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Executive Report on Strategies in Finland
ICON Group International, June 2007, Pages: 392
How to Strategically Evaluate Finland
Perhaps the most efficient way of evaluating Finland is to consider key dimensions which themselves are composites of multiple factors. Composite portfolio approaches have long been used by strategic planners. The biggest challenge in this approach is to choose the appropriate factors that are the most relevant to international planning. The two measures of greatest relevance are “latent demand” and “market accessibility”. The figure below summarizes the key dimensions and recommendations of such an approach. Using these two composites, one can prioritize all countries of the world. Countries of high latent demand and high relative accessibility (e.g. easier entry for one firm compared to other firms) are given highest priority. The figure below shows two different scenarios. Accessibility is defined as a firm’s ease of entering or supplying from or to a market (the “supply side”), and latent demand is an indicator of the potential in serving from or to the market (the “demand side”).
Framework for Prioritizing Countries
Demand/Market Potential Driven Firm
Relative Accessibility
Accessibility/Supply Averse Firm
Relative Accessibility
In the top figure, the firm is driven by market potential, whereas the bottom figure represents a firm that is driven by costs or by an aversion to difficult markets. This report treats the reader as coming from a “generic firm” approaching the global market - neither a market-driven nor a cost-driven company. Planners must therefore augment this report with their own company-specific factors that might change the priorities.
Latent Demand and Accessibility in Finland
This report provides an extremely detailed overview of factors driving latent demand and accessibility in Finland. Latent demand is largely driven by economic fundamentals. But, latent demand only represents half of the picture. A country may at first sight appear to be attractive due to a high latent demand, but it is often less attractive when one considers at the macro level how easy it might be to serve that entire potential and/or general business risks.
Chapter 2 deals with macro-accessibility. While accessibility will always vary from one company to another for a given country, the following domains are typically considered when evaluating macro-accessibility in Finland:
Openness to Trade in Finland
Openness to Direct Investment in Finland
Local Marketing and Entry Strategy Alternatives
Local Human Resources
Local Risks
Across these domains, a number of not-so-obvious factors can affect accessibility and risk. These are also covered in Chapter 2, which is presented from the perspective of an American firm, though it is equally applicable to most firms entering Finland. This chapter has been authored by local offices of the U.S. Government. I have included a number of edits to clarify the provided information as it relates to the general strategic framework.
In Chapter 3, I summarize the economic potential for Finland over the next five years for hundreds of industries, categories, and products. The goal of this chapter is to report my findings on the real economic potential, or latent demand, represented by Finland when defined as an area of dominant influence. The data presented are the result of various spatial econometric and time-series forecasting models which, for each category presented, are applied to forecast and allocate latent demand across all countries of the world and major distribution centers or centers of dominant influence within each country. This is accomplished knowing that economic fundamentals (e.g. income) generally vary from one country to another within a given country over time. In this chapter, I report the allocation for each category for Finland as an area of dominant influence in Europe and, potentially, the world.
The report concludes with trade indicators for Finland. Often, the amount of trade flowing into and out of a country is a strong indicator of trading partners, trade openness, and related latent demand. Trade indicators are purely statistical in nature. Although international trade is not a direct measure of latent demand, it does provide an indicator of general market conditions with respect to trade flows and trade openness in Finland.
As a whole, this report presents a strategic assessment of Finland by considering an extremely broad set of factors affecting both latent demand and accessibility, as outlined in the following chapters.
MACRO-ACCESSIBILITY IN FINLAND
Nokia - A Big Company in a Small Country
No guide about Finland would be complete without mentioning Nokia. Headquartered in Finland, this mobile phone maker has grown to become a multi-national giant in a small country. Its contribution to the Finnish economy is significant. Nokia remains the major player in the ICT cluster. But it is not alone. There are thousands of small and medium-sized companies in the cluster. Hundreds are direct first-tier suppliers to Nokia, known in Finland as the “Nokia network”.
