Key data
| Regulation | Decision of the EEA Joint Committee No. 44/2026, of 6 February 2026 — Amendment of Annex XIII (Transport) of the EEA Agreement [2026/957] |
|---|---|
| Publication | 21 May 2026 |
| Entry into force | 6 February 2026 |
| Affected parties | Transport companies and logistics operators operating in EEA countries not belonging to the EU |
| Non-EU EEA countries | Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein |
| Category | European Regulation |
| Year | 2026 |
| Official reference | OJ:L_202600957 |
If your company moves goods or provides transport services with Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein, this decision directly affects you. Decision 44/2026 of the EEA Joint Committee, adopted on 6 February 2026, updates the Annex XIII of the Agreement on the European Economic Area, which regulates transport in that legal framework, and extends new European transport regulations to the three EEA countries that are not EU members.
Publication in the EU Official Journal took place on 21 May 2026, but entry into force is retroactive to the date of adoption: 6 February 2026. This means that the compliance obligation is already active at the moment you read this article.
What does this regulation establish?
The EEA Agreement integrates Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein into the European internal market without them being EU members. For that market to function homogeneously, the EEA Joint Committee periodically updates the annexes of the Agreement to incorporate new European legislation. Annex XIII is the one that specifically regulates transport.
Decision 44/2026 amends that Annex XIII to include new European transport regulations that were already applicable in the 27 EU member states, and extends them to the three non-EU EEA countries. In this way, operators working in those markets are subject to the same requirements that apply in the EU.
The official text of the decision does not detail in its summary the specific name of the European regulation incorporated. To find out the exact wording of the changes introduced in Annex XIII, it is necessary to consult the full text on EUR-Lex.
This type of update is part of a continuous process: the EEA Joint Committee reviews and updates the annexes of the Agreement on a regular basis to keep them aligned with EU legislation. Decision 44/2026 is one of those periodic updates on transport matters.
Economic and operational impact
The direct impact of this decision depends on the specific content of the European regulation incorporated into Annex XIII, which is not detailed in the available official summary. However, there are clear operational consequences that every affected company must consider:
- Review of operational procedures: The new requirements may affect documentation, licenses, driving times, loading conditions, market access or any other aspect regulated within the European transport framework.
- Regulatory uniformity: The extension of EU regulations to Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein simplifies the legal framework for operators who already complied with EU regulations, but requires verification that this compliance also covers operations in the three EEA countries.
- Risk of retroactive non-compliance: Entry into force is 6 February 2026, prior to official publication on 21 May 2026. Companies that have not reviewed their operations since that date may be in a situation of non-compliance.
- Cost of adaptation: No specific figures for economic impact are available in the official summary. The cost of adaptation will depend on the volume of operations with the affected EEA countries and the specific changes introduced by the incorporated regulation.
Who does it affect?
This decision affects all companies and professionals operating in the transport sector with EEA countries not belonging to the EU. Specifically:
- Road transport companies with routes that include Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein.
- International logistics operators that manage supply chains with origin or destination in those three countries.
- Freight transporters that cross or have destination in Norwegian, Icelandic or Liechtenstein territory.
- Passenger transport companies with regular or occasional services to or from those countries.
- CFOs and operations directors of companies with logistics activities in the EEA, who must verify regulatory compliance of their suppliers and partners.
- Legal advisors and transport consultants who support companies with operations in the EEA.
Practical example
A Spanish road transport company that carries out regular routes between Spain and Norway operates within the scope of Annex XIII of the EEA Agreement. With the entry into force of Decision 44/2026 on 6 February 2026, that company is subject to the new requirements incorporated into Annex XIII.
If the European regulation incorporated affects, for example, market access conditions or operating qualification requirements in those countries, the company must verify that its licenses, documentation and operational procedures comply with the new standards before continuing to operate those routes. Non-compliance could result in border problems, administrative sanctions or loss of authorization to operate in those markets.
Given that official publication took place on 21 May 2026 but effectiveness starts on 6 February 2026, this company should urgently review whether its operations since that date have been aligned with the new requirements.
What should companies do now?
- Consult the full text of Decision 44/2026 on EUR-Lex to identify exactly what European regulation has been incorporated into Annex XIII and what specific requirements it introduces. The official summary does not detail the specific wording.
- Review all operations with Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein from 6 February 2026, the date of entry into force, to detect possible situations of retroactive non-compliance.
- Assess the operational impact of the new requirements on routes, documentation, licenses and specific transport procedures with the three affected EEA countries.
- Update contracts and agreements with logistics partners in Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein if the new requirements affect the agreed conditions.
- Consult a specialist advisor in international transport regulations if the company has a significant volume of operations with these countries, especially given the retroactive nature of entry into force.
- Establish a regulatory monitoring system for periodic updates to the EEA Agreement, as the Joint Committee makes amendments on a continuous basis and each one can generate new obligations.
Frequently asked questions
When does Decision 44/2026 of the EEA on transport enter into force?
Decision 44/2026 of the EEA Joint Committee was adopted on 6 February 2026, which is also its date of entry into force. It was officially published in the EU Official Journal on 21 May 2026. This means that the compliance obligation is prior to official publication.
Which countries does the update of Annex XIII of the EEA Agreement affect?
Decision 44/2026 extends new European transport regulations to the three EEA countries that are not EU members: Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. Any company operating in the transport sector with these countries must comply with the new requirements.
What if my company has been operating with these countries since February 2026 without knowing about this decision?
The retroactive entry into force (6 February 2026) creates a potential compliance risk for companies that were not aware of the decision. It is advisable to immediately review operations from that date and, if necessary, consult with a specialist in international transport law to assess whether there has been any breach and what corrective measures may be necessary.
Does this decision affect only road transport or also other modes of transport?
Annex XIII of the EEA Agreement covers transport in general, so the decision may affect road transport, rail transport, maritime transport, air transport and multimodal transport, depending on the specific content of the European regulation incorporated. It is essential to consult the full text to determine the exact scope.
Where can I find the specific requirements introduced by Decision 44/2026?
The official summary of the decision does not detail the specific requirements. You must consult the full text on EUR-Lex to see the exact amendments to Annex XIII and the European regulations incorporated.
Official source
Decision of the EEA Joint Committee No. 44/2026, of 6 February 2026 — Amendment of Annex XIII (Transport) of the Agreement on the European Economic Area.
Official Journal of the European Union: L_202600957, 21 May 2026.
EUR-Lex reference: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/./legal-content/AUTO/?uri=OJ:L_202600957
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The interpretation and application of regulations is the responsibility of each company and should be verified with qualified legal counsel. CambiosLegales does not assume responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of the information or for any damages arising from its use. Regulatory requirements may change, and it is the responsibility of each organization to maintain updated knowledge of applicable regulations.