Key data
| Regulation | Decision of the EEE Joint Committee No. 15/2026 |
|---|---|
| Publication | May 21, 2026 |
| Entry into force | February 6, 2026 |
| Affected parties | Companies that market or certify products in the European Economic Area |
| Category | European Regulation |
| Non-EU EEE countries affected | Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein |
| Modified Annex | Annex II of the EEE Agreement (Technical regulations, standards, testing and certification) |
If your company markets or certifies products in Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein, you have an active review obligation from February 6, 2026. The Decision No. 15/2026 of the EEE Joint Committee, published on May 21, 2026, modifies the Annex II of the EEE Agreement relating to technical regulations, standards, testing and certification, incorporating new EU technical regulations into the legal framework of the European Economic Area.
The mechanism is clear: when the EU approves new technical regulations, the EEE Joint Committee transfers them to the EEE Agreement so that they are also mandatory in the three EEE countries that are not EU members. This decision does exactly that. If your company already complies with EU technical regulations in EU territory, the next step is to verify whether that compliance also covers the updated requirements for the markets of Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein.
What does this regulation establish?
Decision 15/2026 modifies Annex II of the EEE Agreement, which is the specific annex dedicated to technical regulations, standards, testing and certification of products. Through this modification, new technical standards approved by the EU are incorporated into the legal framework of the EEE, extending them to the three non-EU EEE countries.
The EEE Agreement functions as a mechanism for extending the European internal market. When the EU updates its technical standards, the EEE Joint Committee must approve specific decisions so that those updates are also applicable in Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. This decision is one of those periodic updates.
The areas covered by Annex II are broad and include:
- Technical regulations for products
- Testing and certification standards
- Procedures for conformity assessment
- Mutual recognition of homologations between EEE countries
The regulation does not specify in its published text which specific technical standards are incorporated in this decision, beyond the modification of Annex II. To know the exact details of the new standards incorporated, it is necessary to consult the full text of the decision in the official source.
Economic and operational impact
The impact of this decision is not homogeneous: it depends directly on whether the new technical standards incorporated into Annex II affect the specific products that your company markets in the EEE. However, there are operational consequences that any company exporting to these markets must consider:
- Review of current certifications: Certifications obtained under previous standards may become outdated if the new technical standards incorporated modify the conformity requirements of your products.
- Recertification costs: If the new standards affect your products, it may be necessary to initiate recertification processes or update technical documentation, with associated costs for testing, notified bodies and product adaptations.
- Risk of market access barrier: Non-compliance with the new standards can result in your products not being able to be marketed in Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein until the non-conformity is remedied.
- Possible sanctions: In addition to access barriers, the regulation contemplates the possibility of sanctions for non-compliance.
The retroactive entry into force on February 6, 2026 —with publication on May 21, 2026— means that the adaptation period is already underway. Companies that have not initiated the review must do so immediately.
Who does it affect?
This decision directly affects the following companies and professionals:
- Exporters to Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein: Any Spanish company that markets physical products in these three EEE countries.
- Manufacturers with CE certification that distribute in the EEE: CE certification is valid in the EEE, but new technical standards may require updates to technical documentation or testing performed.
- Certification bodies and testing laboratories: Must update their procedures to reflect the new standards incorporated into Annex II.
- Importers and distributors in non-EU EEE countries: Companies that act as importers or distributors in Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and are responsible for the conformity of products they introduce into those markets.
- Foreign trade and compliance departments: Responsible for keeping the technical conformity files of products exported to the EEE up to date.
- International trade advisors and consultants: Who advise companies with activity in non-EU EEE markets.
Practical example
A Spanish industrial machinery manufacturing company that exports equipment to Norway has its products certified under applicable European directives and has the corresponding CE declaration of conformity. Until now, that certification was sufficient to access the Norwegian market thanks to the EEE Agreement.
Following Decision 15/2026, the compliance manager of that company must verify whether the new technical standards incorporated into Annex II of the EEE Agreement affect the category of machinery it manufactures. If the new standards modify the testing requirements or the conformity parameters applicable to its equipment, the company will need to:
- Update the technical documentation of the product to reflect the new standards.
- Determine whether new testing with a notified body is necessary.
- Issue an updated declaration of conformity before making new shipments to Norway.
If it does not carry out this review and continues to export with the previous certification, its products could be blocked at Norwegian customs or withdrawn from the market, with the logistical, commercial and reputational costs that this entails.
What should companies do now?
- Identify if you export to Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein: If your company markets products in any of these three countries, this decision is relevant to you and you should continue with the following steps.
- Consult the full text of Decision 15/2026: Access the official source on EUR-Lex to identify exactly which new technical standards have been incorporated into Annex II and whether they affect your product category.
- Review current certifications and technical documentation: Compare the technical standards under which your products are certified with the new standards incorporated. Identify possible conformity gaps.
- Contact your certification body or testing laboratory: If you detect that the new standards affect your products, consult with the corresponding notified body about what updates are necessary and in what timeframe.
- Update technical documentation and declarations of conformity: If applicable, update the technical documentation of the product and issue new declarations of conformity that reflect compliance with the new standards incorporated by Decision 15/2026.
- Plan for recertification if necessary: If the new standards require significant changes to your products or testing procedures, plan the recertification process with sufficient lead time before the entry into force date.
- Communicate with your distribution network: If you work with importers or distributors in Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein, inform them of the changes and ensure they understand the new conformity requirements.
- Document your compliance process: Keep records of the review you have carried out, the standards consulted, the certifications updated and the dates of implementation. This documentation will be essential if regulatory authorities request proof of compliance.