Key data
| Regulation | Decision of the EEA Joint Committee No. 42/2026, of February 6, 2026 — Amendment of Annex XIII (Transport) of the EEA Agreement [2026/966] |
|---|---|
| Publication | May 21, 2026 (Official Journal of the EU) |
| Entry into force | February 6, 2026 |
| Affected parties | Transport operators with activity in European Economic Area countries (Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein) |
| Category | European Regulation |
| Year | 2026 |
| Official reference | OJ:L_202600966 |
| Non-EU EEA countries affected | Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein |
If your company operates transport routes to or from Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein, or has subsidiaries in any of these countries, this decision already affects you. EEA Joint Committee Decision 42/2026 of the European Economic Area entered into force on February 6, 2026 and updates the transport regulatory framework that applies in EEA countries not belonging to the European Union.
The objective is to ensure that Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein apply the same transport rules as EU member states, eliminating regulatory asymmetries that can generate operational or compliance problems for cross-border operators.
What does this regulation establish?
The EEA Agreement includes Annex XIII dedicated specifically to transport regulation. This annex contains European standards that also apply in the three non-EU EEA countries: Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein.
Decision 42/2026 amends that Annex XIII to incorporate European legislation that has recently entered into force in the EU, but was not yet included in the EEA framework. With this update, regulatory homogeneity between the EU and non-EU EEA countries in transport matters is guaranteed.
In practical terms, this means that European transport standards that you already applied in your operations within the EU must also be applied when you operate in Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein. The decision covers the three major modes of transport:
- Land transport (road and rail)
- Air transport
- Maritime transport
The decision was adopted by the EEA Joint Committee, the joint body composed of representatives from the EU and non-EU EEA countries, responsible for keeping the EEA Agreement updated with current European legislation.
Economic and operational impact
The direct impact of this decision is operational and regulatory compliance, not a new fee or direct cost. However, ignoring it can generate relevant indirect costs:
- Risk of regulatory non-compliance in operations in Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein if the new provisions incorporated into Annex XIII are not applied.
- Possible operational disruptions on cross-border routes if local authorities require compliance with the new standards and the company has not implemented them.
- Need to review contracts and internal procedures for subsidiaries or logistics partners in the three affected countries.
- Homogenization as an advantage: for companies that already comply with EU regulations in their operations, adaptation can be minimal, since the same rules are extended to these three markets.
Since the standard has been in force since February 6, 2026, any operation carried out from that date in the affected countries must comply with the new incorporated provisions.
Who does it affect?
This regulation directly affects:
- Road transport operators with international routes that include Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein.
- Air transport companies with operations or agreements in the three non-EU EEA countries.
- Shipping companies and maritime transport operators with activity in Norwegian or Icelandic ports.
- Spanish companies with subsidiaries or subsidiaries of transport in Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein.
- Logistics operators and freight forwarders that manage supply chains that cross these countries.
- CFOs and operations directors of companies with cross-border activity in the EEA, who must verify compliance of their transport providers in these markets.
Practical example
A Spanish road transport company that carries out regular routes between Spain and Norway operates under the EEA Agreement framework. Until Decision 42/2026, its regulatory obligations in the Norwegian section were governed by the previous version of Annex XIII.
From February 6, 2026, that operator must also apply the new provisions of European legislation incorporated into Annex XIII. If the company already fully complied with EU transport regulations in its operations within EU territory, the adaptation is direct: the same rules now also apply in the Norwegian section.
However, if there were differences between what it applied in the EU and what it applied in Norway (for example, in documentation, driving times, technical requirements for vehicles or cabotage rules), it must review those differences and align them with the new incorporated provisions.
What should companies do now?
- Identify if you operate in the affected countries: Check if your company has routes, contracts, subsidiaries or transport providers in Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein. If the answer is yes, this regulation directly affects you.
- Review the full text of Decision 42/2026: Access the official source on EUR-Lex to identify what specific European legislation has been incorporated into Annex XIII and what specific provisions apply to your mode of transport (land, air or maritime).
- Compare with your current procedures: Contrast the new incorporated provisions with the procedures you currently apply in your operations in the three affected countries. Detect possible compliance gaps.
- Update contracts and operational documentation: If there are changes that affect contracts with partners, suppliers or clients in Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein, update the documentation to reflect the new regulatory framework.
- Inform your operations and compliance team: Ensure that those responsible for cross-border operations are aware of the changes and apply them from February 6, 2026, the date of entry into force.
- Consult with a specialized advisor if in doubt: If the review detects compliance gaps or uncertainty about the application of specific provisions, consult with an advisor specialized in international transport regulations before an inspection or incident occurs.
Frequently asked questions
What exactly changes for transport operators with EEA Decision 42/2026?
Decision 42/2026 incorporates current European legislation into Annex XIII on transport of the EEA Agreement, ensuring that Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein apply the same transport standards as the EU. Companies operating in these territories must adapt their operations to the new incorporated provisions.
Since when is the current regulation in force?
EEA Decision 42/2026 has been in force since February 6, 2026. Any transport operation carried out from that date in Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein must comply with the new provisions incorporated into Annex XIII.
Does this decision create new costs for transport operators?
The decision does not directly create new fees or taxes. However, it may generate indirect costs related to compliance, such as updating procedures, contracts or training for operations teams. For companies that already comply with EU transport regulations, the adaptation cost is typically minimal.
What should I do if my company has operations in Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein?
First, review the full text of Decision 42/2026 in the Official Journal to understand what specific provisions apply to your transport mode. Then, compare those provisions with your current procedures in the affected countries and identify any compliance gaps. Finally, update your contracts and operational procedures as needed and inform your team of the changes.
Where can I find the official text of Decision 42/2026?
The official text is published in the Official Journal of the EU under reference OJ:L_202600966 and is accessible through EUR-Lex, the official EU legislation database.
Official source
Disclaimer: This article provides general information about EEA Decision 42/2026 and is intended for informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice. The information is based on the official text published in the Official Journal of the EU. For specific advice on how this regulation applies to your company's particular situation, consult with a legal or regulatory advisor specialized in international transport. The author and publisher are not responsible for any decisions made based on this information or for any consequences arising from its use.