Blog: Accreditation is a global issue
Many people have almost never heard of competence assessment and the term ‘accreditation’ in particular. What are these about?
Neonicotinoids replaced in protection of oilseed crops
The Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency (Tukes) has granted authorisations by derogation for the plant protection of spring oilseed and sugarbeet. Tukes has granted an authorisation by derogation...
Blog: Buyer’s risk – online marketplaces challenge product safety
It looks exactly the same and it is so much cheaper! It costs EUR 10 here, but I can get it for a tenth of the price posted free of charge from a faraway country. So why would I pay more for the...
KemiDigi is progressing and will soon be commissioned
The KemiDigi project (digital chemical data management) involves collecting information on chemicals in one place and simplifying companies’ obligations to submit information on chemicals. Among...
Keep your feet on the ground this festive season – despite the increased risk
If the pavements are slippery during the festive season, it is reflected in a peak in pedestrians falling accidents and people hurting themselves. In the beginning of winter, pedestrians have...
Inadequate ventilation probable cause of fire at Sipoo plant
The Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency (Tukes) has finished its accident investigation of the explosive fire that took place on March 2nd, 2018, at an aerosol filling plant in Sipoo. One person...
Tukes tested products from cheap online shops: nearly all of the toys, child care supplies and electrical appliances were dangerous
Because consumers have been shopping at online shops outside the EU increasingly often in the past few years, the Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency (Tukes) decided to test the safety of products...
When food supplements purchased from distant lands contains designer drugs or a charger burns down the house, the buyer is responsible
Finnish authorities and other organisations campaign widely for safe online shopping. In recent years, consumer shopping at online shops located in distant lands has increased heavily, and Finnish...
KemiDigi progresses, user tests continue
The KemiDigi project (digital chemical data management) collects information on chemicals in one place and simplifies the companies’ obligations to submit information related to chemicals. Among...
New features of chemical establishment surveillance: remote inspections and inspections of the corporate group
The Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency (Tukes) has introduced new methods for monitoring the handling and storage of dangerous chemicals. Tukes aims to increase the effectiveness of the monitoring...
Chemicals are not the only danger caused by Squishies toys – keep out of reach of small children
The Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency (Tukes) warns about the choking hazard posed by Squishies toys. Tukes asks consumers to return to the seller any I Love Squishies toys that have easily...
Tukes to examine how the organiser had anticipated the risks of the rally
The Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency (Tukes) will examine how the safety of a public event was ensured in the Finnish Rally Championship event in Seinäjoki and whether the organiser had complied...
Ore exploration grew dramatically in Finland
Ore exploration operations in Finland continued fast growth in 2017. Drilling conducted by exploration companies increased by 53% compared to the previous year. Altogether 46 companies submitted...
The ‘Watch out for online scams’ campaign warns consumers of online scammers
Commencing today, the ‘Watch out for online scams’ campaign aims to warn consumers of scammers operating online. Everyone using the Internet should keep in mind that if something seems too good to...
Customs and the Safety and Chemicals Agency find numerous defects in intensified controls of personal protective equipment
In autumn 2017 and at the turn of the year, Customs and the Safety and Chemicals Agency (Tukes) carried out intensified controls of personal protective equipment meant for the consumer market. The...
Remember safety goggles for viewers, too, and support for the batteries
Safety goggles give good protection against firework sparks and any stray fireworks. Safety goggles are compulsory for those who set off fireworks. The Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency (Tukes)...
Defects found in brass pipe fittings
Tests conducted by the Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency (Tukes) found defects in brass fittings which may be installed in domestic water pipes. The brass alloys of two fittings were unsuitable...
Montreal Protocol signed 30 years ago has grown into a success story in international environmental protection
16 September marks the 30th anniversary of the Montreal Protocol. Thanks to the protocol, the ozone layer is now recovering and it is expected to be almost fully restored in about 50 to 70 years....
Safety defects in children’s fancy dresses
At this time of the year, shops are offering an abundance of fancy dresses for the May Day parties, and many parents buy them for their children. According to tests commissioned by the Finnish...
