New EEE veterinary and phytosanitary requirements 2025: what changes for exporters

Key data

Spanish companies exporting to the European Economic Area must pay attention to a change that is already in force: the Decision 258/2025 of the EEA Joint Committee, adopted on 5 December 2025, updates Annex I of the EEA Agreement on veterinary and phytosanitary matters. The practical result is that Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein must adapt their internal regulations to the most recent European standards in animal and plant health.

For Spanish exporters, this is not a minor administrative change. It can translate into new certification requirements, modifications in health controls at the border or changes in market access conditions for products of animal or plant origin.

What does this regulation establish?

The Agreement on the European Economic Area (EEA) allows Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein to participate in the European single market without being EU members. For this to work, these countries must periodically incorporate current European legislation into their internal legal systems.

The EEA Joint Committee is the body responsible for managing these updates. With Decision 258/2025, adopted on 5 December 2025, Annex I of the EEA Agreement is modified, which specifically regulates veterinary and phytosanitary matters.

In concrete terms, this decision incorporates new EU legislation in the areas of:

• Animal health: updated standards on disease control, animal movement and veterinary certification requirements.
• Plant health: updated phytosanitary standards that may affect controls of plant-origin products at the border.

The three non-EU EEA countries affected —Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein— are required to adapt their internal regulations to these new standards from the date of adoption of the decision.

Economic and operational impact

The direct impact for Spanish companies is concentrated in three operational areas:

The specific economic cost will depend on the type of product exported, the volume of operations and the specific changes introduced by the new EU legislation incorporated into Annex I. The regulation does not establish direct amounts or sanctions for exporters, but non-compliance with the new requirements can result in border detentions, merchandise returns or loss of market access.

Who does it affect?

This regulation directly affects Spanish companies and professionals with export activity to Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein in the following sectors:

• Agrifood exporters that market products of animal or plant origin in non-EU EEA markets.
• Livestock sector that exports live animals, meat products, dairy or other derivatives of animal origin.
• Agricultural sector with exports of fruits, vegetables, plants or other plant products to these countries.
• Phytosanitary sector companies that operate in supply chains destined for the EEA.
• Logistics operators and freight forwarders that manage agrifood shipments to Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein, as they must verify updated documentation.
• Foreign trade advisors that provide services to companies with export activity in these markets.

Practical example

A Spanish meat product exporting company that makes regular shipments to Norway should consider the following scenario:

Until the adoption of Decision 258/2025, its exports were documented in accordance with veterinary certificates and control requirements established under the previous version of Annex I of the EEA Agreement. With the new decision in force from 5 December 2025, Norway is required to apply updated European standards in animal health.

This may mean that the model of veterinary certificate required by Norwegian authorities has changed, or that additional border controls have been introduced. If the company has not reviewed its export documents since that date, there is a risk that a shipment will be detained or rejected at the Norwegian border for not meeting the new requirements.

The recommended immediate action is to contact the competent authority in animal health in Spain (Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food) and with the Norwegian importer to verify what updated documentation is required.

What should companies do now?

1. Identify if you export to Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein products of animal or plant origin. If so, this regulation directly affects you.
2. Review the current health documentation of your exports: veterinary certificates, phytosanitary certificates and any other health control document required at destination.
3. Contact your importer in the destination country to confirm whether local authorities have communicated changes in entry requirements since December 2025.
4. Consult with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food or with the competent authority of your autonomous community to obtain updated information on required certificates.
5. Review your supply chains to identify whether any supplier or intermediate link may be affected by the new phytosanitary or veterinary standards applicable in non-EU EEA countries.
6. Update your internal export procedures if changes in documentation or controls applicable to your products are confirmed.