{"id":130242,"date":"2026-03-06T14:04:37","date_gmt":"2026-03-06T14:04:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/guides\/?post_type=comparative_guide&#038;p=130242"},"modified":"2026-03-19T13:05:44","modified_gmt":"2026-03-19T13:05:44","slug":"denmark-environment","status":"publish","type":"comparative_guide","link":"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/guides\/chapter\/denmark-environment\/","title":{"rendered":"Denmark: Environment"},"content":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"template":"","class_list":["post-130242","comparative_guide","type-comparative_guide","status-publish","hentry","guides-environment","jurisdictions-denmark"],"acf":[],"appp":{"post_list":{"below_title":"<div class=\"guide-author-details\"><span class=\"guide-author\">HaugaardBraad<\/span><span class=\"guide-author-logo\"><img src=\"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/guides\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1\/2022\/01\/HB_SoMeProfile_LinkedIn.jpg\"\/><\/span><\/div>"},"post_detail":{"above_title":"<div class=\"guide-author-details\"><span class=\"guide-author\">HaugaardBraad<\/span><span class=\"guide-author-logo\"><img src=\"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/guides\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1\/2022\/01\/HB_SoMeProfile_LinkedIn.jpg\"\/><\/span><\/div>","below_title":"<span class=\"guide-intro\">This country specific Q&amp;A provides an overview of Environment laws and regulations applicable in Denmark<\/span><div class=\"guide-content\"><div class=\"filter\">\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t<input type=\"text\" placeholder=\"Search questions and answers...\" class=\"filter-container__search-field\">\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t<ol class=\"custom-counter\">\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">What is the environmental framework and the key pieces of environmental legislation in your jurisdiction?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>The overall purpose of the Danish environmental legislation framework is to protect the environment and promote nature conservation, so to ensure the sustainable development of society with respect for human living conditions and the conservation of wildlife and vegetation. The key environmental framework in Denmark stems from EU law, which has been implemented into Danish legislation. The major environmental laws and related regulations are as follows:<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u2022 The Danish Environmental Protection Act (in Danish: <em>Milj\u00f8beskyttelsesloven<\/em>).<\/strong> The Act sets the framework to prevent and control pollution of air, water, soil, and subsoil, as well as vibration and noise nuisances. The Act also contains hygienically justified rules of importance to the environment and population and limits the use and waste of raw materials and other resources. It contains rules to promote the use of cleaner technology as well as rules to promote recycling in waste management.<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u2022 The Danish Nature Protection Act (in Danish: <em>Naturbeskyttelsesloven<\/em>).<\/strong> The Act protects populations of fauna and flora as well as their habitats through nature conservation and restoration. It also protects landscape, cultural-historical, scientific and educational values. Finally, it grants the public access to roam in nature, thus improving the opportunities for outdoor life.<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u2022 The Danish Planning Act (in Danish:<em> Planloven<\/em>).<\/strong> The Act forms the basis for the public authorities&#8217; management of future land-use. The fundamental idea of the Act is that the public planning of the future land-use must be based on an overall assessment of the various public and private interests. Such interests include creating and conserving valuable buildings, settlements, urban environments, and landscapes. Furthermore, the Act establishes that open coasts shall continue to comprise an important natural and landscape resource. Finally, the Act aims to involve the public in the planning process.<\/p>\n<p>Besides the environmental framework legislation (and environmental EU legislation), Danish environmental legislation consists of acts, statutory orders, circulars, plans, guidelines, and decisions. Acts and statutory orders are binding administrative rules.<\/p>\n<p>Some of the most important acts in the environmental legislation \u2013 besides the main environmental framework as listed above \u2013 are:<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u2022 The Danish Contaminated Soil Act (in Danish: <em>Jordforureningsloven<\/em>).<\/strong> The purpose of the Act is to prevent, eliminate and\/or reduce land contamination to avoid adverse effects from soil contamination through technical inspection projects.<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u2022 The Danish Coastal Protection Act (in Danish: <em>Kystbeskyttelsesloven<\/em>).<\/strong> The Act governs the rules for protect the Danish coastline and to guard against flood and coastal erosion risks.<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u2022 The Danish Environmental Objectives Act (in Danish: <em>Milj\u00f8m\u00e5lsloven<\/em>).<\/strong> The Act provides a detailed framework for the planning and the protection of the international nature conservation areas (Natura 2000). The Act implements the EU Birds Directive (2009\/147\/EC) and the EU Habitats Directive (92\/43\/EEC).<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u2022 The Danish Environmental Assessment Act (in Danish: <em>Milj\u00f8vurderingsloven<\/em>).<\/strong> This Act is the principal Act implementing the EU EIA Directive and the EU SEA Directive as well as the UNECE Espoo Convention and the SEA Protocol. The Act regulates screening and environmental impact assessment of plans, programs, and specific projects.<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u2022 The Danish Environment Information Act (in Danish: <em>Milj\u00f8oplysningsloven<\/em>).