bloqsens.com

This article originally appeared on m-q.ch - https://www.m-q.ch/de/digitale-produktpaesse-bloqsens-zieht-in-biel-ein/

The marketing trade association MMA Germany is now operating under the name MMA DACH. The German chapter of the Mobile Marketing Association is thus expanding its focus to the entire DACH region and is now also active in Switzerland and Austria. The new name goes hand in hand with a comprehensive brand relaunch, which includes a revised logo and a updated website includes.

The MMA sees itself as a cross-industry network for marketing, media and technology experts. The aim is to promote the transfer of knowledge on current developments such as artificial intelligence, data analytics and retail media and to intensify the exchange between companies in the region. The renaming of the "Smarties Award Germany" to the "Smarties DACH Award" in 2024 was the first step towards a regionally expanded focus. Since then, companies from Switzerland and Austria have also been able to apply for the industry award.

Daniel Jäger, Head of Group Media at Deutsche Telekom and Board Director of MMA DACH, comments: "Our new role as MMA DACH takes us to the next level. We are convinced that the members of the MMA will benefit greatly from this expansion due to the even larger network and the associated expanded exchange of experience beyond national borders."

The first opportunity for a personal exchange with representatives of the newly formed association will be at the OMR industry event in Hamburg from May 6 to 7, 2025.

From 11 to 14 March 2025, experts from all over the world gathered in Lyon for the 22nd edition of the International Metrology Congress (CIM2025), organized by the Collège Français de Métrologie (CFM). The event was held as part of the Global Industrie trade fair and once again demonstrated its central importance for science and industry in the field of metrology.

150 years of the Meter Convention - an anniversary edition

The year 2025 marked a special highlight: the 150th anniversary of the Metre Convention, a milestone in international cooperation in metrology. In his speech, Martin Milton, Director of the BIPM and President of CIM2025, paid tribute to this occasion with the words: "We are celebrating 150 years of the Metre Convention - it is the basis for measurements for all nations." This emphasized the fundamental role of metrology for science, industry and society.

Growing international resonance

With around 500 participants from 40 countries, the scope of the congress was clearly demonstrated. Current topics such as the digitalization of measurement technology, artificial intelligence and sustainability were discussed intensively in a total of 180 lectures and poster presentations. New formats such as the QI Digital Atelier and a short seminar on ISO/IEC 17025 also enriched the program.

Bridge between science and industry

A central element of the congress was the "Metrology Village" - a 1,000 square meter exhibition area where 60 companies presented their innovations. The close connection to industry was also reflected in the opening, where Thomas Courbe (DGE), Laurent Labatut (Trescal) and Cosimi Corleto (CFM), among others, took to the stage. The latter emphasized: "Cooperation between metrology and industry is essential for technological progress."

Voices from the experts

The scientific exchange and the international atmosphere were particularly appreciated by the participants. Andrea Giura (INRiM), awarded for the best poster presentation, emphasized: "It was fascinating to see how different fields of metrology interact and enable technological advances." Pauline Lemaire (MERSEN) praised the organization and the diversity of the audience: "The international community was strongly represented, the environment was open and collegial."

For young scientists such as Térence Bordet (COLAS), winner of the prize for the best presentation, the congress was a valuable platform: "This award motivates us to push our research further."

A successful milestone

With over 45,000 visitors to the Global Industry trade fair, an increase of 20 % compared to 2023, the relevance of CIM was once again underlined. The congress offered a unique space for knowledge transfer, networking and the promotion of joint innovation dynamics. The next edition of the International Metrology Congress CIM will take place in 2027.

Source and further information: https://www.cim-metrology.org/en/. This report was prepared with the support of KI. 

This article originally appeared on m-q.ch - https://www.m-q.ch/de/cim2025-metrologie-im-zeichen-der-zukunft/

The advertising market in Switzerland remains in reverse gear in March 2025. Gross advertising expenditure in traditional media amounted to CHF 340.7 million, which corresponds to a decline of 4.0% compared to the same month last year. A decline of 3.2% was already recorded in February.

None of the traditional media groups were able to achieve a positive result compared to the previous year. However, the ranking within the media mix remains stable: TV is still ahead of print, followed by out-of-home, radio and cinema.

Accumulated gross value added for the first quarter amounted to CHF 859.5 million, which corresponds to a year-on-year decline of 4.3%.

The digital advertising market is also showing declining trends in the areas of search and display. With a share of 52.3%, search nevertheless remains the leader, ahead of display with 33.1%. Only YouTube recorded growth, with a market share of 14.6%.

Retail trade dominates - but with moderate growth
Only eight out of 21 sectors were able to grow in the traditional advertising market. With gross advertising expenditure of CHF 36.2 million in March, the retail trade remains in the lead, but only recorded an increase of 5.8%. Stronger growth was recorded by the media (+18.2 %), cleaning (+17.6 %) and digital & household (+17.0 %) sectors, among others.

Leisure, gastronomy, tourism (+6.4 %), pharmaceuticals & healthcare (+4.4 %), transportation (+13.7 %) and personal care (+2.1 %) also developed positively.

13 sectors showed a downward trend. Nevertheless, the food industry is in second place with a decline of 6.9%. Other sectors affected include construction, industry, furnishings (-9.6 %), vehicles (-9.1 %), initiatives & campaigns (-3.7 %) and finance (-1.1 %). At the lower end of the scale are energy (-58.8 %) and tobacco products (-29.1 %).

In the digital market, the leisure, gastronomy and tourism sector is at the top of both the monthly and annual rankings, while the retail sector leads the traditional market.

The rankings of individual sectors show parallels between the two markets: Beverages is ranked 14th in each case, while Pharma & Health and Cosmetics & Personal Care are in the midfield. While tobacco products bring up the rear in the traditional market, the cleaning sector occupies this position in the digital sector.

In the Display segment, mobile phone provider Spusu.ch is once again in first place. Booking.com remains at the top of the SEO rankings, while the nicotine brand Zyn achieved the top position on YouTube. The Swiss Airlines flight offering and the Swiss.com platform both appear in ninth place in both areas.