Chemical control authorities and their duties have been determined by the Chemicals Act (599/2013).
Ministries
The overall guidance, monitoring and development of chemical legislation and the eventual management and guidance of chemical controls are the responsibility of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health and the Ministry of the Environment. The Ministry of the Environments is responsible for the prevention and control of environmental hazards caused by chemicals and the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health is responsible for the prevention and control of health hazards caused by chemicals.
Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE)
SYKE monitors the implementation of the Stockholm Convention on persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and the export of banned or severely restricted chemicals regulated by the Rotterdam Convention (PIC Prior Informed Consent procedure) and the related EU POP and PIC regulations. In addition to this,
SYKE is the competent authority of the EU regulations on POPs and mercury and the designated national authority of the PIC regulation and the Rotterdam Convention.
The Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency (Tukes)
The new chemicals legislation centralises commercial chemical control tasks to Tukes. Its duty is to control the conformity to regulations and restrictions concerning chemical products, in accordance with EU legislation, i.e. the REACH Regulation, the CLP Regulation, the Detergent Regulation, the Biocidal Products Regulation and the Regulation on POPs as well as mercury. Tukes is the competent authority pursuant to the REACH, CLP, Biocide and Detergent Regulations. It is also responsible for organising the related information services.
Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment and the municipal environmental protection authority
The Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment (ELY Centres) and the municipal environmental protection authority monitor the operating conditions of chemical processing plants, with the aim of reducing environmental risks related to chemicals, in accordance with the REACH, Biocides and POP and Mercury Regulations. Their authority is determined by the Environmental Protection Act.
Occupational safety and health area of the Regional State Administrative Agencies (AVI)
The occupational safety and health authority controls the occupational use of chemicals from the point of view of employee protection, in accordance with the Chemicals Act and EU legislation on chemicals.
Customs
Finnish customs ensure that imported and exported chemicals and items containing chemicals meet the requirements set in EU legislation on chemicals and the Chemicals Act.
Finland's Advisory Committee on Chemicals
The Advisory Committee on Chemicals is a cooperation body appointed by the Council of State upon the submission of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health for a term of three years. The members represent the relevant chemicals control authorities and relevant associations of chemical industry, trade and employees.