Voluntary Report - public distribution

**Date:** 11/04/2006

**GAIN Report Number:** FI6005

FI6004

**Finland**

**Food and Agricultural Import Regulations and Standards**

**Country Report**

**2006**

**Approved by:**

![](media/image1.wmf)Roger Wentzel, Agricultural Counselor

U.S. Embassy, Sweden

**Prepared by:**

FAS Stockholm

**Report Highlights:**

This report outlines the requirements for food and agricultural imports
into Finland. The report aims to assist U.S. exporters by providing
information on labeling, packaging, permitted ingredients and other
relevant information. It also provides points of contact for Finnish
government authorities.

Includes PSD Changes: No

Includes Trade Matrix: No

Unscheduled Report

Stockholm \[SW1\]

\[FI\]

# TABLE OF CONTENTS

[SECTION I. FOOD LAWS 3](#section-i.-food-laws)

[SECTION II. LABELING REQUIREMENTS
4](#section-ii.-labeling-requirements)

[A. General Requirements 4](#a.-general-requirements)

[Information Needed in the Label 5](#information-needed-in-the-label)

[B. Requirements Specific to Nutritional Labeling
5](#b.-requirements-specific-to-nutritional-labeling)

[Nutrient Content Claims 6](#nutrient-content-claims)

[Health Claims 7](#health-claims)

[SECTION III. PACKAGING AND CONTAINER REGULATIONS
8](#section-iii.-packaging-and-container-regulations)

[Recycling Regulations 8](#recycling-regulations)

[Packaging Material Requirements (materials in contact with food)
9](#packaging-material-requirements-materials-in-contact-with-food)

[SECTION IV. FOOD ADDITIVE REGULATIONS
9](#section-iv.-food-additive-regulations)

[SECTION V. PESTICIDE AND OTHER CONTAMINANTS
10](#section-v.-pesticide-and-other-contaminants)

[SECTION VI. OTHER REGULATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS
11](#section-vi.-other-regulations-and-requirements)

[Documentation and Certification Requirements
12](#documentation-and-certification-requirements)

[SECTION VII. OTHER SPECIFIC STANDARDS
12](#section-vii.-other-specific-standards)

[GMO 12](#gmo)

[Ionizing Irradiation of Food 12](#ionizing-irradiation-of-food)

[Organic Food 12](#organic-food)

[Novel Foods 13](#novel-foods)

[Dietetic or Special Use Foods 13](#dietetic-or-special-use-foods)

[Vitamin-Enrichment Requirements 14](#vitamin-enrichment-requirements)

[Food Supplements 14](#food-supplements)

[Food of Animal Origin and Seafood
15](#food-of-animal-origin-and-seafood)

[Wine, Beer and Other Alcoholic Beverages
16](#wine-beer-and-other-alcoholic-beverages)

[SECTION VIII. COPYRIGHT AND TRADEMARK LAWS
16](#section-viii.-copyright-and-trademark-laws)

[Copyright Laws 16](#copyright-laws)

[Trademark Laws 17](#trademark-laws)

[SECTION IX. IMPORT PROCEDURES 18](#section-ix.-import-procedures)

[General Import Procedure 18](#general-import-procedure)

[General Import Procedures for Agricultural Products
20](#general-import-procedures-for-agricultural-products)

[Import Procedures for Animals and Food Products
22](#import-procedures-for-animals-and-food-products)

[APPENDIX I. GOVERNMENT REGULATORY AGENCY CONTACTS
25](#appendix-i.-government-regulatory-agency-contacts)

**DISCLAIMER**: **This report was prepared by the Office of Agricultural
Affairs of the USDA/Foreign Agricultural Service in Stockholm, Sweden
for U.S. exporters of domestic food and agricultural products. While
every possible care was taken in the preparation of this report,
information provided may not be completely accurate either because
policies have changed since its preparation, or because clear and
consistent information about these policies was not available. It is
highly recommended that U.S. exporters verify the full set of import
requirements with their foreign customers, who are normally best
equipped to research such matters with local authorities, before any
goods are shipped. FINAL IMPORT APPROVAL OF ANY PRODUCT IS SUBJECT TO
THE IMPORTING COUNTRY'S RULES AND REGULATIONS AS INTERPRETED BY BORDER
OFFICIALS AT THE TIME OF PRODUCT ENTRY.**

# SECTION I. FOOD LAWS

Finland is one of 25 member states of the European Union and Finnish
food legislation is, to a large extent, harmonized with the EU's food
legislation. The Finnish Food act (23/2006), which came into force on 1
March 2006, governs production, processing, distribution, sales and
marketing of food. The provisions on food laid down in this act also
apply as appropriate to materials and articles intended to come into
contact with food. The objectives of the Food Act are, among other
things:

-   to ensure the safety and quality of food,

-   to ensure truthful, sufficient and not misleading information about
    food,

-   to protect the consumer from health hazards and financial losses
    caused by foods,

-   to ensure traceability of food, and

-   to secure high-quality food control system.

Food or foodstuff in this Food Act means any substance or product,
whether processed, partially processed or unprocessed, intended to be
ingested by humans. The Food Act does not cover feed, live animals
(unless they are prepared for placing on the market for human
consumption), plants prior to harvesting, medicinal products, cosmetics,
tobacco products, narcotic or psychotropic substances, or residues and
contaminants. These products are regulated by other laws. Unofficial
translations of the Food Act and some other Finnish laws can be found on
the website [www.finlex.fi/en/laki/](http://www.finlex.fi/en/laki/)

The Finnish Food Act implements EU regulations, such as:

-   General Food Regulation (EC No 178/2002)

-   Control Regulation (EC No 882/2004)

-   General Food Hygiene Regulation (EC No 852/2004)

-   Foodstuffs of Animal Origin Hygiene Regulation (EC No 853/2004)

-   Foodstuffs of Animal Origin Control Regulation (EC No 854/2004)

-   GMO Regulation (EC No 1829/2003)

-   Traceability and Marking of GMO food and feed (EC No 1830/2003)

-   Novel Foods Regulation (EC No 258/1997)

-   Procedures for Contaminants in Food (EC No315/93)

-   Materials and Articles Intended to Come into Contact with Food (EC
    No 1935/2004)

-   TSE Regulation (EC No 999/2001)

-   Control of Salmonella and Other Food-borne Zoonotic Agents (EC No
    2160/2003)

-   Maximum Residue Levels of Pesticides in or on Food and Feed of Plant
    and Animal Origin (EC No 396/2005)

Another important act concerning Finnish import policies for
agricultural products is the Act on Veterinary Border Inspections
(1192/1996). This act applies to animals and foodstuff of animal origin.
The purpose of the act is to prevent the spread of infections from
animals to humans and to ensure the hygienic quality of imported
foodstuffs of animal origin, which originate outside the EU.

