Act on the European Community Eco-label Award Scheme (No. 958 of 1997)

NB: Unofficial translation Act on the European Community Eco-label Award Scheme (958/1997) Section 1 Purpose of the Act This Act lays down matters necessary for implementation of Council of the European Communities Regulation (EEC) No. 880/92 on a Community eco-label award scheme, hereinafter referred to as the Council Regulation. Section 2 Competent body In Finland, the competent body referred to in article 9 of the Council Regulation shall be the Finnish Standards Association SFS. (890/1998) The competent body shall observe the provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act (598/1982), the Act on Notice in Administrative Matters (232/1966) and the Language Act (148/1922), unless otherwise provided by the Council Regulation. The provisions on official documents shall apply regarding making public documents of the competent body. Persons performing functions of the competent body under the Council Regulation shall be subject to official liability for their actions. 2 Section 3 Inspection and supervision (682/2000) The ministry of the Environment is entitled to inspect and supervise the operations of the Finnish Standards Association SFS in its capacity as the competent body. Section 4 Charges The Act on Bases for Charges Payable to the State (150/1992) applies to the fees charged for applications for award of a Community eco-label and use of the label, unless the matter is provided for in Community law. Section 5 Violation of the confidentiality duty The punishment for a violation of the prohibition laid down in article 13 of the Council Regulation shall be imposed under chapter 38, section 1 or 2, of the Penal Code, unless the act is punishable under chapter 40, section 5, of the Penal Code or a more severe punishment is prescribed for the act elsewhere in the law. Section 6 Appeal A decision issued by the competent body in a matter concerning award of the eco-label can be appealed to a provincial administrative court under the Act on Administrative Judicial Procedure (586/1996). Section 7 Further provisions The competent ministry can issue further provisions on the implementation of this Act, as necessary. 3 Section 8 Entry into force This Act enters into force on December 1, 1997. Measures needed for the implementation of this Act may be undertaken before this Act comes into force.