The Co-operative Societies’ Act

The Co-operative Societies’ Act entered into force 1 January 2008. For the first time, Norway has got a universal co-operative law, regulating all co-operatives, except housing co-operatives and mutual insurance companies, having already their own specific legislation.

The Co-operative Societies’ Act is in accordance with the international co-operative principles and reflects the characteristics and distinctiveness of the co-operative model.

A specific co-operative legislation will make the business model more visible and easier to understand, and hopefully there will be an increase in the number of new enterprises set up as co-operatives.