Other important acts concerning agricultural products are:

-   Communicable Diseases Act (583/1986) (Provisions on requirements
    concerning the health status of persons who handle food)

-   Health Protection Act (763/1994) (Provisions on the quality of
    drinking water and on the prevention of waterborne diseases)

-   Animal Disease Act (55/1980) (Provisions on combating animal
    diseases with an impact on food safety)

-   Radiation Act (592/1991) (Provisions on criteria for assessing the
    radiation safety of food)

Although Finnish food legislation is harmonized with the EU's food
legislation, it is important to note that there can be some exceptions.
For example, Finland is allowed (in addition to Sweden) to apply
stricter salmonella controls than the other EU member countries. Finland
is granted additional salmonella guarantees covering trade in fresh meat
from bovine and porcine animals, fresh poultry meat, table eggs and
minced meat.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry in Finland (
[www.mmm.fi/en](http://www.mmm.fi/en) ) is responsible for the
preparation of legislation concerning food and agriculture and is also
responsible for the monitoring of its implementation. The Ministry of
Agriculture and Forestry has thirteen agencies and institutes within its
administrative sector. The most important one concerning enforcement
practices and import policies for agricultural products is the Finnish
Food Safety Authority EVIRA
([www.evira.fi/portal/en/](http://www.evira.fi/portal/en/) ). The Food
Safety Authority implements control duties and steers control, carries
out research and risk assessment, provides communication services and
engages in international cooperation, in order to ensure the quality and
safety of food products as well as of the production input of
agriculture and forestry, the health and well being of animals, and
plant health. The objective of the Authority is to create prerequisites
for the safeguarding of human and animal health as well as the
environment, for agriculture, forestry and food economy, and for high
consumer protection.

# SECTION II. LABELING REQUIREMENTS

## A. General Requirements

In Finland, the general provisions applying to the labeling of
foodstuffs are prescribed in the Decree of the Ministry of Trade and
Industry on the Labeling of Foodstuffs (1084/2004 and 888/2005). The
labeling Directives of EU (2000/13/EC, 2003/89/EC and 2005/63/EC) are
implemented in Finland by this Decree. These Decrees and Directives
concern the labeling of foodstuffs to be delivered to the ultimate
consumer. They also apply to foodstuffs intended for supply to
restaurants, hospitals, canteens and other similar mass caterers. The
standard U.S. label fails to comply with these regulations.

Labeling information should be clear and understandable and also easy to
distinguish from other package text. In addition, the label text should
be made with adequate large letters in permanent way.

Languages that are required in labeling information are Finnish
[and]{.underline} Swedish. Instead of Swedish, it is possible to use
Norwegian or Danish language. However, the country and place of origin
can be informed in another general language such as English.

Stick-on labels are allowed. Stick-on labels in Finnish and in Swedish
can be affixed next to or over to the standard U.S. label. Finnish
legislation does not contain any excemptions or special requirements for
labeling sample-size products. The Finnish Food Safety Authority EVIRA
can be consulted about this issue.

There are no major exemptions in Finnish labeling regulations. Those
that exist are described in the Decree of the Labeling of Foodstuffs
(1084/2004). One exemption worth mentioning is that simpler labeling
requirements apply for small packages (largest surface less than 10
cm2).

### Information Needed in the Label

The label on foodstuff shall contain at least the following mandatory
items:

-   the name under which the product is sold,

-   the list of ingredients, in descending order of weight,

-   the quantity of certain ingredients,

-   the net quantity in metric units,

-   the date of minimum durability or the \"use by\" date (shelf life),

-   the name and address of the manufacturer, packager, or a seller
    established within the EU,

-   the country and place of origin (information on the place of origin
    must only be indicated if the lack of such information could mislead
    the consumer.)

-   a mark to identify the lot to which a foodstuff belongs,

-   any special storage conditions or conditions of use,

-   instructions for use when it would be impossible to make appropriate
    use of the foodstuff in the absence of such instructions, and

-   the actual alcoholic strength by volume, when beverages contain more
    than 1.2 % by volume of alcohol or when solid food contains more
    than 1.8 % by weight of alcohol.

In addition to preceding requirements, the following information is
usually required on the label of the foodstuff:

-   the salt content of the foodstuff,

-   the use of sweetener,

-   the use of packing gas, and

-   nutritional value.

Various product specific laws exist concerning labeling requirements.
Therefore, it is advised to find out the product specific requirements
before entering the market.

The date of minimum durability of a foodstuff shall be the date until
which the foodstuff retains its specific properties when properly
stored. The date shall be preceded by the words \"Best before \...\"
("Parasta ennen ..." in Finnish) and consist of the day, month and year
(in this order). For foodstuffs that keep for more than three months but
not more than 18 months, an indication of the month and year is
sufficient. For highly perishable foodstuffs that, from a
microbiological point of view, are likely to after a short period
constitute an immediate danger to human health, the date of minimum
durability shall be replaced by the \"use by\" date or "last date of
use" ("viimeinen käyttöpäivä" in Finnish). The shelf life information
should be followed by a description of the storage conditions that must
be observed.

## B. Requirements Specific to Nutritional Labeling 

The standard U.S. nutritional fact panel is not acceptable in EU.
Basically, the use of nutritional labeling is voluntary. Nutritional
labeling can be used as additional information to the customer.
Nutritional labeling means any information relating to energy value and
the following nutrients that appears on a label: protein, carbohydrate,
fat, fiber, sodium, vitamins and minerals. When nutritional labeling is
provided, the information should contain at least energy value and the
amounts of protein, carbohydrate and fat in this order ("Short
marking"). Another way to give nutritional information is to include
energy value and the amounts of protein, carbohydrate, sugars, fat,
saturates, fiber and sodium in this order ("Long marking").

The energy value and the proportion of nutrients should be numerical and
given with following units:

-   energy -- kJ and kcal

-   protein, carbohydrate, and fat -- grams (g)

-   fiber, sodium, and cholesterol -- milligrams (mg)

-   vitamins and minerals -- the specific units (µg or mg depending on
    substance)

The information should be expressed per 100 g or per 100 ml. In
addition, this information may be given per serving as quantified on the
label or per portion, provided that the number of portions contained in
the package is stated.

Ingredients that may cause allergic reactions, including carriers,
solvents or other aid material, must be stated on the label.

### Nutrient Content Claims

Nutritional labeling is mandatory when a nutrition content claim appears
on labeling, presentation or in advertising. Nutrition claim means any
message that states, suggests or implies that a foodstuff has particular
nutrition properties due to the energy and/or due to the nutrients. The
only nutrition claims permitted are related to energy, protein,
carbohydrate, fat, fiber, sodium, vitamins and minerals, which foodstuff

-   provides/contains,

-   provides/contains in reduced or increased proportions, or

-   does not provide/contain.

