Finland

Declaration made upon acceptance:

“Pursuant to Article 70 and Article 10, paragraph 1, of the Agreement, the Republic of Finland declares the exception of the retroactive effects as set out in the second sentence of Article 10, paragraph 1, therefore the provisions of the Agreement shall apply for the Republic of Finland only to activities with respect to marine genetic resources and digital sequence information on marine genetic resources of areas beyond national jurisdiction collected and generated after the entry into force of the Agreement for the Republic of Finland.”

Declaration :

“The Republic of Finland declares that it recognizes the competence of the Committee to receive and consider inter-state communications made against it provided for in Article 12 of the Protocol.”

Declaration:

“Finland hereby declares its understanding that the Convention does not apply to military activities, including the activities of armed forces during an armed conflict, as those terms are understood under international humanitarian law, and activities undertaken by military forces of a State in the exercise of their official functions; that the express mention of heads of State in article 3 of the Convention cannot be considered to affect the immunity ratione personae which other State officials might enjoy under international law; and that the Convention is without prejudice to any future international legal development concerning the protection of human rights.”

Declaration:

"The Government of Finland declares in accordance with Article 3, paragraph 2, of the Optional Protocol that the minimum age for any recruitment of persons into its national armed forces is 18 years. The minimum age applies equally to the military service of men and to the voluntary service of women."

Declarations

"1. Finland considers that provisions of Article 9, paragraph 2 on access to a review procedure do not require those provisions to be applied at a stage of the decision-making of an activity in which a decision in principle is made by the Government and which then is endorsed or rejected by the national Parliament, provided that provisions of Article 9, paragraph 2 are applicable at a subsequent decision-making stage of the activity.
2. Some activities in Annex I to the Convention may require consecutive decisions by a public authority or public authorities on whether to permit the activity in question. Finland considers that each party shall, within the framework of its national legislation, determine at what stage the substantive and procedural legality of any decision, act or omission subject to the provisions of Article 6 may be challenged pursuant to Article 9, paragraph 2."

Declaration:

"Pursuant to article 3 (5) of the Protocol to the 1979 Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution on Persistent Organic Pollutants, the Republic of Finland specifies 1994 as its reference year in accordance with annex III of the said Protocol."

Declaration:

"The Government of Finland confirms that the reference year set in accordance with the annex I is the year 1990".

Declarations:

"Finland recalls that, as a Member State of the European Community, it has transferred competence to the European Community in respect of certain matters governed by the Agreement, which are specified in the Annex to the instrument of ratification.
Finland hereby confirms the declarations made by the European Community upon ratification of the Agreement."
[See declarations under “European Community”.]

Upon signature:

"Finland declares that it intends to reduce its annual national emissions of VOCs by at least 30%, using 1988 levels as a basis."

"With respect to article 11, paragraph 3 of the Convention Finland declares that it accepts both of the said means of dispute settlement as compulsory."

Upon signature:

As regards those parts of the Convention which deal with innocent passage through the territorial sea, it is the intention of the Government of Finland to continue to apply the present régime to the passage of foreign warships and other government-owned vessels used for non-commercial purposes through the Finnish territorial sea, that régime being fully compatible with the Convention."
Declaration made upon signature and confirmed upon ratification:

"It is the understanding of the Government of Finland that the exception from the transit passage régime in straits provided for in article 35 (c) of the Convention is applicable to the strait between Finland (the Aland Islands) and Sweden. Since in that strait the passage is regulated in part by a long-standing international convention in force, the present legal régime in that strait will remain unchanged after the entry into force of the Convention.
Declarations made upon ratification :

"In accordance with article 287 of the Convention, Finland chooses the International Court of Justice and the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea as means for settlement of disputes concerning the interpretation or application of the Convention as well as of the Agreement relating to the Implementation of its Part XI.
Finland recalls that, as a Member State of the European Community, it has transferred competence to the Community in respect of certain matters governed by the Convention. A detailed declaration on the nature and extent of the competence transferred to the European Community will be made in due course in accordance with the provisions of Annex IX of the Convention."

Upon ratification:

"With reference to Article 94, in respect of Sweden in accordance with paragraph (1) and otherwise in accordance with paragraph (2) the Convention will not apply to contracts of sale where the parties have their places of business in Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Iceland or Norway."
28 November 2011

“In addition to the previous declaration made under Article 94 the Republic of Finland declares, in respect of Iceland in accordance with paragraph (1) and otherwise in accordance with paragraph (2), that the Convention will not apply to the formation of contracts of sale where the parties have their places of business in Finland, Iceland, Denmark, Norway or Sweden.”

