Government agencies in Norway

The Government agencies of Norway are state-controlled organizations that act independently to carry out the policies of the Government of Norway. The government ministries are relatively small and merely policy-making organizations, allowed to control agencies by policy decisions but not by direct orders. A minister is explicitly prohibited from interfering with the day-to-day operation in an agency or the outcome in individual cases. While no minister is allowed to give orders to agencies personally, they are subject to decisions made by the government. Also, the minister is normally the instance of appeals for agency decisions.
Agencies are organised as etat. Still, some of the work of the government is carried out through state enterprises or limited companies. For a full list of enterprises and companies, see List of Norwegian government enterprises.

Storting

Office of the Auditor General of Norway : auditor of all state accounts
Norwegian Parliamentary Ombudsman for Public Administration : ombudsman for all civil matters

Ministry of Agriculture and Food

Agencies

Norwegian Agricultural Agency : manages agriculture, forestry, and reindeer herding
Norwegian Food Safety Authority : controls all aspects of food safety, including agriculture, import and trade

Enterprises

Statskog: manages state-owned forests and natural property

Limited companies

Staur Farm : a farm

Ministry of Children and Families

Allocation Committee for support to voluntary children's and youth organizations : issues grants for children and youth organizations
County social welfare boards : makes decisions of placement of children in institutions and foster homes
Ecolabelling Norway : awards ecolabelling
County Governor : regional authority, with a governor in each of 18 counties
Market Council of Norway : makes legal decisions concerning consumer rights upon specific or general cases
National Institute for Consumer Research : research
Norway's Contact Committee for Immigrants and the Authorities : dialog between immigrants and authorities
Norwegian Assay Office : control of trade of noble metals
Norwegian Consumer Council : pursues consumer interests
Norwegian Consumer Dispute Commission : settles consumer matters
Norwegian Consumer Ombudsman : handles complaints from consumers
Norwegian Directorate for Children, Youth and Family Affairs : helps children, youth and families who need help
Norwegian Equality and Anti-Discrimination Ombud : fights discrimination
Norwegian Equality and Anti-Discrimination Tribunal : appeal board for the Equality and Anti-Discrimination Ombud
Norwegian Labour and Welfare Service : administrating age- and disability pensions and other welfare, and manages unemployment
Ombudsman for Children in Norway : promotes children's interests in society

Ministry of Culture and Church Affairs

Agencies

Arts Council Norway : issues grants to culture, and functions as an advisory board for the ministry in culture affairs
Bunad- og folkedraktrådet: advises on and promotes the use of bunad, the Norwegian national costume
Det praktisk-teologiske seminar: educates ministers of the Church of Norway
Church of Norway National Council : head body of the Church of Norway
Museum of Archaeology, Stavanger : archeology and museum
National Archival Services of Norway : national and regional state archives
National Foundation for Art in Public Buildings : competence centre and producer of art for public buildings
National Library of Norway : national library
Nidaros Domkirkes Restaureringsarbeider: preservation work on the Nidaros Cathedral and the Archbishop's Palace
Norwegian Library of Talking Books and Braille : publisher and library for audio books
Norwegian Archive, Library and Museum Authority : authority for archives, libraries and museums
Norwegian Film Institute : preserves, supports and distributes Norwegian and foreign films
Norwegian Gaming and Foundation Authority : supervises gaming, lotteries and foundations
Norwegian Institute of Local History : promotes local history knowledge
Norwegian Language Council : regulates the official version of the Norwegian language
Norwegian Media Authority : regulates all aspects of mass media, including content rating, ownership, concessions and advertising
Opplysningsvesenets fond: manages the real estate of the Church of Norway, except the actual church buildings
Concerts Norway : mobile music performance that performs throughout the country
Riksteatret: mobile theatre that performs throughout the country

Diocesan Councils

Limited companies

National Theatre of Norway : theatre in Oslo
Norsk Tipping: holds a monopoly on all gambling
Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation : public broadcaster of radio and television channels

Ministry of Defence

Norwegian Ministry of Education and Research

Agencies

Foreldreutvalget for barnehager: cooperation between parents of daycare-aged children and daycare authorities
Foreldreutvalget for grunnopplæringen: cooperation between parents of primary school-aged children and school authorities
Norway Opening Universities : promotes cooperation between business and higher education, and aims to increase lifelong learning
Norwegian Agency for Quality Assurance in Education : supervises and works to improve the quality of higher education
Norwegian Centre for International Cooperation in Higher Education : promotes international cooperation in higher education and research
Norwegian Directorate for Education and Training : responsible for the development of primary and secondary education
Norwegian Institute for Adult Learning : research
Norwegian Meteorological Institute : performs weather observations and calculations
Norwegian Social Research : research
Norwegian State Educational Loan Fund : grants loans and scholarships to students
Norwegian Universities and Colleges Admission Service : coordinates admission to undergraduate courses at state universities and colleges
The Research Council of Norway : grants funds for research
italic=no: educates gardeners and flower decorators at secondary school level.

