More security guards, tougher penalties and fewer disposable items – here are the new laws in 2024

New law to stop disposable products

Businesses that sell food and drink in disposable cups or disposable lunch boxes must now offer the customer to have the drink or food served in reusable cups and packaging. The lids are also included.

Read more at the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency

New law on security guards

Security guards receive an expanded mission and new powers. Among other things, they must be able to be used in more places and for more purposes.

For example, security guards must be able to help the police “maintain public order and security or promote security.”

Security guards must also be able to:

  • transport certain dependents
  • body search for identification purposes
  • destroy the seized alcohol if the value is small.
  • In addition, the basic training for law enforcement is extended, from 80 to 160 hours. The fee is also reduced, from SEK 22,875 to SEK 10,000.

    Read more from the police

    New law on tougher penalties

    The punishment for crimes that enable shootings and explosions is being tightened. Among other things, the punishment for serious weapons crimes, weapons smuggling and violations of the permit obligation for explosive goods will be doubled.

    More about the increased penalties here

    New law on waste mills

    Thousands of waste grinders must be retired on 1 January 2024. The new legislation is based on EU rules and means that food waste grinders connected to the sewage network are banned.

    However, those who have their waste mill connected to a tank or a separator do not need to do anything. Then you meet the requirements for separate collection of food waste.

    Read more at the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency

    New law on media support

    The law on a new media support comes into force on January 1, 2024, but it is still unclear exactly what it will entail.

    The EU Commission approved the proposal at the end of November and the government subsequently decided on a regulation. Now it remains for the Swedish Press, Radio and Television Authority to make a decision on regulations. For example, what is required to receive the support. Something to be presented after the turn of the year. It may also take until this spring before the support is paid out, something that risks affecting smaller media, which is widely debated.

    Read more at the Norwegian Press, Radio and Television Authority

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