Technical certification in the EEA 2026: what changes for manufacturers and importers

Key data

If your company manufactures or imports products that require technical certification to circulate in the European Economic Area, this decision affects you directly. Decision 172/2026 of the EEA Joint Committee amends Annex II of the EEA Agreement—which regulates technical regulations, standards, testing and certification—to incorporate new European technical regulations and ensure regulatory homogeneity among all EEA member countries.

The EEA includes the 27 EU states plus Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. This means that companies operating exclusively within the EU already apply these standards by default, but those with commercial activity or certifications in the three non-EU EEA countries must pay special attention to this update.

What does this regulation establish?

The EEA Agreement allows Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein to participate in the European single market without being EU members. For this to work, the EEA Joint Committee periodically updates its annexes to incorporate the latest European technical regulations.

Decision 172/2026 acts on the Annex II of the EEA Agreement, which specifically covers:

• Technical regulations applicable to products in the EEA
• Recognized technical standards and norms
• Testing and verification procedures
• Certification and compliance systems

The amendment incorporates new European technical regulations into the EEA scope, ensuring that certification standards are homogeneous across all countries in the area. Affected companies may be required to adapt their testing procedures or technical documentation to comply with the new incorporated standards.

A relevant procedural aspect: the entry into force date (June 5, 2026) is prior to the official publication date (September 24, 2026). This implies that the decision has retroactive effect from June, so companies must verify whether they are already in breach as of that date.

Economic and operational impact

The direct impact of this decision translates into possible operational costs for affected companies. Although the regulation does not establish specific amounts for fees or penalties, the adaptations it may require have a real cost:

• Review of technical documentation: Updating declarations of conformity, technical manuals and product files to reflect the new standards incorporated into the EEA.
• New testing or re-testing: If the updated testing procedures differ from previous ones, some products may need to be re-tested by notified bodies.
• Coordination with certification bodies: Companies working with notified bodies in Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein must confirm that their current certificates remain valid under the new standards.
• Review of distributor contracts: If the distribution chain includes partners in the non-EU EEA countries, it may be necessary to update agreements on responsibility for technical compliance.

The cost of not acting may be greater than the cost of adapting: a product that does not comply with the updated EEA standards may be withdrawn from the market in Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein, with the resulting impact on sales, reputation and possible customer claims.

Who does it affect?

• Manufacturers that market products with CE marking or technical certification in the EEA, especially in Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein.
• Importers that introduce products into the EEA market and are responsible for technical compliance before the authorities of the non-EU EEA countries.
• Companies with active technical certification in the EEA that must verify the validity of their certificates under the new standards.
• Quality and regulatory compliance managers (compliance officers, technical directors, product managers) in industrial, technological or consumer goods companies.
• Technical advisors and certification consultants who manage compliance processes for their clients in the EEA.
• CFOs and executives of companies with commercial exposure in the markets of Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein, who must anticipate possible adaptation costs.

Practical example

A Spanish manufacturer of industrial electrical equipment that exports to Norway has its products certified under the standards of Annex II of the EEA Agreement. With the entry into force of Decision 172/2026 on June 5, 2026, the technical standards applicable in that market have been updated.

The company's technical manager must:

1. Identify what specific technical regulations have been incorporated into Annex II through this decision (by consulting the full text on EUR-Lex).
2. Compare the new standards with those used to certify its products currently on the Norwegian market.
3. If there are divergences, contact the notified body that issued the certification to determine whether the certificate remains valid or if an update process is required.
4. Update the product's technical documentation if the testing procedures have changed.

If the company does not act and Norwegian authorities detect that the product does not comply with the updated standards, it may face a market withdrawal order or suspension of its certification in that territory.

What should companies do now?

1. Verify whether you market products in Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein that are subject to technical certification under Annex II of the EEA Agreement. If you only operate within the EU, the regulation already applies by default and the impact is minor.
2. Consult the full text of Decision 172/2026 on EUR-Lex to identify exactly what technical regulations have been incorporated into Annex II and whether they affect your product categories.
3. Contact your notified body to confirm whether current certificates remain valid under the new standards or if an update is required.
4. Review the technical documentation of affected products: declarations of conformity, technical files, manuals and labeling.
5. Assess whether new testing is required in case the verification procedures have changed with the incorporated standards.
6. Act retroactively from June 5, 2026, as that is the official entry into force date, prior to the publication of September 24, 2026.

Official source

Consult full 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_202602010