1.

Notifying Member: FINLAND

If applicable, name of local government involved (Article 3.2 and 7.2): Ålands landskapsregering

2.

Agency responsible:

Ålands landskapsregering,

Miljöbyrån

PB 1060 AX-22111 Mariehamn,

Tel. +358 18 25000, registrator@regeringen.ax

www.regeringen.ax

Name and address (including telephone and fax numbers, email and website addresses, if available) of agency or authority designated to handle comments regarding the notification shall be indicated if different from above:

3.

Notified under Article 2.9.2 [ ], 2.10.1 [X], 5.6.2 [ ], 5.7.1 [ ], 3.2 [ ], 7.2 [ ], other: Technical Regulation - urgent (Article 2.10.1), Technical Regulation - local government (Article 3.2)

4.

Products covered (HS or CCCN where applicable, otherwise national tariff heading. ICS numbers may be provided in addition, where applicable): Nicotine pouches for oral purpose, containing 20 mg nicotine a pouch or more.

5.

Title, number of pages and language(s) of the notified document: Decision on restriction of letting out products that contain nicotine on the market. The decision was made in accordance with 1 § 1 mom. landskapslag (1990:32) om tillämpning i landskapet Åland av riksförfattningar om kemikalier och 45 § 1 mom. kemikalielagen (FFS 599/2013).; (4 page(s), in Swedish)

6.

Description of content: The decisions entry into force would mean that the letting out of nicotine pouches containing 20 mg nicotine a pouch or more would be forbidden. The decision is made due to a modified interpretation of the legislation on medicine which has led to a deregulation of nicotine pouches.

A change of the legislation on tobacco, with the purpose of regulating nicotine pouches, is in progress on the Åland Islands. However it is unclear when that legislation can come into force.

7.

Objective and rationale, including the nature of urgent problems where applicable: The purpose of the restriction is to prevent accidents due to nicotine poisoning. Pouches with a high level of nicotine can cause serious inconvenience and health problems. If swallowed the nicotine pouches can be poisonous. Nicotine pouches can possibly be fatal for infants and toddlers. Pouches with a high level of nicotine can cause poisoning or nausea for teenagers and adults.; Protection of human health or safety

8.

Relevant documents:

Draft of the decision Notification Detail | TRIS - European Commission (europa.eu)

9.

Proposed date of adoption: 7 September 2023

Proposed date of entry into force: 14 September 2023

10.

Final date for comments: 31 August 2023

11.

Texts available from: National enquiry point [X] or address, telephone and fax numbers and email and website addresses, if available, of other body:

Ålands landskapsregering

Strandgatan 37, Mariehamn

PB 1060 AX-22111 Mariehamn

Tel. +358 18 25000, registrator@regeringen.ax

For technical regulations and conformity assessment procedures:

Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment (in Finland)

P.O. Box 32

FI-00023

+(358) 29 516001

maaraykset.tekniset.tem@gov.fi

http://www.tem.fi

https://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2023/TBT/FIN/23_11159_00_x.pdf