Sumi contributing to the preparation of Finland’s new Circular Economy Act

Sumi’s CEO, Mika Surakka, has been appointed to the working group established by the Ministry of the Environment to prepare the new legislation. The group includes experts from various governmental sectors, industry, and the waste management field. Surakka’s role is to bring forward the perspectives of producer responsibility organizations and recycling logistics—grounded in practical experience and industry insight.

“It’s crucial that the new law supports the goals of the circular economy without placing unreasonable administrative burdens on businesses. The legislation must be clear and predictable—otherwise, we won’t achieve sustainable change,” Surakka emphasizes.

What could the new Circular Economy Act mean for businesses?

One of the most significant impacts of the new law will concern producer responsibility. The goal is to clarify the responsibilities between different stakeholders and to harmonize practices related to packaging recycling and data reporting. For companies, this could mean:

• Stricter obligations related to the sorting and recycling of materials
• Increased data reporting requirements to authorities
• New requirements regarding product lifecycle management and reducing environmental impact

“We now have a unique opportunity to build legislation that genuinely supports the development of a circular economy in Finland. Sumi wants to be part of shaping that future,” Surakka states.