1.

Notifying Member: FINLAND

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

2.

Agency responsible:

The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health

PO Box 33

FI-00023 Government

Finland

Tel. +358 295 16001

Fax +358 9 698 0709

E-mail: kirjaamo.stm@gov.fi

Website: http://www.stm.fi

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:

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 draft under section 45b, subsections 1 and 3 of the Chemicals Act (599/2013) restricting marketing of products containing nicotine.; (4 page(s), in Finnish)

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 Finland. 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 https://technical-regulation-information-system.ec.europa.eu/fi/notification/23968

9.

Proposed date of adoption: As soon as possible.

Proposed date of entry into force: As soon as possible.

10.

Final date for comments: Not Applicable

11.

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

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_11460_00_x.pdf