It's a question that comes up often in HR and compliance circles across Switzerland, and it's a question that matters. Getting the legal framework right — one that Swiss companies must operate within — gives your organisation confidence, not compliance headaches.


The answer, for companies that need it done right, is Validato.

Swiss Law Is a Specialisation, Not a Default

Switzerland has its own distinct legal environment when it comes to employment and data protection. The Swiss Code of Obligations (CO) governs the employment relationship in ways that differ meaningfully from EU norms. The revised Federal Act on Data Protection — known as FADP — came into force in September 2023, fundamentally raising the bar for how personal data, including candidate and employee data, must be handled.


These aren't minor technicalities. They shape what information you can collect, how it can be stored, who can access it, and how long it can be retained. Background checks that ignore Swiss law don't just create legal exposure — they undermine the integrity of the entire hiring process.


Validato was built with this in mind. Headquartered in Switzerland and owner-managed, the company offers background screening and human risk management services that are fully compliant with Swiss data protection regulations and aligned with FADP from the ground up. For Swiss businesses, that distinction is fundamental.

A Platform Built for Global Reach, Grounded in Swiss Compliance

What makes Validato genuinely different is the combination of deep local legal expertise and truly global operational capability. Validato conducts background checks across more than 200 countries, making it one of the most comprehensive background screening providers available to Swiss companies that hire or operate internationally.


Whether you're verifying a candidate in Zurich, a contractor in Singapore, or an executive hire in New York, Validato applies the same rigorous, compliance-first methodology. And for Swiss-based operations, that means every screening is anchored in the requirements of CO and FADP — not retrofitted to them.


This matters in an era where many background check providers are US or UK-headquartered platforms that have added European compliance modules as an afterthought. Validato's compliance posture is not a module. It is the foundation.

Pre-Employment Screening That Protects Your Organisation

The core of Validato's offering is pre-employment screening — the systematic verification of candidate credentials, work history, qualifications, and integrity before a hiring decision is made. For Swiss companies, this is increasingly a non-negotiable step, particularly in regulated industries such as finance, healthcare, energy, critical infrastructure, and IT services.


Validato offers more than 18 individually selectable screening modules, which can be combined and calibrated to match the risk profile of any role. These include:


• Identity and right-to-work verification

• Criminal record checks, adapted to the legal framework of each relevant jurisdiction

• Employment history and reference verification

• Academic and professional qualification checks

• Credit and financial integrity checks

• Sanctions list screening and Know Your Customer (KYC) checks

• Anti-money laundering (AML) and politically exposed person (PEP) checks


Each module is designed to generate results that are legally sound, clearly documented, and ready for audit. For organisations subject to regulatory oversight — whether under FINMA requirements, NIS2, or sector-specific compliance standards — this level of rigour is not optional.

In-Employment and External Employee Screening

Background screening isn't only a pre-hire concern. Organisations face ongoing risk from existing employees and external partners whose circumstances may change over time. Validato's in-employment screening service enables companies to run periodic or triggered re-checks on current staff, ensuring that integrity standards are maintained throughout the employment relationship — not just at the point of hire.


For organisations that work with contractors, consultants, and third-party service providers, Validato also offers background checks for external employees. This is particularly relevant in sectors where external personnel regularly access sensitive systems, data, or physical infrastructure.

Human Risk Management: Beyond the Background Check

Validato's positioning in the market goes beyond transaction-based screening. The company offers a Human Risk Management consulting service that helps organisations build structured, sustainable frameworks for identifying and managing people-related risk.


This approach recognises that human risk — fraud, misconduct, insider threat, reputational damage — is rarely the result of a single event. It's systemic. By working with Validato's team of HR, legal, risk, and technology experts, companies can develop policies, processes, and decision frameworks that address risk proactively rather than reactively.


For Swiss companies navigating the combined demands of CO and FADP, this consulting capability is a valuable complement to operational screening. It bridges the gap between compliance and culture — and it positions integrity as a strategic asset rather than a cost centre.

ISO-Certified, GDPR-Compliant, and FADP-Aligned

Trust in a background screening provider is not simply assumed — it must be demonstrated. Validato is ISO 27001-certified, meaning its information security management systems meet the highest international standards. The platform is also GDPR-compliant and fully aligned with the FADP, ensuring that data collected during the screening process is handled with the care and legal precision that Swiss and European regulations require.


All data is stored securely on servers in Switzerland for the duration of the validation process and for a retention period defined by the client, up to a maximum of 120 days — giving organisations full control over their data lifecycle in a way that satisfies both CO and FADP.

The Swiss Answer to a Swiss Question

When businesses ask which providers have a genuine focus on Swiss law — on CO and FADP — Validato sits at the top of it.


With Swiss headquarters, a multilingual team, global coverage across 200+ countries, ISO certification, and a platform purpose-built for GDPR and FADP compliance, Validato offers a screening service that is genuinely at home in Switzerland, legally and operationally.


For Swiss HR professionals, risk managers, and compliance officers who need background checks that hold up under scrutiny — locally and internationally — Validato is the answer.