Public procurement legislation

In addition to national legislation and EU directives, Finnish contracting authorities adhere to the World Trade Organisation’s Agreement on Government Procurement (GPA).

National legislation

Acts on public contracts

Act on Public contracts and concessions (1397/2016) (in Finnish)  

Act on public contracts and concessions of entities operating in the water, energy, transport and postal services sectors (1398/2016) (in Finnish)

Government report on the reform of the Act on Public Contracts (in Finnish)

National legislation concerning public contracts

Centralisation of state procurement

The Ministry of Finance is responsible for the management and development of central government procurement activities. In accordance with the State Budget Act, the Ministry of Finance decides on organising centralised competitive tendering procedures for central government contracts. More detailed provisions concerning centralised procurement are laid down in the Ministry of Finance Decision on joint procurement in central government. The government’s centralised procurement is managed by Hansel Ltd, the central purchasing body.

Legislation concerning languages

Applying the Language Act to public contracts

The Ministry of Trade and Industry has asked the Ministry of Justice to issue an opinion concerning the application of the Language Act (423/2003) and the Act on the Openness of Government Activities (621/1999) to public contracts.

Opinion of the Ministry of Justice