Ohjauslaki

Ohjauslaki is a Finnish term used in public administration to describe a statute whose central aim is to steer government action rather than regulate specific conduct. The word combines ohjaus (guidance or steering) with laki (law). In practice, ohjauslaki denotes an act that sets broad policy objectives, delineates responsibilities among ministries and public agencies, and establishes mechanisms for planning, coordination, monitoring, and reporting.

Key characteristics include high-level objectives rather than technical rules, duties to prepare strategic plans, performance targets, and annual reports, and the authority to issue implementing guidelines or further regulations within a defined framework. The act often specifies time horizons, indicators, and evaluation procedures to assess progress toward stated goals. It may also link policy goals to budgetary decisions and resource allocation.

Purpose and use of such laws is to enhance coherence across sectors, align resources with government priorities, and improve accountability by requiring regular reporting to parliament or government bodies. Ohjauslaki can cover sectors such as education, environment, social services, energy, or regional development, but does not typically prescribe detailed procedural steps for every actor.

Relation to other law is important: ohjauslaki sits above sectoral statutes and is complemented by administrative orders and budget decisions. It is not a formal legal category with a rigid template; rather, it is a descriptive label used when a statute functions primarily as a steering instrument. Critics warn that vague goals can concentrate discretionary power in officials, while supporters emphasize policy coherence and clearer accountability.