<\/strong> The Act implements the EU Directive on public access to environmental information and the Aarhus Convention, which ensures that everyone has the right to access environmental information.<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u2022 The Danish Raw Materials Act (in Danish:<em> R\u00e5stofloven<\/em>).<\/strong> The Act governs permitting and conditions for extraction of sand, gravel and other aggregates on land and at sea.<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u2022 The Danish Water Supply Act (in Danish: <em>Vandforsyningsloven<\/em>).<\/strong> The Act governs abstraction and protection of groundwater and drinking water, including permits, protection zones, quality standards and monitoring, as well as supply obligations and regulation of public water utilities.<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u2022 The Danish Watercourse Act (in Danish: <em>Vandl\u00f8bsloven<\/em>).<\/strong> The Act regulates classification, maintenance and alteration of watercourses, drainage and flood-protection works and permits for physical interventions, allocating responsibilities between landowners and authorities while safeguarding flow capacity and ecological interests.<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u2022 The Danish Water Basin Management Planning Act (in Danish: <em>Vandplanl\u00e6gningsloven<\/em>).<\/strong> The Act transposes the EU Water Framework Directive, governs river-basin management plans and measures aimed at achieving good status for surface waters and groundwater, including marine areas within Danish jurisdiction.<\/p>\n<p>This list is not exhaustive.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Who are the primary environmental regulatory authorities in your jurisdiction? To what extent do they enforce environmental requirements?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Environmental administration in Denmark is shared between the state and the municipalities (and, in some instances, the Regions of Denmark).<\/p>\n<p>At the state level, several agencies exercise environmental competences within their remit, including:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The Danish Energy Agency (in Danish: <em>Energistyrelsen<\/em>), which manages planning, licensing and EIA\/SEA within its remit (e.g., offshore wind, grids and major energy infrastructure).<\/li>\n<li>The Danish Nature Agency (in Danish: <em>Naturstyrelsen<\/em>), which manages state forests and other state nature areas, implements Natura 2000 on state land and undertakes nature restoration.<\/li>\n<li>The Danish Environmental Protection Agency (in Danish: <em>Milj\u00f8styrelsen<\/em>), which focuses on regulating air, water, waste, soil and chemicals.<\/li>\n<li>The Agency for Planning and Rural Development (in Danish: <em>Plan- og Landdistriktsstyrelsen<\/em>), which sets national interests in spatial planning, issues planning guidance and co-ordinates state input to municipal spatial planning.<\/li>\n<li>The Agency for Green Transition and Aquatic Environment (in Danish: <em>Styrelsen for Gr\u00f8n Arealoml\u00e6gning og Vandmilj\u00f8<\/em>), which administers green land-use and water-environment schemes and makes select decisions in watercourse\/water-environment matters.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Environmental inspections are generally carried out by the permitting\/approval authority, which also takes enforcement action where needed (orders or prohibitions). In Danish law, municipalities have the primary supervisory role, though certain responsibilities rest with state agencies and the Regions of Denmark.<\/p>\n<p>Danish environmental legislation has different legal provisions regarding inspections. In relation to environmental permits, inspections are carried out on a regular basis to ensure that companies routinely adjust and adapt to comply with current environmental legislation and BAT. In the area of, for example, nature protection, no requirement is set for regular inspections by the authorities. Instead, inspections and enforcement take place based on notifications from citizens.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">What is the framework for the environmental permitting regime in your jurisdiction?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>The permitting process in Denmark depends on the type of activity and installation being permitted. Polluting industrial activities are generally permitted in accordance with the Statutory Order on Industrial Emission Permits (in Danish: <em>Godkendelsesbekendtg\u00f8relsen<\/em>), which implements parts of the EU Directive 2010\/75 on Industrial Emissions (as of December 2025, the recently amended Directive 2024\/1785 has not yet been transposed into Danish law). Some industrial activities (with high similarity) are regulated by the Statutory Order on General Binding Rules (in Danish: <em>Standardvilk\u00e5rsbekendtg\u00f8relsen<\/em>).<\/p>\n<p>Company industries that are alike (e.g. car repair shops and machine shops) are regulated by sector-specific statutory orders (in Danish: <em>Branchebekendtg\u00f8relser<\/em>). The process for these industries is based on a notification scheme and not on a permitting process. The owner notifies the municipality and, if no terms or conditions are set, the owner can open their workshop four weeks from the time of the notification.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Can environmental permits be transferred between entities in your jurisdiction? If so, what is the process for transferring?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Permits are given to a specific entity for the purpose of operating one or more specific activities or one or more specific installations at one particular geographical location.<\/p>\n<p>Companies sold in free trade may transfer a permit to the purchasing company. It is not, however, possible to use the permit at another location.<\/p>\n<p>A change of ownership must be registered with the authorities, so to identify the party responsible for complying with the terms of the permit, BAT and other relevant legislation.