Key data
| Regulation | Decision of the EEA Joint Committee No. 25/2026, of 6 February 2026 |
|---|---|
| Official reference | OJ:L_202600982 [2026/982] |
| Publication | 21 May 2026 |
| Entry into force | 6 February 2026 |
| Affected parties | Companies marketing products in the EEA (EU + Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein) |
| Category | European Regulation |
| Modified Annex | Annex II of the EEA Agreement (Technical regulations, standards, testing and certification) |
If your company operates in the EEA market and markets physical products, this decision affects you from 6 February 2026. The Decision 25/2026 of the EEA Joint Committee modifies Annex II of the EEA Agreement, the annex that regulates all technical regulations, standards, testing and certification applicable in the European Economic Area.
The objective is to ensure that Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein apply the same technical standards as EU Member States. When the EU updates its technical regulations, the EEA Joint Committee adopts decisions like this one to incorporate those changes into the EEA legal framework. The practical result: if the certification requirements for your product have changed in the EU, they now also change in those three countries.
What does this regulation establish?
The EEA Agreement allows Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein to participate in the European internal market without being EU members. For this to work, they must apply the same technical regulations as Member States. The mechanism to achieve this is precisely the EEA Joint Committee, which periodically adopts decisions to incorporate new EU regulations into the EEA Agreement.
This decision specifically modifies Annex II, which covers:
- Technical regulations applicable to products
- Harmonised technical standards
- Product testing procedures
- Certification requirements
The decision incorporates new EU regulations in these matters into the EEA legal framework, updating the standards that products circulating through the European Economic Area must comply with.
It is worth noting that the decision was adopted on 6 February 2026 but published in the Official Journal on 21 May 2026, which means that entry into force is prior to publication. Companies operating in these markets must verify whether they are already in compliance from February.
Economic and operational impact
The direct impact of this regulation is operational and market access, not a direct fee or penalty. The specific economic risks are:
- Barriers to free trade: Products that do not comply with the new technical standards may be retained or rejected in Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein, resulting in direct losses from blocked goods, return costs and loss of contracts.
- Recertification costs: If the certification or testing requirements for your products have changed, you will need to update the technical documentation, repeat tests or renew certificates, with the associated costs.
- Internal review: Compliance and quality departments must dedicate resources to reviewing the specific changes introduced in Annex II to determine whether their products are affected.
The impact varies significantly depending on the sector and type of product. Companies with the greatest exposure are those whose products are subject to CE marking, mandatory testing or third-party certification.
Who does it affect?
This regulation directly affects:
- Spanish exporters selling products to Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein
- Importers bringing products from those three countries to Spain or the EU
- Manufacturers whose products circulate in the EEA market and are subject to harmonised technical standards
- Distributors and logistics operators managing products in the EEA
- Quality and compliance departments responsible for keeping product certifications up to date
- Foreign trade and CFO managers who must assess the risk of market access in those three countries
The sectors most likely to be affected are those with products subject to technical regulation: machinery, electrical equipment, construction products, medical devices, personal protective equipment, toys, chemical products and similar.
Practical example
A Spanish industrial machinery manufacturer regularly exports to Norway. Its products are subject to the Machinery Directive and have CE marking with the corresponding technical documentation.
Following Decision 25/2026, the quality department must review whether any of the harmonised technical standards it uses as the basis for conformity assessment has been updated or replaced under Annex II of the EEA Agreement. If an EN standard they were applying has been revised and the new version is already incorporated into the EEA Agreement, the company will need to update its technical documentation and, if necessary, repeat the tests under the new standard.
If it does not do so and its products reach Norway without complying with the new standards, Norwegian authorities may prevent their marketing, which means blocked goods, return costs and possible loss of the contract with the Norwegian customer. Preventive review by the quality department is, in this case, the action that avoids that cost.
What should companies do now?
- Identify if your products circulate in the EEA: Confirm whether your company exports or imports products to or from Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein. If you do not operate in those markets, this decision does not directly affect you.
- Review the updated Annex II: The compliance or quality department must consult the full text of Decision 25/2026 to identify which EU regulations have been incorporated into the EEA Agreement and whether they affect the product categories you market.
- Verify the status of your certifications: Check whether the certification or testing requirements for your products are affected by the changes introduced. If so, initiate the process of updating the technical documentation.
- Coordinate with EEA suppliers and customers: If you are a distributor or importer, verify that your suppliers in Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein have also updated their certifications in accordance with the new standards.
- Document the review carried out: Keep a record that the quality department has reviewed the changes and concluded whether or not there is an impact on the company's products. This documentation is useful in the event of any inspection or complaint.
Frequently asked questions
What is Decision 25/2026 of the EEA Joint Committee and who does it affect?
It is the decision by which Annex II of the EEA Agreement is modified, relating to technical regulations, standards, testing and certification. It affects all companies marketing products in the European Economic Area, that is, in the EU plus Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein.
When does Decision 25/2026 of the EEA enter into force?
The decision entered into force on 6 February 2026, although it was published on 21 May 2026. Companies must verify that their products already comply with the new technical standards from that date.
What happens if my company does not comply with the new EEA technical standards?
Non-compliance can result in products being blocked or rejected at the border in Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein, preventing their marketing and causing direct economic losses. Additionally, the company may face administrative or legal action by the authorities of those countries.
Do I need to recertify all my products?
Not necessarily. Only products whose certification or testing requirements have changed under Decision 25/2026 need to be recertified. The quality department must review the specific changes to determine which products are affected.
Where can I find the full text of Decision 25/2026?
The decision is published in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJ:L_202600982 [2026/982]) and is available on the EUR-Lex portal and the EEA Joint Committee website.
Official source
Decision of the EEA Joint Committee No. 25/2026 of 6 February 2026 modifying Annex II (Technical regulations, standards, testing and certification) of the EEA Agreement. Published in the Official Journal on 21 May 2026 (OJ:L_202600982 [2026/982]).
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The information provided is based on the official text of Decision 25/2026 and is accurate as of the publication date. However, regulations may be subject to updates, amendments or interpretations that could affect its application. Companies should consult with their legal and compliance advisors to assess the specific impact of this decision on their business and to ensure full compliance with applicable regulations. CambiosLegales is not responsible for any direct or indirect damages arising from the use of this information or from non-compliance with the regulations described.