Ore exploration and exploitation on the increase
Ore exploration operations in Finland started to grow in 2016, despite global downtrend. Drilling conducted by exploration companies increased by 37% compared to the previous year. Altogether 41...
Both businesses and consumers benefit from efficient exchange of information
Bruises, broken bones, electric shocks, harmful chemicals – non-compliant products may pose many kind of hazards to consumers. In 2016, a total of 2,044 notifications of dangerous products were...
Turvallisuus100+ demonstrates the value of safety in 100-year-old Finland
The Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency (Tukes) celebrates Finland’s 100 years of independence by publishing a series of articles under the heading turvallisuus100+ (Safety100+).
Tukes' new strategy embraces the possibilities involved in the reform of the work of government authorities
The new strategy of the Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency (Tukes), for the period up to 2022, emphasises responsibility, accountability, a risk-based approach, digitalisation and cooperation....
Surveillance of the safety of consumer services to be centralised in Tukes as of 1 May 2016
Consumer safety surveillance has been part of environmental healthcare, and consumer services have been supervised in municipal co-operation areas under the guidance of the Finnish Safety and...
Both businesses and consumers benefit from the EU database of dangerous products
Over 2,000 notifications on dangerous products are issued to the European Rapid Alert System (RAPEX) every year. Most of the notifications relate to toys, clothing, textiles and fashion items. The...
More responsibilities for importers and distributors about product compliance
After the adoption of new EU product directives on 20 April, importers and distributors find themselves with more responsibility for product compliance. For example, importers will need to ensure...
Ore exploration is decreasing, but minerals are being sought from a larger area than ever before
Ore exploration operations in Finland continued to fall in 2015, as the amount of drilling conducted by exploration companies decreased compared to the previous year. Despite this drop, ore...
Predators in Finland have higher levels of rodenticides than in Central Europe
Eighty-seven per cent of rodents or animals eating rodent carcasses are exposed to the active substances contained in rodenticides. A study conducted by the Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency...
Improved surveillance of plant protection products to help bee death investigations
The Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency (Tukes) and the Finnish Food Safety Authority Evira have completed their investigation into potential links between plant protection products and bee deaths...
Know more about the effects of the chemicals we use in Europe
European Chemicals Agency ECHA's Press Release It is now easier to find information on 120 000 chemicals used in Europe today. There is now a new, easier way to find out about the chemicals we use...
School children in the Nordic countries are taught about hazardous chemicals in Hanna’s House
In a new, joint Nordic teaching material the youngest school children are taught about the hazardous properties of e.g. drain cleaner, lighter fluid and limescale remover, and about why such...
Safe online shopping requires vigilance – also around Christmas time
More and more Finns do their Christmas shopping online. Online shopping requires vigilance, as many online stores sell counterfeit goods or, in some cases, unsafe products. The Finnish supervisory...
Zero tolerance for head injuries in Finnish baseball – focus on use and condition of headgear
The Finnish Baseball Association (Suomen Pesäpalloliitto ry), manufacturers of protective headgear, the Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency (Tukes) and the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health...
New tools for learning from accidents
New tools for accident investigators and trainers have been developed by ESReDA. The tools include a model to analyse what has been learned and what has not, a list of barriers that prevent...
Why cannot chemical accidents be prevented?
The same kinds of accidents occur time and again at production establishments handling dangerous chemicals. Can we not learn from previous accidents? Do we use appropriate accident investigation...
Social acceptability of mining operations best promoted by transparency and communications
To achieve social acceptability mining companies have the challenge of proving that environmental and safety issues are under control. Responsible decision-making and operations is a prerequisite....
European mining authorities meet to discuss social acceptability of mining activities
The Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency (Tukes) will be hosting a meeting of European mining authorities in Finland on 15–16 September 2015 under the theme of the social acceptability of mines.
Thousands of children visit Piki's Room safety game every day
Piki's Room, a safety game aimed at children of day care age, has been created by the Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency (Tukes) together with the children's programme Pikku Kakkonen of Yle...