Declaration:

[Finland] shall not be bound by parts II and IV and annexes C.1, F and G of the Protocol.

Reservations:

"1. Articles 2, 3 and 14 (9) of the Code of Conduct shall, on a reciprocal basis, not be applied in conference trades between Finland and other OECD countries which are parties to the Code.
2. In trades to which Article 3 of the Code of Conduct applies, the last sentence of that Article is interpreted as meaning that:
a) The two groups of national shipping lines will coordinate their positions before voting on matters concerning the trade between their two countries;
b) This sentence applies solely to matters which the conference agreement identifies as requiring the assent of both groups of national shipping lines concerned, and not to all matters covered by the conference agreement.
Declarations:

A. The Government of Finland considers that the United Nations Convention on a Code of Conduct for Liner Conferences affords the shipping lines of developing countries extended opportunities to participate in the conference system and is drafted so as to regulate conferences and their activities in open trades (i.e. , when opportunities to compete exist). This Government also considers that it is essential for the functioning of the Code and conferences subject thereto that opportunities for fair competition on a commercial basis by non-conference shipping lines continue to exist and that shippers are not denied an option in the choice between conference shipping lines and non-conference shipping lines, subject to loyalty arrangements where they exist. These basic concepts are reflected in a number of provisions of the Code itself, including its objectives and principles, and they are expressly set out in Resolution No. 2 on non-conference shipping lines adopted by the United Nations Conference of Plenipotentiaries.
B. This Government considers furthermore that any regula- tions or other measures adopted by a contracting party to the UN Convention with the aim or effect of eliminating such opportunities for competition byconference shipping lines would be inconsistent with the above-mentioned basic concepts and would bring about a radical change in the circumstances in which conferences subject to the Code are envisaged as operating. Nothing in the Convention obliges other contracting parties to accept either the validity of such regulations or measures or situations where conferences, by virtue of such regulations or measures, acquire effective monopoly in trades subject to the Code.
C. The Government of Finland declares that it will imple- ment the Convention in accordance with the basic concepts and considerations herein stated and, in so doing is not precluded by the Convention from taking appropriate steps in the event that another contracting party adopts measures or practices that pre- vent fair competition on a commercial basis in its liner trades."

Reservation made upon signature and confirmed upon ratifica tion:

"Finland reserves the right to apply the provision of article 8, paragraph 3, in such a way that extradition shall be restricted to offences which, under Finnish Law, are punishable by a penalty more severe than imprisonment for one year and, provided also that other conditions in the Finnish Legislation for extradition are fulfilled."
Declaration made upon signature:

"Finland also reserves the right to make such other reserva- tions as it may deem appropriate if and when ratifying this Con- vention."

....

Declaration:

....
"2) With respect to Article 11, paragraph 3, Finland notifies that the reservations Finland has made to Article 18, preamble and paragraphs 4 and 5 of Section F of Annex 5 and paragraph 6 of Section F of Annex 5 of the Convention on Road Signs and Signals shall also apply to the European Agreement Supplementing the Convention."
Reservation:

"With respect to Annex, paragraph 22 (amendment to the Note and Section A of Annex 4 of the Convention):

Prohibition signs, Finland reserves the right to use an oblique red bar in signs corresponding to signs C, 3 a -C, 3 k of the Convention."
5 September 1995

Modification of the text of the reservation made by Finland, as adapted in view of the entry into force of the amendments proposed by Belgium on 31 May 1994 to the 1968 Convention on Road Signs and signals:

"The reservation made by Finland [made upon ratification] also applies to signs C, 3 g to C, 3 h and C, 3 m to C, 3 n to the Annex."
11 May 2026

Declaration and reservation:

“The Republic of Finland reserves the right to also use dark-coloured symbols or inscriptions on a light-coloured ground in place identification signs;
The Government of the Republic of Finland further declare that the reservations made to the Convention on Road Signs and Signals also apply to the European Agreement supplementing the Convention”.

Declaration:

"With respect to article 11, paragraph 3, Finland notified that the reservations Finland has made to article 11 paragraph 1 (a), article 18 paragraph 2 and article 33 paragraph 1 (c) and (d) of the Convention on Road Traffic shall also apply to the European Agreement supplementing the Convention."

[Same declaration as the one reproduced under "Belgium".]