Finland’s mobile communications standard-bearer, Nokia, has established itself as one of the World’s most valuable and prominent brands. However, Finnish high-tech is much more than just mobile phones and telecommunications technology. The technology spill off from the electronics area can also be seen in other market sectors, such as environmental products, biotech and the medical industries.
Finnish-U.S. Trade
The United States is Finland’s most important trading partner outside of Europe. Major exports from the United States to Finland continue to be machinery, telecommunications equipment and parts, aircraft and aircraft parts, computers, peripherals and software, electronic components, electric machinery, chemicals, medical equipment and some agricultural products. The primary competition for American companies comes from European suppliers, especially German, Swedish, and British.
The main export items from Finland to the United States are ships and boats, paper and paperboard, refined petroleum products, telecommunications equipment and parts.
Finland: A Springboard to Russia and the Baltic States
The value of Finland’s gateway position between east and west was also noted when Finland became a member of the EU; this position was strengthened during Finland’s EU Presidency (July-December 1999). As an EU member state bordering Russia, Finland remains vital as a trans-shipment channel to Russian markets, especially the northwestern regions. About 40 percent of the EU’s road shipments to Russia are shipped from Finland or arrive via Finland.
Finns know how to do business in Russia and the Baltic States. Finland’s excellent infrastructure and its geographical proximity to Russia and the Baltic countries, especially Estonia, give Finland an advantage as a gateway to these burgeoning markets. Many foreign and U.S. companies are using Finland as a base for opening their transportation and marketing activities to the former Soviet Union, taking advantage of established logistics and distribution networks.
Economic Fundamentals and Dynamics
On January 1, 1999, eleven EU member countries including Finland joined the third stage of the European Monetary Union (EMU). This third and final stage of EMU commenced with the irrevocable locking of the exchange rates of the eleven currencies participating in the Euro area and with the conduct of a single monetary policy under the responsibility of the European Central Bank (ECB). The Finnmark (FIM) was pegged to the Euro at 5.9457. on January 1, 2002, the Finnmark was replaced by the Euro, and the Finnmark ceased to be legal tender as of March 1, 2002.
Government Intervention Risks
During the severe recession of the early 1990s, the Finnish government’s financial position deteriorated rapidly. The government became deeply indebted because, as tax revenues fell, transfer payments under the country’s extensive social welfare programs rose dramatically. At the same time, the government was forced to bail out several major banks whose failure would have prompted a collapse of the banking system. Since then, the major aim of the government’s fiscal policy, in addition to curbing unemployment, has been to curb the growth of debt.
The Finnish government has traditionally played a dominant role in the economy. In the decades since World War II, state-owned companies have held a dominant position in Finland’s national economy. The basic strategy for the privatization process has been to treat each company as an individual case. The aim of the new government is to be an active shareowner, to develop the companies concerned and to increase the value of the holding. Incomes from any sale of state-owned companies are channeled into R&D financing or into capital finance for Finnish Industry Investment Ltd, a government-owned investment company. It engages in equity capital investment and invests in venture capital funds, private equity funds and directly in selected target companies. Finnish Industry Investment Ltd is administered by the Ministry of Trade and Industry.
Balance of Payments Issues
With the onset of Stage Three of EMU on January 1, 1999, Finland’s balance of payments lost its importance for monetary and exchange rate policy. In the future, the European Central Bank will aggregate all of the EMU member states’ balance of payments and report them quarterly. Only the current account for the whole Euro area can affect the Euro´s exchange rate against other major currencies.
Investment outflows continue to exceed direct investment in Finland. Some tax changes, the promotion of Finland as a gateway for Russian markets and Finnish membership in the EU encourage foreigners to invest more in Finland.
