Date: 2026-01-15Category: Not ApplicableState: Union GovernmentCountry: Europe
Decision of the EEA Joint Committee No 187/2025 of 19 September 2025 amending Annex I (Veterinary and phytosanitary matters) and Annex II (Technical regulations, standards, testing and certification) to the EEA Agreement [2026/33]
**Executive Summary**
This document outlines Decision No. 187/2025 of the EEA Joint Committee, made on 19 September 2025, amending Annex I (Veterinary and phytosanitary matters) and Annex II (Technical regulations, standards, testing and certification) to the EEA Agreement. The decision incorporates Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/2598, related to the entry of certain animals and products of animal origin into the Union, into the EEA Agreement. The decision enters into force on 20 September 2025, provided notifications are completed.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Amendment of Annex I:**
* Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/2598 is inserted into Part 1.1 of Chapter I of Annex I to the EEA Agreement.
* This regulation lays down the list of third countries or regions authorized for the entry into the Union of certain animals and products of animal origin intended for human consumption.
* The regulation applies to Iceland for areas referenced in paragraph 2 of the Introductory Part.
* **Amendment of Annex II:**
* Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/2598 is inserted into Chapter XII of Annex II to the EEA Agreement.
* **Authentic Texts:**
* The text of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/2598 in Icelandic and Norwegian will be published in the EEA Supplement to the Official Journal and are authentic.
* **Entry into Force:**
* The Decision will enter into force on 20 September 2025, subject to completion of all notifications required under Article 103(1) of the EEA Agreement.
* **Publication:**
* This decision shall be published in the EEA Section of, and in the EEA Supplement to, the Official Journal of the European Union.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Iceland**
* **Impact**: Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/2598 applies to Iceland in the areas defined in paragraph 2 of the Introductory Part of Chapter I of Annex I to the EEA Agreement.
* **Action Required**: Ensure compliance with Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/2598 regarding the entry of certain animals and products of animal origin into Iceland from third countries or regions.
**Stakeholder: Liechtenstein**
* **Impact**: This Decision does not apply to Liechtenstein.
* **Action Required**: No action required.
**Stakeholder: Other EEA Member States**
* **Impact**: Must comply with Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/2598.
* **Action Required**: Ensure compliance with Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/2598 regarding the entry of certain animals and products of animal origin into the Union from third countries or regions.
**Stakeholder: Third Countries/Regions**
* **Impact**: Those listed in Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/2598 are authorized for the entry into the Union of certain animals and products of animal origin intended for human consumption.
* **Action Required**: Ensure compliance with Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/2598 regarding the entry of certain animals and products of animal origin intended for human consumption into the Union.
Key Entities Referenced
EEA Agreement: The agreement on the European Economic Area, relevant as this decision amends Annexes to it.
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/2598: Regulation laying down the list of third countries or regions authorized for the entry into the Union of certain animals and products of animal origin intended for human consumption, incorporated into the EEA Agreement.
Annex I: Annex I (Veterinary and phytosanitary matters) to the EEA Agreement.
Annex II: Annex II (Technical regulations, standards, testing and certification) to the EEA Agreement.
EEA Joint Committee: The joint committee responsible for adopting this decision.
Official Journal EN
of the European Union L series
2026/33 15.1.2026
DECISION OF THE EEA JOINT COMMITTEENo 187/2025
of 19 September 2025
amending Annex I (Veterinary and phytosanitary matters) and Annex II (Technical regulations,
standards, testing and certification) to the EEA Agreement [2026/33]
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) 2024/2598 of 4 October 2024 laying down the list of third countries or
regions thereof authorised for the entry into the Union of certain animals and products of animal origin intended for
human consumption in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2017/625 of the European Parliament and of the Council as
regards the application of the prohibition on the use of certain antimicrobial medicinal products(1) is to be
incorporated into the EEA Agreement.
(2) This Decision concerns, inter alia, legislation regarding live animals other than fish and aquaculture animals and
animal products such as ova, embryo and semen. Legislation concerning these matters shall not apply to Iceland, as
specified in paragraph 2 of the Introductory Part of Chapter I of Annex I to the EEA Agreement.
(3) This Decision concerns legislation regarding veterinary matters and foodstuffs. Legislation regarding veterinary
matters and 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 sectoral adaptations to Annex I and the introduction to Chapter XII of Annex II to the EEA
Agreement. This Decision is therefore not to apply to Liechtenstein.
(4) Annexes I and II to the EEA Agreement should therefore be amended accordingly,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
Article 1
The following is inserted after point 11bzg (Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2024/2104) in Part 1.1 of Chapter I of
Annex I to the EEA Agreement:
‘11bzh. 32024 R 2598: Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/2598 of 4 October 2024 laying down the list
of third countries or regions thereof authorised for the entry into the Union of certain animals and products of
animal origin intended for human consumption in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2017/625 of the European
Parliament and of the Council as regards the application of the prohibition on the use of certain antimicrobial
medicinal products (OJ L, 2024/2598, 7.10.2024).
This act shall apply to Iceland for the areas referred to in paragraph 2 of the Introductory Part.’
(1) OJ L, 2024/2598, 7.10.2024, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_impl/2024/2598/oj.
ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2026/33/oj 1/2EN
OJ L, 15.1.2026
Article 2
The following point is inserted after point 164zh (Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2024/2104) of Chapter XII of
Annex II to the EEA Agreement:
‘164zi. 32024 R 2598: Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/2598 of 4 October 2024 laying down the list
of third countries or regions thereof authorised for the entry into the Union of certain animals and products of
animal origin intended for human consumption in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2017/625 of the European
Parliament and of the Council as regards the application of the prohibition on the use of certain antimicrobial
medicinal products (OJ L, 2024/2598, 7.10.2024).’
Article 3
The text of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/2598 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 4
This Decision shall enter into force on 20 September 2025, provided that all the notifications under Article 103(1) of the
EEA Agreement have been made(*).
Article 5
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, 19 September 2025.
For the EEA Joint Committee
The President
Stefán Haukur JÓHANNESSON
(*) No constitutional requirements indicated.
2/2 ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2026/33/oj