Regulation and compliance
The increasingly tense geopolitical operating environment highlights the importance of regulation and compliance in business activities. The Ministry for Foreign Affairs lends support for companies in matters related to the export of dual-use items and is the authority responsible for issuing export authorisations in Finland. In addition, the Ministry offers advice on how to interpret sanctions requirements and issues authorisations.
Export authorisations for dual-use items
Export control of dual-use items aims to prevent the use of such items for the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, for purposes that violate human rights, and for other undesirable end-uses. It will also promote responsible exports of Finnish technology. Exports of dual-use items refer to exports of controlled dual-use items outside the EU. The export of controlled dual-use items outside the EU requires an authorisation issued by the Export Control Unit of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. Export control is based on international agreements and international cooperation. The Ministry for Foreign Affairs is the national competent authority in Finland.
Read more about export control
EU sanctions
Sanctions are restrictive measures limiting or suspending economic or commercial cooperation and, for example, transport and communications connections or diplomatic relations with a state or with certain groups. Companies must comply with sanctions and seek to prevent their circumvention. The Ministry for Foreign Affairs is the national competent authority for sanctions. You can ask about EU and UN sanctions, submit an application for an authorisation and report on the implementation and circumvention of sanctions (the reporting obligations as set out in the sanctions regulations) via the Ministry for Foreign Affairs’ Sanctions e-services.
Responsible business conduct in international markets
The Ministry for Foreign Affairs and its missions abroad support Finnish companies in identifying matters related to responsible business conduct in international markets. Responsible conduct means that companies take account of regulation, international guidelines and stakeholder expectations when operating in different environments. We can advise companies on matters including international agreements and guidelines on responsible business conduct and how to identify risks related to the operating environment.