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11.5.2026 | The Ministry of Transport and Communications is inviting comments on the draft government proposal concerning the implementation of the Ship-Source Pollution Directive. The necessary amendments would be made to the Environmental Protection Act. Comments may be submitted until 18 June 2026.

4.12.2025 | The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and the Ministry of the Environment have begun legislative drafting to ensure consistent and predictable application of the obligations under the Birds Directive. The need to amend the Forest Act and the Nature Conservation Act stems from a judgment of the Court of Justice of the European Union on felling trees during the period of bird breeding and rearing.

11.11.2025 | The Ministry of the Interior invites comments on proposed amendments to the Act on Shooting Ranges and the Environmental Protection Act. In line with the Government Programme, the aim is to simplify the environmental permit processes and legislation concerning shooting ranges. The public consultation remains open until 23 December 2025.

24.2.2025 | The 16th sanctions package adopted by the European Union on 24 February bans imports of primary aluminium and extends export prohibitions. The package also imposes new sanctions on shadow vessels and those who support the operations of the shadow fleet.

17.10.2024 | On 17 October 2024, the Government submitted a legislative proposal to Parliament on amending the Act on Environmental Protection in Maritime Transport and the related acts. The proposed amendments would implement the Government Programme, EU regulation and regulation of the International Maritime Organization IMO.

29.2.2024 | On 15 February 2024, the Member States, Parliament and Commission of the European Union reached a preliminary agreement on amendments to the Directive on Ship-Source Pollution and on the Introduction of Penalties for Infringements. The aim of the amendments is to improve the protection of the marine environment. On 28 February, the provisional agreement was discussed in the Permanent Representatives Committee of the Member States (Coreper).

18.12.2023 | The EU’s new restrictive measures against Russia include a ban on the import of diamonds, a tighter oil price cap and a broader scope of prohibitions on imports, exports and transit of goods. A new measure will require Russian-owned companies operating in the EU to provide notification of transfers of funds. Sanctions on individuals will be targeted at persons organising illegal elections in the territor...

25.8.2023 | In a decision published on 25 August 2023, the European Committee of Social Rights concluded that the right of persons with disabilities to protection of health, social integration and participation in the life of the community as laid down in the revised European Social Charter, as well as the prohibition of discrimination, were not violated in the response to the COVID-19 pandemic in spring 2020.

25.8.2023 | In a decision published on 25 August 2023, the European Committee of Social Rights concluded that the right of persons with disabilities to protection of health, social integration and participa-tion in the life of the community as laid down in the revised European Social Charter, as well as the prohibition of discrimination, were not violated in the response to the COVID-19 pandemic in spring 2020.

14.7.2023 | Companies play a key role in the enforcement of sanctions and in preventing circumvention of sanctions. The Ministry for Foreign Affairs has published practical expert guidance to companies on how to detect and prevent circumvention of sanctions on the MFA Russia sanctions webpage. The guidance provides practical advice on carrying out risk assessments and sanctions compliance. The guidance includes a list of red flags that the company can use when assessing concrete cases of foreign trade.

9.3.2023 | Finns are once again actively travelling abroad. Over the years, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs has been reminding travellers of things to take into account when travelling abroad to make sure their trip runs as smoothly as possible.

22.12.2021 | On 22 December 2021, the Government issued a Decree on chargeable services by the ELY Centres, TE Offices and KEHA Centre for 2022. The Decree lays down which services are chargeable, which services will be charged on the basis of the cost price or a lower price, and which services will be priced on a commercial basis.

12.11.2020 | In its negotiations on Wednesday 11 November, the Government decided on measures to help victims of identity theft and to improve personal identity protection. 

28.1.2022 | A new application round will be organised for business cost support and closure compensation. The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment invites comments and opinions on the proposed amendments to the Act on Support for Business Costs by 3 February 2022. The aim is to submit the bill to Parliament for consideration in early February. The Act is due to enter into force on 1 March 2022, after which companies could apply for support from the State Treasury.

27.5.2021 | On 27 May 2021, the Government submitted a Union communication to Parliament concerning the EU’s proposal on harmonised regulation of artificial intelligence (AI) in the European Union. The Government emphasises that the global competition between companies and economic areas requires that the EU create a favourable operating environment for the development and application of AI.

25.7.2023 | The EU adopted a new regime of sanctions, prohibiting the export from the European Union to Iran of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and their components. The new regime complements the previously adopted EU sanctions against Russia and Iran.

21.5.2021 | At its meeting on Friday 21 May, the Ministerial Committee on European Union Affairs outlined Finland’s positions leading up to the special European Council on 24 and 25 May and the other upcoming council meetings in Brussels. The Committee also received a number of topical reports.

28.9.2020 | The project on the built environment information system of the environmental administration (Ryhti) is preparing major changes to how information on the built environment is being managed. The aim is to have all information created in land use and building operations in one place in an accessible and interoperable form. This will also streamline the management of this information and facilitate the work of the users.

19 1 (4) Ulkoministeriö Utrikesministeriet VN/13048/2022 VN/13048/2022 -UM-3 19.9.2024 LIITE 3: AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT FUND BOARD OF GOVERNORS Resolution F/BG/2023/04 Adopted at the First Sitting of the Forty-Ninth Annual Meeting of the Board of Gove...

12.11.2020 | In the future, an employer would be obligated to pay compensation to an employee for all non-competition agreements. At present, the obligation to pay compensation only applies to agreements longer than six months. The proposal aims to reduce the number of groundless non-competition agreements that cause inflexibility in the labour market.