The National Institute for Consumer Research (Statens institutt for forbruksforskning – SIFO)

SIFO conducts consumer-oriented research for institutions and agencies. It is involved in Nordic projects and is a member of Consumers International (CI). Its principal fields of research are private finances and debt, consumption and the environment, family expenditure (Chapter 2) and public services to individuals. SIFO also conducts extensive testing in product safety and usefulness, in accordance to Nordic, European and international standards. Textiles are tested for flammability, wear-and-tear, colour fastness and washability. Toys and child-care products are tested for fire hazard, and mechanical and physical safety. Household appliances, including kitchen and bathroom equipment, are tested for function, ergonomics, safety and environmental features. Detergents are tested for compliance with the requirements for environmental labelling (Chapter 8). The results of SIFO research and testing are made available in reports in the fields of advertising, consumer finances, consumption, distribution, environment, food and market, public services and testing. Most of the reports are in Norwegian with summaries in English, whilst some are entirely in English. Contact SIFO for further information on its activities or for ordering reports, PO Box 4682 Nydalen, 0405 Oslo, Tel: 22043500, Fax: 22043504, www.sifo.no, sifo@sifo.no.

NATO

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is named for the Treaty signed in Washington on 4 April 1949, creating an alliance of 12 countries committed to each other’s defence. Though originally a military alliance, since the end of the Cold War and of the division of Europe, NATO has been restructured to enable it to contribute to the development of cooperative security structures for the whole of Europe, and it now has 26 member countries. Norway has been a member of NATO since its start, and major NATO facilities have been located in the country. Consequently, extensive information is available on the military and the civil aspects of NATO; for details, contact the Government Publications (Chapter 31) or NATO headquarters, Blvd Leopold III, B-1110 Brussels, Belgium, www.nato.int, natodoc@hq.nato.int.

NORAD

The Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) is a government agency under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It is the country’s centre of expertise in combating poverty round the globe, and it cooperates with other national and international centres of competence. It has a comprehensive information centre that provides ready access to information about its activities as well as guidance on issues related to development cooperation, Ruseløkkven 26, PO Box 8034 Dep, 0030 Oslo, Tel: 22242030, Fax: 22243031, www.norad.no, postmottak@norad.no.

The Nordic Council (Nordisk råd)

The parliaments and governments of the Nordic countries cooperate in the Nordic Council, and ministers cooperate in the Nordic Council of Ministers (Nordisk ministerråd). The activities of these two Councils are extensive, as is the information on them. Brochures and pamphlets on the Councils are available at many government offices, and Norway.no (Chapter 31) can help you locate and order them. For more specific information, contact the Secretariat, Store Strandstræde 18, DK-1255 Copenhagen, Denmark, Tel: +45 33960200, Fax: +45 33960322, www.norden.org, nordisk-rad@norden.org.

Norwegian Embassies (Ambassader) and Consulates General (Generalkonsulater)

Norway has embassies and consulates general round the world. Those in the principal English-speaking countries are listed below. For others, as well as for links to websites in many languages, visit the www.norway.info website.

United Kingdom

Royal Norwegian Embassy
25 Belgrave Square
London SW1X 8QD
Tel: +44 20 7591 5500, Fax: +44 20 7245 6993
emb.london@mfa.no

Royal Norwegian Consulate General
86 George Street
Edinburgh EH2 3BU
Tel: +44 131 226 5701, Fax: +44 131 220 4976
cgedi@mfa.no

Canada

Royal Norwegian Embassy
90 Sparks Street, Suite 532
Ottawa, Ontario K1P 5B4
Tel: +1 613 238 6571, Fax: +1 613 238 2765
emb.ottawa@mfa.no

USA

Royal Norwegian Embassy
2720 34th Street NW
Washington, DC 20008
Tel: +1 202 3336000, Fax: +1 202 3370870
emb.washington@mfa.no

Royal Norwegian Consulate General
825 Third Avenue, 38th floor
New York, NY 10022
Tel: +1 212 421 7333, Fax: +1 212 754 0583
cg.newyork@mfa.no

The Consulate General in Minneapolis
821 Marquette Avenue South, suite 800
Minneapolis, MN 55402
Tel: +1 612 332 3338, Fax: +1 612 332 1386
cg.minneapolis@mfa.no

