Occupational safety and health issues are influenced by global developments. Through international cooperation, SWEA monitors developments in the OSH field and contributes to the exchange of knowledge with other countries and organisations outside the EU.

International cooperation also provides opportunities to contribute Swedish knowledge and experience in international contexts.

How SWEA works internationally

The Swedish Work Environment Authority:

• supports the Swedish Government in policymaking and with information and knowledge on occupational safety and health issues at EU and international level
• represents the Swedish Government in different forums and institutions
• monitors developments in the OSH field within the EU and internationally
• participates in international networks, working groups and cooperation initiatives
• contributes to work relating to EU legislation in the field of occupational safety and health
• cooperates with other authorities and organisations in Sweden and internationally, especially within the Nordic context.

Cooperation within the European Union

A large part of SWEA’s international work takes place within the European Union (EU). This work includes matters relating to occupational safety and health, labour inspection, regulatory development and cooperation between Member States.

Advisory Committee on Safety and Health at Work (ACSH)

The Advisory Committee on Safety and Health at Work (ACSH) advises the European Commission on matters relating to occupational safety and health policy and legislation within the European Union.

The Committee brings together government representatives and representatives of employers’ and workers’ organisations from EU Member States.

SWEA represents Sweden on the Committee and contributes knowledge and experience concerning occupational safety and health and related legislation within the EU.

National Focal Point for EU-OSHA

SWEA is Sweden’s National Focal Point for the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA).

As National Focal Point, SWEA coordinates Sweden’s participation in EU-OSHA activities and helps disseminate knowledge on occupational safety and health.

This work is carried out in cooperation with a national network comprising representatives of public authorities, the social partners and other OSH stakeholders.

SWEA also coordinates EU-OSHA’s Healthy Workplaces Campaign in Sweden. The campaign focuses on current occupational safety and health issues and is implemented in cooperation with the national network.

Senior Labour Inspectors’ Committee (SLIC)

The Senior Labour Inspectors’ Committee (SLIC) is a forum for cooperation between the labour inspection services of EU Member States.

SLIC promotes common principles for labour inspection, facilitates the exchange of information and experience, and coordinates joint inspection campaigns in the field of occupational safety and health. The cooperation also includes evaluations of national labour inspection systems.

SWEA represents Sweden in SLIC and participates extensively in the exchange of experience and joint development work relating to labour inspection within the EU.

European Labour Authority (ELA)

The European Labour Authority (ELA) is the European Union agency responsible for supporting fair labour mobility across the EU. Its work includes information exchange, joint activities between Member States and matters relating to cross-border employment and labour mobility.

ELA supports Member States and the European Commission in ensuring that EU rules on labour mobility and the coordination of social security systems are applied in a fair and effective manner. Within ELA there is also the Platform for Undeclared Work where member states shares experiences, good examples and cross-border activities with the aim to combat undeclared work and work related crime.

Partnership for European Research in Occupational Safety and Health (PEROSH)

PEROSH is a network of leading European organisations working to advance occupational safety and health knowledge.

The network promotes cooperation in research and knowledge development and contributes to the exchange and dissemination of evidence-based knowledge across Europe.

Through its participation in PEROSH, SWEA collaborates with European partners and contributes Swedish knowledge and experience to the development of occupational safety and health policy and practice.

Other international cooperation

Nordic Council of Ministers

The Nordic Council of Ministers promotes joint Nordic solutions in a range of policy areas, including working life and occupational safety and health.

SWEA participates in the Nordic Committee on Working Environment under the Nordic Council of Ministers. Through this cooperation, the Nordic countries work together on occupational safety and health issues, developments within the EU and other matters of common interest. SWEA also participates in a working group on undeclared work established in 2025, which also includes participation from the Baltic States.

The Committee also allocates funding to research projects in the field of occupational safety and health.

International Labour Organization (ILO)

The International Labour Organization (ILO) is the United Nations specialised agency for the world of work.

The ILO develops international labour standards and promotes decent working conditions, social protection and social dialogue. SWEA contributes to Sweden’s work relating to occupational safety and health within the framework of the ILO via the Ministry of Labour.