Key data
| Regulation | Decision of the EEA Joint Committee No. 115/2026, of 30 April 2026 |
|---|---|
| Publication | 23 July 2026 |
| Entry into force | 30 April 2026 |
| Affected parties | Spanish exporters to the EEA: agri-food sector, livestock and technical product manufacturers |
| Category | European Regulation |
| Geographic scope | Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein (non-EU EEA countries) |
| Modified annexes | Annex I (veterinary and phytosanitary matters) and Annex II (technical regulations, standards, testing and certification) of the EEA Agreement |
If your company exports food, livestock products or goods subject to harmonized technical standards to Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein, the rules of the game have just changed. The Decision 115/2026 of the EEA Joint Committee, adopted on 30 April 2026 and published on 23 July 2026, amends the Annexes I and II of the EEA Agreement, incorporating the most recent EU legislation on veterinary, phytosanitary and technical regulations.
The practical result is clear: the three non-EU EEA countries are aligned with current EU standards. For Spanish exporters, this means that market access requirements in those destinations are updated and must be verified before each operation.
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, its annexes are updated periodically to incorporate new EU legislation. Decision 115/2026 does exactly that in two areas:
| Modified annex | Scope | What it means for exporters |
|---|---|---|
| Annex I | Veterinary and phytosanitary matters | Update of standards on animal health, veterinary controls and phytosanitary requirements for products of animal and plant origin |
| Annex II | Technical regulations, standards, testing and certification | Update of harmonized technical standards, testing procedures and certification requirements for industrial and manufactured products |
In practical terms, any EU regulation in these areas that entered into force before 30 April 2026 and was not yet incorporated into the EEA Agreement now applies to Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein.
Economic and operational impact
The impact is not a direct cost in the form of a new fee or tariff, but rather a compliance cost and operational risk: if a company exports with documentation or certifications that no longer meet updated standards, it may face border rejections, customs delays or loss of market access.
The main impact vectors are:
- Veterinary and phytosanitary certifications: The health certificates required at destination may have changed in model, requirement or competent issuing authority.
- Border controls: The authorities of Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein will apply the new inspection criteria aligned with updated EU regulations.
- Technical documentation: Manufacturers of products subject to Annex II must verify that their declarations of conformity and CE markings remain valid under the standards now incorporated into the EEA.
- Contracts and commercial agreements: If contracts with distributors or clients in these countries reference specific regulations, they may need to be updated.
Who does it affect?
- Agri-food exporters selling products of animal or plant origin to Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein.
- Livestock sector operators exporting live animals or derived products to the EEA area.
- Agricultural sector companies exporting vegetables, seeds, plants or phytosanitary products.
- Technical product manufacturers subject to harmonized standards (machinery, electrical equipment, construction products, medical devices, etc.) that market in the EEA.
- Foreign trade advisors, customs brokers and logistics operators managing operations to these three countries.
- CFOs and operations directors of companies with commercial exposure to the non-EU EEA, who must anticipate possible supply chain friction.
Practical example
A Spanish company exporting processed meat products regularly operates with a distributor in Norway. Until now, it used a model of veterinary health certificate approved under the EU regulations in force in 2024. Following Decision 115/2026, Norway incorporates into the EEA Agreement the veterinary regulatory updates adopted by the EU in the recent period. If the certificate model has been revised at community level, the company must obtain the new model issued by the competent Spanish authority (usually the Ministry of Agriculture or the corresponding autonomous community) before its next shipment. Exporting with the old certificate may result in the rejection of the goods at the Norwegian entry point, with the costs of return, destruction or re-shipment that this entails.
The same reasoning applies to a manufacturer of electrical equipment selling in Iceland: if the harmonized technical standard of reference has been updated and incorporated into Annex II, its declaration of conformity must reflect the current version of the standard.
What should companies do now?
- Identify if you export to non-EU EEA: Confirm whether your company operates commercially with Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein, either directly or through distributors.
- Review current health certificates: If you export products of animal or plant origin, contact the competent veterinary or phytosanitary authority (regional or national) to confirm that the certificate models you use are aligned with the most recent EU regulations.
- Verify technical documentation: If you manufacture products subject to harmonized standards, review that your declarations of conformity and CE marking reference the updated versions of the technical standards incorporated into Annex II of the EEA.
- Inform your logistics operator or customs broker: Make sure that whoever manages your shipments knows about the changes and verifies the documentation before each shipment.
- Update contracts if necessary: If your commercial agreements with clients or distributors in these countries reference specific regulations, review whether they require updating.
- Consult the official source: Access the full text of Decision 115/2026 in the EU Official Journal (EUR-Lex) to identify the specific standards incorporated into each annex.
Frequently asked questions
From when are the new EEA requirements applicable for Spanish exporters?
Decision 115/2026 was adopted on 30 April 2026, which is also its date of entry into force. It was published in the EU Official Journal on 23 July 2026. This means that Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein must apply the updated standards from 30 April 2026, so any export carried out from that date must comply with the new requirements.
Which EEA countries are affected by this decision?
Decision 115/2026 affects the three countries of the European Economic Area that are not EU members: Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. These countries must apply the same veterinary, phytosanitary and technical standards as EU Member States, including Spain, thanks to the update of Annexes I and II of the EEA Agreement.
What documentation should I review if I export agri-food products to Norway?
You should mainly review the veterinary or phytosanitary health certificates that accompany your shipments. These certificates must conform to the models and requirements established in the most recent EU regulations, which now also apply in Norway following Decision 115/2026. Contact the competent authority in your autonomous community or the Ministry of Agriculture to confirm that the current models are correct.
Does this regulation affect only the food sector or also industrial manufacturers?
It affects both sectors. Annex I covers veterinary and phytosanitary matters (agri-food and livestock sector), while Annex II covers technical regulations, standards, testing and certification (manufacturers of industrial products subject to harmonized standards). If you manufacture machinery, electrical equipment, construction products or other goods with CE marking and market them in the EEA, you must also verify your technical documentation.
What is the risk of exporting to the EEA without adapting documentation to the new requirements?
The main risk is rejection of goods at the border by the authorities of Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein, as the documentation does not conform to updated standards. This may involve costs of return, destruction or re-shipment of the goods, as well as delays that affect your business relationships. In the case of technical products, marketing with an outdated declaration of conformity may result in product withdrawal from the market.
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_202601493