The operator must submit a notification of their operations to the municipal health protection authority 30 days before starting the operations. The notification obligation is based on section 13 of the Health Protection Act. Together with the notification, the operator must provide a site plan and a floor plan of the facility, a ventilation measurement report and, if necessary, a report on the quality of drinking water. A notification must also be submitted in case of significant changes to operations.

You can submit the notification online through the Ilppa system. In order to use the system, you will need a Suomi.fi authorisation from the company on whose behalf you wish to submit the notification. Click on the link below for further instructions on how to submit the notification.

Online notifications system Ilppa (in Finnish)(external link)

The following facilities must submit a notification:

• Day care centres, group family day care centres and children’s clubs
• Schools and other educational institutions
• Social welfare units providing continuous care
• Beauty salons, solariums and tattoo studios (hair salons and barbershops do not need to submit a notification)
• Gyms and other sports facilities
• Hotels, camping centres and other accommodation facilities
• Public saunas
• Swimming pools and swimming pool facilities
• Beaches
• Reception centres

You can find a paper version of the notification form under “Downloadable files”. Fill in the form and send it by email to terveydensuojelu@espoo.fi or by post to the address specified on the form.

Beauty salons, solariums, tattoo and piercing studios and other premises where skin treatments (e.g. cupping or hirudotherapy, i.e. leech therapy) are performed are subject to regular health protection monitoring.

When planning these facilities, the operator or planner should contact the health inspector (huoneistovalvonta@espoo.fi) at the earliest possible stage. The health inspector can give instructions and advice concerning the plans for new facilities or the modifications needed in existing facilities.

In terms of schools, important aspects to consider include proper ventilation and acoustics, appropriate spaces for cleaning equipment, the condition and cleanability of surface materials, and a sufficient number of toilets.

Schools are subject to regular monitoring. The inspections are primarily based on the Health Protection Act. If necessary, an inspection based on the Tobacco Act and/or Communicable Diseases Act can also be carried out in connection with the inspection under the Health Protection Act. 

In terms of school premises, we use a multidisciplinary approach, which means that, in addition to the health inspector and principal, for example an occupational safety representative, a school nurse or a person responsible for property maintenance may participate in the inspection if necessary.

Sports facilities include group exercise facilities, gyms and sports halls.

The facilities must be suitable for the operations in question. Aspects to consider include cleanability, ventilation, a water tap for customers, a sufficient number of sanitary facilities, cleaning equipment, laundry and storage rooms, and staff facilities.

It is the operator’s responsibility to identify any health risks related to its operations and to organise its operations in such a way that health hazards can be prevented as far as possible. For this purpose, the operator should draw up a written self-monitoring plan.

Environmental Health Services monitors the health conditions in sports facilities through inspections in line with the monitoring plan. Monitoring is subject to a fee. The aim of monitoring is to prevent health hazards and identify health hazards at an early stage.

Accommodation facilities include, for example, hotels, hostels, cottages and camping centres.

The facilities must be suitable for the operations in question. Aspects to consider include cleanability, ventilation, a sufficient number of sanitary facilities, cleaning equipment, laundry and storage rooms, and staff facilities.

It is the operator’s responsibility to identify any health risks related to its operations and to organise its operations in such a way that health hazards can be prevented as far as possible. For this purpose, the operator should draw up a written self-monitoring plan.

Environmental Health Services monitors the health conditions in accommodation facilities through inspections in line with the monitoring plan. Monitoring is subject to a fee. The aim of monitoring is to prevent health hazards and identify health hazards at an early stage.

Self-monitoring refers to knowing one’s operations and the related risks and managing these risks. Risk management allows operators to prevent health hazards. Self-monitoring under the Health Protection Act focuses on risks that could cause health hazards.

The aim of self-monitoring is to:

1. identify any risks related to the operations;
2. monitor the factors affecting the risks;
3. prevent health hazards.

Based on the Health Protection Act, self-monitoring is required for activities subject to notification obligation. It is the operator’s responsibility to identify any health risks related to its operations and to organise its operations in such a way that health hazards can be prevented as far as possible.

It is recommended that operators draw up a written self-monitoring plan that is available to and usable by all as operations are maintained and developed. A written self-monitoring plan is also a good tool for staff training.

A self-monitoring plan describes the operations, the related risks and ways to prevent risks. The recording of notifications and measures related to health conditions and the storage of documents are part of self-monitoring.

When planning day care or club premises, you should, at an early stage, contact the health inspector and other authorities, such as social services, the Building Control Department (new use for premises) as well as authorities responsible for occupational and fire safety.

The premises must be suitable for day care and club activities. Aspects to consider include the location of the premises, the need for space, ventilation, a sufficient number of sanitary facilities, cleaning equipment and laundry rooms, and staff facilities. Significant changes in operations refer, for example, to a remarkable increase in the number of children, a renovation of the facilities or using a previously occupied space.

It is the operator’s responsibility to identify any health risks related to its operations and to organise its operations in such a way that health hazards can be prevented as far as possible. For this purpose, the operator should draw up a written self-monitoring plan.

Environmental Health Services monitors the health conditions in day care and club facilities through inspections in line with the monitoring plan. Monitoring is subject to a fee. The aim of monitoring is to prevent health hazards and identify health hazards at an early stage.

Social welfare units that provide continuous care include sheltered housing units with 24-hour assistance for the elderly, people with disabilities and other special groups, institutional services such as units offering individualised rehabilitation, care and treatment (e.g. units for people with intellectual disabilities and units for clients with mental health and substance abuse problems), mother-and-child homes and shelters, children’s and youth homes, and reform schools.

Housing units where the apartments are similar to normal apartments (e.g. studios or one-bedroom apartments with their own bathrooms and cooking areas) and where the residents can freely choose their services are not subject to a notification obligation or monitoring (sheltered and supported housing).

However, the requirements concerning each facility must be discussed in detail with the health inspector (huoneistovalvonta@espoo.fi) during the planning stage.