When a nutrition claim is made for sugars, fats, fiber or sodium, the
information must be given in longer marking form.

Two ways exists to express the nutrient content claims. Nutrient content
claim can be a nutrition claim that describes the level of a nutrient
contained in a food (examples: \"source of calcium\"; \"high in fiber
and low in fat\") or nutrient comparative claim, which compares the
nutrient levels and/or energy value of two or more foods (examples:
\"reduced\"; \"less than\"; \"fewer\"; \"increased\"; \"more than\".)

The conditions using nutrient content claims in Finland are partly based
on Codex Alimentarius guideline concerning nutrition claims (CAC/GL
23-1997).

Examples of allowed nutrient content claims (Finnish translations in
parenthesis):

-   no lactose (laktoositon/ ei laktoosia)

-   light (kevyt/ light)

-   rich in fibre (runsaskuituinen)

-   non-gluten (gluteiiniton)

-   added C-vitamin (lisätty C-vitamiinia)

-   rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids (sisältää runsaasti
    monityydyttymättömiä rasvahappoja)

-   contains C-vitamin (C-vitamiinipitoinen)

-   no sugar (sokeriton)

-   energy only 20 kcal (energiaa vain 20 kcal)

-   no cholesterol (kolesteroliton)

-   low-fat (vähärasvainen)

-   contains fructose (sisältää fruktoosia)

Finland does not follow Codex with regard to light products. The claim
light or reduced in fat or other similar claim are allowed only when the
energy content in the product amounts to at most 70 % of the energy in
similar ordinary product. (KTMp 1496/1993).

### 

### Health Claims

Medical claims related to a foodstuff such as preventing, treating, or
curing diseases are prohibited in Finland. The legislation concerning
health claims is currently changing in the EU. Therefore, it is advised
to contact Finnish authorities for further information.

Health claim means any information that states, suggests, or implies
that a relationship exists between a food or a constituent of that food
and health. Health claims must be based on current relevant scientific
information and the level of proof must be sufficient. In many cases
clinical studies are needed. At this moment, possible health claims
include the following:

-   Nutritional claim (see before)

-   Nutrient Function Claims: a nutrition claim that describes the
    physiological role of the nutrient in growth, development and normal
    functions of the body

    -   Example: "Nutrient A (naming a physiological role of nutrient A
        in the body in the maintenance of health and promotion of normal
        growth and development). Food X is a source of/ high in nutrient
        A."

    -   Allowed claims in Finland include for example

        -   Xylitol is good for your teeth.

        -   Fiber promotes your gut health.

        -   Replacing hard fats with soft fats helps to control the
            blood cholesterol. Product X is rich in soft fats.

        -   Low salt diet has positive effect in regulating blood
            pressure. Product X is low in salt. It contains salt x
            grams.

        -   Bacterial strain X promotes your gut health.

-   Reduction of disease risk claims: Claims relating the consumption of
    a food or food constituent, in the context of the total diet, to the
    reduced risk of developing a disease or health-related condition.

    -   Examples:

> "A healthy diet low in nutrient or substance A may reduce the risk of
> disease D. Food X is low in nutrient or substance A"
>
> "A healthy diet rich in nutrient or substance A may reduce the risk of
> disease D. Food X is high in nutrient or substance A"

It is prohibited to use health claims related to specific diseases and
their treatment or care in Finland. It is also prohibited to give any
direct reference to any diseases. In addition, general claims such as
"eating plenty of fruits reduces cancer" are prohibited.

The Finnish Food Safety Authority, EVIRA, controls the use of nutrition
and health claims.

***New legislation in the pipeline:*** In October 2006, the proposal for
a regulation on nutrition and health claims was finally adopted and will
likely enter into force on January 1, 2007. The new regulation will set
EU-wide conditions for the use of nutrition claims such as "low

fat" or "reduced sugar". In addition, the Commission will compile an EU
positive list of well-established health claims such as "calcium is good
for your bones", based on member states' lists of claims already
approved at national level. For more information, please see GAIN Report
[E36086](http://199.129.102.239/GainFiles/200605/146197828.pdf)

# 

# 

# SECTION III. PACKAGING AND CONTAINER REGULATIONS

Finland has no special regulations for packaging or container size. It
is preferred, however, to use metric units such as liters, kilograms,
grams etc.

### Recycling Regulations

Finnish rules for waste disposal are laid down in the Waste Act
1072/1993, amended by Waste Act 452/2004. Finland has also implemented
EU directives 94/62/EC and 2004/12/EC on packaging and packaging
waste by Council of State decision no. 962/1997 and decree 817/2005,
respectively. The aim of the Finnish legislation is to reduce the
quantity of packaging waste while at the same time increase the reuse of
packaging and recover the waste that has been generated.

According to the Waste Act, firms with a turnover of EUR 1 million or
more that place packaging on the Finnish market together with its
products, are obliged to attend to the recovery of packaging system. In
addition, the firms are obliged to provide information and report on
matters pertaining to recovery. This also applies to firms that import
packed products into Finland. Importers of packed products comprise all
firms that import any product whatsoever where some packaging material
has been used to pack the product. An importer is considered to be the
owner of the product at the instance of import when the product crosses
the border.

The easiest way for a firm to fulfill the packaging recovery
requirements is to make a contract with the Environmental Register of
Packaging PYR Ltd (www.pyr.fi/en). PYR assists its member firms, as well
as the authorities, in fulfilling the packaging recovery requirements as
economically and as smoothly as possible. When a firm makes a contract
with PYR, it is released from these requirements and does not need to
organize recovery of the packaging or report on the effectiveness of
recovery to the authorities. In practice, making a contract with PYR
means filling in and signing a contract form. The firm has to pay a
registration and an annual fee. The amount depends on the size of the
firm's turnover the previous year.

![](media/image2.png){width="5.104166666666667in"
height="3.6881944444444446in"}

**Figure 1** Organization of recovery of packaging
([www.pyr.fi/en](http://www.pyr.fi/en))

### Packaging Material Requirements (materials in contact with food)

Food packaging materials are governed by several laws. All of the EU's
directives related to plastic materials have been enforced in Finland by
decrees and decisions of the Ministry of Trade and Industry. EU
regulation 1935/2004 specifies the main requirements for materials that
come into contact with foodstuff. EU Directive 72/2002 concerns plastic
materials that come into contact with food. This directive contains, for
example, lists of allowed monomers, other raw material, and additives.
The National Food Safety Authority has drawn up a declaration form (the
suitability of packing material for food contact use), which can be used
to indicate the food-grade quality of the packaging. This form is also
available in Swedish and English.

