New EEA certification and testing standards 2026: what exporting companies must review

Key data

If your company sells or purchases products with technical requirements in the European Economic Area, this decision affects you from 5 June 2026. Decision No. 167/2026 of the EEA Joint Committee amends Annex II of the EEA Agreement, which is the framework that regulates which technical standards, testing and certifications products must comply with to circulate freely among the 27 EU states and the three non-EU EEA countries: Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein.

The purpose of this amendment is to incorporate or adapt EU technical regulations to the EEA framework, ensuring that these three countries apply exactly the same standards as member states. For Spanish companies, this means that any change in EU technical requirements that has been transferred to this decision is now also enforceable in those markets.

What does this regulation establish?

The EEA Agreement allows Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein to participate in the European internal market without being EU members. For this to work, the EEA Joint Committee periodically updates the annexes of the agreement to incorporate EU technical regulations that come into force.

This decision specifically amends Annex II, which covers technical regulations, standards, testing and certification. In practice, this implies:

• Incorporation or adaptation of EU technical regulations to the EEA legal framework.
• Obligation for Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein to apply the same technical standards as EU member states.
• Update of the certification and/or testing requirements that products must meet to access those markets.
• Possible invalidation of previous certifications that do not conform to the new incorporated standards.

The decision was adopted on 5 June 2026 and published in the EU Official Journal on 24 September 2026. Entry into force is set for the date of adoption, so the new requirements are enforceable from June.

Economic and operational impact

The direct impact for companies depends on whether the products they market in the EEA are subject to the technical standards updated by this decision. The main operational risks are:

• Product withdrawal from the market if they do not comply with the new technical requirements incorporated into Annex II.
• Barriers to free trade within the EEA for products whose certification has become outdated.
• Costs of recertification or new testing if the standards applicable to the company's products have changed.
• Delays in exports to Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein while necessary adaptations are resolved.

Given that entry into force is 5 June 2026 and official publication occurred on 24 September 2026, there is a period in which the requirements were already enforceable before many companies had formal access to the text. It is a priority to review the situation urgently.

Who does it affect?

• Spanish companies that export products to Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and that are subject to technical certification or testing requirements.
• Companies that import products from those three countries and distribute them in Spain or in the EU.
• Manufacturers, distributors and importers of industrial, consumer or any sector products with harmonized technical regulations (machinery, electrical equipment, medical devices, construction materials, toys, etc.).
• Regulatory compliance officers of companies with activity in the EEA.
• Technical advisors and foreign trade consultants who manage certification documentation for their clients.
• Certification bodies and testing laboratories operating in the EEA.

Practical example

A Spanish manufacturer of industrial electrical equipment that regularly exports to Norway has its products certified under the technical standards of Annex II of the EEA Agreement in force until May 2026. Following the adoption of Decision 167/2026 on 5 June 2026, the standards applicable to that type of product are updated to incorporate the new EU technical regulations.

If the company does not review whether its current certifications remain valid under the new standards, it may find that its products are held at Norwegian customs or withdrawn from the market for not meeting the updated technical requirements. The cost of urgent recertification—plus possible delivery delays and the management of returns—can far exceed the cost of a preventive review of regulatory compliance.

What should companies do now?

1. Identify affected products: Review the catalog of products marketed in Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and determine which are subject to technical requirements regulated by Annex II of the EEA Agreement.
2. Consult the full text of Decision 167/2026: Access the official source on EUR-Lex to identify exactly which technical standards have been incorporated or modified.
3. Verify the validity of current certifications: Compare existing certificates and technical documentation with the new standards incorporated into Annex II. This task should be carried out by the regulatory compliance officer together with the corresponding certification body.
4. Initiate the recertification process if necessary: If any product requires new testing or certifications, contact the notified body or accredited testing laboratory to start the process without delay, given that entry into force already occurred on 5 June 2026.
5. Review contracts and commercial agreements: Ensure that contracts with distributors or customers in non-EU EEA countries address responsibilities in case of changes in technical requirements.
6. Establish a regulatory alert system: Implement a process to monitor EEA Joint Committee decisions to anticipate future updates to Annex II before they come into force.

Official source

Consult complete regulation at 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_202602014