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">What rights of appeal are there against regulators with regards to decisions to grant environmental permits?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Denmark has ratified the UNECE Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters (The Aarhus Convention), which grants the right for any person with a direct, personal, and legitimate interest access to judicial procedure in environmental matters.<\/p>\n<p>Decisions to grant environmental permits can be appealed to a higher administrative authority and to the courts. In Denmark most appeals regarding environmental and planning issues and decisions will be lodged with the Danish Environment and Food Board of Appeal (in Danish: <em>Milj\u00f8- og F\u00f8devareklagen\u00e6vnet<\/em>) and with the Danish Town and Country Planning Board of Appeal (in Danish: <em>Planklagen\u00e6vnet<\/em>). The decisions of the Boards of Appeal can be appealed to the courts.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Are environmental impact assessments (EIAs) for certain projects required in your jurisdiction? If so, what are the main elements of EIAs (including any considerations in relation to biodiversity or GHG emissions) and to what extent can EIAs be challenged?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>An environmental impact assessment (EIA) is under Danish law required before granting a permit for projects that may have a significant impact on the environment. The list of projects obliged to undergo an EIA by Danish legislation is similar \u2013 though with a few national additions \u2013 to Annex I in the EIA Directive. The same goes for the list of projects subject to screening in Annex II to the EIA Directive. This is regulated in the Danish Environmental Assessment Act (in Danish: <em>Milj\u00f8vurderingsloven<\/em>).<\/p>\n<p>In accordance with the EIA Directive, the main elements of an EIA includes assessment and evaluation of impacts and development of alternatives to predict and identify the likely environmental impacts of a proposed project, including a detailed elaboration of alternatives. Moreover, as outlined in Article 3 and Annex IV of the EIA Directive and in the Danish Environmental Assessment Act, the assessment must include a section detailing the impact of the specific project on the climate, such as the impacts of greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, biodiversity is considered in the assessment, with a focus on the potential effects on ecosystems, species, and habitats, particularly those protected under the EU Habitats Directive (92\/43\/EEC) and the EU Birds Directive (2009\/147\/EC).<\/p>\n<p>The competent authority is obliged to conduct hearings of the concerned public, authorities and, if relevant, other states before a permit is granted or rejected.<\/p>\n<p>The EIA Directive is implemented by the Danish Environmental Assessment Act (in Danish: <em>Milj\u00f8vurderingsloven<\/em>), partly by the legislation under the auspices of the Ministry of Transport and partly by sector-specific legislation concerning intensive livestock installations. A screening decision or an EIA permit may be brought before one of the three environmental appeal boards in Denmark: The Danish Environment and Food Board of Appeal (in Danish: <em>Milj\u00f8- og F\u00f8devareklagen\u00e6vnet<\/em>), The Danish Town and Country Planning Board of Appeal (in Danish: <em>Planklagen\u00e6vnet<\/em>), and The Danish Energy Board of Appeal (in Danish: <em>Energiklagen\u00e6vnet<\/em>).<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">What is the framework for determining and allocating liability for contamination of soil and groundwater in your jurisdiction, and what are the applicable regulatory regimes?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>In general, and like EU legislation, the precautionary principle and the polluter-pays principle apply in all Danish environmental legislation.<\/p>\n<p>Hence, the principles also apply to soil and groundwater pollution. The Danish Contaminated Soil Act (in Danish: <em>Jordforureningsloven<\/em>) contains the legal framework for determining soil and groundwater pollution and grants the authorities enforcement powers e.g., through injunctions or prohibitions against the responsible polluter. In addition, the Danish Environmental Damage Act (in Danish: <em>Milj\u00f8skadeloven<\/em>) contains legal provisions establishing the liability of the person (typically a legal person) responsible for the pollution for the damages and costs associated with remediation.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Under what circumstances is there a positive obligation to investigate land for potential soil and groundwater contamination? Is there a positive obligation to provide any investigative reports to regulatory authorities?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>The authorities (in these cases it will most often be a municipality) can grant an investigation order to determine the extent of soil contamination, to complete a risk assessment, and to estimate the costs associated with remediation.<\/p>\n<p>For soil contaminations, where no person can be held responsible, the Regions of Denmark are responsible for mapping the contaminated areas. Mapped areas are categorized at Knowledge Level 1 or Knowledge Level 2.<\/p>\n<p>Knowledge Level 1 regard areas where there is actual knowledge about industrial activities that may have caused contamination.<\/p>\n<p>Knowledge Level 2 regard areas where studies have confirmed that the area is contaminated. The Regions of Denmark are responsible for soil remediation (removing contaminated soil) or to carry out remedial measures (purifying and revitalizing the soil).<\/p>\n<p>The Regions of Denmark are responsible and obligated to perform soil remediation. The requirement applies to areas concerning groundwater, surface water, Natura 2000 areas, and areas where contaminated soil have a detrimental effect on people (e.g. kindergartens or public playgrounds).