Royal Norwegian Consulate General
2777 Allen Parkway
Houston, TX 77019-2136
Tel: +1 713 521 2900, Fax: +1 713 521 9648
cg.houston@mfa.no

Royal Norwegian Consulate General
20 California Street
6th floor
San Francisco, CA 94111-4803
Tel: +1 415 986 0766, Fax: +1 415 986 3318
cgsfo@mfa.no

Australia and New Zealand

Royal Norwegian Embassy
17 Hunter Street
Yarralumla
Canberra ACT 2600
Tel: +61 2 6273 3444/3430/4244, Fax: +61 2 6273 3669
emb.canberra@mfa.no

South Africa

Royal Norwegian Embassy
Parioli Building A2, 1166 Park Street
PO Box 11612, Hatfield, 0028
Tel: +27 12 342 6100, Fax: +27 12 342 6099
embpta@noramb.co.za

Royal Norwegian Embassy
17 Floor Southern Life Centre
8 Riebeck Street
Cape Town, 8000
PO Box 5620, Cape Town, 8000
Tel: +27 21 425 1687, Fax: +27 21 419 3568
embctn@noramb.co.za

India

Royal Norwegian Embassy
50 C Shantipath, Chanakyapuri
New Delhi 110021
Tel: +91 11 51779200, Fax: +91 11 51680145
emb.newdelhi@mfa.no

Royal Norwegian Consulate General
Nowroji Mansion, 6th Floor
31 Nathelal Parekh Marg
Mumbai 400 039
Tel: +91 22 22842042, +91 22 22842098, +91 22 22835987, Fax: +91 22 22046576
norinco@mantraonline.com

The Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (Norsk Utenrikspolitisk Institutt, NUPI)

In 1959, the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (NUPI) was set up to further understanding of international issues. Although it is partly funded by the government, NUPI is independent in its studies of matters relevant to foreign policy and economic relations. NUPI conducts numerous research activities, organised in two major cross-disciplinary programmes – European Cooperation and Collective Security – and two sections – International Economics and Development Research. NUPI also disseminates information on international issues, publishes books, periodicals and reports. For further information, contact the head office, CH Hambros plass 2D, PO Box 8159 Dep, 0033 Oslo, Tel: 22056500, Fax: 22177015, www.nupi.no, internet@nupi.no.

OECD

Norway is a member of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), which assists member countries to develop economic and social policies that promote sustained economic growth and financial stability. It has 30 member countries and active relationships with some 70 other countries and Non-Government Organisations (NGOs). Each year, the OECD publishes more than 500 books and periodicals, most in English and French, on matters including agriculture and fisheries; cities, regions and countryside; development cooperation; economics and long-term analysis; economies in transition; education, employment labour and social affairs; environmental affairs; financial, fiscal and enterprise affairs; public management; science, technology and industry; trade; transport. Further details are available from the OECD, 2, rue André-Pascal, F-75775 Paris Cedex 16, France, Tel: +33 145248200, Fax: +33 145248500, www.oecd.org.

Ombudsman (Ombudsmann)

An ombudsman is an official appointed to investigate the complaints of individuals against maladministration by public agencies or against violation of laws concerning individual rights. The word originated in Sweden, where the first ombudsmann was instituted in 1809. With the definite suffix -en, the word designates an office to which a person is appointed: ombudsmannen is both a position and the title of the person holding it. There are six principal ombudsmann offices:

• Children (Barneombudet)(Chapter 17)
• Consumer rights (Forbrukerombudet)(Chapter 26)
• Gender equality (Likestillingsombudet)(Chapter 26)
• Patients (Pasientombudet)(Chapter 21)
• Parliamentary Ombudsman for Public Administration (Sivilombudsmann)(this chapter)
• Military services (Forsvaret) including civilian service conscripts (Chapter 11).

There are also ombudsman offices in the private sector, in unions, employer organisations, professional organisations and some larger companies.

Parliament (Storting)

The Storting is divided into two chambers, the Lower House (Odelsting) and Upper House (Lagting). When a new Storting first convenes following an election, it elects one-quarter of the parliamentarians (41) to the Lagting and the remaining three-quarters (124) to the Odelsting. General elections for all 165 seats are held in September of every fourth year. Except for foreign service staff and civil servants, anyone who is entitled to vote in national elections and has lived in Norway for the past 10 years or more may stand for election to the Storting.

