Archiving and information management
The purpose of archiving is to provide knowledge, make information sources accessible, and document decisions and developments transparently.
Documents remain accessible over the long term
Archiving must ensure that documents are not changed, can be easily retrieved, and remain usable over time. The archived materials must be preserved and digital data must always be readable.
Government actions remain transparent
The Swiss Federal Archives (SFA) is responsible for archiving and information management at the federal level. The SFA evaluates, preserves, catalogues and provides access to records of enduring value of the Swiss Confederation in both analogue and digital form. By doing so, it documents the origins and development of the rule of law and ensures transparency over government actions.
This enables the administration to account for its activities and work more efficiently. For the public and researchers, archiving is essential to be able to form an independent and critical opinion in a democratic state governed by the rule of law. The Swiss Federal Archives can be accessed and searched online or on-site.