Key data
| Regulation | Decision of the EEA Joint Committee No. 47/2026, of 6 February 2026 — Amendment of Annex XIII (Transport) of the EEA Agreement [2026/991] |
|---|---|
| Publication | 21 May 2026 |
| Entry into force | 6 February 2026 |
| Affected parties | Companies and transport operators with activities in European Economic Area countries (Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein) |
| Category | European Regulation |
| Year | 2026 |
| Non-EU EEA countries affected | Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein |
| Official reference | OJ:L_202600991 |
Transport companies with operations in the European Economic Area have a new review obligation from 6 February 2026. The Decision 47/2026 of the EEA Joint Committee amends Annex XIII on transport of the EEA Agreement, incorporating European Union legislation into the regulatory framework applicable in Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein.
The objective is to ensure regulatory homogeneity between these three countries and EU member states. In practice, this means that the rules of the game in transport are equalized on both sides: what was already mandatory in Spain or Germany is now formally also mandatory in non-EU EEA countries.
What does this regulation establish?
The EEA Agreement is the legal framework that extends the EU internal market to Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. Its Annex XIII specifically contains the legislation applicable in transport matters. When the EU approves new transport legislation, the EEA Joint Committee must decide whether and how to incorporate it into the EEA Agreement so that it also applies in those three countries.
Decision 47/2026 does exactly that: it updates Annex XIII by incorporating EU legislation that was already in force for member states, extending it now to the EEA area. The result is a homogeneous regulatory framework for transport throughout the EEA area.
| Element | Detail |
|---|---|
| Legal instrument | Decision of the EEA Joint Committee No. 47/2026 |
| Amended annex | Annex XIII (Transport) of the EEA Agreement |
| Type of amendment | Incorporation of EU legislation into the EEA framework |
| Countries where the change applies | Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein |
| Transport modalities affected | Freight transport and passenger transport |
| Possible implications | Operational and/or documentary adjustments for international transport operators |
Economic and operational impact
The direct impact of this decision does not translate into new fees or amounts published in the regulation. The real cost for companies will depend on the adjustments they must make to comply with the provisions incorporated into Annex XIII.
The two types of adjustment indicated by the regulation are:
- Operational adjustments: changes in processes, routes, driving times, rest periods, technical vehicle requirements or other operational conditions that the new incorporated legislation may require.
- Documentary adjustments: updating permits, licenses, certificates or accompanying documentation for goods or passengers to comply with new formal requirements.
For companies that already operate under EU transport regulations on their community routes, the impact may be limited if the standards were already applied in fact in their operations towards the EEA. However, it is essential to verify this formally, as regulatory harmonization may include specific requirements that were not previously required in those three countries.
Who does it affect?
This regulation is relevant for the following companies and professionals:
- Freight transport companies with regular or occasional routes that include Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein.
- Passenger transport companies (coaches, buses, discretionary transport) with operations in non-EU EEA countries.
- Logistics operators and freight forwarders that manage shipments or supply chains with origin or destination in Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein.
- Compliance and legal departments of business groups with subsidiaries or transport contracts in the EEA.
- CFOs and operations directors of industrial or distribution companies that subcontract international transport to those destinations.
- Legal advisors and international transport consultants who advise clients with activities in the EEA.
Practical example
A Spanish road freight transport company operates regular routes between Barcelona and Oslo (Norway). Until now, its drivers and vehicles complied with EU regulations on the community section, but on the Norwegian section they applied the local requirements in force at that time.
With the entry into force of Decision 47/2026 on 6 February 2026, Norway has formally incorporated into the EEA Agreement the same transport legislation that already governed the EU. This means that the company must verify that its documentation, vehicle certificates and records of driving times and rest periods of its drivers comply with the standards now required on the Norwegian section under the new Annex XIII framework.
If the company was already applying the same standards throughout the route, the impact will be mainly documentary: updating contracts, reviewing permits and confirming that the documentation reflects compliance with the new framework. If there were differences in the standards applied, it will need to make the necessary operational adjustments.
What should companies do now?
- Identify if you have active routes to Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein. If your company operates or subcontracts transport to any of these three countries, this regulation directly affects you.
- Review current transport documentation. Verify that the permits, licenses and certificates used on those routes comply with EU legislation that has now been incorporated into Annex XIII of the EEA Agreement.
- Audit operational processes on those routes. Check that operational procedures (driving times, technical vehicle requirements, conditions for transporting goods or passengers) comply with the new standards required from 6 February 2026.
- Consult the full text of Decision 47/2026. Access the official source to identify exactly what EU legislation has been incorporated into Annex XIII, as those specific texts determine the specific requirements applicable.
- Update contracts and agreements with partners in the EEA. If you have transport or logistics agreements with companies in Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein, review that the regulatory compliance clauses reflect the new regulatory framework.
- Inform your legal or international transport advisor. If you manage these routes with external support, communicate the change so they can update their compliance analysis.
Frequently asked questions
What is Decision 47/2026 of the EEA Joint Committee and what changes in transport?
Decision 47/2026, of 6 February 2026, amends Annex XIII on transport of the EEA Agreement, incorporating EU legislation into the regulatory framework applicable in Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. It ensures that transport rules are the same on both sides of the EEA.
Do I need to make changes if I already comply with EU transport regulations?
If you already apply EU transport standards on your routes to the EEA, the impact may be limited. However, you must verify formally that your documentation and processes comply with the new framework, as there may be specific requirements that were not previously required in those three countries.
What are the penalties for non-compliance?
The regulation does not specify penalties in its text. However, non-compliance with transport regulations in the EEA can result in fines, vehicle immobilization, permit suspension or other sanctions depending on the specific legislation incorporated and the national enforcement rules of each country.
When do I need to comply with this regulation?
The regulation entered into force on 6 February 2026. Companies must ensure compliance from that date. If you have not yet reviewed your operations, it is urgent to do so immediately.
Does this affect only road transport or also other modes?
Decision 47/2026 affects transport in general, which includes road, rail, maritime and air transport. However, the specific requirements depend on the EU legislation incorporated into Annex XIII, which may vary by transport mode.
Where can I find the full text of the regulation?
The official text is published in the Official Journal of the European Union under reference OJ:L_202600991. You can access it through the EUR-Lex database or through the official EEA portal.
Official source
Decision of the EEA Joint Committee No. 47/2026, of 6 February 2026 — Amendment of Annex XIII (Transport) of the EEA Agreement [2026/991]
Published in the Official Journal of the European Union on 21 May 2026.
Official reference: OJ:L_202600991
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The information provided is based on the official text of Decision 47/2026 and general principles of EU and EEA transport law. For specific advice on your situation, consult a qualified legal advisor or transport consultant. The author and publisher are not responsible for any errors or omissions in this content, nor for any damages arising from its use or misuse. Regulatory requirements may change; always verify the current status of applicable legislation with official sources.