In contrast to practice in some other countries with parliamentary systems, a sitting Storting cannot be dissolved, and elections cannot be called outside the normal years. The principal powers of the Storting are to pass new laws and to amend or repeal existing laws; to adopt the Fiscal Budget including annual revenues and governmental expenditures; to supervise the ministerial Government and the public administration; and to authorise plans and guidelines for the activities of the government through discussion of a wide range of issues of public interest. For more complete details, contact the Information Office, Karl Johans gt 22, 0026 Oslo, Tel: 23313596, www.stortinget.no, stortinget.postmottak@stortinget.no.

Parliamentarism (Parlamentarisme)

The government of Norway is said to be parliamentary, because Parliament has authority over the Council of State, which is accountable to Parliament and depends on retaining its confidence. Numerous constitutional practices guide relations between the two. Breach of these practices may have political repercussions, which may trigger the resignation of a Minister or even of an entire Ministerial Government. These matters are not stated directly in the constitution, but have evolved through political precedence and are considered just as binding as if they had been. This is called constitutional precedence. Under parliamentary rule, the majority in Parliament determine who will fill the offices of the Ministers which constitute the Ministerial Government and the Cabinet. A sitting Ministerial Government need not always be backed by a parliamentary majority, but it cannot continue in office if opposed by it. Parliament can oppose a sitting Government by a vote of no confidence. If the vote passes, the Government is obliged to resign. The Government may also challenge Parliament; it can threaten to step down if its proposal on an issue is not accepted, through calling for a vote of no confidence. In practice, a Government usually resigns in the event of an electoral defeat when the majority in Parliament shifts and creates an imperative for forming a new Government.

Parliamentary Ombudsman for Public Administration (Stortingets ombudsmann for forvaltningen)

The Ombudsman acts on complaints from individuals on the actions of State, county and municipal agencies. You can submit a complaint if you believe that a public agency has decided wrongly, has been offensive or unjust or has failed to take action or respond to a query. To submit a complaint, just write a letter, as there are no specific requirements or forms. In the letter, you should briefly explain the reasons for your complaint and should attach copies of any relevant documents. The Ombudsman will deal with your case in writing, but will not conduct inspections or interview persons. You will be informed of the progress and outcome of your case. The Ombudsman’s services are free. For further information on the services of the Ombudsman, contact the head office, PO Box 3 Sentrum, 0101 Oslo, Tel: 22828500, Fax: 22828511, www.sivilombudsmannen.no, post@sivilombudsmannen.no.

Political parties (Politiske partier)

There are more than 20 political parties. The exact number varies, as new parties are formed and others are disbanded or change their names and political profiles. The eight parties that have seats in the 2001–2005 Parliament are:

• Labour (Arbeiderpartiet, Ap), 43 seats
• Conservative (Høyre, H), 38 seats
• Progress (Fremskrittspartiet, FrP), 25 seats
• Socialist Left (Sosialistisk Vnstreparti, SV), 23 seats
• Christian Democratic (Kristelig folkeparti, KrF), 22 seats
• Centre (Senterpartiet, Sp), 10 seats
• Liberal (Venstre, V), 2 seats
• Coast (Kystpartiet, K), 1 seat.

The sum is 164 seats, as there is one independent with no party affiliation.

Private sector enterprises owned or managed by the State (Statsforetak)

As elsewhere in Europe, in the 1990s, deregulation and privatisation led to the reorganisation of many government agencies as private sector enterprises, most notably in postal services, telecommunications and railways. In some cases, subsequent public listing attracted other investors, which reduced the State’s share in a company. But in most cases, the State remains the sole owner. The principal State-owned private sector enterprises are listed below. The list does not include direct State investment in the private sector ventures, as in the foundation of Statoil in 1972.

