EEE 2025 Certification: What Exporting Companies Must Review

Key data

Companies operating in the European Economic Area have a new review obligation as of December 2025. The Decision 274/2025 of the EEE Joint Committee, adopted on December 5, 2025 and published on April 16, 2026, amends Annex II of the EEE Agreement, which regulates the technical regulations, standards, testing and certification applicable throughout the economic area.

The practical effect is clear: Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein are required to apply the same technical standards as EU Member States. If your company markets products in these markets, your certifications must be aligned with the new requirements.

What does this regulation establish?

The EEE Agreement integrates Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein into the European single market without being EU members. For this market to function homogeneously, the EEE Joint Committee periodically updates the annexes of the Agreement to incorporate new EU technical legislation.

This decision specifically amends Annex II, which covers:

• Technical regulations applicable to products
• Testing and verification standards
• Certification procedures and requirements

With this amendment, the new EU technical regulation that has been incorporated becomes applicable in the three non-EU EEE countries as well. Economic operators who already complied with EU technical regulations must verify that the specific changes incorporated do not affect their current products or certification processes.

The decision does not specify in its published text which specific technical standards are incorporated in this update, so it is recommended to consult the full text directly on EUR-Lex to identify the specific acts affected.

Economic and operational impact

The direct impact for companies is operational and commercial. This is not a regulation that imposes direct economic fees or sanctions, but rather an update of technical requirements that can have very concrete consequences:

• Product blockage at border: If a product does not comply with the new technical standards incorporated into Annex II, it may be rejected in Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein.
• Re-certification costs: Companies whose products are affected by the new requirements will need to update their technical documentation and, where applicable, undergo new testing or certification processes.
• Risk of export paralysis: During the adaptation period, companies that have not reviewed their situation may face delays or interruptions in their commercial operations with these markets.
• Opportunity for preventive review: Companies that already operate with updated EU technical standards have a competitive advantage, as homologation with the EEE is usually direct.

Who does it affect?

This decision directly affects:

• Spanish exporters selling products to Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein
• Importers bringing products from these three countries to the Spanish or European market
• Manufacturers whose products require technical certification or conformity testing to access the EEE market
• Distributors and logistics operators managing goods between the EU and non-EU EEE countries
• Quality and regulatory compliance managers in industrial, technological, consumer or any sector with technically regulated products
• Foreign trade advisors and consultants managing operations with the EEE

Practical example

A Spanish electrical equipment manufacturer regularly exports to Norway. Until now, its CE certification and technical documentation compliant with EU regulations allowed it to access the Norwegian market without problems, as the EEE Agreement guaranteed the equivalence of standards.

With Decision 274/2025, new technical standards are incorporated into Annex II of the EEE Agreement. If any of those standards affect the category of equipment manufactured by this company, its current certification could become outdated. The practical result: its shipments to Norway could be blocked at customs or rejected by the customer until it proves compliance with the new requirements.

The necessary action is concrete: identify which specific technical standards have been incorporated in this decision, compare them with your own products and, if there is an impact, update the technical documentation or initiate a new testing and certification process.

What should companies do now?

1. Identify affected markets: Confirm whether your company exports or imports products to or from Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein. If you do not operate in these markets, this decision does not directly affect you.
2. Consult the full text of Decision 274/2025: Access EUR-Lex to identify which specific technical standards have been incorporated into Annex II of the EEE Agreement.
3. Review the catalog of affected products: Compare the technical standards incorporated with the products you market in the EEE. Prioritize those that already require certification or conformity testing.
4. Verify current technical documentation: Check that your certifications, declarations of conformity and technical documentation are aligned with the new requirements. If there is a mismatch, initiate the update process.
5. Coordinate with your certification body: If your products require intervention by a notified body or third parties for certification, communicate the changes to them to assess whether a new testing process is necessary.
6. Establish a regulatory alert system: Updates to Annex II of the EEE Agreement are periodic. Implement a monitoring process to avoid detecting changes late again.