"Finland also declares that as to its relation with any State which has made or makes a reservation to the effect that this State will not be bound by some or all of the provisions of article 66, Finland will consider itself bound neither by those procedural provisions nor by the substantive provisions of part V of the Convention to which the procedures provided for in article 66 do not apply as a result of the said reservation."

Reservations:
....
"2. With respect to Article 18 (Place identification signs) :
Finland reserves the right not to use signs E, 9a or E, 9b to indicate the beginning of a built-up area or signs E, 9c or E, 9d to indicate the end of such an area. Instead of them symbols are used. A sign corresponding to sign E, 9b is used to indicate the name of a place, but it does not signify the same as sign E, 9b;
.....
"4. With respect to Section F of Annex 5, paragraph 6 (Signs notifying a bus or a tramway stop):
Finland reserves the right to use signs indicating a bus or a tramway stop which differ in shape and colour from signs E, 19 and E, 20."
11 May 2026

Reservation:

“The Republic of Finland does not consider itself bound by the provisions of Annex I, Section H in so far as they concern the colour of text used for additional panels";
The Republic of Finland does not consider itself bound by the provisions of Article 26 bis, paragraph 2, or the signs E-02.1 or E-02.2, in so far as they concern the indication of a lane, on a multilane carriageway, reserved for buses or trams;
The Republic of Finland considers that the sign G-09.1 can also be used to indicate the name of a municipality or other place without the meaning of the sign E-07.1;
The Republic of Finland reserves the right, on a multi-lane carriageway, to use a sign of a colour different from that of the sign E-01.1 to indicate a prohibition, restriction or obligation applying to a lane;
The Republic of Finland considers that the sign C-04.1, showing the silhouette of a passenger car and motorcycle, indicates no entry for all power-driven vehicles. The Republic of Finland also reserves the right to use the sign C-04.2, showing more than two silhouettes, outside built-up areas”.

Reservations:

"1. With respect to Article 11 paragraph 1 (a) (Overtaking):
Finland reserves the right to provide in Finnish law that in Finland drivers of cycles and mopeds may always overtake other vehicles than cycles or mopeds from the right;
"2. With respect to Article 18 paragraphs 2 and 3 (Obligation to give way):
Finland reserves the right to provide in Finnish law that in Finland every driver emerging from a path or an earth-track on to a road other than a path or an earth-track or emerging on to a road from property boarding there on shall give way to all traffic travelling on that road. (Since the Convention provides that the right of way shall be given to "vehicles", while in Finnish Law such right of way is to be given to all traffic, including pedestrians.) In Finnish law the obligation to give way is of wider appreciation than that of the Convention;
"3. With respect to Article 33 paragraph 1 (c) and 1 (d) (Use of driving or passing lights):
Finland reserves the right to provide in Finnish law that in a motor-driven vehicle driving lights, passing lights or running lights must always be switched on when driving outside built-up areas. Driving or passing lights must be used in every vehicle when it is being driven in darkness or in dim light or when visibility is inadequate on account of weather or some other reason. Fog lights may only be used in fog or heavy rain or snowfall. In that case their use is allowed as a substitute for passing lights provided that position lights are simultaneously on."
30 May 1994

Reservation:

"Finland does not consider itself to be bound by the provision in Annex 3 paragraph 4 a) concerning the minimum dimensions of the axes of the ellipse of the distinguishing sign on other motor vehicles and their trailers."

Reservations:

"With respect to article 10, paragraph 2 (b) and 3, of the Covenant, Finland declares that although juvenile offenders are, as a rule, segregated from adults, it does not deem appropriate to adopt an absolute prohibition not allowing for more flexible arrangements;
With respect to article 14, paragraph 7, of the Covenant, Fin- land declares that it is going to pursue its present practice, according to which a sentence can be changed to the detriment of the convicted person, if it is established that a member or an official of the court, the prosecutor or the legal counsel have through criminal or fraudulent activities obtained the acquittal of the defendant or a substantially more lenient penalty, or if false evidence has been presented with the same effect, and according to which an aggravated criminal case may be taken up for reconsideration if within a year until then unknown evidence is presented, which would have led to conviction or a substantially more severe penalty;
With respect to article 20, paragraph 1, of the Covenant, Fin- land declares that it will not apply the provisions of this paragraph, this being compatible with the standpoint Finland already expressed at the 16th United Nations General Assembly by voting against the prohibition of propaganda for war, on the grounds that this might endanger the freedom of expression referred in article 19 of the Covenant."

