Erityismerkintä

Erityismerkintä, literally meaning “special annotation” in Finnish, is a term used in Finnish public administration to denote a specific flag or marker attached to a record within information systems. It is not a separate document but a metadata element that signals that the subject’s record requires special handling, attention, or restrictions. The exact meaning and implications of an erityismerkintä vary between systems and institutions, and are defined by the procedures of the relevant authority.

Purpose and use

The primary purpose of an erityismerkintä is to facilitate targeted processing and safeguard compliance with policy, legal, or procedural requirements. It can trigger special workflows, inform staff about necessary accommodations or safeguards, and restrict or guide access to certain information. Because it is a marker, its presence often changes how a record is used, displayed, or shared within authorized contexts.

Contexts and examples

In education, an erityismerkintä might indicate a student who requires special educational services or accommodations. In health care, it can flag allergies, advanced directives, or other critical care instructions. In social services or child protection, it may denote risk indicators or guardianship arrangements. In law enforcement or judiciary contexts, it can reflect monitoring requirements or probation conditions. In financial or tax systems, it may serve as a flag for compliance issues or special treatment under regulations. The exact set of possible markings and their meanings are defined by each system.

Privacy and governance

Because erityismerkintä involves sensitive information, access is typically restricted to authorized personnel, with records governed by data protection laws and department-specific privacy policies. Individuals may have rights to be informed about markings and to contest inaccuracies or request information about the annotation.