Environmental provisions relate to the environmental protection measures required at former Zeochem production sites. These include the lake bed clean-up in Uetikon am See (Switzerland), the former production site in Full-Reuenthal (Switzerland) and obligations associated with various waste disposal sites. The lake bed clean-up began in 2022 and should be completed in three to five years. It is being conducted in close collaboration with the Canton Zurich Building Department, which has the project lead, with CPH Group AG represented in the project steering group. 80 % of the costs of the clean-up are being borne by CPH Group AG and 20 % thereof by Canton Zurich. The work is being financed with the funds generated by the sale of the Uetikon site to Canton Zurich in 2016. The costs involved are not cash-relevant, and reduce both the provisions effected for the work and the remaining receivable from Canton Zurich (see also Note 12, Other receivables and Note 15, Financial assets).

The provisions for major repairs related to the renovation work needed on the weir in Perlen (Switzerland) under the concession requirements of Canton Lucerne.

For the provisions for deferred income taxes, please see Note 8, Income taxes. Other provisions include provisions for claims connected with customer complaints.

The provision amounts were reviewed as at the balance sheet date and adjusted in line with the latest estimates and assessments. For 2023, new findings on the scope and the costs of the actions needed – in the light of the requirements of the authorities, work progress to date and inflation-based increases in construction costs – entailed an increase in the provision amounts (see also Note 7, Non-operating result).