Swiss statistics office and global business identity organization establish a 'direct data connection'
The Global Legal Entity Identifier Foundation (GLEIF) has partnered with Switzerland's Federal Statistical Office (FSO) to integrate business registry data directly into the LEI records of Swiss businesses. This collaboration significantly enhances international business transparency and due diligence processes [1][2].
With this integration, a direct, one-click access link from each LEI record leads users to the authoritative Swiss business registry (UID register), allowing instant verification of official company registration data for Swiss entities.
This development offers several benefits:
- Improved verification and reliability: By linking LEI records directly to the official Swiss business registry, it ensures the authenticity and accuracy of entity information, supporting more reliable entity identification worldwide.
- Faster and more efficient due diligence: Stakeholders such as investors, regulators, and counterparties can access certified official data with a single click from the GLEIF platform, streamlining the processes of compliance, financial reporting, and risk assessment.
- Enhanced global visibility of Swiss entities: The integration boosts discoverability of Swiss businesses in global transactions, particularly benefiting small and medium enterprises (SMEs) by increasing their international profile and credibility.
- Supports global regulatory and transparency standards: As LEIs are widely used in regulatory reporting and financial markets, this enriched data linkage aligns with global initiatives to improve data quality, reduce fraud risk, and promote digital trust in cross-border trade [1][2].
This is part of a broader trend where GLEIF is enabling similar integrations with other national registries (e.g., UK Companies House, the Netherlands Chamber of Commerce), advancing the global LEI ecosystem and contributing to interoperable, trusted digital business identity systems [1].
As of June 2025, the Global LEI System Statistics Dashboard shows that 23,064 businesses in Switzerland have an active LEI, with 6,838 described as 'lapsed' [1]. This partnership is expected to significantly enhance international business transparency and enable global identifiability and discoverability.
References: [1] GLEIF. (n.d.). Swiss FSO-GLEIF Data Link. Retrieved from https://www.gleif.org/en/news/swiss-fso-gleif-data-link [2] Federal Statistical Office Switzerland. (n.d.). UID Register. Retrieved from https://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/en/home/statistics/business-and-industry/business-register/business-register-statistics.html
- By partnering with the Swiss Federal Statistical Office, GLEIF has merged technology with business and finance, enhancing the LEI system's capabilities to provide easy access to official company registration data for Swiss entities, thereby promoting global transparency, due diligence, and compliance.
- The integration of business registry data from Switzerland into LEI records contributes to GLEIF's efforts to create a global digital identity system that aligns with international regulatory and transparency standards, utilizing technology to improve identification, discoverability, and trust in cross-border business interactions.
