New EEE certification standards 2026: what manufacturers and importers must review

Key data

If your company sells or distributes products in the EEE area—which includes the 27 EU countries plus Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein—EEE Joint Committee Decision No. 77/2026 directly affects you. This decision, adopted on 20 March 2026, amends Annex II of the EEE Agreement, which regulates technical regulations, standards, testing and certification of products throughout the expanded European economic area.

The mechanism is the usual one in the EEE: when the EU approves new technical regulation, the Joint Committee incorporates it into the EEE Agreement so that it also applies in the three non-EU countries. The practical result is that the certification and testing requirements that already apply in the EU are now formally extended to Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein through this decision.

What does this regulation establish?

Decision 77/2026 amends Annex II of the EEE Agreement, the chapter dedicated to technical regulations, standards, testing and certification. Its objective is to incorporate into the EEE legal framework the EU technical regulation that has recently entered into force, ensuring that the rules of the game are identical throughout the European economic area.

The key points established by this decision are:

• Incorporation of new EU technical regulation into the EEE Agreement, with effect on the three non-EU countries in the area (Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein).
• Update of the requirements applicable to the processes of certification and testing of products marketed in the EEE market.
• Extension of updated technical specifications to the entire expanded internal market, ensuring regulatory coherence among the 30 EEE countries.
• Obligation for manufacturers and importers to verify that their products comply with the new technical specifications to maintain market access.

The decision does not publicly detail the specific EU regulatory texts it incorporates—that information is contained in the full text published in the EU Official Journal—so it is essential to consult the technical annex to identify which product categories are affected.

Economic and operational impact

The impact of this decision is not uniform: it depends on the sector and type of product your company markets. However, there are common operational consequences that any company with a presence in the EEE market must consider:

• Review of certification files: If the new technical requirements affect your products, existing certificates may become outdated and will need to be renewed or expanded.
• New testing or conformity checks: Some technical changes may require retesting by notified bodies, with the associated cost and time.
• Risk of commercial blockade: Non-compliance with the new technical specifications may prevent the free movement of goods in the expanded internal market, with the resulting impact on sales and contracts.
• Impact on supply chain: Distributors operating in Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein must verify that products they receive from EU manufacturers already comply with the new standards.

Who is affected?

• Manufacturers of products marketed in the EEE market (EU + Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein), especially in sectors with high technical regulation (machinery, electrical equipment, construction products, medical devices, toys, personal protective equipment, etc.).
• Importers who introduce products into the EEE area from third countries and must guarantee technical compliance at the time of marketing.
• Distributors operating in the markets of Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and who may be affected by changes in the requirements of the products they distribute.
• Quality and regulatory compliance managers in industrial companies with export activity to the EEE.
• Certification bodies and testing laboratories that must update their procedures in accordance with the new incorporated standards.

Practical example

Imagine a Spanish electrical equipment manufacturer that regularly exports to Norway. Until now, its products had the corresponding CE certification, valid throughout the EU. With Decision 77/2026, if the new EU regulation incorporated into Annex II of the EEE Agreement affects the category of its equipment, it must verify two things:

1. Whether the updated technical requirements modify any specification of its products (materials, performance, safety, technical labeling).
2. Whether its current certificates remain valid or whether it needs to initiate a new testing process with a notified body to maintain access to the Norwegian market.

Failing to act in time could mean that an order is held in customs or that the Norwegian distributor cannot put the product on the market, with the resulting economic impact on already signed contracts.

What should companies do now?

1. Consult the full text of Decision 77/2026 in the EU Official Journal to identify exactly what technical regulation has been incorporated into Annex II of the EEE Agreement and whether it affects the product categories of your company.
2. Review current certification files of all products marketed in the EEE market, especially in Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein, to detect possible misalignments with the new requirements.
3. Contact the notified body or the usual testing laboratory to confirm whether current certificates remain valid or whether a new conformity process needs to be initiated.
4. Inform the distribution chain in non-EU EEE countries about the changes, especially if there are local distributors or importers who assume compliance responsibilities.
5. Establish a regulatory alert system to detect future EEE Joint Committee decisions that may affect your products, given that these updates occur periodically.

Official source

Consult complete regulation in official source

Notice: 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_202601325