HOST NATION SUPPORT GUIDELINES Finland’s legal preparedness for international disaster response – Host Nation Support Guidelines Finnish Red Cross 2014 Report on the regulation of the reception of international aid in Finland ECHO/SUB/2012/638451 The report is part of the project titled ”Implementation of the EU Host Nation Support Guidelines”, (ECHO/SUB/2012/638451) The project is funded by the Civil Protection Financial Instrument of the European Union for 2013– 2014, provided by the European Community Humanitarian Office (ECHO) Author: Maarit Pimiä, Bachelor of Laws Mandators: The Finnish Red Cross, National Preparedness Unit The Department of Rescue Services of the Ministry of the Interior Translated by: Semantix Finland Oy Date: 14.3.2014 © Finnish Red Cross The European Commission is not responsible for the content of this report or the views expressed in this report. The authors are responsible for the content. 2 Report on the regulation of the reception of international aid in Finland ECHO/SUB/2012/638451 Contents Abbreviations ........................................................................................................................ 6 Definitions ............................................................................................................................. 8 1. Introduction .................................................................................................................... 11 1.1 Background of the report ...................................................................................... 11 1.2 Research method .................................................................................................. 12 1.3 Information about Finland .................................................................................... 13 1.3.1 General information ..................................................................................... 13 1.3.2 Accident profile ............................................................................................ 13 1.3.3 Administrative structure of Finland ............................................................. 14 2. International legal framework and major cooperation agreements ............. 16 2.1 European Union .................................................................................................... 16 2.2 The United Nations and its key organisations ...................................................... 17 2.3 Other organisations .............................................................................................. 18 2.3.1 North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) ................................................. 18 2.3.2 International Humanitarian Partnership ...................................................... 18 2.3.3 Conventions on privileges and immunities .................................................. 19 3. Regional cooperation and bilateral treaties ......................................................... 20 3.1 Regional agreements ............................................................................................ 20 3.1.1 Nordic agreements ...................................................................................... 20 3.1.2 Barents Treaty ............................................................................................. 20 3.1.3 Agreement on cooperation on aeronautical and maritime search and rescue in the Arctic ................................................................... 21 3.1.4 Municipal and regional cooperation ............................................................ 21 3.2 Bilateral agreements ............................................................................................. 22 3.2.1 Russia ........................................................................................................... 22 3.2.1.1 Cooperation in sea and air rescue ............................................ 22 3.2.1.2 Agreement on cooperation for the prevention of accidents and their consequences ........................................................... 22 3.2.2 Sweden ........................................................................................................ 22 3.2.3 Norway ......................................................................................................... 23 3.2.4 Estonia ......................................................................................................... 23 3.2.4.1 Agreement on cooperation and mutual assistance in cases of accidents between Finland and Estonia .................... 23 3.2.4.2 Agreement concerning cooperation on maritime and aeronautical search and rescue ........................................ 23 4. National legal system and legislation framework ............................................... 24 4.1 Key regulations in Finland with regard accidents ................................................. 24 4.2 Competent authorities: main issues, coordination and information exchange ... 25 4.2.1 Central government ..................................................................................... 25 4.2.2 Local government ........................................................................................ 29 4.2.3 Volunteers, organisations and private operators ........................................ 30 3 Report on the regulation of the reception of international aid in Finland ECHO/SUB/2012/638451 4.2.4 Special issues ............................................................................................... 31 4.2.4.1 Serious cross-border threats to health .................................... 31 4.2.4.2 Oil spill response and chemical accidents at sea ..................... 32 4.2.4.3 Radiation emergencies ............................................................. 32 5. Operating regulations in disaster situations ........................................................ 34 5.1 Requesting, initiating and discontinuing assistance ............................................ 34 5.1.1 Requesting assistance ................................................................................. 34 5.1.2 Discontinuation of aid ................................................................................. 35 5.2 Coordination of assistance and exchange of information ................................... 35 5.2.1 National contact points ............................................................................... 35 5.2.2 Management and coordination of international assistance teams ............. 36 5.3 Personnel .............................................................................................................. 37 5.3.1 Border crossing formalities; visas and work permits .................................. 37 5.3.2 Employee rights and professional qualifications ......................................... 38 5.3.2.1 Labour regulations ................................................................... 38 5.3.2.2 Professional qualifications ....................................................... 39 5.3.2.3 Driving licences ......................................................................... 41 5.3.3 Cooperation with locals ............................................................................... 41 5.4 Goods .................................................................................................................... 42 5.4.1 Import of goods General regulations regarding import .............................. 42 5.4.2 Items under special restrictions .................................................................. 44 5.4.2.1 Medicines and medical supplies ............................................... 44 5.4.2.2 Import of vehicles ..................................................................... 45 5.4.2.3 Food products .......................................................................... 46 5.4.2.4 Animals ..................................................................................... 46 5.4.3 Returning surplus rescue supplies ............................................................... 46 5.5 Taxation ................................................................................................................ 47 5.5.1 Individuals .................................................................................................... 47 5.5.2 Goods ........................................................................................................... 47 5.6 Transport and travel in the country ..................................................................... 48 5.6.1 Entry by air, sea or land ............................................................................... 48 5.6.2 Transit through Finland to another country ................................................ 49 5.6.3 Access to sites of accidents ........................................................................ 49 5.7 Communications in accident situations ................................................................ 50 5.7.1 Finnish authority communications in Finland and abroad ........................... 50 5.7.2 Communication between Finnish authorities and international modules ... 51 5.7.3 Other issues ................................................................................................. 51 5.8 Currency and bank accounts ................................................................................ 52 5.9 Overtime work and other labour regulations ....................................................... 52 5.10 Responsibilities of host