Government bills39
- HE 75/2026 vpPassed with amendments
Tightening industrial and livestock emission regulations
Emission limits for large industrial installations will be tightened and their environmental requirements increased. At the same time, new activities, such as metal mines and smaller pig and poultry farms than before, will be brought within the scope of regulation.
17 Jun 2026 · passed without a vote - HE 195/2025 vpPassed with amendments
Clarifying environmental penal provisions
Penal provisions concerning fluorinated greenhouse gases, ozone-depleting substances and the reporting of industrial emissions data will be clarified in line with EU regulation. The acts will define more precisely the acts and omissions for which a fine may be imposed.
25 Feb 2026 · passed without a vote - HE 175/2024 vpPassed with amendments
Linking water objectives to environmental permits
Securing the good status of water bodies and the prohibition of deterioration will become directly statutory, binding conditions for granting environmental and water permits. At the same time, companies will be able to apply for a derogation from water objectives directly in connection with the permit application, speeding up the processing of projects.
13 Dec 2024 · 10 votes99 jaa71 ei - HE 128/2022 vpPassed
Accelerating green transition permits and appeals
Investment projects that promote the green transition and renewable energy will temporarily be given priority in the processing of environmental permits and appeal processes. The measure will accelerate the implementation of clean technology and energy projects.
7 Dec 2022 · 1 vote90 jaa32 ei - HE 211/2024 vpPassed
Streamlining permitting for clean technology projects
A centralised contact point will be established for clean technology industrial projects to coordinate various permit procedures and advise applicants. Key strategic projects will also be given priority in the processing of environmental and water permits and in appellate courts.
10 Mar 2025 · passed without a vote - HE 189/2024 vpPassed with amendments
Reforming snow dumping and environmental permits
Dumping snow from the shore into the sea will be prohibited after a three-year transition period. At the same time, permit procedures for small biogas plants and hydrogen production will be streamlined.
28 Feb 2025 · passed without a vote - HE 196/2024 vpPassed
Accelerating permit procedures for critical raw materials
Raw material projects deemed strategic by the EU will be given priority in the processing of environmental and water permits and before the courts. In addition, the Regional State Administrative Agency for Northern Finland will become a nationwide single point of contact that coordinates permit procedures and monitors their time limits.
11 Dec 2024 · passed without a vote - HE 178/2024 vpPassed
Banning ship wastewater discharges
Discharging scrubber washwater, treated sewage, and washing and galley grey water into the sea will be prohibited in Finnish territorial waters. In addition, new obligations will be placed on ports and shipping companies to reduce maritime emissions and provide on-shore power.
5 Dec 2024 · 2 votesClosest vote · Voimaantulosäännös , mietintö / Tiina Elo
154 jaa19 ei - HE 102/2024 vpPassed with amendments
Reforming refrigeration qualifications and supervision
Qualification requirements for installers and companies handling refrigerants and heat pumps will be expanded, and licences will become fixed-term. The amendment implements new EU regulation to reduce emissions of climate-warming gases.
18 Nov 2024 · passed without a vote - HE 126/2022 vpPassed with amendments
Strengthening municipal and environmental roles in mining
The Mining Act will be amended so that establishing a new mine will always require a plan approved by the municipality. At the same time, environmental protection will be improved, the conditions for mineral exploration tightened, and access to information and opportunities to exert influence for landowners and local residents increased.
24 Feb 2023 · passed without a vote - HE 321/2022 vpPassed
Clarifying air quality monitoring and cooperation
Legislation on air quality monitoring and cross-border air protection cooperation would be specified to align with EU requirements. Municipalities would be required to notify the Ministry of the Environment if air quality limit values are exceeded due to transboundary air pollution from abroad.
15 Feb 2023 · passed without a vote - HE 196/2022 vpPassed with amendments
Tightening drinking water safety and monitoring
The purity and quality of drinking water will be protected more rigorously across the entire water supply chain, from raw water to the consumer's tap. At the same time, public access to information about water quality, price and consumption will be improved.
2 Dec 2022 · passed without a vote - HE 117/2022 vpPassed
Streamlining environmental permits and shipwreck management
Cooperation and communication between authorities processing environmental permits will be strengthened to streamline permit processes. At the same time, clear responsibility will be laid down for the Finnish Environment Institute (Syke) regarding the monitoring and clean-up of oil-containing shipwrecks and the care of oiled wildlife.
26 Oct 2022 · passed without a vote - HE 268/2018 vpPassed with amendments
Digitalising environmental and water procedures
Applications for environmental and water permits and related notifications with authorities will become primarily electronic. Physical notice boards of municipalities and authorities will be phased out, and public notices and decisions will be published online.
3 Apr 2019 · passed without a vote - HE 243/2021 vpPassed with amendments
Updating environmental permits and waste securities
Rules on amending environmental permits and waste securities required from operators are clarified so that the securities are sufficient to cover the costs of decommissioning and waste management, including in bankruptcies. At the same time, the use of meat and bone meal in energy production is facilitated and the online publication of older environmental decisions is clarified.
29 Apr 2022 · passed without a vote - HE 167/2017 vpPassed with amendments
Stricter emissions monitoring for medium-sized combustion plants
In accordance with an EU directive, smaller energy production plants than before will also fall under registration and emissions requirements under the Environmental Protection Act. At the same time, authorities' processing deadlines for registering plants will be shortened.
20 Dec 2017 · passed without a vote - HE 43/2017 vpPassed with amendments
Extending environmental leave to appeal
Appeals to the Supreme Administrative Court in environmental, water and construction matters will require leave to appeal. The reform will speed up the processing of cases and the finalisation of decisions.
18 Dec 2017 · 1 vote124 jaa57 ei - HE 71/2021 vpPassed with amendments
Improving port waste management and marine protection
The obligation for ports to receive waste from ships and boats will be extended to smaller ports than before to prevent littering of waterways. At the same time, emissions monitoring will be tightened and administrative procedures for vessels made smoother.
18 Jun 2021 · passed without a vote - HE 128/2016 vpPassed with amendments
Easing rural wastewater requirements
Obligations to upgrade wastewater systems on properties in sparsely populated areas will be eased. A strict deadline will apply only in shoreline and groundwater areas, while elsewhere wastewater renovations will become mandatory only in connection with other major renovations.
21 Dec 2016 · 3 votes116 jaa55 ei - HE 59/2020 vpPassed with amendments
Confidentiality for Defence Forces chemical depots
Provisions on publicity and consultation may be derogated from in environmental permit and notification procedures concerning specially protected chemical and fuel depots of the Finnish Defence Forces. This will ensure that information critical to national defence is not disclosed during environmental protection oversight.
4 Nov 2020 · passed without a vote