Danish EPA Tasks

The Danish EPA contributes to setting out targets and reparing strategies and action plans as the basis for government work. Our work includes strategies for waste, environmental factors and health, and action plans on chemicals and eco-technology. Work is in close cooperation with the EU, Danish Environment  Centres, Regions and Municipalities.

The Danish EPA prepares the decision basis for the Minister for the Environment and executes the political decisions of the government and parliament. We handle about 1,000 very different ministerial cases each year. From draft bills on contaminated soil and replies to citizens’ inquiries about allergenic substances or the smoke from a neighbour’s woodburning stove, to proposals for new political initiatives in the waste area.

Dialogue with the public and enterprises
An important part of the Danish EPA’s activities aims at Danish businesses. These include industry, agriculture, consultancy enterprises and business organisations.

The framework conditions for Danish enterprises are increasingly being affected by the global market, and the environment is a competition parameter in line with other factors. Early dialogue on decisions by the EU and other international fora is important to ensure environmental progress.

In order to secure new knowledge for consumers on the environment, health and consumption, we are targeting work at realising the most up-to-date knowledge and knowhow for the relevant areas. We want to ensure that everyone has quick and easy access to this knowledge at all times. This may be knowledge about new regulations for the environment, new knowledge about products, risk communication, campaigns, and advice about how people can take personal responsibility.

Regulations nationally and internationally
The Danish EPA manages a number of Danish acts and statutory orders, as well as EU legislation dealing with environmental protection, chemical substances and products, waste management, and contaminated soil. Approximately half of the new regulations are derived from EU directives. Legal quality and due process of law, together with simplicity and transparency are key concepts in Danish EPA regulatory work.

The Danish EPA is responsible for approving, for example, the pesticides that can be marketed in Denmark, dealing with about 200 cases each year. We are also responsible for approving imports and exports of waste, dealing with about 450 cases each year. Finally, the Danish EPA performs supervisory and control functions. The Chemical Inspection Service, for example, supervises compliance with regulations on chemical substances in cosmetics, toys, and other products.

Knowledge about the Environment
Specialist insight and up-to-date environmental knowledge are paramount to performing our responsibilities optimally. We therefore take care to collect data and knowledge about environmental impacts and monitor developments in the state of the environment. We carry out projects and develop and maintain around 60 environment databases.