Sami Kangasharju appointed as new Managing Director of SFS Finnish Standards
Sami Kangasharju, M. Sc. (Industrial Management), MBA, has been appointed as Managing Director starting from 1 March 2026. The current Acting Managing Director Antti Karppinen will retire concurrently.
Sami Kangasharju has 25 years of experience of international operations and managing teams of experts. Previously, he has acted as CEO of Mitta Group Oy and FCG International Ltd.
“We are very happy that Sami Kangasharju will bring his solid international management experience to SFS. Standardization is evolving on the international level and is currently at an interesting stage. Under Kangasharju’s guidance, we will strengthen Finnish standardization both in Finland and internationally,” says Kim Hagström, Chair of the SFS Administrative Board.
“Adhering to common rules is more important than ever as technology, geopolitics and the environment are changing. It is an honour to serve the Finnish business sector and the international community in this role. I am glad to have found a position where I can use all of my previous experience, which is quite rare. I am grateful for the trust placed in me and looking forward to working with the SFS team and our stakeholders,” says Sami Kangasharju, who will start as Managing Director on 1 March 2026.
“It is my pleasure to hand over my duties as Managing Director to Sami Kangasharju. I am confident that his extensive experience will help SFS to keep evolving and achieving its goals,” says Antti Karppinen, who has served as Acting Managing Director of SFS since 25 September 2025.
Standardization is used widely as an instrument of strategic and geopolitical influencing to manage technological development and the market. Standardization offers opportunities not only to major powers but also to smaller countries such as Finland. The European Commission is currently assessing and developing the standardization framework to strengthen competitiveness. In Finland, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment has begun working on the standardization strategy in accordance with the Government Programme in order to promote growth and competitiveness.
Further information:
Sami Kangasharju, SFS Finnish Standards, Managing Director starting from 1 March 2026, tel. +358 (0)41 731 4224
Kim Hagström, Chair of the SFS Administrative Board, tel. +358 (0)40 523 2526