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United we learn
29th of September 2025 Article by Lotte Printz
Do not think you know best. There's always something to learn from others. ECJ's Lotte Printz speaks to members of a thriving Nordic cleaning network.
For centuries the Nordic countries were fighting. With united kingdoms and several hostile territorial takeovers as a result. However, this is all way back in history.
Today, Denmark, Norway, Finland and Sweden are sovereign states, yet united in so many other ways and therefore have a long tradition of working together, seeking common solutions - with the Nordic Council of Ministers established in 1971 to promote Nordic cooperation as an example.
Fifty years later an old Nordic network in the cleaning industry was revived. The then newly appointed chairperson of DRF (the Danish Association for the Technology of Cleaning and Maintenance), Jytte Hansen, approached her counterparts in the other three countries as the DRF board was seeking to strengthen cleaning sector cooperation in the Nordics.
Mari Fagertun-Røed of NFSR (the Norwegian trade organisation for service and cleaning), Matthias Lindholm, head of the board of the trade organisation for the Swedish cleaning industry, and Sari Mattila, director of Puhtausala ry, an association that provides advice and training in the field of professional cleaning in Finland, were all eager to join.
Since then, the four peers have met under a new name, NOCC (Nordic Cleaning Cooperation), at least twice a year, besides remote meetings and occasional gatherings at conferences in their respective countries and at Pan-European cleaning events.
"When the Nordic countries stand together, we have a significantly stronger voice. Various organisations are more likely to listen and we are more noticeable - not least on social media where it increases visibility and impact. In addition, we can learn a lot from each other's experiences and ways to do things," Jytte Hansen says speaking to ECJ.
Together we are stronger, they agree. "I believe that it's incredibly beneficial to share insights and experiences about the professional cleaning industry across Scandinavian countries. This collaboration enables us to learn new things and strengthens our partnerships. We don't have to view everything from just one country's perspective. By working together, we can make a more significant impact in our field," says Finnish Sari Mattila.
"I agree with Sari in all she says," Matthias Lindholm chimes in and continues: "I think that the Nordic perspective is very important for our industry and many others! We are very much alike, but also quite different and we can benefit from this within our NOCC partnership."
Lindholm has also had positive responses from outside his organisation.
"Since we started NOCC, I have been contacted by several companies, members and media. They are glad we have this connection and interested in what we are doing together and what is going on in the other Nordic countries within the cleaning industry."
For instance, the network has joined forces in one specific initiative: Cleaners' Day, held the first Monday of December, where they have joint promotional materials.
"This makes it less costly, but is also a good example of how we exploit different talents," Jytte Hansen explains.
Sari Mattila stresses that sharing is a very important feature.
"Moreover, what we learn from each other gives us the opportunity to implement similar practices in Finland. Likewise, we are more than happy to share our expertise for the benefit of others. This exchange of knowledge and skills is also cost-effective."
Jytte Hansen singles out a particular solution from Finland that she would like to see implemented in Denmark.
"In Finland, every cleaning operative carries a visible ID card that they receive after registering in official records digitally. So, there's no ‘escaping'. We could learn from that," Jytte Hansen says referring to the rotten apples that the industry is trying hard to fight.
Even though they are working on changing things and promoting daytime cleaning, Jytte Hansen points out that an ID card would also be a kind of safety measure for both companies and those still carrying out nighttime or early morning cleaning.
Ambitions are high within the network. So is confidence. But there's also great enthusiasm for learning - and a sense of common obligation to help.
At Puhtausala ry the ‘modest' goal is to make Finland the cleanest and tidiest country in the world!
Swedish Matthias Lindholm believes that countries outside the Nordic region generally looks upon the cleaning industries in the Nordics as providers of high quality and on the cutting edge of environmental solutions. "Nordic cleaning is world class!" as he puts it.
"This is something we have talked about at our meetings and how we can reach out and help the ones that are interested in what we are doing ‘up north'," he adds.
"But we shouldn't think that we are simply the best. There's always something we can learn. Also from the ones that may seem less advanced. We need to keep an open mind," Jytte Hansen says and at the same time keeps a door open for partnerships that go beyond the Nordic countries.
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