<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">If land is found to be contaminated, or pollutants are discovered to be migrating to neighbouring land, is there a duty to report this contamination to relevant authorities?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Both the Danish Environmental Protection Act (in Danish: <em>Milj\u00f8beskyttelsesloven<\/em>) and the Danish Contaminated Soil Act (in Danish: <em>Jordforureningsloven<\/em>) establishes an obligation to report detected pollution to the competent authorities.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Does the owner of land that is affected by historical contamination have a private right of action against a previous owner of the land when that previous owner caused the contamination?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Orders under the Danish Contaminated Soil Act (in Danish: <em>Jordforureningsloven<\/em>) primarily target the polluter(s), but may bind later operators or later purchasers who knew or ought to have known of an issued or pre-notified order.<\/p>\n<p>Depending on the circumstances, a contaminated property may be viewed by private parties as suffering from a defect. In such cases, the owner can file a lawsuit against the previous owner to be compensated if the property value is diminished as a result of the contamination. The new owner carries the burden of proof.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">What are the key laws and controls governing the regulatory regime for waste in your jurisdiction?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>The key legislation for waste management includes the following:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The Danish Environmental Protection Act (in Danish: <em>Milj\u00f8beskyttelsesloven<\/em>).<\/li>\n<li>The Danish Statutory Order on Waste Operators (in Danish: <em>Affaldsakt\u00f8rbekendtg\u00f8relsen<\/em>).<\/li>\n<li>The Danish Statutory Order on Waste (in Danish: <em>Affaldsbekendtg\u00f8relsen<\/em>).<\/li>\n<li>The Danish Statutory Order on Waste Incineration (in Danish: <em>Affaldsforbr\u00e6ndingsbekendtg\u00f8relsen<\/em>).<\/li>\n<li>The Danish Statutory Order on Waste Inspection (in Danish: <em>Affaldstilsynsbekendtg\u00f8relsen<\/em>).<\/li>\n<li>The Danish Statutory Order on Waste Regulations, Fees and Actors, etc (in Danish: <em>Bekendtg\u00f8relse om affaldsregulativer, -gebyrer og -akt\u00f8rer mv<\/em>).<\/li>\n<li>The Danish Statutory Order on Waste on Landfills (in Danish: <em>Deponeringsbekendtg\u00f8relsen<\/em>).<\/li>\n<li>The Danish Statutory Order on Packaging and Waste of Packaging Act (in Danish:<em> Emballagebekendtg\u00f8relsen<\/em>).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Do producers of waste retain any liabilities in respect of the waste after having transferred it to another person for treatment or disposal off-site (e.g. if the other person goes bankrupt or does not properly handle or dispose of the waste)?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>As a general rule, the waste producer is no longer responsible for their waste when it has been handed over to a third party for treatment, whether that would be through recycling, incineration or by another disposal method.<\/p>\n<p>However, a producer or consignor can retain liability for waste even after handover where statutory duties continue or have been breached. Most notably, extended producer responsibility (EPR) for packaging assigns ongoing financial\/organisational obligations for end-of-life management.<\/p>\n<p>Moreover, as regulated by the EU Regulation on Shipments of Waste, which applies in Denmark, shipments of waste are subject to the requirement of a financial guarantee or equivalent insurance covering costs of transport, etc.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">To what extent do producers of certain products (e.g. packaging\/electronic devices) have obligations regarding the take-back of waste?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Producers are required to finance and organise end-of-life management where an EPR scheme applies. In Denmark, this covers electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE), batteries, end-of-life vehicles and packaging. Obligations typically include registration, payment of fees, reporting and participation in approved collection and treatment schemes. Denmark is also subject to the EU Single-Use Plastics Directive (Directive (EU) 2019\/904), under which producers of specified items \u2013 including tobacco products with filters\/cigarettes \u2013 must contribute to litter cleanup and related collection costs.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">What are the duties of owners\/occupiers of premises in relation to asbestos, or other deleterious materials, found on their land and in their buildings?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>As a general rule, a premises owner is not obligated to take action in relation to the discovery of asbestos or other deleterious materials found on their land and in their buildings. If there is a need to remove, renovate or clean materials containing asbestos, it must be reported to the Danish Working Environment Authority (in Danish: <em>Arbejdstilsynet<\/em>) and the work must be carried out by authorized and professionally trained personnel.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Please outline any regulatory initiatives in your jurisdiction regarding the restriction, prohibition, requirement to monitor or similar as regards PFAS.