The Localization Checklist – Navigating the 2026 Regulatory Environment

This checklist helps you ensure your project meets the Decree on the Technical Requirements for Buildings.

1. Mandatory Qualifications: Designers and Engineers of Record

In Finland, the building authority (Rakennusvalvonta) approves the individuals behind the plans, not just the firm. Under Section 42 of the Building Act (751/2023), every project must have a designated Principal Designer (pääsuunnittelija) who is legally responsible for the entire design entity.

• Engineer of Record (EoR): This requirement extends to all “Special Designers” (erityissuunnittelija), which is the Finnish equivalent of the Engineer of Record. Whether you are the Lead Structural Engineer, Geotechnical Engineer, or MEP Lead, you must be personally approved for the project’s specific complexity class (Ordinary, Demanding, or Exceptionally Demanding).
• Mandatory Certification: As of January 1, 2025, Finland has shifted to a system of statutory qualification certificates. It is no longer enough to show a degree; designers and engineers must present an official certificate issued by a body authorized by the Ministry of the Environment (such as FISE Oy or Kiwa Inspecta).
• The Certification Process: To obtain this certificate, an engineer must prove their competency through a combination of recognized education and verified work experience in specific difficulty classes. These certificates are valid for a maximum of seven years.
• The Risk: If your Lead Engineer or Principal Designer does not hold a valid Finnish qualification certificate for the project’s complexity class, the building permit cannot be granted. For international teams, this often means partnering with a locally certified “Engineer of Record” to sign off on specialized designs.

2. The Mandatory Civil Defense Shelter (CDS / VSS)

• Requirement: According to the Rescue Act (379/2011), a civil defense shelter is mandatory for residential buildings over 1200 m² and commercial/industrial buildings over 1500 m².
• The Trap: is a “building within a building.” It requires monolithic reinforced concrete, NBC (Nuclear, Biological, Chemical) filtration, and independent life support. International investors often overlook the significant structural and square-meter impact of this requirement. A CDS requires specific ventilation, blast-proof doors, and specialized plumbing.

3. New for 2026: The Digital Twin Requirement

• The Law: The Building Act (751/2023) requires permits to be submitted as BIM (Building Information Models) or machine-readable data.
• Localization Need: Your global modelling files must be converted to comply with the Finnish Common BIM Requirements (YTV). If the metadata (e.g., fire ratings or material codes) does not follow Finnish nomenclature, the automated municipal systems may reject the filing.

4. Fire Safety and “Functional Fire Design”

• The Law: Ministry of the Environment Decree 848/2017.
• The Trap: Finland uses a “P-class” system (P1, P2, P3). If you are building a large timber structure, you may need functional fire engineering (simulation-based) rather than just following table-based rules. You may need functional fire engineering (simulation-based modeling) to prove safety, which requires specialized local consultants.

5. The Climate Report and Material Declaration

As of 2026, Section 38 of the Building Act makes carbon accounting a prerequisite for a permit.

• Requirement: Every new building must have a Climate Report detailing its Global Warming Potential (GWP) over a 50-year lifecycle.
• Material Declaration: You must also provide a digital Material Declaration (materiaaliseloste). If your global supply chain is not transparent about the CO₂ values of its components, you cannot complete the mandatory carbon footprint calculation.

6. Demolition and Circular Economy

If your project involves removing existing structures, a Demolition Material and Construction Waste Report is now mandatory.

• Requirement: You must report the types and masses of all demolition materials and estimate the volume of soil and rock to be removed.
• The Goal: This data is used to promote the reuse of building parts and circular economy through the national Rapu-database.

• Every new building must now have a Climate Report detailing its carbon footprint (GWP – Global Warming Potential) over a 50-year period. If your global supply chain isn’t transparent about its CO₂ values, you cannot get a permit.

Is your project “Finland-Ready”?

The regulatory landscape of 2026 leaves no room for error, especially regarding the new digital BIM requirements and Climate Reports. Our team specializes in bridging the gap between international standards and Finnish law.

Contact our Localization Experts today for a Preliminary Project Review