Finland applies to host EMA HQ in Helsinki

Finland on Monday submitted an application to the European Union seeking permission to host the European Medicines Agency (EMA) that will be relocated from Great Britain, said a government press release.

According to the application, EMA and the existing European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) in Finland would form a significant strategic team.

“Locating the European Medicines Agency and the Chemicals Agency to the same city would enable the two agencies to cross-utilise their expertise and resources and create a real centre of excellence. This would give Europe a competitive advantage globally,” said Social Affairs and Health Minister Pirkko Mattila, who was responsible for preparing the application.

The government will carry out the EMA campaign in close cooperation with the City of Helsinki. The government and the city have drawn up a precise plan for the transfer of the EMA to Helsinki.

Relocation of the EMA alongside the European Chemicals Agency in Helsinki would better enable the protection of human health, said the government press release.

Besides Finland, many other EU countries, including Sweden and Denmark, have submitted applications to host EMA.

EMA is one of the largest and strategically most important agencies of the European Union. Approximately 900 public officials are working for EMA, dealing with matters related to EU citizens’ health and medicine safety.

Finland is offering a cost-effective, logistically functional and smooth solution to relocating EMA to Helsinki.

The City of Helsinki has carried out an indicative premises mapping study for the application and found four properties that would be very suitable for EMA’s use. The list is topped by Fredriksberg, an office building under construction next to Meira Coffee Roastery in Vallila district which has excellent transport links.

In order to safeguard the continuity of EMA’s daily operations, it is important that the agency can be relocated directly to its new permanent location.

The decision on the relocation of the EMA is slated to be made on 20 November 2017 by the EU General Affairs Council. The criteria for the relocation include readiness to immediately take into use the property when needed, accessibility of the location of the host city and EMA office, ability to offer sufficiently high quality education to the children of EMA staff, and continuity of EMA’s daily business. Helsinki and the proposed property fulfil these criteria in an excellent manner.

Finland’s application also underlines the experiences of ECHA staff regarding their current home city. ECHA staff members emphasise their satisfaction with the Finnish welfare society and the peaceful, clean, and well-functioning City of Helsinki and its proximity to nature. Their responses reflect Helsinki’s high scores in several international life quality comparisons.

Finland strives to ensure the benefits and rights of EMA staff in the same way as other EU member states applying to host the agency. If the decision is made to relocate EMA to Helsinki, the Finnish government will invest in further expansion of the European School of Helsinki. The school is now providing education to the children of ECHA staff.

Approximately 30,000 experts and decision-makers visit EMA annually. Its relocation to Helsinki would bring Finland considerable benefits thanks to the visits alone. Finland’s strengths regarding the EMA’s relocation are a high level of competence in life sciences, a favourable climate for research and innovation, and efficient cooperation between academic research and education and the public and industrial sectors.