Föreskriver

Föreskriver is a Swedish verb meaning to prescribe or mandate rules. It describes the action of an authority or rule-making body ordering that certain requirements, standards, or procedures must be followed. The term is used when the emphasis is on a formal directive rather than casual advice.

In public administration and law, föreskriver is common when authorities establish binding requirements. Agencies, municipalities, or regulatory bodies may föreskriva safety standards, permit conditions, or compliance procedures that apply to individuals and organizations. The concept is closely tied to official documents or notices that outline what must be done, within a given legal or regulatory framework.

In everyday contexts such as medicine and health care, läkare föreskriver treatment plans or medications. Here the act of föreskriva is often followed by a recept (prescription) that allows the patient to obtain the medication. Föreskriver can also appear in corporate or occupational safety settings, where employers or supervisors föreskriver routines, protocols, or safety measures.

Etymologically, föreskriver derives from före- and skriva, indicating the act of writing down rules beforehand. Related terms include föreskrift (a rule or directive), förordning (a regulation issued by the government), and lag (law). In usage, föreskriver denotes the act of issuing a binding rule rather than a mere suggestion.