Archive clearance in Switzerland
Professional, DSG-compliant and certified archive clearance – with record destruction in accordance with ISO/IEC 21964 and DIN 66399. We handle the assessment, sorting, collection and proper disposal of your documents throughout Switzerland, including Zurich, Basel, Bern, Geneva, Lucerne, St. Gall, Lausanne and Lugano.
Archive Clearances with a System – REISSWOLF Switzerland Takes Care of It for You
Whether due to expired retention periods, lack of space, a relocation or the disposal of legacy business records: we handle your entire archive clearance – securely, efficiently and audit-proof. Our certified specialist operations work in accordance with ISO/IEC 21964 and meet all requirements of the revised Swiss Data Protection Act (DSG) as well as the GDPR. Document destruction is carried out in full legal compliance and fully documented – through our certified document destruction services in Switzerland.
Your advantages at a glance:
- ✔ Professional planning and execution by experts
- ✔ Assessment, sorting and packing included
- ✔ Collection and document destruction with certificate
- ✔ Audit-proof and fully documented processes
- ✔ Available throughout Switzerland
Find the REISSWOLF service that meets your needs.
SOLUTION 1: REGULAR DOCUMENT DESTRUCTION
FOR COMPANIES
Maintain full control over your data destruction
at all times.
Ongoing disposal of business documents using
lockable security containers, scheduled collections
and certified destruction processes.
Ideal for companies with continuous data destruction requirements.
SOLUTION 2: ONE-OFF ARCHIVE CLEARANCE
& DOCUMENT DESTRUCTION
Clear out your archives –
we’ll take care of the rest.
We handle the complete clearance of your legacy archives:
sorting, packing, transport and destruction –
fully compliant with ISO/IEC 21964 and DIN 66399.
Also suitable for small quantities, starting from just one box.
Archive Clearance & Document Destruction from a Single Source
Depending on your specific requirements, we work with you to plan the optimal approach. REISSWOLF supports you with sorting and packing, secure transport using
security containers and GPS monitoring, as well as with certified document destruction in accordance with ISO/IEC 21964 – fully compliant with the Swiss Data Protection Act (DSG) and documented with an official certificate of destruction.
Our services at a glance:
- On-site assessment & project planning
- Review and separation according to protection classes in line with DIN 66399
- Provision of materials, packaging and, if required, secure containers
- Manual sorting and boxing carried out by trained specialists
- Transport by trained personnel using GPS-monitored specialist vehicles
- Certified document destruction including audit-proof documentation
Archive Clearance in 3 Steps – Audit-Proof and Compliant
1. Assessment & Planning
We assess the volume of your archives and evaluate your materials based on retention periods, protection classes and deletion obligations – in full compliance with the revised Swiss Data Protection Act (revDSG) and the Business Records Ordinance (GeBüV).
2. Collection & Transport
Collection by trained professionals using sealed security containers – compliant with the Swiss Data Protection Act (DSG) and documented through a seamless, end-to-end chain of custody.
3. Destruction & Proof of Disposal
Certified destruction of all documents and data carriers in accordance with ISO/IEC 21964 – including audit-proof documentation and a digital certificate of destruction as legally valid proof.
Frequently asked questions on
archive clearance in Switzerland
archive clearance in Switzerland
What does professional archive clearance mean?
A professional archive clearout comprises the systematic review, sorting, packup, removal and certified destruction of archive materials in accordance with the Data Protection Act (revDSG), GeBüV and ISO/IEC 21964. The goal is the legally compliant and complete clearance of analogue or hybrid archives.
How does REISSWOLF carry out archive clearances?
They follow a three-step process: 1. Analysis & planning the scope of the archive and protection classes, 2. Collection via GPS-monitored transport logistics, 3. DSG-compliant data destruction with an official certificate of destruction. We can provide a security container and live documentation at your request.
What legal requirements apply to archive disposal?
Archive clearances must comply with the provisions of the Data Protection Act (revDSG), the Business Records Ordinance (GeBüV), and the Swiss Code of Obligations (OR). Key considerations include retention periods and the obligation to destroy data in compliance with privacy regulations.
How much does REISSWOLF charge for archive clearance?
The cost depends on the size of the archive, the types of documents, the protection class and the location. We create a bespoke, transparent quote – even for small quantities or standalone sites.
What happens to documents after their legal retention period expires?
Documents whose statutory retention period has ended must be destroyed in compliance with data protection regulations. We assess retention periods, protection classes and deletion obligations – audit-proof and fully documented.
Is there a difference between archive clearance and document destruction?
Yes. In addition to the destruction of documents, an archive clearout includes checking, sorting, packup and logistics. Record destruction is part of the archive disposal process, but not a complete solution for complex archives.
In which regions does REISSWOLF offer its archive clearance services?
