Key data
| Regulation | Decision of the EEA Joint Committee No. 13/2026, of 6 February 2026 |
|---|---|
| Official reference | OJ:L_202600948 [2026/948] |
| Publication | 21 May 2026 |
| Entry into force | 6 February 2026 |
| Affected parties | Companies marketing products in the EEA: EU, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein |
| Category | European Regulation |
| Modified Annex | Annex II of the EEA Agreement (Technical regulations, standards, testing and certification) |
If your company sells products in Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein, you have a pending task: verify whether your technical certifications remain valid. The Decision 13/2026 of the EEA Joint Committee, adopted on 6 February 2026, modifies the Annex II of the Agreement on the European Economic Area, which is precisely the one that regulates technical regulations, standards, testing and certification throughout the EEA.
The change is not minor in procedural terms: whenever the EU updates its technical regulations, the EEA Joint Committee must incorporate them into the Agreement so that they also apply in the three non-EU countries of the area. That is exactly what this decision does. And if your product was already certified under the previous framework, you may need to verify whether it still complies with the new one.
What does this regulation establish?
The EEA Agreement extends the European single market to Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. For this to work, both parties must apply the same technical standards. When the EU updates its regulations, the EEA Joint Committee formally incorporates them into the Agreement through decisions like this one.
Decision 13/2026 specifically modifies Annex II, which covers:
- Technical regulations applicable to products
- Reference standards and technical standards
- Testing and verification procedures
- Certification and conformity requirements
The stated objective is to ensure regulatory homogeneity throughout the EEA area. In other words: a product that complies with technical standards in Germany also complies with them in Norway, and vice versa, without the need for parallel certifications.
The decision was adopted on 6 February 2026 and published in the Official Journal of the EU on 21 May 2026. The date of entry into force is the date of adoption, which means that the updated legal framework is already in force.
Economic and operational impact
The direct impact of this decision is not a fixed cost or a fee: it is a market access risk. If your company markets products in Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and the new technical standards incorporated into Annex II affect your product category, you have two possible scenarios:
- Your certification remains valid: You don't need to do anything, but you must verify this actively.
- Your certification becomes outdated: You will need to update technical documentation, repeat tests or request a new certification. This has direct costs (certification fees, laboratory time, document management) and indirect costs (possible interruption of sales until regularized).
The most immediate risk is operational: market access barriers. A product that does not comply with current technical standards can be held at customs, withdrawn from the market or generate administrative sanctions in the destination country. For companies with significant volume in Nordic markets, this can translate into relevant losses.
The sectors with the greatest exposure are those working with products subject to strict technical regulations: machinery, electrical equipment, technological devices, industrial and manufacturing products.
Who does it affect?
This decision directly affects:
- Manufacturers exporting products to Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and must comply with EEA technical standards
- Importers and distributors introducing products into these markets and are responsible for technical conformity
- Industrial and manufacturing companies with presence or customers in Nordic markets
- Technology companies whose products are subject to technical certification in the EEA
- Regulatory compliance officers of companies with activity in the non-EU EEA
- Technical advisors and consultants managing product certifications for clients with markets in the EEA
It does not affect companies operating exclusively within the EU and not marketing products in the three non-EU countries of the EEA.
Practical example
A Spanish company manufacturing industrial equipment has been selling in Norway for three years with a technical certification obtained under the previous framework of Annex II of the EEA Agreement. Following Decision 13/2026, the Joint Committee has incorporated new EU technical regulations into the Annex.
The company's compliance officer must now:
- Identify what specific technical regulations have been incorporated into Annex II through this decision
- Verify whether that regulation affects the product category it markets in Norway
- Check whether the current certification already covers the new requirements or whether it is necessary to update the technical documentation
If the certification does not cover the new requirements, the company will need to initiate the update process before Norwegian authorities begin to require compliance with the new framework. Acting proactively avoids interruptions in sales and possible sanctions.
What should companies do now?
- Identify whether you market products in Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein that are subject to technical regulations, testing standards or certification under Annex II of the EEA Agreement.
- Consult the full text of Decision 13/2026 in the Official Journal of the EU to identify what specific technical regulations have been incorporated into Annex II and whether they affect your product category.
- Review your current certifications to verify whether they remain valid under the updated framework or whether they need to be renewed or expanded.
- Contact your certification body if you have doubts about the validity of your current certificates under the new Annex II framework.
- Update the technical documentation of your products if the review detects that the new requirements are not covered by your current certifications.
- Establish a monitoring process of EEA Joint Committee decisions if you regularly operate in these markets, as these updates are periodic and recurring.
Frequently asked questions
What changes with Decision 13/2026 of the EEA Joint Committee?
Decision 13/2026, adopted on 6 February 2026, modifies Annex II of the EEA Agreement, which regulates technical regulations, standards, testing and certification. It incorporates new EU technical regulations into the legal framework of the EEA, ensuring that conformity requirements are homogeneous throughout the EU plus Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein.
What countries does this technical update of the EEA affect?
It affects the countries of the European Economic Area: all EU member states plus Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. Companies marketing products in these three non-EU countries must verify whether the changes affect their conformity or certification requirements.
Do I need to recertify my products?
Not necessarily. You must first verify whether the new technical standards incorporated into Annex II affect your product category. If they do, you must check whether your current certification already covers the new requirements. Only if there is a gap between your current certification and the new requirements will you need to recertify or update your documentation.
What happens if I don't update my certification?
If your products do not comply with the new technical standards in force in Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein, they may be held at customs, withdrawn from the market, or you may face administrative sanctions. This can result in loss of sales and reputational damage.
When do I need to comply with the new standards?
Decision 13/2026 entered into force on 6 February 2026. The new technical standards are already applicable. You should verify compliance immediately and, if necessary, initiate the update process without delay.
Where can I find the specific technical standards that have been updated?
The full text of Decision 13/2026 is published in the Official Journal of the EU (reference OJ:L_202600948 [2026/948]). You can also consult your certification body or a technical advisor specialized in EEA regulations.
Official source
Decision of the EEA Joint Committee No. 13/2026 of 6 February 2026
Official Journal of the EU: OJ:L_202600948 [2026/948]
Publication date: 21 May 2026
Entry into force: 6 February 2026
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The information provided is based on the official text of Decision 13/2026 and the EEA Agreement. For specific guidance on how this regulation affects your company, consult with a legal advisor or technical compliance specialist. The author and publisher are not responsible for any decisions made based on this information.