5. Benefits of Nordic co-operation

• Utilizing resources efficiently. The development of common solutions to shared issues leads to improved efficiency. Especially, benefits can be found for the smaller Nordic countries to build on the knowledge and experiences that exist in the larger Nordic countries.
• Common solutions and learning from each other. The co-operation offers a possibility to efficiently build on experiences from other Nordic countries in areas where one country has been able to progress further than the others. Solutions for the Nordic countries may in some instances differ from those fitting for most other European countries due to inherent similarities such as colder climate areas. This is facilitated by commonalities found in Nordic countries both cultural and geographical.
• Building common best practices and interpretations of the legislation. Addressing issues common to all Nordic countries in a consistent manner helps to create a level playing field for companies operating in the region, while simultaneously making them better equipped to compete in the wider market.
• Collaboration outside of specific projects. The strength found in the extensive network of experts who contribute to Nordic co-operation can hardly be overestimated. The Nordic network of experts has been a place to seek advice, consult each other’s expertise, exchange experiences, and build competence. In addition, the network of Nordic countries is beneficial for experts in non-EU countries.

• The Nordic support increased the science to policy. Support of prioritized projects, such as those aimed at improving methods for identifying hazardous chemicals and regulating them, has enhanced researchers' understanding of the regulatory system.
• Impact of Nordic funding. Future projects can be prioritized in terms of how they would benefit all member countries the most. Some projects depend on Nordic funding. For example, without NKE funding, projects resulting to the OECD Test Guidelines development, the Detailed Review Papers would have not been published due to the lack of funding instruments for test method development in general. Future financial support is crucial for developing and validating new, scientifically, and regulatory relevant test methods, enhancing the Nordic countries' influence in EU and OECD guidelines.
• A cost-effective way to increase knowledge on chemicals. Consolidated data from all the Nordic countries regarding the state of the environment is a much stronger indicator than data from single countries could be. The coordinated campaigns increase the scientific quality when samples from all the Nordic countries are included in one study.
• The global input. The Nordic groups give input to OECD, ECHA, AMAP, OSPAR, HELCOM, EU Horizon PARC, NORMAN Network, Stockholm Convention, Montréal Protocol, the scientific community (laboratories, Universities, research institutes), national agencies and ministries, NGOs (e.g. EU Ecolabel, Nordic Swan, ChemSec). Exerting influence in shared focal areas, whether said influence is on EU regulatory instruments or on the international level through global conventions and agreements, the Nordic co-operation enables each individual Nordic country to have a stronger voice than each country separately.