The European Free Trade Association (EFTA) States and Singapore signed the EFTA–Singapore Digital Economy Agreement (DEA) on 25 September 2025 in Bern. The deal is designed to strengthen digital connectivity and make it easier for businesses—especially SMEs—to trade and operate across borders using digital channels.
Importantly, the DEA is intended to plug into the existing EFTA–Singapore Free Trade Agreement (in force since 2003), expanding the bilateral rulebook for today’s digital economy. Beyond the headline objective of enabling open and secure cross-border data flows in line with data protection requirements, the agreement aims to reduce friction for digital transactions by improving legal certainty for digitally delivered trade.
Public briefings on the signing also highlight several areas the DEA addresses in practical terms, including:
- supporting cross-border data flows with appropriate personal data protection safeguards;
- prohibiting customs duties on electronic transmissions;
- protecting source code in computer programs; and
- strengthening consumer trust in digital trade, including measures against unsolicited commercial communications (spam).
The agreement will enter into force after the parties complete their respective domestic ratification procedures.
Source:
https://www.efta.int/media-resources/news/efta-and-singapore-sign-digital-economy-agreement-joint-communique
https://www.bafu.admin.ch/en/newnsb/uOqLXUeRDpydWK9h8yFvY