Specific limitations for vinyl monomer in PVC have been set in EU
Directives 78/142/ETY, 80/766/ETY and 81/432/ETY. The maximum allowed
amount of vinylcholride in the end plastic product is 1 mg/kg. It must
not be detected in the foodstuff. The limit of analysis in foodstuffs is
0.01 mg/kg.

The manufacturer has the main responsibility for the suitability of
material for food use. Materials must bear an indication "for food
contact" or the corresponding symbol (see regulation 1935/2004).

# SECTION IV. FOOD ADDITIVE REGULATIONS

Legislation concerning food additives in Finland is completely
harmonized with EU legislation. Directive 89/107/EEC provides positive
lists (lists of what is permitted) of food additives. Additives not
included in the list are prohibited. The lists of authorized food
additives and their conditions for use are published in three specific
Directives

-   colors (94/36/EC),

-   sweeteners (94/35EC),

-   the remaining food additives (95/2/EC).

Legislation related to additives and additive lists can be found on the
EU website
<http://ec.europa.eu/food/food/chemicalsafety/additives/index_en.htm>

Most food additives may only be used in limited quantities in certain
foodstuffs. For these additives, ADI-values (Acceptable Daily Intake)
are set. If no quantitative limits are mentioned for the use of a food
additive, it must be used according to good manufacturing practice,
i.e., only as much as necessary to achieve the desired technological
effect. Food additives may only be authorized if:

-   there is a technological need for their use;

-   they do not mislead the consumer;

-   they present no health hazard to the consumer.

Prior to their authorization, food additives are evaluated for their
safety by the Scientific Committee on Food, an expert panel that advises
the European Commission in questions relating to food. In principle, EU
recognizes the positive additive list of JECFA (Joint FAO/WHO Expert
Committee on Food Additives) and therefore, the \"Codex General Standard
for Food Additives.\" It is recommended, however, to check the positive
list of the EU authorities in order to get the correct information.

Finland has two exemptions from the EU level additive regulation:

-   traditional Finnish fruit juices are not allowed to contain colors

-   in traditional Finnish Easter pudding, it is not allowed to use any
    additives except preservative

# SECTION V. PESTICIDE AND OTHER CONTAMINANTS

The most important regulations concerning pesticides and pesticide
residues in foodstuff are the Pesticide Act (327/69) and the Pesticide
Decree (792/95). A new pesticide act is, however, coming into force in
the beginning of the year 2007. The aim of the new law is to modernize
the control of the pesticide regulations. The supervisory authority will
be the Finnish Food Safety Authority EVIRA.

Regulations concerning the pesticide residues in Finland contain several
Decrees and Decisions of the Ministry of Trade and Industry. These
regulations are based on EU Directives. Maximum levels of allowed
pesticides in food can be found on the EU website concerning pesticide
residues:
<http://ec.europa.eu/food/plant/protection/pesticides/index_en.htm>

This information can also be found in Finnsih at the website of the
Finnish Food Safety Authority, EVIRA. EU maximum residue levels take
into account the work done by Codex Alimentarius, but exemptions exist.

Registration of pesticides is compulsory and it is not allowed to import
pesticides to Finland without registration. Application for registration
shall be submitted to the Finnish Food Safety Authority, EVIRA. The
applicant must, however, be from an EU- or ETA-country. Pesticides
manufactured outside the EU can be registered only by the Finnish
pesticide manufacturer or importer. The physical and chemical properties
and the active ingredient of the product, as well as the effects on
health and the environment, must be tested according to the OECD
Guidelines for Testing of Chemicals. The efficacy and usefulness of the
pesticide should be tested, if possible, according to the
recommendations of the European and Mediterranean Plant Protection
Organization (EPPO).

A list of approved and registered pesticides and their components is
maintained by the Finnish Food Safety Authority EVIRA and can be found
at [www.evira.fi](http://www.evira.fi/) Most of the information is in
Finnish, but extended information in English is due.

The maximum levels of other contaminants such as heavy metals,
mycotoxins etc. are set in the EU Regulation 466/2001, which is
harmonized EU wide.

# SECTION VI. OTHER REGULATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

Food regulations and requirements are applied equally for all food
products at retail and wholesale distribution levels. The Finnish Food
Safety Authority EVIRA is responsible for the monitoring of foodstuffs.

*Product Samples*

Product samples make an exception. Small amounts of food products, which
are intended to be used as commercial samples, for exhibition purposes
or for special research purposes, can be imported without being subject
to import regulations. However, a written announcement to Finnish Food
Safety Authority EVIRA at least two days before shipping is required.
Food product samples must not be offered for sale or consumption.

*Product Inspection and Registration*

Generally, there is no requirement to register common imported food
products. However, the food products that require registration and
authorization includes at least

-   novel food,

-   organic food,

-   dietetic or special use food,

-   vitamin-enriched food,

-   food supplement, and

-   GMO food. (See section VII. OTHER SPECIFIC STANDARDS).

Importers of these products must register at the Finnish Food Safety
Authority. Exporters must provide required certificates and product
information to demonstrate that products are according to Finnish
legislation (See also section VII. OTHER SPECIFIC STANDARDS).

In general, inspections of food products can be done at import or at all
further stages of the distribution chain. The Finnish Food Safety
Authority EVIRA carries out the inspections. Animals and food of animal
origin are, however, subject to veterinary border inspection upon entry
before released to market. Fresh fruits and vegetables are subject to
phytosanitary controls. (See SECTION IX. IMPORT PROCEDURES).

*Products Requiring Laboratory Testing*

Finland (and Sweden) has received extensions of the derogations approved
in its EU accession agreement. This allows Finland to continue to
enforce stricter salmonella control than that of other EU Member States.
Imports of fresh or frozen beef, pork, poultry and eggs from other EU
countries and third countries must be certified to be free from
salmonella in accordance with directive 1688/2005. Live animals and food
of animal origin requires laboratory testing concerning salmonella and
other specific food-borne zoonotic agents (EU Regulation 2160/2003).

Organic Food needs to be certified and the certifier of the product
needs to be accredited to EN 45011 or ISO 65 by an authority recognized
by Finland.

### Documentation and Certification Requirements

The list of import documents required for Finland market is presented in
the Export Certification FAIRS Report Finland 2006.

# SECTION VII. OTHER SPECIFIC STANDARDS

### GMO

Genetically Modified Foods (GMOs) are regulated in EU Directives
1829/2003 and 1830/2003. These regulations are fully enforced in
Finland. Finland has established a national control program for GMOs,
which is executed by the Finnish Food Safety Authority EVIRA.
Information concerning GMOs in English can be found on the EU website
<http://ec.europa.eu/food/food/biotechnology/gmfood/index_en.htm>

All food and feed products containing GMOs must be granted approval
authorization before entering the market. Applications for approval
shall be sent to the national authority of a Member State, which in
Finland is the Finnish Food Safety Authority EVIRA.

