myndighetsområde

myndighetsområde is a term used in public administration to describe the set of tasks, powers and geographic or policy space that a public authority is authorized to handle. It defines what an agency can require, decide, permit, inspect or sanction, and in which areas it operates.

The concept is primarily defined by laws and regulations, such as statutes and executive orders, and reflects the mandate granted by the legislature or government. It includes both substantive policy areas (for example health, environment, transport) and the geographic scope within which the authority can act. It also concerns the forms of authority the agency wields, including regulatory power and supervisory powers. myndighetsområde is thus linked to, but distinct from, an agency’s organizational placement or internal structure.

In practice, the myndighetsområde can be shaped or reshaped through legislative amendments, reorganizations, or new administrative directives. Clarifying the scope aims to reduce overlaps between authorities, improve transparency, and strengthen accountability for citizens and businesses.

The term is common in Nordic public administration and is often translated into English as “scope of authority” or “jurisdiction,” depending on context. Understanding an authority’s myndighetsområde helps determine which body handles a given issue or decision, and what legal framework governs that action.