Components and accessories

Swiss property law distinguishes components from accessories. A component is physically or functionally integrated into a principal thing so that it shares its legal fate, for example ownership and transfer. An accessory remains a separate movable but is intended to serve the principal thing on a lasting basis; it may be treated together with the principal thing in transactions, pledges or enforcement if the legal requirements are met. The distinction matters for land, buildings, machinery, inventory and secured financing. It prevents uncertainty over what is included when a thing is sold, encumbered or seized.