All food products that contain GMOs, are produced from GMOs, or contain
ingredients produced from GMOs must be labeled. The labeling regulation
of GMOs does not concern processing aids or milk, eggs or meat obtained
from animals fed with GM feed. All GMO products should also be
traceable. Traceability means the ability to trace GMOs and products
produced from GMOs at all stages of their placing on the market through
the production and distribution chains.

### Ionizing Irradiation of Food

Finland has harmonized the EU Directives 1999/2/EC and 1999/3/EC
concerning the food irradiation with Decree of the Ministry of Trade and
Industry of the Treatment of the Food with Ionizing Radiation
(852/2000). It is only allowed to irradiate spices, aromatic herbs, or
other aromatic plants. If these are packed and sold as such, the labels
must contain marking "irradiated" (säteilytetty) or "treated with
ionizing radiation" (käsitelty ionisoivalla säteilyllä). When irradiated
product is used as ingredients, the corresponding marking is needed in
the ingredients list of the end product.

### Organic Food

The use of the term "organic" (luomu or luonnonmukaisesti tuotettu in
Finnish) on a label requires certain production and processing methods,
labeling and marketing, and inspection and import procedures. These
requirements are stated in the EU Council Directive 2091/91, which is
enforced in Finland. Organic food is not allowed to contain any GMO
ingredients. The implementation and control of the directive is the
responsibility of Finnish Food Safety Authority.

Importers of organic food from the United States or other countries
outside the EU need to prove that products are produced and controlled
according to EU legislation. Importers need to apply for import
authorization from the Finnish Food Safety Authority EVIRA. In addition,
importers have to prove that the certifier of the product has been
accredited to EN 45011 or ISO 65 by an organization recognized by
Finland.

The customs of Finland requires a certificate of inspection before they
release products for free circulation. Certifiers of U.S. organic
products must use the EU certificate format presented in the EU
Regulation 1788/2001. The certification should be in Finnish or Swedish.
Every batch that will be imported must be reported beforehand to the
Finnish Food Safety Authority EVIRA.

### Novel Foods

The Novel Food Regulation 258/97 has been enforced in Finland by the
decision of the Ministry of Trade and Industry (No 427). Novel foods are
foods that were not used to a significant degree in the EU before May
15^th^, 1997. Novel foods must undergo a safety assessment before being
placed on the EU market. Only those products considered to be safe for
human consumption are authorized for marketing.

Companies that want to place a novel food on the EU market need to
submit their application in accordance with Commission Recommendation
97/618/EC that concerns the scientific information and the safety
assessment report required. Novel foods or novel food ingredients may
follow a simplified procedure, which only requires notifications from
the company, if they are considered by a national food assessment body
as \"substantially equivalent\" to existing foods or food ingredients
(as regards their composition, nutritional value, metabolism, intended
use and the level of undesirable substances contained therein). More
information can be found on the EU website
<http://ec.europa.eu/food/food/biotechnology/novelfood/index_en.htm>

The Finnish Food Safety Authority is the competent authority concerning
novel foods in Finland.

### Dietetic or Special Use Foods

Foodstuffs for particular nutritional uses are foodstuffs that, owing to
their special composition or manufacturing process, are clearly
distinguishable from foodstuffs for normal consumption. They must be
suitable for their claimed nutritional purposes and marketed in such a
way as to indicate such suitability.

Several regulations cover the dietetic and special use of foods:

-   Decree on the Special Use Foods (662/2000)

-   Decision on the Dietetic Products (904/1997)

-   Decree on the Clinical Food Supplements (406/2000)

-   Decision on the Baby Food (789/1997)

-   Decision on the Infant Formula and Follow-on Formula (485/1997)

-   Decree on the Labeling the Foodstuff (1084/2004)

-   Decision on the Nutritional Labeling of Foodstuff (1496/1993 )

-   The Food Act 23/2006

The importer must inform Finnish Food Safety Authority of imports of
dietetic foods of foods for special use. The products that must be
registered include

-   low lactose and non-lactose milk products

-   non-gluten food

-   clinical food supplements

-   other products excluding infant formula, follow-up formula, sport
    formula

A model of the label text is attached to the registration form
(available at the Finnish Food Safety Authority EVIRA). EVIRA confirms
the registration by letter. It is worth to notice, however, that
clinical food supplements and their legality will be evaluated
separately. An official decision is sent to the applicant. For products
already registered in another EU country, the decision of the country in
question should be attached to the registration form.

### Vitamin-Enrichment Requirements

Foodstuffs may be enriched with vitamins or some other substances
(minerals, amino acid, fatty acids etc.) in the following cases:

-   if enrichment is generally allowed by the Decree of the Ministry of
    Trade and Industry (917/2002)

    -   example: addition of C-vitamin to juices

-   if the product is a special use food (Decree 662/2000)

-   if product is a food supplement that belongs to Annex 2 in Decree
    571/2003

Otherwise, the permission to enrichment is needed. This is based on
Decree of Enrichment of Foodstuff (281/1972), which has been amended
several times (585/1979, 975/1985, 350/1989, 845/1992, 1272/1992,
1159/1994). The permission can be granted for five years at a time.

In order to import enriched foods to Finland, an application has to be
filed at Finnish Food Safety Authority, where the application form is
available. The application must include information concerning

-   the name and product name of the foodstuff

-   the name and quantity of the added nutrient (commonly known names of
    nutrients, e.g. the commonly known name of vitamin B1 is thiamine)

-   the chemical compound form in which the nutrient is added (e.g.
    thiamine can be added as thiamine mono chloride or thiamine mono
    nitrate)

-   an laboratory analysis certificate issued by a reliable laboratory
    that employs accredited methods, indicating the amount of the added
    nutrient in finished product

-   the manufacturing method of the foodstuff, indicating also the
    manner in which and the stage at which the nutrients are added (e.g.
    manufacturing diagram)

-   a proposal for the labeling of the package in Finnish or Swedish

-   the reasons for which nutrients are added, indicating also whether
    the product is on the market in other EU countries

-   the quantity of the added substance in the final foodstuff per unit
    of weight or volume

-   type of packaging (package size and type)

### Food Supplements

Food supplement means a pre-packed product in the form of briquette,
capsule, pastille, tablet, pill, powder, concentrate, extract, liquid or
in some other equivalent dose form. Food supplements are marketed as a
foodstuff to be taken in measured small unit quantities so that the
amount of energy received has no relevance for the diet as a whole. EU
Directive 2002/46/EC on the approximation of the laws of the Member
States relating to food supplements is implemented in Finland by the
decree of the Ministry of Trade and Industry on Food Supplements
(571/2003) (English version in website
[www.finlex.fi/en](http://www.finlex.fi/en)).

