Crans-Montana: Switzerland pauses plan to relax fire safety laws

The Association of Cantonal Building Insurers (VKG) has announced that plans to relax fire safety laws in Switzerland will be paused following a fire in Crans-Montana on New Year’s Day.

VKG confirms fire safety changes will be paused

The organisation had planned to introduce new regulations in 2027 that would ease some of the Swiss fire safety regulations. Rolf Meier, head of communication at VKG, has confirmed that the plans have been halted following a New Year’s Eve fire which took 40 lives and injured many, reports Watson. 

The Swiss fire protection regulations (BSV) have been in place for 10 years and apply nationwide. The regulations detail fire safety measures in buildings and are implemented by cantonal and local authorities.

Draft legislation included longer fire escape routes

In September 2025, the Association of Cantonal Fire Insurers (VKF), the organisation responsible for fire safety measures, submitted a 500-page draft of reviewed legislation for public consultation. The consultation was due to run until January 11, 2026, and would have been followed by a government review later in the year.

The BSV draft included a relaxation of rules such as “longer escape routes or simplified requirements for combustible building components”, according to Watson. It is not yet clear for how long the planned review will be paused, with a new project timetable is currently being created.