This decision by the EEA Joint Committee is essentially an update to the legal framework governing the import of organic products into the European Economic Area (EEA). It formally incorporates a recent European Union regulation into the EEA Agreement, ensuring that the rules for recognising bodies that certify organic products in countries outside the EU are the same for EEA countries (Iceland and Norway) as they are for EU Member States. This harmonisation is key to facilitating trade while maintaining high standards for organic goods entering the internal market.
The decision itself is structured simply. It begins by referencing the legal basis (the EEA Agreement) and provides context in the preamble, explaining which EU act is being incorporated and noting that this particular legislation on foodstuffs does not apply to Liechtenstein due to existing agreements. The core of the decision is Article 1, which amends Annex II of the EEA Agreement by adding a reference to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/1748. This regulation, in turn, amends an earlier regulation (Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/1378) that lists the specific control bodies recognised by the EU as competent to certify organic products in third countries for import into the Union. Articles 2, 3, and 4 deal with technical aspects like authentic languages, entry into force, and publication. The main change introduced by this decision is the legal extension of the updated list of recognised control bodies (as defined in Regulation 2024/1748) to the EEA.
For anyone involved in importing organic products into Iceland or Norway, the most important provision is Article 1. By incorporating Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/1748, this decision means that only organic products certified by the control bodies listed in that specific EU regulation can be imported from third countries into these EEA states. Businesses need to consult Regulation (EU) 2024/1748 (which amends 2021/1378) to verify that their third-country suppliers are certified by an officially recognised body. The note regarding Liechtenstein’s exclusion is also vital for understanding the geographical scope of this decision.
: As the underlying EU regulation concerns the recognition of control bodies in third countries for the import of organic products, it is relevant for trade with any third country exporting such products to the EU/EEA, including Ukraine. Businesses importing organic products from Ukraine into the EEA must ensure that the certification body used in Ukraine is one of those recognised under the incorporated EU regulation (2024/1748).