Reservation:

"With regard to article 35, paragraph 1, and article 58, paragraph 1, Finland does not accord to consular posts headed by honorary consular officers the right to employ diplomatic or consular couriers and diplomatic or consular bags, or to governments, diplomatic missions and other consular posts the right to employ these means in communicating with consular posts headed by honorary consular officers, except to the extent that Finland may have consented thereto in particular cases."
Declarations:

"With reference to article 22 of the Convention, the Finnish Government expressed the wish that in countries where it has been an established practice to allow nationals of the receiving State or of a third State to be appointed as Finnish honorary consuls, this practice will continue to be allowed as before. The Finnish Government also expresses the hope that countries with which Finland establishes new consular relations will follow a similar practice and will give their consent to such appointments pursuant to paragraphs 2 and 3 of article 22."
"With reference to article 49, paragraph 1 b, the Finnish Government wishes to add that, according to established practice, exemption cannot be granted in respect of dues or taxes levied on certain private movable property, such as shares or stock or other form of partnership in condominium or housing corporation entitling the holder of such movable property to possess and control immovable property situated in the territory of Finland and owned or otherwise legally possessed by the said condominium or housing corporation."

"With the reservation that article 1, paragraph 2, shall not apply to the Republic of Finland."
"With the reservation that article 1, paragraph 2, shall not apply to the Republic of Finland."

Reservations:

1. ...
2. Article 16, paragraph 1 (a) (i)
The provisions of article 12 will not be applied with respect to phonograms acquired by a broadcasting organisation be fore 1 September 1961.
3. Article 16, paragraph 1 (a) (ii)
The provisions of article 12 will be applied solely with respect to broadcasting as well as to any other communication to the public which is carried out for profit-making purposes.
4. Article 16, paragraph 1 (a) (iv)
As regards phonograms first fixed in another Contracting State, the protection provided for in article 12 will be limited to the extent to which, and to the term for which, the latter State grants protection to phonograms first fixed in Finland.
5. ...
6. ...
12 April 2016

Declaration :

“Pursuant to Article 5 (3) of the Convention, the Republic of Finland declares that it will not apply the criterion of publication.”

"(1) A general reservation to the effect that the application of those provisions of the Convention which grant to stateless persons the most favourable treatment accorded to nationals of a foreign country shall not be affected by the fact that special rights and privileges are now or may in future be accorded by Finland to the nationals of Denmark, Iceland, Norway and Sweden or to the nationals of any one of those Countries;
"(2) A reservation to article 7, paragraph 2, to the effect that Finland is not prepared, as a general measure, to grant stateless persons who fulfil the conditions of three years residence in Finland an exemption from any legislative reciprocity which Finnish law may have stipulated as a condition governing an alien's eligibility for same right or privilege;
"(3) A reservation to article 8 to the effect that that article shall not be binding on Finland;
"(4) . . .
"(5) A reservation to article 24, paragraph 1 (b) and paragraph 3 to the effect that they shall not be binding on Finland;
"(6) A reservation to article 25, to the effect that Finland does not consider itself bound to cause a certificate to be delivered by a Finnish authority, in the place of the authorities of a foreign country, if the documentary records necessary for the delivery of such certificate do not exist in Finland;
"(7) A reservation with respect to the provisions contained in article 28. Finland does not accept the obligations stipulated in the said article, but is prepared to recognize travel documents issued by other Contracting States pursuant to this article."

As regards Article III: "A decree may be issued to the effect that only men or women can be appointed to certain functions, which because of their nature, can be properly discharged either only by men or by women."

“[S]ubject to the following reservations:
(1) A general reservation to the effect that the application of those provisions of the Convention which grant to refugees the most favourable treatment accorded to nationals of a foreign country shall not be affected by the fact that special rights and privileges are now or may in future be accorded by Finland to the nationals of Denmark, Iceland, Norway and Sweden or to the nationals of any one of those Countries;
[...]
(5) A reservation to article 24, paragraph 3 to the effect that it shall not be binding on Finland;
[...]

Reservation to article 9:

"Finland reserves itself the right to leave the decision whether its citizens will or will not be prosecuted for a crime committed abroad to Finland's competent authority;"

"The Government of Finland support the work programme proposed by the Preparatory Committee of the Organization in document IMCO/A.I/11. The Government of Finland hold the view that it is in the field of technical and nautical matters that the Organization can make its contribution towards the development of shipping and seaborne trade throughout the world.
"If the Organization were to extend its activities to matters of a purely commercial or economic nature, a situation might arise where the Government of Finland would have to consider resorting to the provisions regarding withdrawal contained in article 59 of the Convention."