Universities

Specialised colleges

Regional university colleges

Limited companies

Norwegian Social Science Data Services : information and data services for higher education and research
University Centre in Svalbard : research on Svalbard
UNINETT: operates the university/college/research internet communication network and the Norid domain register

Ministry of Climate and Environment

Norwegian Environment Agency : agency with main responsibilities connected to
Norwegian Directorate for Cultural Heritage : authority that authorises preservation of cultural heritage
Norwegian Polar Institute : conducts research related to Arctic sciences
Norwegian Mapping Authority : manages maps of the entire country
Norwegian Product Register : maintains a database over the content of all products distributed in the country

Ministry of Finance

Pension Fund Global : invests axcess capital abroad
National Insurance Scheme Fund : invests domestic pensions
Norges Bank: central bank
Norwegian Customs and Excise Authorities : collects customs
Norwegian Financial Supervisory Authority : controls banks and other financial institutions
Norwegian Government Agency for Financial Management : coordinates financial management within the Government
Norwegian National Collection Agency : collects dues payable to the state
Norwegian Tax Administration : manages and collects taxes
Statistics Norway : statistics collection, computing and publishing agency

Ministry of Fisheries and Coastal Affairs

Agencies

Institute of Marine Research : research related to marine biology and fish management
Norwegian Coastal Administration : owns and operates water transportation infrastructure, including harbours, piloting and navigation
National Institute of Nutrition and Seafood Research : research related to nutrition and seafood
Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries : authority concerning matters of fisheries

Limited companies

Norwegian Seafood Export Council : marketing of fish abroad
Secora: construction company for water transport infrastructure

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Fredskorpset: exchange organisation to promote understanding between countries
Norfund: capital investment in developing countries
Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation : aid to developing countries

Ministry of Government Administration and Reform

Agency for Public Management and eGovernment : management consulting, electronic commerce management and operation og government websites
County Governor : regional authority of the Government, with a Governor in each of 18 counties
Government Administration Services : provides administrative services for the ministries
Norwegian Competition Authority : regulates permission to merge, and regulates to stimulate competition
Norwegian Data Inspectorate : regulates permission to store information on persons or other entities
Norwegian Directorate of Public Construction and Property : builds, manages and operates all government buildings
Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund : fund allocating extra pensions for civil servants
Personvernnemda: ombudsman concerning matters of privacy

Ministry of Health and Care Services

Agencies

Norwegian Directorate for Health and Social Affairs : central expertise in administering healthcare and social affairs
Norwegian Board of Health Supervision : highest supervision authority for the health and social services
Norwegian Institute of Public Health : preventative health work
Norwegian System of Compensation to Patients : can issue compensation for medical malpractice
Norwegian Patients' Injury Compensation Board : appeal board for the System of Compensation to Patients
Norwegian Biotechnology Advisory Board : a board that advises the authorities in matters concerning modern biotechnology
Norwegian Appeals Board for Health Personnel : appeal board for health personnel who lose authorization
Norwegian Medicines Agency : controls research, production and sale of medicine
National Institute for Alcohol and Drug Research : research connected to alcohol and drug use
Norwegian Scientific Committee for Food Safety
Norwegian Radiation Protection Authority : expertise and precautions against nuclear and radiation threats
Norwegian Labour and Welfare Service : administers age- and disability pensions and other welfare, and manages unemployment
Norwegian Food Safety Authority : controls all aspects of food safety, including agriculture, import and trade
Norwegian Governmental Appeal Board regarding medical treatment abroad : appeal board for patients who need treatment abroad, and where there is not adequate domestic service, who are entitled to have treatment paid for by the authorities

Regional health authorities

The regional health authorities are responsible for providing specialist healthcare services within their designated geographic area.

Limited companies

Vinmonopolet: monopoly on trade of wine and spirits

Ministry of Justice and the Police

Agencies

Governor of Svalbard
Joint Rescue Coordination Centre of Northern Norway : coordinates rescue operations
Joint Rescue Coordination Centre of Southern Norway : coordinates rescue operations
Justissekretariatene: manages a number of administrative functions related to legal processes
National Police Directorate : the police force
National Security Authority
Norwegian Advisory Council on Bankruptcy : administers bankruptcies
Norwegian Border Commissioner : controls the border between Norway and Russia
Norwegian Civil Defence : civil defence; emergency and rescue services in the event of major accidents and incidents
Norwegian Correctional Services : operates criminal correctional services, including prisons
Norwegian Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority : manages compensation for victims of criminal injuries
Norwegian Directorate for Civil Protection and Emergency Planning : maintains an overview of and works to prevent societal threats
Norwegian Directorate for Emergency Communication : builds and operates the emergency communication network
Norwegian Judge Advocate General : head prosecutor of the military court
Norwegian Mediation and Reconciliation Service : settles disputes
Norwegian Police Security Service : surveillance of domestic threats to national security
Norwegian Police University College : police officer college
Samerettsutvalget: research related to the Sami
Norwegian Bureau for the Investigation of Police Affairs : investigates accusations of criminal offences by police or prosecution officers on duty

