Key data
| Regulation | Decision of the EEA Joint Committee No. 254/2025, of 5 December 2025 |
|---|---|
| Publication | 16 April 2026 |
| Entry into force | 5 December 2025 |
| Affected parties | Agribusiness, livestock and exporting/importing companies operating in the EEA |
| Non-EU EEA countries obligated | Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein |
| Affected products | Products of animal, plant and food origin |
| Category | Agriculture and Fisheries |
| Official reference | OJ:L_202600685 — Annex I of the EEA Agreement (Veterinary and phytosanitary matters) |
If your company exports ham, meat, dairy products, fruits, vegetables or any food product to Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein—or imports them from there—this regulation is already in force and affects you. The Decision 254/2025 of the EEA Joint Committee updates the Annex I of the EEA Agreement, which regulates veterinary and phytosanitary matters, incorporating the latest European legislation in these areas.
The practical result is clear: the three EEA countries that are not EU members must align their health and phytosanitary controls with updated European standards. For Spanish operators, this means that the rules of the game in those markets have changed, and operating without verifying compliance can result in border rejections, delays or sanctions.
What does this regulation establish?
The EEA Agreement integrates Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein into the European single market without them being EU members. For that single market to function, these countries must apply the same legislation that applies in the EU on key matters, including animal and plant health.
The Annex I of the EEA Agreement is the instrument that sets out the applicable veterinary and phytosanitary standards. When the EU updates its legislation in these matters, the EEA Joint Committee—a parity body that manages the Agreement—must incorporate those changes into Annex I through a formal decision.
Decision 254/2025 does exactly that: it updates Annex I to incorporate the latest European legislation on veterinary and phytosanitary matters, obliging Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein to apply it. The affected areas are:
- Health standards applicable to products of animal origin (meat, dairy products, fish, eggs, etc.)
- Phytosanitary requirements for products of plant origin (fruits, vegetables, plants, seeds)
- Conditions for the trade of food products in the EEA space
Economic and operational impact
The impact is not a direct fine with a fixed amount: it is a potential trade barrier. If your company operates in these markets and has not verified compliance with the new requirements, it is exposed to:
- Border rejections of shipments of animal or plant products that do not meet the new health standards.
- Delays and logistics costs resulting from additional controls or retention of goods.
- Administrative sanctions for non-compliance with import or export requirements in the EEA.
- Loss of market access in Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein for products that do not adapt to the new standards.
Conversely, companies that already operate with updated European standards should not experience significant operational changes: the regulation seeks precisely to equalize the requirements of the three non-EU EEA countries with those already applied in the EU market.
Who does it affect?
This regulation directly affects operators that maintain commercial relationships with Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein in the following sectors:
- Exporters of products of animal origin: meat and derivatives, dairy products, eggs, fish and shellfish, honey.
- Exporters of products of plant origin: fresh fruits and vegetables, plants, seeds, cereals.
- Importers of animal or plant products from Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein.
- Livestock companies that market live animals or animal genetic material to the EEA.
- Agribusiness operators with supply chains that include these three countries.
- Foreign trade advisors and consultants who manage operations with the EEA.
Practical example
A Spanish meat product exporting company that regularly sells to distributors in Norway must verify that its health certificates, inspection processes and traceability documentation comply with the updated requirements incorporated into Annex I of the EEA Agreement by Decision 254/2025.
If the new European standards incorporated require, for example, stricter control protocols for certain pathogens or new veterinary certificate models, and the company continues to use the previous documentation, its shipments may be retained or rejected at Norwegian customs. The cost of a border rejection—merchandise return, destruction, loss of order—far exceeds the cost of a preventive review of regulatory compliance.
The same applies to a Spanish importer bringing salmon or cod from Norway: it must ensure that the Norwegian supplier complies with the new standards and that the health documentation accompanying the goods is updated in accordance with the new regulation.
What should companies do now?
- Identify if you operate with Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein: Review your customer and supplier portfolio to determine if you have active or planned operations with these three countries in animal, plant or food products.
- Audit current health and phytosanitary documentation: Verify that the veterinary, phytosanitary and traceability certificates you use in your exports or imports with the EEA are updated in accordance with the latest European legislation.
- Consult with your foreign trade advisor or official veterinarian: The update to Annex I may involve changes in certificate models, inspection requirements or access conditions. A specialist can identify what specific changes affect you.
- Review contracts with suppliers or clients in the EEA: Ensure that regulatory compliance clauses are updated and that your counterpart in Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein is also adapted to the new requirements.
- Access the full text of Decision 254/2025: Consult the regulation on EUR-Lex to identify what specific European legislation has been incorporated into Annex I and what specific requirements it introduces.
Frequently asked questions
Which EEA countries are obliged to apply the new veterinary and phytosanitary standards?
The EEA countries not belonging to the EU obliged to apply these standards are Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein, according to Decision 254/2025 of the EEA Joint Committee.
When did the new EEA veterinary standards come into force?
Decision 254/2025 came into force on 5 December 2025, although it was officially published on 16 April 2026. This means that the regulation is already in force and applicable.
What happens if my company does not comply with the new EEA veterinary and phytosanitary requirements?
Non-compliance can result in border rejections of your shipments, delays in customs clearance, administrative sanctions, and in serious cases, loss of access to the Norwegian, Icelandic or Liechtenstein markets. The cost of a border rejection far exceeds the cost of preventive compliance verification.
Do I need to update my certificates and documentation immediately?
Yes. Since Decision 254/2025 came into force on 5 December 2025, any shipments sent after that date must comply with the updated requirements. It is advisable to review and update your documentation now to avoid operational disruptions.
Where can I find the specific requirements that apply to my products?
The specific requirements are detailed in the legislation incorporated into Annex I of the EEA Agreement. You can access the full text through EUR-Lex or consult with a foreign trade advisor or official veterinarian who can identify the specific requirements for your product category.
Does this regulation affect companies that only operate within the EU?
No. This regulation only affects companies that export to or import from Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein. If your operations are limited to EU member states, you are not directly affected by this decision.
Official source
Decision of the EEA Joint Committee No. 254/2025, of 5 December 2025, amending Annex I (Horizontal Agreements) to the EEA Agreement.
Published in the Official Journal of the European Union: OJ:L_202600685
Full text available at: EUR-Lex
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The information contained herein is based on the official text of Decision 254/2025 and applicable EEA legislation. For specific advice on how this regulation affects your company's operations, consult with a qualified foreign trade advisor, official veterinarian or legal counsel specializing in agribusiness law. The author and publisher assume no liability for the use or misuse of this information.