Key data
| Regulation | Decision of the EEE Joint Committee No. 72/2026 |
|---|---|
| Publication | June 25, 2026 |
| Entry into force | March 20, 2026 |
| Affected parties | Companies marketing products in the European Economic Area (EEA) |
| Category | European Regulation |
| Territorial scope | Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein (extension of the EU legal framework) |
| Modified Annex | Annex II of the EEA Agreement — Technical regulations, standards, testing and certification |
If your company sells or exports products to the EEA market—which includes Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein in addition to EU countries—this decision directly affects you. The Decision No. 72/2026 of the EEE Joint Committee, adopted on March 20, 2026 and published on June 25, 2026, amends Annex II of the EEA Agreement relating to technical regulations, standards, testing and certification.
In practical terms: the EU technical regulations that you already apply to the European market are now formally extended to these three countries. If your products already comply with EU standards, the impact may be limited. But if you have specific approval processes for the non-EU EEA, you must verify whether the changes alter your current certifications.
What does this regulation establish?
The EEA Agreement allows Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein to participate in the EU internal market without being full members. To do so, the EEA Joint Committee periodically updates the annexes of the Agreement to incorporate new EU legislation.
This decision specifically amends Annex II, which regulates technical regulations, standards, testing and certification. The specific changes it introduces are:
- Incorporation of new EU regulations into the EEA legal framework, extending them to Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein.
- Possible introduction of new technical requirements applicable to certain industrial sectors.
- Update of product certification and conformity standards in force in the EEA.
- Obligation for companies to review their approval procedures to ensure updated regulatory compliance.
The regulation does not specify in the available summary which specific EU regulations are incorporated, so it is essential to consult the full text of Decision 72/2026 in the EU Official Journal to identify the exact technical standards affected.
Economic and operational impact
The economic impact of this decision depends on the degree of divergence between the standards your company already applies and the new requirements incorporated into Annex II. The possible scenarios are:
| Company situation | Probable impact | Required action |
|---|---|---|
| Products already certified under current EU regulations | Low or none | Verify that new standards do not add additional requirements |
| Products with specific approval for non-EU EEA markets | Medium-high | Review and update certifications if new standards differ |
| Companies in the process of launching products in Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein | High | Ensure that the certification process already contemplates the new requirements |
| Companies with no current activity in non-EU EEA | None in the short term | Monitor if expansion to these markets is planned |
Operating costs may include: updating technical documentation, new laboratory testing, review of conformity declarations and, in some cases, product recertification before notified bodies.
Who does it affect?
- Manufacturers and importers marketing products in Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein.
- Spanish exporters with customers in the three non-EU EEA countries.
- Authorized distributors and representatives of industrial products in the EEA market.
- Quality and regulatory compliance managers in companies with activity in the EEA.
- Industrial sectors subject to technical regulations, product standards or testing and certification requirements.
- Certification bodies and testing laboratories operating in the EEA.
Practical example
A Spanish industrial machinery manufacturer that regularly exports to Norway should act as follows in response to this decision:
- Identify which EU technical regulations have been incorporated into Annex II of the EEA Agreement through Decision 72/2026.
- Check whether any of those regulations affect the category of machinery you manufacture (for example, safety directives, electromagnetic compatibility or energy efficiency).
- If the new standards introduce additional requirements compared to those you already comply with, update the technical documentation and, if necessary, submit the product for new testing before a notified body recognized in the EEA.
- Update the product's declaration of conformity to reflect compliance with updated standards before making new shipments to Norway.
Since the entry into force is March 20, 2026—prior to the official publication of June 25, 2026—any product shipped from that date must already comply with the new requirements.
What should companies do now?
- Consult the full text of Decision 72/2026 in the EU Official Journal to identify exactly which EU regulations are incorporated into Annex II of the EEA Agreement.
- Map affected products: cross-reference the incorporated standards with the catalog of products your company markets in Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein.
- Review current certifications and declarations of conformity to verify whether they remain valid under the new standards or require updating.
- Contact the corresponding notified body if it is detected that any product requires recertification or new testing.
- Update internal approval procedures so that future product launches already contemplate the requirements of the updated Annex II.
- Inform sales and logistics teams about the changes to avoid shipments of products that do not comply with the new requirements from March 20, 2026.
Frequently asked questions
What is Annex II of the EEA Agreement and why is it relevant to my company?
Annex II of the EEA Agreement regulates the technical regulations, standards, testing and certification applicable in the European Economic Area, which includes EU countries plus Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. When the EEA Joint Committee modifies it, as it has done with Decision 72/2026, the new EU technical standards become mandatory in those three countries as well. If your company sells products there, you must comply with the updated requirements.
From when is it mandatory to comply with the new requirements of Decision 72/2026?
Decision 72/2026 entered into force on March 20, 2026, which is the date of its adoption by the EEA Joint Committee. Although the official publication in the EU Official Journal took place on June 25, 2026, the obligation dates back to March. Companies must verify whether products shipped from that date already comply with the new standards.
What if my product already has CE certification for the EU market?
In many cases, CE certification is sufficient for the EEA market, since the EEA Agreement seeks precisely to equalize standards. However, Decision 72/2026 may introduce additional requirements or standard updates that affect specific product categories. It is essential to review the full text of the decision to confirm that your CE certification remains valid without modifications in the markets of Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein.
What industrial sectors may be most affected by this update to Annex II?
Decision 72/2026 affects sectors subject to technical regulations, product standards and testing and certification requirements. Although the available summary does not specify the specific sectors, historically updates to Annex II of the EEA Agreement impact sectors such as machinery, electrical and electronic equipment, construction products, personal protective equipment and medical devices. Consult the full text of the decision to confirm whether your sector is included.
Where can I consult the full text of Decision 72/2026 of the EEA Joint Committee?
The full text is available in the Official Journal of the European Union (EUR-Lex), with reference OJ:L_202601265. It is the official source where it details exactly which EU regulations are incorporated into Annex II of the EEA Agreement and which sectors or product categories are affected.
Official source
Consult complete regulations in official source
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/./legal-content/AUTO/?uri=OJ:L_202601265