A food supplement may contain vitamins and minerals listed in Annex 1 of
the Decree and shall be in one of the forms listed in Annex 2 of the
Decree. Vitamins and minerals that have not been mentioned in these
annexes can be used, if they were used in food supplements already
before 12 July 2002 in one or several Member States of the European
Community. Those vitamins and minerals under unfavorable opinion by the
European Food Safety Authority are not allowed to be used in food
supplements.

The compounds used in food supplements must meet the purity criteria
defined in Directives 95/45/EY (amended 1999/75EY, 2001/50/EY) and
96/77/EY amended 98/86/EY, 2000/63/EY, 2001/30/EY and 2002/82/EY). If
specification of a certain substance is absent, the Codex Alimentarius
recommendations can be used.

The labeling of the product must include at least

-   the names of the categories of nutrients or substances that
    characterize the product, or indication of the nature of these
    nutrients or substances;

-   the recommended daily dose of the product;

-   a warning not to exceed the recommended daily dose;

-   a statement that food supplements should not be used as a substitute
    for a varied diet;

-   a warning stating that the products shall be stored out of reach of
    children.

The labeling, presentation and advertising of food supplements may not
include any information stating or implying that a balanced and varied
diet cannot provide appropriate quantities of nutrients in general or
claims concerning or references to properties of preventing, treating or
curing diseases.

Manufacturers and importers of food supplements must at least one month
before starting their operations submit a written notification to the
Finnish Food Safety Authority. A notification must also be made every
time the manufacturer or importer changes. The Finnish Food Safety
Authority considers that the notification obligation is fulfilled when
the notification has arrived at the Agency with the required information
and appendices. Appendices required include the model of the product
label and the certificate of analysis.

The responsibility for the compliance of products with the Food
Supplement Decree and with other relevant regulations lies with the
traders themselves. They are also required to practice self-monitoring
under the Act on Foods. The Finnish Food Safety Authority does not
evaluate the legality of product composition or labeling. The fact that
the Finnish Food Safety Authority has received a notification does not
mean that it has approved the supplement as complying with the relevant
regulations on foodstuffs.

### Food of Animal Origin and Seafood

The Foodstuff of Animal Origin Hygiene Decree (37/EEO/2006) came into
force 1^st^ October 2006. This decree covers the following EU
regulations:

-   General Food Hygiene Regulation (EC No 852/2004)

-   Foodstuffs of Animal Origin Hygiene Regulation (EC No 853/2004)

-   Regulation of Health rules concerning animal by-products not
    intended for human consumption (EC No 1774/2002)

-   Regulation of additional rules on the common organization of the
    market in milk and milk products for drinking milk (EC No 2597/97)

-   Directive of detailed procedures for carrying out checks to ensure
    that the freezing point of untreated milk (89/384/EEC)

The decree regulates the production and transportation of all food of
animal origin including seafood. All imported food products of animal
origin have to fulfill the requirements in this decree.

Other relevant regulations concerning the import of food of animal
origin and seafood include

-   Regulation on microbiological criteria for foodstuffs (EC No
    2073/2005)

-   Compulsory beef labeling (EU Regulations 1760/2000 and 1825/2000,
    the Decree of Beef Labeling 1203/2001)

-   Handling and labeling of eggs (EU Directive 1907/1990 and EU
    Regulation 2295/2003)

-   Common organization of the markets in fishery and aquaculture
    products (EC No 104/2000) and informing consumers about fishery and
    aquaculture products (EC No 2065/2001)

The import of animals and products of animal origin is regulated by the
Act on Veterinary Border Inspections (1192/1996) and the Decree on
Veterinary Border Inspections of Products of Animal Origin. The
regulations state that veterinary border inspections are required to
import animals or products of animal origin. Foodstuffs derived from
animals (meat, fish, milk, eggs and products thereof) must be
accompanied by a health certificate (for meat, a veterinary certificate)
and come from an EU-approved export facility. In addition, animals and
products of animal origin require guarantees concerning salmonella and
other specific food-borne zoonotic agents for consignments imported to
Finland.

### Wine, Beer and Other Alcoholic Beverages

According to Alcohol Act (1143/1994), importers of beer and other
alcoholic beverages do not need import permission, but must have a
license from the National Product Control Agency (STTV) (
[www.sttv.fi](http://www.sttv.fi/) ) to sell alcohol. STTV steers the
implementation of the Alcohol Act at the regional and local level. STTV
also supervises the State Alcohol Monopoly in Finland (ALKO) and ensures
that it treats the producers of alcoholic beverages equally.

Imports of wine products from non-EU countries require import
certificates. Import certificates can be applied for with AGRIM form
(form 561023). Applications shall be sent to the Intervention Unit of
the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (
[www.mmm.fi](http://www.mmm.fi/) ) Application of import certificate
requires also the payment of securities. The application of import
certificate and the payment of securities are the responsibilities of
importer -- not the US exporter. The importer delivers the certificate
to Finnish customs with other documents required in customs
declaration.\"

# SECTION VIII. COPYRIGHT AND TRADEMARK LAWS

### Copyright Laws

In Finland, copyright is governed by national legislation, EU directives
and international conventions. The Finnish Copyright Act (404/1961),
which was amended in 2005 and 2006 in order to implement the Copyright
Directive of EU, protects basically works of Finnish origin. Works of
foreign origin are protected under international treaties. International
copyright treaties signed by Finland have been implemented nationally by
separate Acts and Decrees.

In Finland, copyright matters come under the Ministry of Education,
including:

-   The development of copyright legislation

-   Negotiations concerning international copyright treaties

-   Copyright issues in the remit of the World Intellectual Property
    Organization WIPO and other international organizations (WTO, OECD,
    Unesco, Council of Europe)

-   Participation in the preparation of EU legislation

The Copyright Council, appointed by the Ministry of Education, assists
the Finnish government in copyright matters. It also gives its opinion
on the application of the Copyright Act. Anyone can request an opinion
from the Copyright Council. The opinions are given either in Finnish or
in Swedish.

More information about the copyright laws can be found on the website of
the Ministry of Education
[www.minedu.fi/OPM/Tekijaenoikeus/?lang=en](http://www.minedu.fi/OPM/Tekijaenoikeus/?lang=en)

### Trademark Laws

Industrial property rights, such as patents and trade marks, come under
the Ministry of Trade and Industry. The National Board of Patents and
Registration ( [www.prh.fi/en.html](http://www.prh.fi/en.html) )
provides information and advice regarding questions about industrial
property rights.

