Date: 25-Jan-2024Category: Not ApplicableState: Union GovernmentCountry: Europe
Decision of the EEA Joint Committee No 134/2021 of 23 April 2021 amending Annex II (Technical regulations, standards, testing and certification) to the EEA Agreement [2024/131]
The EEA Joint Committee Decision No 134/2021 amends Annex II to the EEA Agreement to incorporate Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/775 and Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/802. These regulations concern rules for indicating the country of origin or place of provenance of the primary ingredient of a food.
Key Changes
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/775 of 28 May 2018, laying down rules for the application of Article 26(3) of Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011, is incorporated into the EEA Agreement.
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/802 of 17 May 2019, correcting the Greek language version of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/775, is incorporated into the EEA Agreement.
The regulations will not apply to Liechtenstein as long as the Agreement between the European Community and the Swiss Confederation on trade in agricultural products is extended to Liechtenstein.
For EFTA states, the regulations shall not apply to geographical indications on agricultural products and foodstuffs protected under national law.
Impact Analysis
Food Manufacturers and Retailers in EEA Countries (excluding Liechtenstein)
Action Items: Review current food labeling practices to ensure compliance with the new regulations. Update labeling processes and systems to accurately reflect the origin of primary ingredients. Train relevant staff on the new requirements.
EFTA States
Action Items: Ensure that national laws protecting geographical indications are considered when implementing the EU regulations. Clearly define which products are protected under national law.
Liechtenstein
Action Items: Monitor the status of the Agreement between the European Community and the Swiss Confederation on trade in agricultural products to determine if and when the regulations will apply.
Consumers in EEA Countries
Action Items: No direct action required, but consumer awareness campaigns may be beneficial to highlight the improved labeling.
Key Entities Referenced
EEA Joint Committee: The decision-making body responsible for amending the EEA Agreement.
European Commission: The executive branch of the European Union, responsible for proposing and implementing legislation, including the Implementing Regulations (EU) 2018/775 and (EU) 2019/802.
EEA Agreement: The Agreement on the European Economic Area, extending the EU's single market to Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway.
Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011: Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the provision of food information to consumers.
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/775: Lays down rules for the application of Article 26(3) of Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 regarding the indication of the country of origin or place of provenance of the primary ingredient of a food.
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/802: Corrects the Greek language version of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/775.
EFTA States: European Free Trade Association states, specifically Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. (Note Switzerland is not part of the EEA)
Liechtenstein: A member of the EEA, but subject to specific conditions regarding the application of foodstuffs legislation.
Official Journal EN
of the European Union L series
2024/131 25.1.2024
DECISION OF THE EEA JOINT COMMITTEE No 134/2021
of 23 April 2021
amending Annex II (Technical regulations, standards, testing and certification) to the EEA Agreement
[2024/131]
THE EEA JOINT COMMITTEE,
Having regard to the Agreement on the European Economic Area (“the EEA Agreement”), and in particular Article 98
thereof,
Whereas:
(1) Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/775 of 28 May 2018 laying down rules for the application of
Article 26(3) of Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the provision of
food information to consumers, as regards the rules for indicating the country of origin or place of provenance of
the primary ingredient of a food(1)is to be incorporated into the EEA Agreement.
(2) Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/802 of 17 May 2019 correcting the Greek language version of
Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/775 laying down rules for the application of Article 26(3) of Regulation (EU)
No 1169/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the provision of food information to consumers,
as regards the rules for indicating the country of origin or place of provenance of the primary ingredient of a
food(2)is to be incorporated into the EEA Agreement.
(3) This Decision concerns legislation regarding foodstuffs. Legislation regarding foodstuffs shall not apply to
Liechtenstein as long as the application of the Agreement between the European Community and the Swiss
Confederation on trade in agricultural products is extended to Liechtenstein, as specified in the introduction to
Chapter XII of Annex II to the EEA Agreement. This Decision is therefore not to apply to Liechtenstein.
(4) Annex II to the EEA Agreement should therefore be amended accordingly,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
Article 1
The following is inserted after point 86a (Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 1337/2013) of Chapter XII of
Annex II to the EEA Agreement:
‘86b. 32018 R 0775: Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/775 of 28 May 2018laying down rules for the
application of Article 26(3) of Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council on
the provision of food information to consumers, as regards the rules for indicating the country of origin or place of
provenance of the primary ingredient of a food (OJ L 131, 29.5.2018, p. 8), as amended by:
— 32019 R 0802: Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/802 of 17 May 2019(OJ L 132, 20.5.2019,
p. 21).
The provisions of the Regulation shall, for the purposes of the EEA Agreement, be read with the following
adaptation:
The following shall be added to Article 1(2):
“This Regulation shall not apply to geographical indications on agricultural products and foodstuffs protected under
national law in the EFTA States.” ’
(1) OJ L 131, 29.5.2018, p. 8.
(2) OJ L 132, 20.5.2019, p. 21.
ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2024/131/oj 1/2EN
OJ L, 25.1.2024
Article 2
The texts of Implementing Regulations (EU) 2018/775 and (EU) 2019/802 in the Icelandic and Norwegian languages, to be
published in the EEA Supplement to the Official Journal of the European Union, shall be authentic.
Article 3
This Decision shall enter into force on 24 April 2021, provided that all the notifications under Article 103(1) of the EEA
Agreement have been made*.
Article 4
This Decision shall be published in the EEA Section of, and in the EEA Supplement to, the Official Journal of the European
Union.
Done at Brussels, 23 April 2021.
For the EEA Joint Committee
The President
Clara GANSLANDT
* No constitutional requirements indicated.
2/2 ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2024/131/oj