<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Denmark regulates PFAS through national product bans, strict water standards, and sector-specific controls alongside EU law. Drinking water is subject to binding PFAS parametric values under the Statutory Order on Drinking Water (in Danish: <em>Drikkevandsbekendtg\u00f8relsen<\/em>), with Denmark retaining stricter-than-EU limits and mandatory supervision. A national ban prohibits import, sale and use of PFAS\u2011containing firefighting foam concentrates on training grounds above 1 ppm total PFAS, with limited exemptions and full effect since 1 July 2024. From 1 July 2026, Denmark bans import and consumer sale of clothing, footwear and certain impregnation sprays exceeding 50 mg total fluorine\/kg, with defined scope and exclusions aligned to REACH. Food\u2011chain risk is addressed by a Statutory Order on PFAS in cattle and sheep referencing EU maximum levels in Regulation (EU) 2023\/915 for PFAS in food and clarifying complementarity with other PFAS quality criteria. At EU level, Denmark is bound by the POPs Regulation and REACH restriction framework, including the ongoing PFAS restrictions process and sub\u2011group measures, which operate in parallel with Danish rules.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">To what extent are product regulations (e.g. REACH, CLP, TSCA and equivalent regimes) applicable in your jurisdiction? Provide a short, high-level summary of the relevant provisions.<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>REACH and CLP are regulations of the European Union, and they are both directly applicable in Denmark.<\/p>\n<p>TSCA is a U.S. regulation that does not apply in Denmark. However, the threshold limit values (e.g., formaldehyde in wood-based products) as set by the TSCA must be complied with when exporting Danish products to the United States.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">What provisions are there concerning energy efficiency (e.g. energy efficiency auditing requirements) in your jurisdiction?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Energy efficiency requirements apply with a few exceptions to all activities listed in Annex I in the IE Directive (identical with Annex 1 in the Statutory Order on Industrial Emission Permits), IE livestock, and all waste incineration plants.<\/p>\n<p>The binding requirement for energy efficiency is set in the Statutory Order on Industrial Emission Permits, requiring the use of BAT in accordance with Activities listed in Annex I in the IE Directive.<\/p>\n<p>For IE livestock, the binding requirement for energy efficiency is set in the Statutory Order on Environmental Approval for Livestock Holdings (in Danish: <em>Husdyrgodkendelsesbekendtg\u00f8relsen<\/em>) and requires the greatest possible utilization of energy and raw material consumption and information on energy efficiency.<\/p>\n<p>For waste incineration plants, the Statutory Order on Waste Incineration, which implements the Energy Efficiency Directive (EU 2023\/1791), requires all heat generated from waste incineration or co-incineration plants to be utilized when possible.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">What are the key policies, principles, targets, and laws relating to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions (e.g. emissions trading schemes) and the increase of the use of renewable energy (such as wind power) in your jurisdiction?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>According to The Danish Climate Act (in Danish: <em>Klimaloven<\/em>), Denmark will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 70% in 2030 compared to 1990. Furthermore, Denmark aims by 2050 to have achieved carbon neutrality and to not emit more greenhouse gas than absorbed.<\/p>\n<p>In addition, Denmark is obliged to comply with the European Union\u2019s climate targets for 2030 and 2050, as well as the objectives outlined in the Paris Agreement, which aims to limit global warming to 1.5\u00b0C above pre-industrial levels.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Does your jurisdiction have an overarching \u201cnet zero\u201d or low-carbon target and, if so, what legal measures have been implemented in order to achieve this target.<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Denmark aims to be carbon neutral by 2050. The climate goal is set by The Danish Climate Act (in Danish: <em>Klimaloven<\/em>). Binding rules to ensure the achievement of the climate goal have not been implemented.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Are companies under any obligations in your jurisdiction to have in place and\/or publish a climate transition plan? If so, what are the requirements for such plans?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>In 2024, the European Union passed the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), which sets out an obligation for large companies to adopt and put into effect a transition plan for climate change mitigation. The plan must align with the 1.5\u00b0C mitigation pathway as set forth in the Paris Agreement and the objective to achieving climate neutrality in accordance with the European Climate Law (Regulation EU 2021\/1119) and follow specific requirements of the new sustainability due diligence directive (CSDDD).<\/p>\n<p>The core due diligence duties for companies in the scope of the Directive include the following actions:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Integrating due diligence into the corporate policies and risk management systems.<\/li>\n<li>Identifying adverse human rights and environmental impacts in the company\u2019s operations as well as those of its subsidiaries and of its business partners in the chain of activities; and prioritising them according to their severity and likelihood.<\/li>\n<li>Addressing negative impacts that have been, or should have been, identified (where necessary, in the order of prioritisation). Companies must prevent and\/or mitigate potential impacts and, when negative impacts have already occurred, bring them to an end or, if not immediately possible, at least minimize their extent. Companies also must provide remedies if they caused the adverse impact or contributed to it through acts or omissions.<\/li>\n<li>As a measure of \u201clast resort\u201d when all other actions have failed, and where severe impacts are at stake and only where these impacts outweigh the foreseeable negative consequences of disengagement, companies are required to suspend or terminate a business relationship.