Infrastructure Development
Finland has a well-developed infrastructure. Finland’s transportation system is based on an efficient rail and road network, supported by a wide network of freight forwarders and trucking companies. Finland’s domestic distribution system for goods and services is efficient. Finland has over 50 merchant shipping ports, of which more than 10 are located on inland waterways connected to the Baltic Sea by the Saimaa Canal. Twenty-three seaports are open year round. Finnish ports, 15 of which deal with transit traffic through Finland, can handle a wide range of cargo. The 10 biggest ports handle more than 75 percent of all sea-borne cargo traffic. The ports near the Russian border (Hamina, Kotka and Mustola) concentrate on forestry goods, bulk cargo and free zone activities. Ports are secure and automated; loading and unloading operations are consistently quick and trouble-free.
The well-functioning transportation system and the fact that Finland’s rail gauge is the same as Russia’s make the country a good transshipment point for Russian trade. The E18 road, from Kristiansand, Norway, through Sweden and Finland, to St. Petersburg, Russia, is part of the European Union Trans European Road Network system, connecting EU-member Nordic capitals with efficient roads.
Finland’s international telecom set-up began to admit limited competition in 1993, with further deregulation on July 1, 1994. on the domestic telecommunications front, competition entered the picture at the beginning of 1994. Finland’s telecommunications environment is one of the most advanced in Europe and the growth of international telecom is of significant importance to the Finnish economy. The number of mobile telephones exceeded the number of fixed line connections already in 1998 in Finland. The number of Internet hosts per 1000 inhabitants amounts to 183; Internet penetration in Finland is the second highest in the world, right after the U.S. Finland was the first country to grant licenses for third generation mobile networks. Four telecommunications companies have received licenses to construct a third generation (3G) mobile network.
Almost every Finn has access to broadband networks. Fiber optic cables cover 95 percent of Finnish municipalities and 99 percent of the population live in these municipalities. Altogether 98 percent of Finns live within a few kilometers of high-speed fiber optic cable networks. The large number of connections in educational institutions and workplaces compensate for the relative lack of household connections. The change in household structures in the direction of single-person households is slowing down the spread of IT through the population.
In 1999, significant steps were taken to establish a digital television system in Finland, when the Ministry of Transport and Communications granted licenses for digital television channels. The licenses were granted for 10 years, from September 2000 to August 2010. The government also granted licenses for three special digital channels and a television channel that broadcasts regional programs. Digital transmissions began on August 27, 2001.
Political Risks
Economic Relationship with the United States
Relations between the United States and Finland are excellent and free from bilateral disputes except for occasional trade disputes, now largely covered by the broader U.S. - EU trade relationship. The U.S. cooperates with Finland in various international organizations such as the UN, OSCE and OECD. Finland’s 1995 accession to the European Union (EU) has added a new dimension to U.S.-Finnish relations. Both countries share a deep interest in the stable political and economic development of Russia and the Baltic States. This interest is reflected in the U.S. Enhanced Partnership in Northern Europe initiative (ePINE) and the Finnish-inspired EU Northern Dimension program.
Finland remains militarily non-aligned; it is an active member in NATO’s Partnership for Peace (PfP) program.
The Political System
Finland is a parliamentary democracy headed by a president, although presidential power has been somewhat reduced by the country’s new constitution, which took effect on March 1, 2000. The president is elected for a six-year term and has primary responsibility for bilateral relations and national security issues. The Prime Minister, on the other hand, is the head of government and has responsibility for domestic and EU affairs. Parliamentary elections are normally held every four years.
Marketing Strategies
Creating a Sales Office
If a foreign organization intends to establish an office in Finland, the following steps should be taken:
Drafting the Memorandum of Association
Drafting the Articles of Association
Subscription of the shares
Constituent meeting of the shareholders
Adoption of the Articles of Association
Payment of the capital share
Registration of a limited company
For further information, please contact the Employment and Economic Development Center (www.te-keskus.fi) and/or Invest in Finland Bureau (www.investinfinland.fi).