Our service is available throughout Switzerland. Our sites in Basel, Lucerne, Zurich and Geneva also support customers in Bern, Winterthur, Lausanne, St. Gall, Lugano and many other regions.
How soon can an archive clearance be arranged?
Usually within a few business days. We offer an express archive clearance for urgent projects (such as relocations, project completions or audits) with a priority service.
How are materials disposed of, and do I receive proof of disposal?
Yes. After your documents are destroyed, you receive a digital certificate of destruction with an audit-proof documentation of the process in compliance with the Data Protection Act and ISO.
Our archive clearance is ideal for various industries
SMEs & businesses
Construction firms, fiduciary companies, insurance providers or industrial enterprises – many businesses maintain extensive archives containing confidential documents. Compliance with statutory retention periods under the Swiss Code of Obligations (OR) and the Business Records Ordinance (GeBüV) is mandatory, as is data protection-compliant archive disposal. We support you throughout the entire archive clearance process, including sorting, collection, file shredding and documentation.
Public authorities, municipal offices and government agencies
Municipal administrations, cantonal offices or federal authorities – particularly in the public sector, large volumes of business records, HR files and minutes must be destroyed in an audit-proof manner. REISSWOLF provides compliant archive clearance, including assessment of protection classes, certified destruction and proof of disposal in compliance with the Swiss Data Protection Act.
Practices, hospitals & health centres
Medical facilities archive particularly sensitive data: patient records, lab reports, X-rays and surgical documentation. After the retention periods under the GeBüV have expired, a complete, DSG‑compliant archive clearance is required. REISSWOLF offers discreet, certified solutions for the healthcare sector – including a certificate of destruction.
Law firms, courts & fiduciaries
Law firms, notaries, courts and tax advisers manage large archives containing confidential client and case files. Our professional archive clearance services include the review, separation by protection class, collection in secure containers and certified destruction according to ISO/IEC 21964. Ideal for law firm transitions, office closures or mergers.
Certified archive clearance – why norms, standards and certifications are so important
Archive clearance is not a simple removal service; it’s a data protection–critical process in which legal requirements, retention periods and security standards must be strictly observed. Certified processes are crucial when disposing of sensitive documents such as patient records, business ledgers or official records. REISSWOLF Switzerland fulfils all the relevant norms for audit-proof archive disposal, transparently documented and DSG‑compliant.
Our certifications at a glance:
- ISO/IEC 21964: The foundation for data carrier and document destruction – governing all security-relevant steps involved in archive clearance.
- DIN 66399: The standard defining protection classes, security levels and material classification for the professional destruction of archived documents.
- ISO 9001: A documented quality management system ensuring structured, transparent and traceable archive clearance processes.
- ISO 14001: Environmental management certification – ensuring environmentally responsible recycling of cleared archive materials in line with circular economy principles.
- ISO 45001: The international standard for occupational health and safety – ensuring safe working practices and the responsible handling of confidential archived material by trained professionals.
Our processes are regularly audited by independent bodies. For every archive clearance, you receive an official certificate of destruction specifying the protection class, security level and method of disposal. This provides legal certainty, fulfils the requirements of the revised Swiss Data Protection Act (revDSG) and the Business Records Ordinance (GeBüV), and builds trust with your customers, patients, clients and public authorities.
Archive clearance topics & services
Which documents can be removed from the archives? A compact and easy-to-understand explanation of the most important deadlines for document retention – in line with OR, DSG and GeBüV.
Efficient disposal of small quantities – ideal for practices, law firms, accountants and independent offices with limited space.
Hard drives, DVDs, flash drives or backups – we dispose of digital data carriers in compliance with DIN 66399 and the Data Protection Act.
Secure containers for sensitive archive material: Our lockable e.l.sy. ® containers protect documents against access and tampering.
What does the revDSG require for archive clearances? And which records are subject to the GeBüV? We provide a legally compliant overview.
Responsible archive clearance: we use low‑carbon logistics and recycling processes to make your disposal eco‑friendly.
Archive Clearance Near You – Nationwide Coverage with Strong Local Roots
REISSWOLF Switzerland carries out professional archive clearances across all regions of the country – including assessment, sorting, transport and certified document destruction. In
Zurich, we primarily support law firms, corporations and fiduciaries with archive dissolution projects. In
Basel, pharmaceutical companies, industrial enterprises and healthcare institutions rely on our expertise when clearing extensive archive holdings. Our
Lucerne location mainly serves SMEs, public authorities and administrations in Central Switzerland, while in
Geneva, international organisations and companies trust our data protection-compliant disposal solutions.
In addition, our mobile teams operate in Bern, Lausanne, Lugano and many other regions throughout Switzerland. This ensures comprehensive, DSG-compliant and audit-proof archive clearance services – regardless of location or archive size.