The main objective of Nordic co-operation in the area of work environment is to promote health and welfare at work and thus also productivity in society. It aims for the Nordic work environment to be of a high standard which is developed with consideration for international agreements and EU legislation.

The purpose is to create a safe work environment which promotes good health, to strengthen the sustainable use of the individual employee's resources, as well as prevent absence due to illness and premature retirement from the labour market.

This contributes to further developing the Nordic region as an attractive labour market that can boost the opportunities to include more people on the outside or on the edge of the labour market, as well as to attract labour from abroad.

Furthermore, the focus is on strengthening common Nordic exchange of experience and information, as well as co-ordination in relation to initiatives and negotiations in the EU, which are of major importance for regulating the labour market.