Legislation on export control of dual-use items to be reformed

The new act on the export of dual-use items enters into force on 15 September 2024. The Ministry for Foreign Affairs advises businesses to familiarise themselves with and prepare for the legislative amendment. The amendment includes a national control list of items that need an authorisation for export outside the European Union.

On 16 August, the President of the Republic approved the bills on export control of dual-use items and the amendments to chapter 46, sections 1 and 12 of the Criminal Code. The act is about complementary national legislation to support the application of the EU Export Control Regulation. Reforming the national legislation will harmonise Finnish regulations with the Export Control Regulation and ensure efficient enforcement of export control in Finland.

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. When the act enters into force, an export authorisation will be required for items on the national control list when they are exported outside the European Union. Finland is preparing a national procedure for general export authorisations alongside the EU general export authorisation to allow the export of items by notification to the Foreign Ministry.

The legislative reform also amended chapter 46 of the Criminal Code concerning regulation offences and failure to file an export control notification of dual-use items. The acts will enter into force on 15 September 2024. The Ministry for Foreign Affairs advises businesses to prepare for the entry into force of the act.

Correction 16 August 2024: additional information.