*Legislation*

Finnish trademark legislation is regulated in the Trademarks Act,
Trademarks Decree and Act on Collective Marks. The unofficial English
translations can be found on the website
[www.prh.fi/en/tavaramerkit/lainsaadanto.html](http://www.prh.fi/en/tavaramerkit/lainsaadanto.html)

A trademark or a brand mark can be registered at the National Board of
Patents and Registration (NBPR). Registration gives the exclusive right
to use the mark as a symbol for goods or services in Finland. An
exclusive right means that only the registration holders may use the
trademark in their business and may also, when necessary, prohibit
others from using their mark or some other mark liable to be confused
with it.

The trademark can, for example, be a word or a figure or a combination
of these. It can also be a slogan, a combination of letters, a sound or
some other mark that can be represented graphically. The purpose of a
trademark is to distinguish the products of one trader from those of
another trader on the market.

*Registration*

In order to register a trademark, the applicant has to file an
application in writing to the National Board of Patents and Registration
(NBPR). A separate application has to be filed in respect of each mark
and the applicant or his representative signs the application. A foreign
applicant not residing in Finland has to appoint a representative
resident in Finland to represent him in all matters concerning the
trademark. If the applicant has appointed a representative, the
application must contain the representative's name, domicile, and
address. The application can be made on a form available from NBPR (
[www.prh.fi/en/tavaramerkit/lomakkeet.html](http://www.prh.fi/en/tavaramerkit/lomakkeet.html)
). It is not, however, obligatory to use this form.

A trademark cannot be altered after filing the application. Only minor
changes that do not alter the overall impression of the trademark are
allowed. The application is considered filed when the application fee
has been paid. A copy of the receipt has to be attached to the
application.

The protection of a registered trademark begins on the date when the
application is filed. The registration is in force ten years from the
date of registration, and can be renewed for a further ten years to
begin after the previous term of registration has expired. If the
applicant does not wish to alter any of the particulars entered into the
Register, the renewal can simply be made by paying the renewal fee into
the Trademarks Unit's bank account. The renewal application has to be
made in writing when the applicant wishes to make changes to his
register entries.

*Limitations on Trademarks*

According to the Trademarks Act, the trademark has to be distinctive in
order to be registered. The distinctive character is an absolute
condition for registration.

A mark is not distinctive if it denotes, either alone or with only a few
alterations or additions, the kind, quality, use, price, origin, or time
of manufacture of the goods or services. The distinctive character is
examined in Finnish, Swedish, English, and in some other languages.

Some words cannot be registered because no exclusive rights can be
granted to them owing to the freedom of advertising.

More information about the trademark issues can be found from the
website of National Board of Patents and Registration of Finland
[www.prh.fi/en/tavaramerkit.html](http://www.prh.fi/en/tavaramerkit.html)

# SECTION IX. IMPORT PROCEDURES

### General Import Procedure

When Finland became a member of the EU in 1995, it also joined the
customs and fiscal territories of the European Community. The
Community\'s basic customs legislation is contained in the Customs Code
(Council Regulation (EEC) No 2913/92) and the Code\'s implementing
provisions (Commission Regulation (EEC) No 2454/93), which Finland has
also implemented.

The regulation requires traders to supply customs authorities with
advance information on goods brought into the customs territory of the
European Community. This will provide for quicker process and release
upon arrival, resulting in a benefit for traders. The custom declaration
is performed by the owner of the goods or a person acting on his behalf
(a representative). It may also be performed by the person having
control over the goods. These persons may be individuals or companies
and, in certain cases, associations of persons. As a general rule, these
persons and companies (= importer) should be established in the European
Union. Responsibilities of the U.S. exporter are limited to providing
products manufactured according to the laws and regulations of Finland,
providing required export certificates, and providing required
commercial documents.

The custom declaration is to be lodged with the customs office where the
goods were or will shortly be presented. In the EU, the single
administrative document (SAD) is used within the framework of trade with
third countries and for the movement of non-EU goods within the EU.

Several Customs Clearance procedures exist, but the most significant is
the release of the goods for free circulation. For the sake of the
clarity, it is the only procedure mentioned in this report. The release
of the imported goods for free circulation requires payment of the
import duties to which they are liable. The term \"customs debt\" means
the obligation for a person to pay the amount of the import duties
(customs debt on importation), which apply to specific goods. Such
duties are laid down in the Community Customs Tariff (CCT). The purpose
of release for free circulation is to fulfill all import formalities so
that the goods can be sold within the EU. Release for free circulation
thus confers on non‑Community goods the status of Community goods.

Finland, as well as other European Union countries, uses the Combined
Nomenclature (CN) for the customs classification of goods. This
classification code determines relevant import duties and taxes as well
as the other responsible authorities (e.g. Finnish Food Safety
Authority) in addition to Customs. The EU's databases can be consulted
to look up commodity codes and import duties
<http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/dds/en/home.htm>

The value added tax (VAT) in Finland is 22 % and it will be paid at the
same time with other duties and taxes.

Finnish Customs may require the translation of some documents to Finnish
or Swedish. The length of the customs clearance procedure will depend on
the products. Also the requirements for import depend on the products.
For example, imports of organic foods require import licenses from the
Finnish Food Safety Authority EVIRA. Various plants, seeds, cereal
requires international phytosanitary certificate in order to be released
on the Finnish market.

More information in English can be found on the EU website
[www.ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/customs/index_en.htm](http://www.ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/customs/index_en.htm)

The website of the Finnish Customs in English is
[www.tulli.fi/en/index.jsp?language=en](http://www.tulli.fi/en/index.jsp?language=en)
Currently, there is no information on import procedures in English
available on this website.

### General Import Procedures for Agricultural Products

Finland applies the European Union system of import certificates for
agricultural products. Commission Regulation (EC) No 1291/2000 lays down
common detailed rules for the application of the system of import and
export licenses and advance fixing certificates for agricultural
products. For example, following products need import certificates:

-   oils and fats (Regulation No 136/66/EEC),

-   live plants and cut flowers (Regulation (EEC) No 234/68),

-   seeds (Regulation (EEC) No 2358/71),

-   pig meat (Regulation (EEC) No 2759/75),

-   eggs (Regulation (EEC) No 2771/75),

-   poultry meat (Regulation (EEC) No 2777/75),

-   ovalbumin and lactalbumin (Regulation (EEC) No 2783/75),

-   cereals (Regulation (EEC) No 1766/92),

-   bananas (Regulation (EEC) No 404/93),

-   rice (Regulation (EC) No 3072/95),

-   fruit and vegetables (Regulation (EC) No 2200/96),

-   processed fruit and vegetable products (Regulation (EC) No 2201/96),

-   sheep meat and goat meat (Regulation (EC) No 2467/98),

-   beef and veal (Regulation (EC) No 1254/1999),

-   milk and milk products (Regulation (EC) No 1255/1999),

-   wine (Regulation (EC) No 1493/1999),

-   sugar, isoglucose and inulin syrup (Regulation (EC) No 2038/1999).

