Flagpoles for businesses and public buildings in Finland

The flagpoles of businesses, municipalities, parishes and housing companies are seen by many, and their flag flying attracts attention. The Ministry of the Interior states that others than private individuals should follow the flying times as closely as possible. This guide covers the use of company flags, rows of poles, the use of the flag and coat of arms in business, and other matters concerning businesses and public buildings.

Company flags and flag days

According to the Ministry of the Interior, good flag etiquette on official and established flag days is to fly only the Finnish flag, and the company flag is lowered on such a day. According to Suomalaisuuden Liitto, the same applies to pennants. The flag days and their dates are in the guide to flag days.

On a company’s own celebrations and anniversaries, Suomalaisuuden Liitto regards flying the Finnish flag as particularly fitting. At a company celebration, the Finnish flag and the company flag can be flown at the same time, according to the Association, as long as the Finnish flag is in the position of highest honour. The Association recommends that businesses and organisations draw up their own flag rules so that the same pattern is repeated from year to year.

Rows of poles

Under section 5 of the decree, in public flag flying the Finnish flag is placed in the position of highest honour. According to the Ministry of the Interior, the place of highest honour is usually on the left as seen by the viewer, and in the middle in a row of three poles. Company flags come last in the order of rank, after national, organisation and other flags. According to the Ministry, the order of company flags of equal rank is decided by the year of founding, oldest first.

In Suomalaisuuden Liitto’s example of a row of six poles, the flags run from the viewer’s left: Finland, other states in the alphabetical order of their French names, the EU flag and finally the company flag. In international flag flying the flags are of the same size and the poles of the same height. More information is in the guides to foreign flags in Finland and flag protocol at ceremonies.

Foreign guests

According to the Ministry of the Interior, the national flag of a foreign state can be raised on the pole in honour of a guest. According to Suomalaisuuden Liitto, many businesses have made it a custom to greet guests with the EU flag as well when the guests come from EU member states.

The flag and coat of arms in trademarks

According to the Ministry of the Interior, using an image of the Finnish flag or coat of arms in business is not prohibited as such, but the use must always be respectful of the flag and arms and in good taste. The Ministry’s permission is required when the Finnish flag, the coat of arms or a confusingly similar emblem is made part of

• a registered trademark (Trademarks Act 544/2019, section 12), or
• a protected design (Registered Designs Act 221/1971, section 4a).

Permission is applied for from the Ministry of the Interior with a free-form application accompanied by an illustration. The Ministry usually asks for a statement from the Heraldic Board of the National Archives. Under section 6 of the Act on the Flag of Finland, no additional patterns may be placed on the Finnish flag, so a company logo is not added to it.

Flag orders and recommendations

The Ministry of the Interior issues flag orders, for example for state visits and in connection with general mourning. According to the Ministry, an order binds only state authorities and institutions. General flag flying is usually recommended in the order as well, but others have no obligation to fly the flag. Many municipalities, businesses and housing companies follow the recommendations. Mourning is described in the guide to flags in mourning.

Flying times and lighting

Flag flying begins at 8.00 and ends at sunset, no later than 21.00. In winter it is dark at 8.00 in much of Finland, and many businesses light their rows of poles. Lighting does not, however, change the flying times, since according to the Ministry of the Interior the ban on flying the flag at night is absolute. Under section 42 of the Building Act, a lit advertising device of at least 2 square metres needs a building permit, so for a lit advertising or company flag the municipal building control authority can say whether the provision applies. Lighting is described in the guide to flag lighting.

Choosing a pole and safety

Public places often use aluminium poles with an internal halyard, whose lockable hatch protects the flag from vandalism and theft and whose halyard does not slap in the wind. Under section 29 of the Building Act, a structure must meet the essential technical requirements that are essential to safety if its failure could endanger people, and in public places the owner or occupier of the property is responsible for maintaining the pole. More information is in the guide to flagpole safety.