Register data

Registers offer a centralised source of information on businesses and people, such as addresses. Thanks to registers, people and businesses only have to provide their data to the government once. This reduces the administrative burden for the government, and also for people and businesses. This factsheet focuses on the widely available register data relating to businesses, ordinary people and infrastructures as well as register data in general.

What are register data?

Register data are essential information that is collected and used by the government. If these data are well organised, many tasks can be automated and simplified. The data are carefully recorded, maintained and passed on to ensure that they are always correct and up to date. Authorised users can access these data easily. The government manages shared register data in compliance with data protection regulations.

Definitions of registers

“A [...] registry (sic) is a trusted and authoritative source of information which can and should be digitally reused by others, where one organisation is responsible and accountable for the collection, use, updating and preservation of information. [...] registries are reliable sources of basic information on data items such as people, companies, vehicles, licences, buildings, locations and roads. This type of information constitutes the ‘master data’ for public administrations and European public service delivery. ‘Authoritative’ here means that a base registry is considered to be the ‘source’ of information, i.e. it shows the correct status, is up-to-date and is of the highest possible quality and integrity 'Authentic' in this context means that a [...] register is regarded as a 'reliable source' of information, i.e. it contains correct information on status, is up-to-date and offers the highest possible quality and integrity.” European Interoperability Framework – Implementation Strategy

“Registers are key instruments in legal transactions: They are used to systematically record and visualise data according to specific characteristics. The information collected is used by the government and the courts to fulfil their tasks. However, publicly accessible registers also fulfil a publicity function: they provide information on the legal status of a legal entity (a natural person, company or business, plot of ground, etc.).” Digital Public Services Switzerland 

Register data are essential information that is collected and used by the government. If these data are well organised, many tasks can be automated and simplified. The data are carefully recorded, maintained and passed on to ensure that they are always correct and up to date. Authorised users can access these data easily. The government manages shared register data in compliance with data protection regulations.

Aim of registers

Centralised registers can be used to automate and simplify administrative processes. The register data are recorded, managed and used in high quality in controlled processes. Authorised persons can access register data easily.

The availability of register data is a prerequisite for the digital transformation of the administration.

Register data reduces the administrative burden for the public and for businesses: they only have to report their data or changes to that data to an authority once. When dealing with other authorities, the data are already available.

Current work

From 2025, Digital Public Services Switzerland will develop an architectural vision for the data of natural persons in Switzerland. The Federal Chancellery and the offices that currently operate registers of persons at federal level will be involved in this process. The cantons, communes and other interested groups are involved in the work.

At federal level, the various topics are organised by coordination groups for businesses, natural persons and infrastructure. If necessary, these groups contact administrative offices in the cantons and communes.

In implementing the Federal Administration’s digital administration strategy, measures relating to registers are being planned and
implemented in Priority 1 ‘Networked thinking in administration’.

Background: Common federal master data management (2019–2024)

As part of the common federal master data management strategy, it was ensured that previous projects such as the introduction of a new form of register were coordinated based on a common system of master data management. The Federal Chancellery (FCh) developed basic legal, organisational and ICT principles for expanding the system of common master data management. A report, an organisational concept with tasks and roles and a target image were created for the master data relating to businesses.

The Federal Chancellery, the Federal Statistical Office, swisstopo and Digital Public Services Switzerland worked together on three types of master data: master data relating to natural persons, master data on spaces and master data on buildings. The Federal Statistical Office set targets and drew up a related ordinance for housing and other buildings. A concept for register data in the geoinformation sector was developed at swisstopo. For data relating to natural persons, the Federal Statistical Office set itself a target based on the National Address Service.

Until 2024, the data was processed with the focus on master data. Master data are data on fundamental aspects of business processes, which in public administration are often kept in registers. Many administrative offices need them as the basis for their work, and the data rarely change due to their nature. Examples include data on companies, people and buildings. The work is now being extended to include registers.

Prototype for ‘Linked Data’ on natural persons

The prototype investigated the way in which data stored in various registers were used in networks, based on data
relating to natural persons (e.g. OASI numbers, names, addresses, etc.). The aim was to take a practical example to understand how personal data can be used securely and in a trustworthy manner across multiple systems. The prototype was brought into operation as part of the Swiss data ecosystem.

The findings from the prototypes can be used to develop the architectural vision for the natural person’s data.

Further information

Links

SB018 – ICT sub-strategy for expanding federal joint master data management