Security of supply and securing of vital functions in the administrative branch of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment

 

Preparedness model

The concept for comprehensive security, established in the Security Strategy for Society, forms the foundation of resilience in Finnish society. In the concept for comprehensive security, the vital functions of society are taken care of in collaboration between the authorities, business community, organisations and citizens.

The vital functions refer to functions that are essential for the functioning of society, highly interdependent, and must be maintained in all situations. Ministries have been assigned strategic tasks to secure the vital functions of society. Security of supply is one of the vital functions in the concept for comprehensive security, and the administrative branch of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment plays a key role in securing it. The Ministry has also been assigned tasks related to securing other vital functions, such as internal security and international activities.

• Security Strategy for Society | tem.fi

Security of supply

Security of supply refers to securing economic activities and the production and availability of goods, materials and services, and critical infrastructure, that are essential for the livelihood and protection of the population, the country’s economy, national defence and security in preparation for, and during, serious disruptions in normal conditions as well as emergency conditions. The aim is for society to operate as normally as possible, even in crisis situations.

At the practical level, securing security of supply is based on preparedness by the business community, administrative guidance, and proactive arrangements and plans. However, companies' independent preparedness for business risks does not produce adequate security of supply for society as a whole in every sector, which creates a need for measures by the authorities and binding legislation.

Security of supply work enables society to ensure that, even in challenging circumstances, daily consumer goods are available, there is an adequate supply of energy for households and industry, telecommunications connections are operational, and healthcare can continue to operate. Proactively securing key functions helps mitigate the impacts of crises and ultimately enables a return to a state of normalcy.

According to the Act on the Measures Necessary to Secure Security of Supply (1390/1992), each ministry is responsible for security of supply and its development in its administrative branch. However, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment is responsible for coordinating the development of security of supply and preparedness measures. In addition, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment bears the main responsibility for matters related to safeguarding energy supply, securing the availability of workforce, safeguarding vital industries and services, and ensuring the availability of space services.

The National Emergency Supply Agency is a key authority under the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment. Its role is to maintain and develop security of supply. Its tasks include the development of cooperation between the public administration, the third sector and the business community, safeguarding the production of vital goods and services, and managing stockpiling. The National Emergency Supply Agency's coordinating role and cooperation bodies play a central role in preparedness, as companies participate in security of supply work mainly on a voluntary basis.

Security of supply legislation and guidance documents

Security of supply activities are regulated. The key regulations that guide them include the Security of Supply Act and the Government Decision on the Objectives of Security of Supply (568/2024). Security of supply legislation is legislation that applies in normal conditions. Its purpose is, through proactive measures, to ensure that economic activities in society are maintained even in times of crisis. The guidance documents on security of supply include the Security Strategy for Society (16 January 2025) and the Government Report on Security of Supply (15 September 2022).

The Security of Supply Act provides a definition of the concept of security of supply and sets out the objectives of security of supply work. The Act also lays down provisions on the responsibilities of the authorities, the National Emergency Supply Agency and the financing of security of supply. The Security of Supply Act is currently being reformed (HE 145/2025 vp). The aims of the reform include clarifying the National Emergency Supply Agency's status as a public authority and its tasks, improve the ministries' guidance opportunities and ensure an adequate level of funding for security of supply work.

In accordance with the Security of Supply Act, the Government has set the general objectives for security of supply, which define the required level of preparedness. The decision lays out the starting points, implementation principles and priorities for security of supply. The latest Government Decision on the Objectives of Security of Supply was confirmed on 24 October 2024, and the starting point for security of supply is Finland's changed security environment and increasing the level of preparedness.

The Government report on security of supply to Parliament lays out the key objectives for developing security of supply by 2030. The report describes the operating environment of security of supply in Finland and in the international context, and evaluates the development needs relating to security of supply in the rapidly changing operating environment. The report and its implementation ensure an adequate level of security of supply as part of Finnish society’s comprehensive security.