Mandate of the ECNH - The ECNH is an extraparlamentarian committee. It advises the Federal Council and the authorities on legislation and enforcement in the field of non-human biotechnology and gene technology from an ethical point of view.

Legal foundations - The Federal Council established the ECNH by decree in April 1998. The Gene Technology Act (in German, French, and Italian) of 21 March 2003, which came into effect on 1 January 2004, created a new legals basis (in Article 23) for the mandate of the ECNH.

Members - The 12 members of the ECNH are independent experts from various fields.

Secretariat - The Secretariat advises and supports the Committee in the fulfilment of its mandate.