Commission Regulation (EEC) No 2220/85 lays down common detailed rules
for the application of the system of securities for agricultural
products. When importers apply for import certificates, the obligation
to import the products mentioned is formed. Securities guarantee that
the import obligations will be fulfilled during the period of
certificate validity.

Import certificates to Finland can be applied for from the Intervention
Unit of the Ministry of Forestry and Agriculture. Before application,
the importer must register in the Intervention Unit of the Ministry of
Forestry and Agriculture as an importer of certain products.
Registration can be made with a special form available from the
Ministry.

### 

### 

### Import Procedures for Animals and Food Products 

The import of animals and products of animal origin is regulated by the
Act on Veterinary Border Inspections (1192/1996) and the Decree on
Veterinary Border Inspections of Products of Animal Origin. These
regulations state that veterinary border inspections are required to
import animals or products of animal origin. Five veterinary border
inspection posts, which operate under Ministry of Agriculture and
Forestry, hold the responsibility for veterinary border inspection in
Finland.

Before the physical arrival of the consignment on Finnish territory, the
notification of the arrival of the products must be made to the
veterinary staff of the border inspection post to which the products are
to be submitted. This notification is made using the Common Veterinary
Entry Document (CVED).

Common Veterinary Entry Document (CVED) can be filed in TRACES --system.
TRACES, which stands for 'TRAde Control and Expert System', is a
web-based system networking veterinary authorities in all Member States
and economic operators (companies). The system allows, among other
things, the company to introduce its requests on line to speed up all
the administrative procedures for import (or for intra trade). The
registration to the TRACES and logging in to the system occur on the
website <https://sanco.cec.eu.int/traces/>

Veterinary Border Inspection includes the inspection of documentation,
verifying that imported lot and documents are with the same contents,
physical inspection and possible laboratory analysis of taken samples.
The inspection is made by the veterinarians of the Finnish Food Safety
Authority.

After completion of the veterinary checks, the CVED is completed and
signed by the official veterinarian responsible for the border
inspection post in order to give veterinary clearance to the
consignment. After the veterinary clearance, the consignment is ready
for custom declaration and clearance. In addition, health certificates
and guarantees concerning salmonella and other specific food-borne
zoonotic agents for consignments imported to Finland are required.

# APPENDIX I. GOVERNMENT REGULATORY AGENCY CONTACTS

+-------------------------------------+--------------------------------+
| **Ministry of Agriculture and       | Legislation concerning food    |
| Forestry**\                         | and agriculture and monitoring |
| PO Box 30,\                         | of its implementation          |
| FI-00023 GOVERNMENT\                |                                |
| FINLAND\                            |                                |
| Tel: +358-9-16001\                  |                                |
| Fax +358-9-160 54202                |                                |
|                                     |                                |
| Website: www.mmm.fi                 |                                |
+-------------------------------------+--------------------------------+
| **Finnish Food Safety Authority     | Implementation and control of  |
| EVIRA**                             | regulations concerning the     |
|                                     | quality and safety of food     |
| Mustialankatu 3\                    | products, agriculture and      |
| FI-00790 HELSINKI\                  | forestry, animals and plants   |
| FINLAND\                            | health                         |
| Tel: +358 20 77 2003 (exchange)     |                                |
|                                     | Agency operates under Ministry |
| Fax: +358 20 77 24350\              | of Agriculture and Forestry    |
| E-mail:                             |                                |
| info![](media/image3                |                                |
| .png){width="0.15555555555555556in" |                                |
| heig                                |                                |
| ht="0.12569444444444444in"}evira.fi |                                |
|                                     |                                |
| Website: www.evira.fi               |                                |
+-------------------------------------+--------------------------------+
| **National Board of Patents and     | Trademarks                     |
| Registration of Finland**\          |                                |
| P.O.Box 1170,                       |                                |
|                                     |                                |
| FI-00101 HELSINKI                   |                                |
|                                     |                                |
| FINLAND                             |                                |
|                                     |                                |
| Tel: +358 9 6939 5855\              |                                |
| Fax: +358 9 6939 5328               |                                |
|                                     |                                |
| E-mail: registry@prh.fi             |                                |
|                                     |                                |
| Website: www.prh.fi                 |                                |
+-------------------------------------+--------------------------------+
| **Ministry of Education**           | Copyright matters              |
|                                     |                                |
| P.O. Box 29\                        |                                |
| FI - 00023 GOVERNMENT\              |                                |
| FINLAND\                            |                                |
| Tel: +358 9160 04 or +358 9 578 14\ |                                |
| Fax: +358 9 135 9335 (Registry)\    |                                |
| E-mail: opmkirjaamo@minedu.fi\      |                                |
| Website: www.minedu.fi              |                                |
+-------------------------------------+--------------------------------+
| **National Board of Customs**\      |                                |
| P.O. Box 512\                       |                                |
| FI-00530 HELSINKI                   |                                |
|                                     |                                |
| FINLAND                             |                                |
|                                     |                                |
| Tel. +358 9 6141\                   |                                |
| Fax +358 20 492 2852\               |                                |
| E-mail: kirmo@tulli.fi (to the      |                                |
| registry                            |                                |
|                                     |                                |
| Website: www.tulli.fi               |                                |
|                                     |                                |
| **Finnish Customs Laboratory**      |                                |
|                                     |                                |
| P.O. Box 53\                        |                                |
| 02151 Espoo\                        |                                |
| Tel. +358 9 6141\                   |                                |
| Fax  +358 9 463 383                 |                                |
+-------------------------------------+--------------------------------+
| **National Product Control Agency   | Alcoholic products, tobacco    |
| for Welfare and Health**\           | and chemicals                  |
| P.O. BOX  210\                      |                                |
| FI-00531 HELSINKI                   | Agency operates under the      |
|                                     | Ministry of Social Affairs and |
| FINLAND\                            | Health.                        |
| Tel. +358 9 3967 270\               |                                |
| Fax +358 9 67 2797    \             |                                |
| e-mail: sttv@sttv.fi                |                                |
|                                     |                                |
| Website: www.sttv.fi                |                                |
+-------------------------------------+--------------------------------+
|                                     |                                |
+-------------------------------------+--------------------------------+
|                                     |                                |
+-------------------------------------+--------------------------------+