The increasing number of public saunas in Finland is raising concerns about their maintenance and health regulations, as many operators lack the expertise to manage these spaces effectively.
In Finland, public saunas and sauna complexes have become like the wild west, operating with minimal regulatory oversight, according to Carita Harju, the Director of Sauna from Finland. This expert network provides guidance on sauna-related issues and grants quality certifications for saunas both domestically and abroad. According to Valvira, the health authority's guidelines, public saunas are only inspected by health authorities once every two years, raising concerns regarding the safety and hygiene of these facilities.
The rapid proliferation of public saunas in recent years—hundreds have been established—has led to a situation where many of these businesses are run by individuals from the restaurant industry. Harju points out that these entrepreneurs often lack the necessary knowledge or understanding about the operational requirements of urban saunas. There is a prevailing assumption in Finland that everyone understands sauna culture; thus, anyone can build and manage a sauna. However, many operators struggle with maintenance as demand surges, with hundreds or thousands of users frequenting these spaces.
The article highlights the potential risks associated with underregulated public saunas in Finland, prompting discussions about the need for better oversight and training for operators. Ensuring the health and safety of users should be a priority as the popularity of sauna culture continues to grow, necessitating a reevaluation of current regulatory practices to protect both users and the integrity of sauna traditions in Finnish society.