Creating a Joint Venture
Several U.S. companies have established themselves in the Finnish market with subsidiaries or joint ventures, with particular interest in access to Finnish-Russian joint ventures. A number of Finnish firms are interested in using their long-established contacts in the former Soviet Union and the Baltic countries to market U.S. goods. Due to its physical proximity and Finland’s network of railroad and air connections, there are many strong selling features regarding access to Russia. As a full member of the European Union, Finland has its feet firmly planted in the West but possesses unique access to and expertise about the Russian market.
Agents and Distributors
One exclusive agent/distributor is usually appointed to cover the entire country, mainly due to the relatively small size of the Finnish market. Finnish importers often represent several different product lines. In selecting a representative, the exporter should check whether that company handles competing products. Consumer goods and similar merchandise requiring maintenance of stock are often imported through wholesalers or trading houses. Such products may also be sold directly to retail chains, department stores, and other retail outlets.
Contacting local trade associations for a list of importers is a good way of finding a distributor in Finland. Finnish importers attend major trade fairs in Europe and in the United States in order to find new products and ideas, but also to find new representation.
Checking Bona Fides
Dun & Bradstreet Finland Oy and Suomen Asiakastieto Oy offer a variety of business and credit information services. For further information, please contact:
Dun & Bradstreet Finland Oy
Vattuniemenkatu 21 A
FIN-00210 Helsinki, Finland
Tel: +358-9-2534 4400
Fax: +358-9-502 2940
E-mail: asiakaspalvelu@dnb.com
www.dnb.com
Or any Dun & Bradstreet office in the U.S.
Suomen Asiakastieto Oy
P.O. Box 16
FIN-00581 Helsinki, Finland
Tel: +358-9-148 861
Fax: +358-9-753 3231
E-mail: palvelut@asiakastieto.fi
www.asiakastieto.fi
Suomen Asiakastieto Oy’s partner in the U.S.:
Veritas
121 Whitney Avenue
New Haven, CT 06510
Tel: (203) 503-6700
Fax: 781-3833
E-mail: sales@veritas-usa.com
www.veritas-usa.com
Distribution Channel Options
Distribution channels in Finland are similar to those in the United States. Goods may be sold through an agent, distributor, established wholesaler, or selling directly to retail organizations. Most of the larger importers, wholesalers and trading houses are members of the Federation of Finnish Commerce and Trade (FFCT), which is a central organization of 41 trade associations covering the bulk of foreign goods sold to Finnish trade and industry. The members of FFCT are particularly strong in certain specialized sectors, such as electronics, electric components and instruments, pharmaceutical and health care products, technical products and machinery, raw materials and chemicals.
The majority of Finnish commission agents are members of the Finnish Foreign Trade Agents’ Federation, which has 18 divisions for different products. These commission agents are relatively small, private companies, most of them operating in sectors such as textiles, apparel, furnishings and raw materials.
Selling Strategies
Selling factors and techniques are very similar in Finland to those in the United States. Terms generally applied to international trade with industrialized countries apply to selling in Finland. When selling to the Finnish market, it is recommended that a local agent/distributor who has a sales network covering the whole of Finland be appointed. Only one local distributor is needed to cover the whole country, since Finland is a small market, but distances are long and therefore a distributor with a countrywide network is most desirable. Consumer goods and similar merchandise requiring maintenance of stock are often imported through wholesalers or trading houses. These products can also be sold directly to retail chains, department stores and other retail outlets. U.S. suppliers should provide the local distributor with English language product literature and export prices. Strong promotion efforts are very important to introduce new products into the Finnish market.
Pricing and Licensing
Product Licensing agreements are quite common in Finland because of the good quality of Finnish manufacturing, the small size of the market and the relatively high cost of transporting goods to the country. Royalties and licensing fees may be freely transferred out of Finland.
All goods and services are subject to VAT, which ranges from 8 percent on books, drugs and pharmaceuticals, 17 percent on foodstuffs and feeds, to 22 percent on industrial goods. Excise taxes are levied on fuel, alcohol, beer, tobacco, soft drinks and mineral water.
