Finland: Competition Law and Sustainability Projects Can Be Harmonized, Says Authority

In Finland, the discussion around corporate sustainability and competition law is being actively addressed by the Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority (KKV). The authority emphasizes that integrating sustainability goals into business practices is not only possible but also encouraged, provided it aligns with competition regulations.

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Many sustainability agreements are fully compliant with competition law, and the Competition and Consumer Authority (KKV) is positive about the opportunities for companies to engage in sustainable development cooperation.

The KKV highlights that many sustainability agreements are fully compliant with competition law. They reference the European Commission's 2023 guidelines, which offer a clear framework for how sustainability objectives are considered in competition law assessments. This provides businesses with a clearer path to engage in cooperative sustainability efforts.

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The integration of competition legislation and sustainability projects is possible.

While the EU does not offer binding prior approval for such agreements, the responsibility ultimately lies with the companies to ensure compliance. The KKV, similar to many other EU authorities, provides case-by-case advice rather than issuing separate, prescriptive guidelines. This approach allows for tailored guidance, especially for concrete and specific projects, helping companies navigate the complexities of sustainable cooperation.

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The authority offers low-threshold advice and has also published a blog post on the topic.