EEE Veterinary Standards 2026: what changes for agrifood exporters

Key data

Exporting and importing companies in the agrifood, livestock and phytosanitary sectors operating between Spain and EEA countries not belonging to the EU have an immediate obligation: to review their sanitary and phytosanitary certification and control procedures. The Decision of the EEA Joint Committee No. 5/2026, adopted on 6 February 2026, updates Annex I of the EEA Agreement and incorporates recent Community legislation on veterinary and phytosanitary matters.

The practical effect is clear: Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein must apply exactly the same health standards as any EU Member State. If your company operates in these markets and has not updated its documentation, it risks suffering border rejections or administrative sanctions.

What does this regulation establish?

Annex I of the EEA Agreement regulates veterinary and phytosanitary matters applicable in the European Economic Area. This annex is updated periodically to incorporate the most recent Community legislation, ensuring that non-EU EEA countries apply the same standards as Member States.

With Decision No. 5/2026, the EEA Joint Committee amends that annex to include recent Community legislation. The result is that the three non-EU EEA countries are brought into line with the EU in terms of:

• Health controls on animals and animal products
• Phytosanitary requirements applicable to plants and plant products
• Border certification procedures for commercial operations within the EEA

This decision does not create new rules from scratch: it transfers Community legislation already in force in the EU to the EEA, standardizing the regulatory framework throughout the European economic area.

Economic and operational impact

The impact is not tariff-related and does not involve new fees published in this decision. The economic risk is operational: border rejections and administrative sanctions for non-compliance with the new certification and control requirements.

The main effects for companies are:

• Review of export documentation: Health and phytosanitary certificates issued for Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein must be adjusted to the updated standards of Annex I of the EEA Agreement.
• Possible border stops: If the documentation does not reflect the new requirements, goods may be retained or rejected at border controls.
• Administrative sanctions: Non-compliance with veterinary and phytosanitary regulations may result in sanctions, the specific amounts of which are not specified in this decision.
• Cost of internal adaptation: Companies will need to update their control procedures, review contracts with certification service providers and train their staff if necessary.

Who does it affect?

This regulation directly affects companies trading in the EEA with the following types of products or activities:

• Exporters and importers of live animals between Spain and Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein
• Companies trading in animal products (meat, fish, dairy, eggs, etc.) to or from these three countries
• Operators in the phytosanitary sector that export or import plants, vegetables or plant products within the EEA
• Livestock sector operators with commercial activity in the EEA
• Agrifood companies with supply chains that include Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein
• Advisors, customs agents and logistics operators that manage the health documentation of these operations

Practical example

A Spanish meat product exporting company that regularly supplies a distributor in Norway must verify that its export health certificates comply with the updated requirements of Annex I of the EEA Agreement, as amended by Decision No. 5/2026.

If that company continues to use certification models prior to the update, without incorporating the new Community standards that are now applicable in Norway, its shipments may be retained or rejected at the Norwegian border control. This would involve storage costs, merchandise returns, possible losses of perishable products and, where applicable, administrative sanctions.

The correct action is to contact the competent Spanish authority (usually the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food) to confirm which certificate models are valid after the update of Annex I of the EEA.

What should companies do now?

1. Identify whether your company operates with Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein in terms of animals, animal products or plants. If so, this regulation directly affects you.
2. Review your health and phytosanitary certification procedures to verify that they comply with the standards of Annex I of the EEA Agreement updated by Decision No. 5/2026.
3. Contact your competent authority (Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food or the corresponding regional ministry) to confirm which certificate models are valid after the update.
4. Inform your customs agent or logistics manager of the changes, so they update the documentation accompanying shipments to or from the three non-EU EEA countries.
5. Document the changes made in your internal procedures, as evidence of diligence in regulatory compliance in the event of a possible inspection or administrative sanction.

Official source

Decision of the EEA Joint Committee No. 5/2026, of 6 February 2026, published in the Official Journal of the European Union on 21 May 2026 (OJ:L_202600937). Available on EUR-Lex.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The information contained herein is based on the official text of the regulation and is accurate as of the publication date. However, regulatory interpretations may vary depending on the specific circumstances of each company. We recommend consulting with a legal advisor or the competent authority before making decisions based on this information. CambiosLegales is not responsible for any damages or losses arising from the use or misuse of this information.