<\/li>\n<li>Engage with stakeholders, i.e. consult them at certain stages of the due diligence process (in particular during the identification of impacts), based on meaningful information (i.e. of sufficient quality and level of detail to allow them to fully participate) provided to stakeholders; companies may do so through industry or multi-stakeholder initiatives (except for the consultation of their own employees and their representatives).<\/li>\n<li>Establish and maintain a complaints and notification procedure.<\/li>\n<li>Monitor the effectiveness of due diligence measures.<\/li>\n<li>Communicate publicly on due diligence according to the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive and the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (with some exceptions).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The EU\u2019s \u201cstop-the-clock\u201d Directive postpones application timelines under both the CSRD and the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD). In practice, the next two CSRD reporting waves are deferred by two years, while CSDDD is delayed by one year \u2013 member states must now transpose by 26 July 2027, with company-level application starting on 26 July 2028 and then phasing in by company size.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">To what extent does your jurisdiction regulate the ability for products or companies to be referred to as \u201cgreen\u201d, \u201csustainable\u201d or similar terms? Who are the regulators in relation to greenwashing allegations?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>In Denmark there are several certification and labeling schemes, including international schemes such as FSC, PEFC, Fairtrade, MSC, ASC, GOTS and EU-organic production-regulation. Denmark, along with other Nordic countries, also has a few national green and sustainable labeling schemes such as:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Svanem\u00e6rket, which ensures that the product and service have the lowest environmental impact within its category. Strict demands are set for substances that are or can be problematic for human health.<\/li>\n<li>\u00d8-m\u00e6rket, is the Danish organic label, which guarantees increased animal welfare, fewer food additives, protection of nature and groundwater, no pesticides, no E numbers, and no GMO in animal feed.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>According to the Danish Marketing Practices Act (in Danish: <em>Markedsf\u00f8ringsloven<\/em>), marketing must not contain false information or in any other way be deceptive or likely to deceive the average consumer, even if the information is factually correct. The trader must be able to furnish evidence as to the accuracy of factual claims.<\/p>\n<p>The Danish Consumer Ombudsman (in Danish: <em>Forbrugerombudsmanden<\/em>) is tasked with monitoring compliance with the Danish Marketing Practices Act.<\/p>\n<p>Denmark is currently in the stages of implementing the recently adopted ECCT Directive, which amends existing consumer protection laws and introduces new rules to tackle unfair commercial practices. The ECCT Directive aims to protect consumers from misleading environmental claims, or \u201cgreenwashing,\u201d by ensuring that companies provide clear, relevant, and reliable information about their products\u2019 environmental impact.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Are there any specific arrangements in relation to anti-trust matters and climate change issues?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Under Danish Law, there are no specific arrangements in relation to anti-trust matters and climate change issues.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Have there been any notable court judgments in relation to climate change litigation over the past three years?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>On 1 March 2024, the Western High Court of Denmark issued the first ruling in a greenwashing case brought before the courts in Denmark. The case involved a major Danish meat producing company that used the phrases \u201cDanish pig is more climate-friendly than you think\u201d and \u201cClimate-controlled pig\u201d in its marketing. The Vegetarian Society of Denmark and the Climate Movement in Denmark sued, claiming these statements violated marketing laws. The Western High Court found the first statement acceptable but ruled that the second statement was misleading due to insufficient documentation. The plaintiffs appealed to the Supreme Court, where the defendant ultimately admitted the claims, leading the Supreme Court on 23 July 2024 to rule in favor of the plaintiffs on all remaining charges. This landmark ruling from the Danish Supreme Court marks a significant step in addressing greenwashing practices in Denmark.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">In light of the commitments of your jurisdiction that have been made (whether at international treaty meetings or more generally), do you expect there to be substantial legislative change or reform in the relation to climate change in the near future?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>In 2024, the Danish government agreed upon the so-called \u201cgreen transition agreement\u201d (in Danish: <em>Den Gr\u00f8nne Trepart<\/em>), which represents a comprehensive legislative effort to combat climate change and promote environmental sustainability. The main components of the legislation include conversion of 10% of agricultural land area into nature and forest by 2045, the introduction of an agricultural emissions tax based on methane emission by 2030, and measures to address nitrogen reduction targets to comply with the EU Water Framework Directive.<\/p>\n<p>Denmark has decided to end all new oil and gas exploration in the North Sea. The extraction will end in 2050. This is a part of a wider plan to stop the extraction of fossil fuels and to achieve the climate goal of being carbon neutral by 2050.<\/p>\n<p>In accordance with the new EU Nature Restoration Law, Denmark is obliged to implement measures such as reforesting land, restoring wetlands, and enhancing biodiversity on agricultural lands to meet legally binding targets.