In general

Iceland is divided into 10 municipal control districts, each with a supervisory authority (Board of Public Health). These authorities are Environmental and Public Health Offices (LCAs) which have control duties related to food safety, environmental protection and general hygiene. The organization and structure of the LCAs is based on provisions of the Act No 7/1998 on Hygiene and Pollution control, and Act No 93/1995 on Food.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food is responsible for the legislation on food safety, while the Ministry for the Environment is responsible for legislation on environmental protection and general hygiene. As a consequence, Icelandic Food and Veterinary Authority (MAST) is responsible for supervision of the LCAs activities regarding food safety, while Environment Agency of Iceland is responsible for their work related to environmental protection and general hygiene. These institutions issues guidelines which the LCAs are obliged to follow.

Public Health in the district of Kjós

The Board of Public Health in Kjós area is the highest authority of the Local Competent Authority (LCA) of Kjós. Its role is to promote public welfare by helping to ensure a healthy environment, and safe consumer goods. This is brought on with regular control in operating companies, monitoring and education.

Areas of operation:

• Administration
• Information and advice for the public, businesses and other authorities
• Evaluation of environmental impact assessment and development plans 
• Evaluation of catering- and operation licenses 
• Operation supervision, inspection, operating permits, etc.
   
• Environmental quality
• Monitoring of lakes and rivers
• Monitoring of the coast
• Noise measuring 
• Air quality
   
• Health and safety in public places
• Monitoring of Swimming pools
• Children safety
• Housing and fixture
• Maintenance with local ordinance, e.g. pet control, sewage, conduct and water protection
   
• Pollution prevention
• Control in polluting operation
• Monitoring and sampling
   
• Food control
• Controls on food safety, including water for human consumption
• HACCP
• Sampling
   
• Tobacco control
• Licensing
• Labeling
• Accessibility control
   
• Toxic and hazardous substance
• Labeling and handling
• Participation in Rapex
   
• Public education
• Pontificating
• Notification
• Reportage
   
• Collaboration
• SHI is an association of the 10 municipal Local Environmental Health Authorities in Iceland. It´s main purpose is to facilitate cooperation between the Local Environment Health Authorities
• International opportunities