Finland is an EU (European Union) country. Imports from the other EU (European Union) countries enter Finland duty-free and without customs formalities. The EU also has free trade agreements with a large number of non-EU countries (e.g. countries that belong to the PAN-European cumulation and EFTA (European Free Trade Association) countries. Imports from these countries, with some exceptions, enter Finland duty-free if the products have been manufactured in one of these countries. However, import duties are levied on imports from countries such as the United States, Australia, Japan and Canada, depending on specific product lines.
Advertising Options
All media in Finland is open for advertising. There are two regulatory structures in place concerning marketing, the Consumer Protection Act and the Act on Unfair Business Practice. The Consumer Ombudsman and the Marketing Court control advertising. The general rule is that advertisements may not contain claims which cannot be substantiated or which are offensive to minorities (race, sex, etc.). There are also restrictions concerning the use of children in advertising. Advertising of tobacco products and spirits is completely prohibited in Finland’s mass media. However, advertising of beer, wines, and low alcohol level beverages (less than 22%) has been allowed since 1995.
Major Newspapers
Helsingin Sanomat
P.O. Box 77
FIN-00089 Sanomat, Finland
Tel: 358-9-1221
Fax: 358-9-605 709
www.helsinginsanomat.fi
Aamulehti
P.O. Box 327
FIN-33101 Tampere, Finland
Tel: 358-3-266 6111
Fax: 358-3-266 6259
www.aamulehti.fi
Business Magazines and Journals
Kauppalehti (Business Daily)
P.O. Box 189
FIN-00101 Helsinki, Finland
Tel: 358-9-507 81
Fax: 358-9-660 383
www.Kauppalehti.fi
Taloussanomat (Business daily)
P.O. Box 35
FIN-00089 Sanomat, Finland
Tel: 358-9-1221
Fax: 358-9-122 4179
www.taloussanomat.fi
Talouselama (Business weekly)
P.O. Box 920
FIN-00101 Helsinki, Finland
Tel: 358-20 442 40
Fax: 358-20 442 4130
www.talentum.com
E-Commerce Web Sites
SoneraPlaza: http://plaza.fi/
Elisa Communications: www.elisa.com
Jippii Group: www.jippii.fi
Trade Promotion
The main fair centers in Finland are located in the cities of Helsinki, Jyvaskyla, Turku, Tampere and Lahti. For further information, please contact:
The Finnish Fair Corporation
P.O. Box 21
FIN-00521 Helsinki, Finland
Tel: 358-9-150 91
Fax: 358-9-142 358
http://www.suomenmessut.fi
Jyvaskyla Fair Ltd.
P.O. Box 127
FIN-40101 Jyvaskyla, Finland
Tel: 358-14-334 0000
Fax: 358-14-610 272
www.jklfairs.fi/
Lahti Fair Ltd.
P.O. Box 106
FIN-15141 Lahti, Finland
Tel: 358-3-525 820
Fax: 358-3-525 8225
www.lahdenmessut.fi/
Turku Fair Center Ltd.
P.O. Box 57
FIN-20201 Turku, Finland
Tel: 358-2-337 111
Fax: 358-2-2401 440
http://www.turunmessukeskus.fi
Tampere Trade Fairs Ltd.
P.O. Box 163
FIN-33201 Tampere, Finland
Tel: 358-3-2516 111
Fax: 358-3-2123 888
www.tampereenmessut.fi/html/indeng.html
Supplying Customer Service
As a rule, one exclusive agent/distributor is appointed to cover the entire country. Finnish importers often represent several different product lines. Importers may serve large customers themselves while dealers work with smaller customers, often located outside the Helsinki metropolitan area. Dealers are often specialized in supplying a specific industry area. Training, usually organized and carried out by dealers, is an important aspect. Service points should cover the whole country rather than just the southern parts.
