Hovedanvendelse

Hovedanvendelse is a term used in Danish and Norwegian to denote the primary intended use of a product, material, or service. It describes the main function or end‑use scenario for which the item is designed or marketed.

In practice, hovedanvendelse appears in product documentation, safety data sheets, labeling, and classification systems. It helps manufacturers and regulators communicate the principal purpose of a product, and it informs handling instructions, risk assessments, and compliance requirements for the primary use case.

Determining the hovedanvendelse usually relies on design intent, marketing claims, and typical usage patterns, as well as consumer expectations. When a product serves several significant uses, the term generally refers to the single most common or intended one. Some contexts also distinguish secondary or occasional uses, sometimes labeled as sekundær eller andre anvendelser, to reflect additional functions without overriding the main designation.

Examples include a multipurpose adhesive whose hovedanvendelse is bonding structural materials, a chemical whose primary application is as a solvent in manufacturing, or a smartphone whose main use is communication and information access. For complex products, the hovedanvendelse may be part of standardized classification schemes that guide safety and labeling practices.

See also: primary use, primary application, area of application. The concept underpins clear communication about safety, product claims, and regulatory compliance by aligning expectations with the principal function of the product.