If you are a working environment representative (arbejdsmiljørepræsentant) or a supervisor (arbejdsleder) in the working environment organisation (arbejdsmiljøorganisationen), you have a right to further training every year. It is called supplementary working environment training (supplerende arbejdsmiljøuddannelse). Here is an overview of the rules. They are set out in the executive order on systematic working environment work ("bekendtgørelse om systematisk arbejdsmiljøarbejde", BEK no. 608 of 29 June 2026), chapter 5, §§ 40-44.
Two kinds of training
There are two kinds of training, and they must not be mixed up.
- The mandatory working environment training lasts 3 days (§ 40). The employer must make sure it is completed no later than 3 months after you join the working environment organisation. You must be enrolled with a provider covered by the Working Environment Authority's (Arbejdstilsynet's) scheme for providers. Only such providers may give it.
- The supplementary working environment training comes afterwards and keeps you up to date (§ 44).
This course is not the mandatory basic training and can never replace it. It is an online course that can be used as part of your supplementary training if your employer and the working environment organisation agree.
How much must the employer offer?
The rules in § 42 are simple:
- First year of office: supplementary training equivalent to 2 days. It must be offered and be possible to start within 9 months after the mandatory training has ended. The 2 days must be achievable within the first 12 months of the term of office.
- Each following year: equivalent to 1½ days. It must be offered and be possible to start in the same year of office.
The duty applies to both working environment representatives and supervisors in the working environment organisation. The employer must be able to document in writing to the Working Environment Authority that the training has been offered.
If the training is not used
You have a right to the supplementary training (§ 43). But if you do not use the right in the year of office in question, it lapses. This can only be avoided if the employer and the employees have made an agreement to combine the days.
Such an agreement can combine the training over the term of office, but no more than 3 days can be combined (§ 42(4)). The agreement must also be possible to document to the Working Environment Authority.
Who decides the content?
The rules do not give a fixed syllabus. They only say that the training must provide continuous, targeted updating, and that knowledge and skills must be relevant to the working environment work in the company (§ 44).
The working environment committee must also discuss the supplementary training at the annual working environment discussion (§ 4(2)). That is therefore a good place to agree what is needed: often based on the workplace assessment (APV), accidents and your own tasks.
We have not found rules on who may provide the supplementary training, or how many hours a "day" is. If you are unsure what counts, agree it with your employer and get the agreement in writing.
Who pays?
The employer does. The employer must compensate loss of income and expenses for necessary participation in the training (§ 35(3)). The training takes place during working hours.
What the employer must still do
- make sure the mandatory training is taken with a provider covered by the scheme
- offer and pay for the supplementary training and be able to document it
- agree the content together with the working environment organisation
- assess whether this course meets the company's needs