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">To what extent can the following persons be held liable for breaches of environmental law and\/or pollution caused by a company: (a) the company itself; (b) the shareholders of the company; (c) the directors of the company; (d) a parent company; (e) entities (e.g. banks) that have lent money to the company; and (f) any other entities?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>In general, a criminal case must start against the company that committed the violation. However, Danish corporate criminal liability rules also allow for both the subsidiary and the parent company to be prosecuted if the subsidiary\u2019s unlawful acts are effectively the result of decisions taken by the parent company. This can happen where the parent has exercised control to such an extent that it can be regarded as having committed, or at least co-committed, the offence. In practice, this requires a factual link between the decision-making at parent level and the unlawful conduct.<\/p>\n<p>Other stakeholders such as banks and shareholders are not considered \u201coperators\u201d and cannot be held liable for environmental breaches simply by virtue of financing or owning shares.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">To what extent can: (a) a buyer assume any pre-acquisition environmental liabilities in an asset sale\/share sale; and (b) a seller retain any environmental liabilities after an asset sale\/share sale in your jurisdiction?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>(a) A buyer cannot assume any pre-acquisition environmental liabilities in an asset sale\/share sale. There are, however, provisions in e.g., the Danish Nature Protection Act (in Danish: <em>Naturbeskyttelsesloven<\/em>) and the Danish Planning Act (in Danish: <em>Planloven<\/em>) under which the owner or user is liable for environmental harm. Thus, the current owner can be held responsible for the seller\u2019s actions.<\/p>\n<p>(b) It depends on the agreement between buyer and seller whether the buyer retains the seller\u2019s environmental liabilities. Since the polluter pays principle applies in Danish law, it follows that if it can be proven that a former seller is responsible for the pollution, the seller retains the liability after an asset sale\/share sale.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">What duties to disclose environmental information does a seller have in a transaction? Is environmental due diligence commonplace in your jurisdiction?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>The legal caveat emptor principle applies in Danish law. This means that the buyer purchases at their own risk in the absence of a warranty in the contract. A buyer of a company or parts of a company, including the purchase of shares, has an elaborated duty to investigate the company&#8217;s conditions, including the environmental conditions.<\/p>\n<p>Vice versa the seller is obligated not to withhold or misrepresent material facts of the company or any other information that may be of significant importance to the buyer. If violated, the seller may be held liable. The assessment is based on increased culpa\/carelessness, which is the level of guilt or negligence exhibited by the seller.<\/p>\n<p>When placing the onus on the buyer, it is recommended \u2013 and quite common \u2013 for buyers to perform due diligence before making a purchase.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">What environmental risks can be covered by insurance in your jurisdiction, and what types of environmental insurance policy are commonly available? Is environmental insurance regularly obtained in practice?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>In Denmark, environmental insurance is available on the commercial market, covering third-party bodily injury and property damage, statutory cleanup\/remediation costs and defence expenses. The insurance policy typically covers the cost associated with restoration and remediation of natural and semi-natural areas.<\/p>\n<p>In addition, applicable property owners have an obligation to have insurance that covers damages from leaks etc., from oil tanks of 6.000 liters or fewer.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">To what extent are there public registers of environmental information kept by public authorities in your jurisdiction? If so, what is the process by which parties can access this information?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>The Danish Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (in Danish: <em>Milj\u00f8styrelsen<\/em>) hosts and provides public access to most of the archives for environmental data in Denmark. The archives contain a large number of collected data pertaining to nature and the environment. Among them are data sets regarding protected nature and species. There is also data on soil polluted areas as well as data from industrial activities, including permits, derogations, or injunctions.<\/p>\n<p>The public has full access to most of the Danish environmental information and data. However, some archives may require a login, and some are subject to confidentiality due to e.g., intellectual property rights or trade secrets.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">To what extent is there a requirement on public bodies in your jurisdiction to disclose environmental information to parties that request it?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Denmark is bound by the EU Directive on public access to environmental information (Directive 2003\/4\/EC) and the Aarhus Convention and implements it through the Danish Environmental Information Act (in Danish: <em>Milj\u00f8oplysningsloven<\/em>), which supplements the Danish Access to Public Administration Files Act (in Danish: <em>Offentlighedsloven<\/em>) and the Danish Public Administration Act (in Danish: <em>Forvaltningsloven<\/em>). Any person may request environmental information without stating an interest. Disclosure is the rule, and exceptions are construed narrowly, such as:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>if the authority is not in possession of the environmental information,<\/li>\n<li>if the environmental information relates to a pending lawsuit,<\/li>\n<li>or if releasing the information would adversely affect international relations, public safety, property rights or national defense.