The organization represents its members in public discussions of new political ideas, and it comments on current events in Denmark.

The first employer association in Denmark was established in 1885 by companies within the iron industry in Copenhagena as Foreningen af Fabrikanter i Jernindustrien i København.

On 1 May 2008, Dansk Industri merged with HTS Handel, Transport og Service under the name DI.

The confederation is financed and owned by its members and governed by a council and executive committee elected by the annual general assembly.

COWI A/S-CEO Lars-Peter Søbye succeeded Lars Mikkelgaard-Jensen as president of the executive committee in September 2017.