Limited companies

Norsk Eiendomsinformasjon: land registry company which provides land information to the professional market

Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development

Norwegian State Housing Bank : issues loans for housing
National Office of Building Technology and Administration : expertise within building technology

Ministry of Petroleum and Energy

Agencies

Gassnova: research related to capture and deposit
Norwegian Petroleum Directorate : manages the petroleum resources on the Norwegian continental shelf
Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate : authority controlling and regulating water resources like rivers and lakes, and the production of energy

Enterprises

Enova: manages subsidies and encourages energy conservation
Statnett: owns and operates the central power grid

Limited companies

Gassco: operates all natural gas pipe lines in the country
Petoro: manages the state's direct financial interest in the petroleum industry

Ministry of Labour and Social Inclusion

Agencies

International Centre for Reindeer Husbandry : research
Labour Court of Norway : court that takes under consideration disputes about validity, interpretation and existence of collective agreements, questions regarding breach of collective agreements, questions regarding breach of the peace obligation, and claims for damages resulting from such breaches
Directorate of Integration and Diversity : authority concerning integration of foreigners
National Centre for Documentation on Disability : research
National Institute of Occupational Health : research
Norwegian Directorate for Health and Social Affairs : competence centre for the management of healthcare and social affairs
Norwegian Directorate of Immigration : immigration permits and authority
Norwegian Directorate of Labour and Welfare : manages the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Service
Norwegian Immigration Appeals Board : appeal board for the Directorate of Immigration
Norwegian Labour and Welfare Service : administers age- and disability pensions and other welfare, and manages unemployment
Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority : occupational health and safety authority
Norwegian Pension Insurance for Seamen : administrates the seamen's pension
Petroleum Safety Authority Norway : ensures occupational safety and health in the petroleum industry
Resource Centre for the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, or Kompetansesenter for urfolks rettigheter): research
Resource Centre for Nature and Reindeer Husbandry Services : research
State Conciliator of Norway : negotiates wage and traffic disputes between employer and labour unions
Sámediggi : Sami parliament

Limited companies

Rehabil: rehabilitation workplace

Ministry of Trade and Industry

Agencies

Brønnøysund Register Centre : manages the vast amounts of registers related to business, commerce and civil matters
Guarantee Institute for Export Credits : grants guarantees for export companies
Norwegian Accreditation : ensures that research laboratories meet international regulations
Norwegian Directorate of Mining with the Commissioner of Mines at Svalbard : registers mining claims, and regulates other concerns regarding mining, including environmental issues and mining on Svalbard
Norwegian Maritime Directorate : ensures and encourages sea and water transport safety
Norwegian Metrology Service : in charge of research and measuring of metrology; ensures through control that all meters are correct
Norwegian Geological Survey : research and survey related to geology
Norwegian Industrial Property Office : registers patents
Norwegian Ship Registers : registry for the Norwegian Ship Register and the Norwegian International Ship Register
Norwegian Space Centre : space agency

Limited companies

Argentum Fondsinvesteringer: private equity fund
Bjørnøen: owns all land on the island Bjørnøya
Electronic Chart Centre: makes electronic maritime charts
Entra Eiendom: manages the commercial portfolio of government real estate
Flytoget: operates the Airport Express Train between Oslo and Oslo Airport, Gardermoen
Innovation Norway : provides help and funding for start-up companies
Kings Bay: operates research facility at Ny-Ålesund on Svalbard
Mesta: provides public tender road work construction work
Industrial Development Corporation of Norway : invests in business and industry park, incubators and other industrial and technology entrepreneur infrastructure
Statkraft: power company which also owns a number of local power companies
Venturefondet: investment fund
Store Norske Spitsbergen Kulkompani: operates the coal mine at Longyearbyen and Svea on Svalbard

Ministry of Transport and Communications

Agencies

National Rail Administration : owns and operates the railway infrastructure
Norwegian Accident Investigation Board : investigates accidents related to air-, water-, road- or rail transport
Norwegian Civil Aviation Authority : inspectorate and authority concerning air transport
Norwegian Post and Telecommunications Authority : regulates the telecom industry, issues telephone numbers
Norwegian Railway Inspectorate : inspectorate concerning rail transport, including urban rail
Norwegian Public Roads Administration : builds, operates and maintains state and county road infrastructure

Limited companies

Avinor: airport and air traffic management operator
Baneservice: construction company for railway infrastructure
Posten Norge: postal service
Vy: railway operation