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The list is not exhaustive.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Are entities in your jurisdictions subject to mandatory greenhouse gas public reporting requirements?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Under the EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), companies in the scope of the directive must disclose their environmental impacts, including greenhouse gas emissions, in their annual reports. These reports must align with the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS).<\/p>\n<p>Additionally, the expansion of the European Union Emissions Trading System through the EU ETS2 means that emissions from fuel combustion in buildings, road transport, and additional sectors, previously excluded from EU ETS1, are now subject to greenhouse emission monitoring and reporting requirements. Regulated entities covered by the ETS2 are required to hold a greenhouse gas emissions permit by 1 January 2025, as well as an approved monitoring plan for the monitoring and reporting of their annual emissions.<\/p>\n<p>The EU\u2019s \u201cstop-the-clock\u201d Directive postpones application timelines under both the CSRD and the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD). In practice, the next two CSRD reporting \u201cwaves\u201d are deferred by two years, while CSDDD is delayed by one year \u2013 member states must now transpose by 26 July 2027, with company-level application starting on 26 July 2028 and then phasing in by company size.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Have there been any significant updates in environmental law in your jurisdiction in the past three years? Are there any material proposals for significant updates or reforms in the near future?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>In the past three years, Denmark has introduced several significant environmental regulations. These include stricter requirements for low-emission zones, which now apply to diesel passenger cars starting from 1 October 2023. There are also new regulations on wood-burning stoves, requiring those installed before 2008 to be removed or replaced when property ownership changes. Additionally, a ban has been enacted on the distribution of free plastic bags by retailers, and municipalities are now required to sort waste into ten different types.<\/p>\n<p>As of 1 January 2024, CO2 emissions from recycled materials in the building sector are considered as having a 0% contribution to the mandatory life cycle assessment (LCA) for new buildings, which was introduced on 1 January 2023. This applies to buildings with energy performance requirements, typically those heated to above 5\u00b0C.<\/p>\n<p>Denmark has intensified PFAS-related regulatory intervention, including withdrawal of approvals for PFAS-relevant pesticides. In 2025, the Danish EPA decided to withdraw approvals for 23 pesticide products due to groundwater risks linked to persistent PFAS degradation products, with subsequent decisions bringing the total to 33 products.<\/p>\n<p>In 2024, the Danish government agreed upon the so-called \u2018green transition agreement\u2019 (in Danish: <em>Den Gr\u00f8nne Trepart<\/em>), which represents a comprehensive legislative effort to combat climate change and promote environmental sustainability. The main components of the legislation include conversion of 10% of agricultural land area into nature and forest by 2045, the introduction of an agricultural emissions tax based on methane emission by 2030, and measures to address nitrogen reduction targets to comply with the EU Water Framework Directive.<\/p>\n<p>The amended Industrial Emissions Directive (Directive (EU) 2024\/1785) entered into force in 2024 and must be transposed by 1 July 2026, with significant downstream effects on industrial permitting, enforcement intensity and (over time) transformation planning obligations.<\/p>\n<p>The EU Nature Restoration Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2024\/1991) is now in force and requires Member States to submit a draft national restoration plan by 1 September 2026, which will materially influence Danish spatial planning, agriculture\/forestry practice, and project permitting where land take or habitat effects are in play.<\/p>\n<p>Finally, the recast Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive (Directive (EU) 2024\/3019) must be transposed by 31 July 2027 and includes extended producer responsibility architecture for micropollutants with key provisions applying from 1 August 2027 \u2013 a likely driver of new Danish rules on monitoring, treatment upgrades, and cost-sharing (including impacts on pharma\/cosmetics supply chains).<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n<div class=\"word-count-hidden\" style=\"display:none;\">Estimated word count: <span class=\"word-count\">6217<\/span><\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t<\/ol>\r\n\r\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\" src=\"\/wp-content\/themes\/twentyseventeen\/src\/jquery\/components\/filter-guides.js\" async><\/script><\/div>"}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/guides\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comparative_guide\/130242","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/guides\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comparative_guide"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/guides\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/comparative_guide"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/guides\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=130242"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}