§2.9.2.1 Basic elements of the Agreement on the European Economic Area

The Agreement on the European Economic Area, in force since 1 January 1994, covers all Union harmonisation legislation to which this Guide is applicable. Thus, Union harmonisation legislation covered by this Guide also applies to the so-called EEA EFTA States: Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. The objective of the EEA Agreement is to establish a dynamic and homogeneous European Economic Area, based on common rules and equal conditions of competition. Rights conferred and obligations imposed upon the Member States, or their public entities, undertakings, or individuals in relation to each other, are, according to the EEA Agreement and pursuant to its alignment to new Union legislation through a decision by the Joint Committee, understood to be conferred or imposed in the same way also upon the EEA EFTA States. This ensures that the EEA EFTA States, and their economic operators, are subject to the same rights and obligations as their counterparts in the Union. For instance, the New Approach directives and other Union harmonisation legislation are implemented and applied in exactly the same way in the EEA EFTA States as in the Member States — although the safeguard clause is modified. Therefore, all guidance applicable to the Member States according to this Guide applies also to the EEA EFTA States. The EEA Agreement is amended on a continuous basis through decisions of the EEA Joint Committee following changes in relevant Union legislation. To arrive at and maintain a uniform interpretation and application of the Agreement, an EFTA Court and an EFTA Surveillance Authority have been established. The EEA Agreement ensures a close cooperation between the Commission and the administration of the EEA EFTA States. The Commission seeks informal advice from experts of these States in the same way as it seeks advice from experts of the Member States. As regards the committees assisting the Commission in its work, close cooperation has been established. The EEA Council meets biannually, and the EEA Joint Parliamentary Committee and the EEA Consultative Committee regularly.

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Source: EUR-Lex (Cellar) · retrieved 2026-09-07