Supervision by the authorities and consumer protection do not cover the online stores of far-off countries
An increasing number of Finns make purchases online. The ease, limitless selections and price attract consumers to shop online. The campaign ‘Information Brings Safety’, launched today, draws...
Be aware of the risks before you decide to have tattoo
The Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency (Tukes) recommends that anyone considering having a tattoo should check with the tattoo artist whether the inks used meet the chemical safety requirements....
Nearly 2,500 dangerous products withdrawn from the EU market in 2014
In 2014, a total of 2,435 notifications on dangerous products were issued to the European Rapid Alert System (RAPEX). Most of the notifications related to toys, clothing, textiles and fashion...
The UBA and Tukes concerned about environmental impacts of veterinary medicines
The Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency (Tukes) and the German Federal Environment Agency, Umweltbundesamt (UBA), are concerned about the environmental risks of veterinary medicines. In their...
Tukes has developed a safety game for young children together with Yle
The Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency (Tukes), together with Yle, Finland's national broadcasting company and Demola, a student innovation centre in Tampere, has generated a safety game aimed at...
Composite bottles for breathing apparatuses are due for periodic inspection at three-year intervals
The Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency (Tukes) reminds readers that composite bottles for breathing apparatuses are due for periodic inspection by an inspection body at three-year intervals. ...
Information brings more safety when shopping online
Joint press release of the Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority (FCCA), the Finnish Transport Safety Agency (Trafi), the Finnish Medicines Agency (FIMEA), the Radiation and Nuclear Safety...
Dangerous prams and pushchairs withdrawn from market
The safety of prams and pushchairs was investigated in a joint European product safety market surveillance project with the Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency (Tukes) representing Finland. In the...
Defects detected in hearing protectors for children
Certain hearing protectors for children has been withdrawn from the market due to product defects. The Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency (Tukes) has tested six hearing protectors for children, at...
Requirements for diving bottle filling stations
This release describes the qualities of premises on which diving bottles can be filled and the requirements for persons responsible for the filling station and for filling operators.
The guide 'A Safe Home for a Child' now available in English
The guide 'A Safe Home for A Child' was published by the Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency (Tukes) in April 2014. The English-language version of the guide is now available online. The guide...
Survey: Exposure to chemicals worries one in five people in Finland
The Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency (Tukes) has commissioned a survey from Taloustutkimus, examining the Finnish people’s attitudes towards the use of products that contain chemicals. Most...
Kimmo Peltonen named Director General of Tukes
Ministry of Employment and the Economy's press release Ph.D. Kimmo Peltonen will start in the post of Director General of the Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency (Tukes) from 1 July 2014. The post...
Strong RAPEX cooperation improves consumer safety
In 2013, a total of 2,364 notifications of dangerous products were entered in the European RAPEX system. The number of notifications has quadrupled over the last ten years. Most of these...
Airsoft eye and face protectors withdrawn from market
The Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency (Tukes) has withdrawn from the Finnish market seven non-conforming eye and face protectors used in airsoft gaming. During its surveillance project, Tukes...
World Consumer Rights' Day: learn more about chemicals
ECHA celebrates the World Consumer Rights' Day 2014 by publishing more information about the safe use of chemicals for consumers.
Rape and turnip rape seeds treated with neonicotinoids can be used from 3 March to 30 June 2014
The Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency (Tukes) has made the decision to permit the sale, marketing and use of rape and turnip rape seeds treated with the products Cruiser OSR, Elado FS 480 and...
The death of electrician in Savitaipale was caused by insufficient observance of safety instructions
The accidental death of an electrician in Savitaipale on 17 April 2013 was caused by insufficient observance of safety precautions. An electrician of a Polish contractor died of electric shock in...
Citizens called to contribute to improvement of chemical hazard communication
The first national chemical hazard communication plan is under preparation in Finland, and the first draft version is now ready. An open hearing is organised for gathering comments and opinions.
Minor defects in lighters
After testing Tukes has discovered only minor defects in cigarette lighters. Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency (Tukes ) had ten cigarette lighter models marketed in Finland tested by SGS Fimko...
