New EEE veterinary and phytosanitary standards 2026: what agrifood exporters must review

Key data

If your company exports food, animal or plant origin products to any of the three EEE countries that are not EU members—Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein—this decision directly affects you. The Decision 62/2026 of the EEE Joint Committee amends Annex I of the EEE Agreement, which precisely regulates veterinary and phytosanitary matters applicable throughout the European Economic Area.

In practice, this means that these three countries must adapt their internal regulatory frameworks to the new EU legislation incorporated. For Spanish exporting companies, the direct effect may be a change in certification requirements, in border health controls or in the market access conditions for those destinations.

What does this regulation establish?

The EEE Agreement allows Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein to participate in the EU internal market without being members. For this to work, they must apply the same legislation in key matters, including animal and plant health. Annex I of the EEE Agreement is the instrument that contains that legislation and is updated periodically through decisions of the Joint Committee.

Decision 62/2026 incorporates new EU regulations on veterinary and phytosanitary matters into that annex. The specific effects are as follows:

• Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein are required to adapt their internal regulatory frameworks to the new EU requirements in animal and plant health.
• Companies exporting animal or plant origin products to those countries may encounter new certification requirements or changes in the health documents required at the border.
• Health controls applied to imports from Spain may be modified based on the new standards incorporated.
• The modification strengthens homogeneity of the enlarged internal market and health traceability throughout the EEE area.

The regulation does not detail in its publication the specific EU legislative texts incorporated into Annex I, so to know the exact scope of the new standards it is necessary to consult the full text in the EU Official Journal.

Economic and operational impact

The impact is not a fixed cost or direct penalty: it is an operational risk that can materialize in several ways if the company does not act in time.

• Rejection of shipments at the border: If products do not meet the new health standards, they may be retained or rejected in entry controls in Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein. This means loss of goods, return costs and reputational damage with the customer.
• Review of health certificates: Veterinary or phytosanitary certificates issued under previous standards may become outdated. Obtaining new certifications has a direct cost in time and fees.
• Changes in traceability protocols: The regulation strengthens health traceability throughout the EEE, which may involve adjustments to internal registration and documentation systems.
• Market opportunity: Companies that adapt quickly and demonstrate compliance with the new standards can gain competitive advantage over competitors that do not.

Who does it affect?

• Spanish exporters of animal origin products (meat, dairy, fish, eggs, processed products) destined for Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein.
• Exporters of plant origin products (fruits, vegetables, plants, seeds, phytosanitary products) to those same markets.
• Veterinary and phytosanitary operators who issue health certificates for export to the EEE.
• Agrifood sector companies that market in the EEE under any modality (direct sales, distributors, logistics operators).
• Importers in Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein who work with Spanish suppliers and must verify regulatory compliance of their supplies.

Practical example

A Spanish Iberian ham company that regularly exports to Norway must verify whether the health certificates accompanying its shipments remain valid under the new standards incorporated into Annex I of the EEE Agreement by Decision 62/2026.

If Norwegian authorities have updated their border controls to reflect the new EU regulations, a certificate issued under the previous framework could be insufficient. The practical result: the shipment is retained at the entry point, the customer does not receive the goods on time and the company assumes management costs, possible return and renegotiation of the order.

The preventive action is simple: contact the official veterinarian or competent authority (in Spain, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food) to confirm whether the certificate models used remain valid for exporting to those destinations.

What should companies do now?

1. Identify if you export to Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein: If you have commercial activity with any of these three countries in animal or plant origin products, this regulation directly affects you.
2. Review current health certificates: Check with your official veterinarian or phytosanitary advisor whether the certificate models you use remain valid under the new EEE standards.
3. Consult the full text of Decision 62/2026: Access the EU Official Journal to identify what specific legislation has been incorporated into Annex I and whether it affects your specific products.
4. Contact the Spanish competent authority: The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food can guide you on changes in export requirements to the EEE.
5. Update internal traceability protocols: If the new regulation introduces changes in the records or documentation required, adapt your processes before an inspection or border rejection occurs.
6. Inform your customers in the EEE: Communicate to your distributors or buyers in Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein that you are reviewing regulatory compliance. This strengthens trust and avoids surprises in receiving goods.

Official source

Consult complete regulation 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_202601256