Public Sector Marketing
Finnish procurement agencies follow the procurement procedures of the EU and the World Trade Organization (WTO). The EU rules of procurement and the WTO’s GPA agreement only apply to procurements of or above the threshold value. National legislation requires procurement units to submit competitive tenders for procurements that fall below the threshold value. This is done by sending requests for tenders to a number of potential suppliers or by publishing an announcement.
The main principles of procurement are that purchases should be made on an open and competitive basis, and that suppliers should be treated equally. The principle of openness stipulates that the procurement unit announce, on a sufficiently large scale, that it is making a purchase. The principle of equality and non-discrimination entails that the decision to buy must be made in accordance with established criteria. Of the offers received, the lowest offer or the one which is the most affordable in terms of overall economy, has to be selected. Information on threshold values can be found at www.vn.fi/ktm/2/julha/english/index.html.
Import and Export Regulation Risks
Adherence to Free Trade Agreements
Finland joined the EU on January 1, 1995, which means that Finland complies with trade agreements that the EU has made with third countries. Finland is also a member of the European Free Trade Association and the European Economic Area.
Trade Barrier Risks
Finland’s adoption of EU internal market practices in 1995 defines Finland’s trade relations both inside the EU and with non-EU countries.
Finland replaced its turnover tax with a value-added tax in June 1994. While the change has had little effect on overall revenues, several areas not previously taxed or taxed at a lower rate, including many corporate and consumer services and construction, are now subject to the new VAT in conformity with EU practices. The government has kept the basic VAT rate at the same level as the old turnover tax, which is 22 percent. Food products are taxed at 17 percent. Sport facilities usage, medicines, books, cinemas, passenger transport services, hotel and other accommodation, entertainment performances, sporting events, zoos, museums, and other such events or institutions are taxed at 8 percent. Other services, including health care, education, insurance, newspaper & periodical subscriptions and rentals are not subject to VAT. Agricultural and forestry products continue to be subject to different forms of taxation outside the VAT. A uniform tax rate of 28 percent on capital gains took effect in 1996, which includes dividends, rental income, insurance, savings, forestry income, and corporate profits. The tax rate on capital income and corporate income was raised from 28 percent to 29 percent from the beginning of year 2000.
In March 1997 EU commitments required the establishment of a tax border between the autonomously governed, but territorially Finnish, Aland Islands and the rest of Finland. As a result, the trade of goods and services between the rest of Finland and Aland Islands is now treated as if it were trade with a non-EU area. Even though the Aland Islands are part of the EU, just as Finland is, Aland does not belong to the Union’s tax area. This exception was drafted in order to protect the important shipping traffic and the tax-free sales when EU countries abandoned duty-free sales. The trade effect of this treatment is minimal since the Aland Islands are part of the EFTA tariff area.
Finland has also introduced EU practices on imports of agricultural products. Some agricultural goods are subject to the standard import-licensing system, EU-wide quotas, import taxes or other provisions.
In mid-1996 the Finnish government’s inter-ministerial licensing authority began, within the EU, selectively to oppose American company applications for commercialization of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) such as insect-resistant corn. Finland’s attitude towards biotechnology is markedly more open than in many other EU Member States and Embassy Helsinki has been working actively with Finnish partners to distribute accurate and scientific information on this issue.
Tariff Rates
Duties and other import taxes are levied on the customs value of the goods at the point of importation. The customs value is based on the transaction value of the goods imported. In practice, the C.I.F. value is commonly used as the customs value. To assess customs value, the place of importation must be indicated. In the case of sea and air cargo, the place of importation is the unloading location. In surface transportation, it is the Customs Office at the frontier. The customs value is determined according to the GATT Valuation Agreement and the Community Customs Code (Council regulation 2913/92) and the Regulation Laying down Provisions for Implementation of the Customs Code (Commission regulation 2454/93).
