Act on the Export Control of Dual-Use Items and Decree on the Advisory Board on Export Control enter into force

The new Act on the Export Control of Dual-Use Items entered into force on 15 September 2024. The Decree on the Advisory Board on Export Control issued under the Act entered into force at the same time. The reform includes a national control list of items that need an authorisation for export outside the European Union.

The Act on the Export Control of Dual-Use Items and the Act Amending Chapter 46, Sections 1 and 12 of the Criminal Code entered into force on 15 September 2024. The legislative reform aims to harmonise Finnish regulations with the EU Export Control Regulation and ensure efficient enforcement of export control in Finland. The reform also amended chapter 46, sections 1 and 12 of the Criminal Code, which deal with offences connected to import and export, to better meet the obligations under the EU Regulation. The amendments to the Criminal Code also improved the proportionality of penalties.

The Government Decree on the Advisory Board on Export Control entered into force at the same time. The Decree lays down provisions on the duties, composition and appointment of the advisory board. A government decree on reporting requirements for businesses is to be issued later.

The major amendment is that the new Act lays down provisions on a national control list, which can be found in the annex to the Act. An export authorisation is required for items on the national control list when they are exported outside the European Union. To facilitate export procedures, Finland will create a national procedure for general export authorisations alongside the EU general export authorisation to allow export of items by notification to the Ministry for Foreign Affairs.