The Finnish Transport and Communications Agency (Traficom) started operations on 1 January 2019. In this press release, you can read about some of the changes in Traficom’s area of responsibility introduced at the start of 2019.
Traficom started operations on 1 January 2019 and its task is to promote the safety and functioning of the Finnish transport system and to ensure that everyone in Finland has access to high-quality, secure and reasonably priced communications connections and services. Traficom supports sustainable development and boosts the expansion of the digital society by, for example, testing automation and robotics solutions in transport and communications. Traficom is Finland’s licensing, registration and supervisory authority in transport and communications.
Kirsi Karlamaa, M.Sc. (Tech.), has been appointed as the Director-General (External link) of the new agency. Traficom has a staff of 900 employees in 15 different locations. The agency’s head office is located in Helsinki.
Further information: The Finnish Transport and Communications Agency (Traficom) starts operations on 1 January 2019 (in Finnish) (External link)
Decree on the fees charged by Traficom now in effect
The decree on the fees charged by Traficom entered into force on 1 January 2019. The decree comprises two decrees on communications fees and one decree on transport fees.
Acting on somebody else’s behalf in travel chains now possible
One aim of the Act on Transport Services is to enable one-stop shop solutions for travel chain purchases. From 1 January 2019, operators maintaining customers’ user accounts have been obliged to open up their interface to enable acting on someone else’s behalf.
Further information: New guide on contractual practices for travel chains published – acting on someone else’s behalf possible as of 1 January 2019 (External link)
Vehicle tax reductions for low-emission vehicles and tax tables for a new CO2 measurement method introduced at the start of 2019
An emissions-based reduction in vehicle tax and vehicle tax tables based on a new CO2 measurement method were introduced at the start of 2019. Both changes will appear on vehicle tax notices from 1 January 2020.
Further information: Two amendments to the Vehicle Tax Act into effect on 1 January 2019 – tax reductions for low-emission vehicles and tax tables for a new CO2 measurement method (in Finnish) (External link)
Passport or identity card now needed when applying for a bank ID or mobile certificate
From the beginning of 2019, a passport or identity card must be shown when applying for a new strong electronic identification device from a bank or telecommunications operator. Online banking codes, mobile certificates issued by telecommunications operators and the citizenship certificates used in identity cards are the strong electronic identification devices offered to consumers.
Further information: Passport or identity card needed when applying for a bank ID or mobile certificate (External link)
Traficom now responsible for detailed specifications of traffic signs and traffic control devices
The authority to issue regulations on traffic control devices was transferred to Traficom on 1 January 2019. Traficom issues detailed regulations on the colours, structures and dimensions of traffic control devices and it may also grant exemptions from these regulations.
Changes to two aviation regulations
Two changes to Finnish aviation regulations entered into force on 31 December 2018. National regulations on the flight operations of the police and Finnish Customs, forest fire patrol flights, firefighting flights, and search and rescue flights were issued. The second change repeals a number of flight operation regulations superseded by EU legislation.
Further information: Finnish Transport Safety Agency has issued two new aviation regulations (in Finnish) (External link)
New emissions requirements introduced
New emissions requirements for snowmobiles, tractors and motorised work machines also entered into force on 1 January 2019.
Further information: New emissions requirements for snowmobiles into effect on 1 January 2019 (in Finnish) (External link)
New stage V emissions requirements for tractors into effect on 1 January 2019 (in Finnish) (External link)
New emissions requirements for engines of motorised work machines into effect on 1 January 2019 (in Finnish) (External link)
Changes in legislation on heavy snowmobiles
The use of larger snowmobiles is now permitted on snowmobile routes designated for this purpose and separately designated routes. Both the new law and Trafi’s regulations concerning the changes entered into force on 31 December 2018.
See the press release of the Ministry of Transport and Communications: Legislation on snowmobiles eased https://www.lvm.fi/en/-/snowmobile-legislation-to-be-eased-993494 (External link)
Traficom now responsible for discretionary government transfers in the transport sector
The Finnish Transport and Communications Agency is now responsible for the discretionary government transfers in the transport sector that used to be granted by the Finnish Transport Agency. These include the merchant vessel subsidy, subsidies for public transport and mobility management, as well as setting of the air transport service obligation and purchasing of air transport services.