• Avinor owns and operates 46 airports, including 14 jointly with the armed forces, and operates air traffic control, www.avinor.no.
• Centre for Veterinary Contract Research and Commercial Services Ltd (Veterinærmedisinsk Oppdragssenter AS) is the leading retailer of veterinary vaccines, distributor of veterinary drugs for farmed fish and health, as well as pet care products for terrestrial animals, www.veso.no.
• Enova EF is a proactive agency that promotes energy efficiency by motivating cost-effective and environmentally sound investment decisions, www.enova.no.
• Euro-Info Centres is a pan-European effort initiated by the EU to promote entrepreneurial ventures, principal website at www.europa.eu.int/comm/enterprise and Norwegian website at www.eic.no.
• Gassco AS is the operator of a Norwegian gas pipeline network of some 6,600 km, to continental Europe and the UK, www.gassco.no.
• Industrial Development Corporation of Norway (Selskapet for industrivekst, SIVA) promotes regional, national and international research and development and is co-owner in more than 60 innovation centres throughout the country, www.siva.no.
• Industry Service (Industritjeneste as) is a labour-market service organisation that clarifies, qualifies and coordinates jobs, www.industritjeneste.no.
• Innovation Norway (Innovasjon Norge) deals with tourism, trade, industrial and regional development, and support for inventors and supports four websites: business and company information www.bedin.no, public services and public information gateway www.norway.no, trade portal www.nortrade.com and travel and tourism portal www.visitnorway.com.
• Mesta AS is a construction company specialising in roads, tunnels and bridges, www.mesta.no.
• National Nurseries (Statens skogplanteskoler) operates two nurseries for the production of forestry plants, www.reiersol.no and www.sonsterud.no.
• Norway Post (Posten) is the postal service, www.posten.no.
• Norwegian Grain (Unikorn) is the country’s major grain trader, www.unikorn.no.
• Norwegian Property Register (Norsk eiendomsinformasjon as) is the central database for the registry of titles, mortgages and rights, www.eiendomsinfo.no.
• Norwegian State Railways (NSB AS) is the country’s incumbent Train Operating Company (TOC), www.nsb.no.
• Petro AS manages the commercial aspects of the State’s direct involvement in petroleum activities on the Norwegian continental shelf as well as with business related to it, www.petroas.no.
• Statnett coordinates supply and demand and owns large sections of the main power grid, www.statnett.no.
• Statskonsult AS is a consultancy specialising in public management development, www.statskonsult.no.
• Telenor is the incumbent telecommunications owner and operator now listed on stock exchanges with the result that State ownership has diminished to 53%, www.telenor.no.
• UNINETT supplies Internet solutions to research and education and is responsible for the development, operation, coordination and standardisation of network solutions, www.uninett.no.
• Vinmonopolet is the State wine and liquor retailer, www.vinmonopolet.no.
• Work Research Institute (Arbeidsforskningsinstituttet AS) is a labour-market think tank, www.afi-wri-no.

Schengen space (Schengen-området)

Schengen is the name of a small town in Luxembourg where, in June 1985, seven European Union countries signed a treaty to discontinue border checkpoints and controls. Since then, eight more countries have joined the treaty. The Schengen space is the territory of the 15 countries that now are members of the Schengen Agreement: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Greece, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain and Sweden.

If you stay in Norway or one of the 14 other countries, you will seldom see the effects of the Agreement. But when you travel between the countries, you will notice that you can cross borders without checks, save for customs checks upon entering Norway from an EU country. Visa requirements are harmonised among the 15 countries, so a visa issued by one country is valid in the other 14. Checks at borders between the Schengen space and non-Schengen countries are according to a common standard. All the countries have access to the Schengen Information System (SIS), which makes personal identity and other data available throughout the Schengen space. The police and courts of the 15 countries cooperate, particularly in combating drug-related crime. The Agreement does not require a common asylum and refugee policy, but the policies of the 15 countries have become more alike as a consequence of it.

UNECE

The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) is a forum at which the countries of Europe, North America and central Asia cooperate on economic matters. Norway has been a member since 1947 and takes part in almost all UNECE activities in matters related to environment and human settlements, trade, industry and timber, and transport. The impact of the UNECE on daily life is most obvious in transport, environmental matters and international shipment of goods. For instance, cars and other motor vehicles conform to UNECE regulations, and periodic vehicle inspection (Chapter 4) is in compliance with UNECE directives. Further details on UNECE matters in Norway are available in the publications and press releases of the Ministries involved. For complete information on the UNECE, contact its Information Office, Palais des Nations, CH-1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland, Tel: +41 22 9171234, Fax: +41 22 9170505, www.unece.org, info.ece@unece.org.