Restrictions on Imports
Finnish law prohibits the import of the following products:
PCB and PCT chemicals used in transformers and condensers causing problem waste products
Whale meat
Local Standards
Finland uses the metric system. Products for sale in Finland should be adapted to the metric system whenever possible. It is also highly recommended that U.S. products imported into Finland meet international or European standards. Examples of products where conformity to directives is mandatory are electric equipment, machines, toys, pressure vessels, construction products and personal protective equipment. In these cases CE-marking acquired in any EU/EEA country is also valid in Finland. There are several Notified Bodies in Finland participating in the CE-marking procedures.
The central body for standardization in Finland is the Finnish Standards Association - SFS (www.sfs.fi). SFS and its standards writing bodies, SESKO Standardization in Finland (www.sesko.fi) and Finnish Communications Regulatory Authority (www.ficora.fi) are members of the European standards organizations CEN, CENELEC and ETSI.
National SFS Standards are sold in Finland only by SFS. National ISO member bodies abroad handle distribution of SFS standards. SFS and SESKO are the Finnish sources for all international standards and drafts of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), for European standards and drafts of CEN and for publications of ISO member bodies. SFS also distributes other foreign standards and technical regulations.
The only organization that develops standards in Finland is the Finnish Standards Association (www.sfs.fi).
List of Finland’s Main National Testing or Conformity Assessment Bodies
Low voltage (LVD):
SGS Fimko Oy (www.fimko.fi)
Simple pressure vessels (SPVD):
Inspecta Oy (www.inspecta.fi)
Construction products:
VTT Building and Transport (www.vtt.fi/rte)
SFS-Inspecta Sertifiointi Oy (www.sfs-sertifionti.fi)
Sahkotarkastus Fimtekno Oy (www.fimtekno.fi)
Contesta Oy (www.contesta.fi)
Oy DNV Certification Ab (www.dnv.fi)
Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC):
Competent Bodies - SGS Fimko Oy (www.fimko.fi), Nemko Oy (www.nemko.fi), TCC Salo (www.finas.fi), NATLABS Oy - Nordic Accredited Testing Laboratories (www.natlabs.fi)
Competent Administrative Authority - Turvatekniikan keskus - Safety Technology Authority (www.tukes.fi)
Personal protective equipment (PPE):
Tyoterveyslaitos - Finnish Institute of Occupational Health (www.ttl.fi)
Explosives for civil use:
Finnish Defense Forces Technical Research Center (PvTT) (www.mil.fi)
Medical devices:
VTT Industrial Systems (www.vtt.fi)
Equipment explosive atmospheres (ATEX):
VTT Industrial Systems (www.vtt.fi)
Recreational craft:
VTT Industrial Systems (www.vtt.fi)
Lifts:
Sähkötarkastus Fimtekno Oy (www.fimtekno.fi)
Oy Elspecta Ab (www.hissiproffat.fi)
Suomen Hissitarkastus Oy
Pressure equipment (PED)
Inspecta Oy (www.inspecta.fi)
Polartest Oy (www.polartest.fi)
Machinery:
VTT Industrial Systems (www.vtt.fi)
SGS Fimko Oy (www.fimko.fi)
Diagnostic medical devices:
VTT Industrial Systems (www.vtt.fi)
Radio equipment and telecommunications terminal equipment and the mutual recognition of their conformity:
Finnish Communications Regulatory Authority: Viestintävirasto (www.ficora.fi)
Transportable pressure equipment
Polartest Oy (www.polartest.fi)
Noise emission in the environment by equipment for use outdoors:
Maa- ja elintarviketalouden tutkimuskeskus - Agrifood Research Finland (www.mtt.fi)
Product Certification
Product certification is voluntary.
Accreditation
Please contact the Finnish Accreditation Service, FINAS (www.mikes.fi).
Technical Regulations
EU member states have to inform and consult each other and the Commission before they adopt new national technical regulations for products or services of the Information Society. The information procedure is based on Directive 98/34/EC of the European Parliament and the Council, as amended by Directive 98/48/EC. The above Directives have been implemented
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