FINLAND Law and Practice Contributed by: Jussi Laasonen and Saara Järvinen, Ruoholahti Law
Finnish Food Authority This leads and develops food control throughout Fin - land. Its competence covers, in particular, the supervi - sion and promotion of food safety and quality, animal health and welfare, and plant health. The Finnish Food Authority has nationwide responsi - bility for guidance and supervision, as well as powers relating to information systems, registers and the per - formance of public duties. It may also prohibit market - ing that contravenes food legislation, order corrective marketing measures, and reinforce an order or prohi - bition by means of a conditional fine. Finnish Customs Finnish Customs supervises goods imported into Fin - land at the border and may intervene in the safety of imported products. In accordance with the Market Surveillance and Compliance of Products Regulation, Customs acts as the external border authority respon - sible for the external border control of products enter - ing the EU market. Customs has the right to suspend the release of a product for free circulation and, as a competent mar - ket surveillance authority, may independently decide on further measures in relation to certain product groups, such as goods intended for consumer use. Finnish Medicines Agency (Fimea) Fimea supervises the compliance of medical devices and the operators of medical devices in Finland. It also supervises the marketing of medical devices and incidents involving them. Supervision carried out by Fimea includes inspec - tions, the handling of incident reports, and the super - vision of clinical examinations. Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (Stuk) Stuk supervises radiation devices, radioactive sub - stances, and radioactivity in consumer goods. Super - vision is carried out through various inspections and other supervisory methods, such as supervision inquiries.
Transport and Communication Agency (Traficom) Traficom supervises products relating to aviation, maritime transport and road traffic, as well as radio equipment and telecommunications terminal equip - ment. It is also responsible for market surveillance in the transport and communications sectors. If a product does not comply with the applicable requirements, Traficom may, for example, require the manufacturer or importer to remedy the deficiencies or remove the product from the market, and may pro - hibit its sale. National Police Board of Finland The National Police Board of Finland supervises fire - arms and permits for the purchase of explosive pre - cursors. The principal supervisory tool is the police licensing system, through which the misuse of firearms and explosives may be addressed preventatively. Finnish Supervisory Agency The Finnish Supervisory Agency supervises products used in the workplace, such as machinery intended for professional use and personal protective equip - ment, as well as alcohol and tobacco products. It also supervises producer responsibility. The Agency may, for example, prohibit an economic operator from placing a product on the market, mak - ing it available on the market, or otherwise supplying it if the product does not comply with requirements, and it may require an unlawful product to be withdrawn from the market. The Agency is entitled to use administrative enforce - ment measures, such as conditional fines, to ensure compliance with legislation. Municipalities Municipalities are responsible for local food control and health protection. As supervisory authorities, municipalities have the power to issue remarks and instructions and, where necessary, to take administra - tive enforcement measures.
113 CHAMBERS.COM
Powered by FlippingBook