Responsible authorities
In Sweden, the responsibility for market surveillance is with few exceptions placed with the regulatory authorities. The Government has in an Ordinance on Market Surveillance appointed some 15 public authorities with sectoral market surveillance responsibilities. Such a decentralized organization requires coordination and Swedac (The Swedish Board for Accreditation and Conformity Assessment) is the responsible authority for coordination of the national market surveillance. This coordination is mainly organized through the Market Surveillance Council, which consists of representatives from the competent authorities mentioned above. Swedac is also national and international contact point for horizontal market surveillance issues. Swedac works, nationally and internationally, for enhanced knowledge of and consistent interpretation and application of market surveillance rules and principles.
Below you can find a non-exhaustive list of the market surveillance authorities’ areas of responsibility.
The Swedish Work Environment Authority
Equipment for use in explosive atmospheres (ATEX), simple pressure vessels, pressure equipment, machinery, personal protective equipment for professional use, scaffolds, ladders and trestles, mine winding gear, protective railings
The Swedish National Board of Housing, Building and Planning
Construction products, subsidiary systems and safety components for cableway installations designed to carry persons, lifts and safety components for lifts, certain hot-water boilers
The National Electrical Safety Board
Electrical equipment for use in explosive atmospheres (ATEX), electrical equipment within certain voltage limits, electromagnetic compatibility
The Swedish Energy Agency
Energy-related products
The Public Health Agency of Sweden
Electronic cigarettes and refill containers
The Health and Social Care Inspectorate
In-house manufactured medical devices within healthcare
The Swedish Chemical Agency
Chemical products (including biocide products and plant protection) and biotechnical organisms; other products (with certain exceptions) in relation to chemical characteristics (Reach, RoHS, Toy Safety Act, etc.)
The Swedish Consumer Agency
Toys, personal protective equipment for private use, dangerous food imitations, consumer products and services under the General Product Safety Directive (2001/95/EC)
The Medical Products Agency
Cosmetic products, medicinal products, medical devices
The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency
Waste that consists of or includes electric or electronic products (WEEE), batteries
The Swedish Post and Telecom Authority
Radio and teleterminal equipment
The Swedish Press and Broadcasting Authority
Equipment for electronic communications networks and services
The Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency
Explosives, pyrotechnical products and certain apparatus for storage of flammable and explosive products, transportable pressure equipment
The Swedish Radiation Safety Authority
Technical devices and material that emits radiation
The Swedish Board for Accreditation and Conformity Assessment
Pre-packaged products, measuring instruments, precious metal work
The Transport Agency
Bicycles, motor vehicles and accessories, spare parts and fuels for these, recreational craft, marine equipment, railway systems