Nordic co-operation promotes electrical safety
Nordic co-operation in electrical safety aims at accident prevention and early identification of safety risks. Electrical accidents in the Nordic countries have now been studied further by M.Sc....
Notifications of dangerous products increase in the EU
In 2012, a total of 1,938 notifications of products posing a serious risk to consumers’ health and safety were made in member countries of the European Union. Most of these notifications concerned...
The safety of dry suits must be ensured before placing them on the market
Dry suits are classified as personal protective equipment that must meet European safety requirements. Before placing dry suits on the market, they must be submitted for EC type examination by a...
Importers of chemicals are controlled in a Europe-wide project
The third enforcement project co-ordinated by the Forum for Exchange of Information on Enforcement of the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has been launched in Finland. The project’s target is to...
Safety of nanomaterials jointly charted by the authorities and the industry
The safety of nanomaterials is investigated in the EU’s just-beginning extensive Nanoreg project as a joint effort by the authorities and the industry. Finland’s goal in the project is to continue...
Tests on Christmas toys revealed serious safety deficiencies
Serious safety deficiencies were detected in the traditional safety tests on Christmas toys. The Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency (Tukes) selected 28 toys for testing. Five out of these toys had...
Blinds that can cause accidental strangulation are removed from sale
In their joint control procedures, the Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency (Tukes) and the Finnish Customs have discovered several blinds that can result in accidental strangulation of children....
Accident investigation revealed deficiencies in EURENCO Vihtavuori Ltd´s identification of chemical risks
Fire damage at EURENCO Vihtavuori Ltd's gunpowder factory in Laukaa (Finland) was caused by the rapid combustion of vaporized ether. No specific reason for the fire was identified during the...
Safety data sheets and chemical notifications to comply with new EU Regulation in December 2012
As of 1 December 2012, the safety data sheets on chemicals must comply with the EU Regulation No 453/2010. As the chemical notifications sent to the Chemical Products Register of the Finnish Safety...
New telephone numbers on 4 September 2012
The Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency (Tukes) adopts new telephone numbers on 4 September 2012, starting with +358 295 instead of +358 106. Accordingly, the new number of our switchboard is...
Accident investigation revealed deficiencies in process safety management of Talvivaara Sotkamo Ltd
The probable technical cause of the accident in the yard of the Talvivaara Sotkamo plant, which resulted in the death of an employee, was a reaction caused by limestone slurry pumped into a...
Most RAPEX notifications in EU about dangers related to clothing, textiles and fashion items
In 2011, a total of 1,556 notifications of products posing a serious risk to consumers’ health and safety were made in the European Union member countries. Most of the notifications concerned...
European market surveillance authorities meet in Tampere
The Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency (Tukes) is hosting a meeting of the European market surveillance authorities in Tampere on 27 March 2012. Attended by representatives from ten EU member...
Lots of deficiencies in hair dye labelling
Lots of deficiencies in hair dye product labelling were detected in a surveillance project conducted by the Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency (Tukes). Tukes obtained 15 samples from physical and...
The Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency (Tukes) found safety defects in prams
There is room for improvement in the safety and quality of children’s prams, according to Anna Pukander, researcher at the Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency (Tukes). Tukes commissioned tests on...
European surveillance authorities for industrial chemicals meet in Tampere
The Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency (Tukes) is hosting a joint meeting of the EU chemicals surveillance authorities in Tampere on 7–9 September 2011. Attended by more than 35 participants...
New Mining Act to enter into force on 1 July
Press release of the Ministry of Employment and the Economy In accordance with a Government proposal, the new Mining Act is planned to enter into force on 1 July 2011. The new Act supersedes the...
Information about dangerous products flows more effectively across Europe
Information about products that cause serious risk flows more effectively between EU Member States. The number of notifications in RAPEX, the EU rapid alert system for the change of information...
Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency (Tukes) becomes operational
From 1 January 2011 Finland has a new national safety authority. This is following the incorporation of the chemical products surveillance in Finland under a new agency called the Finnish Safety...
