Decision of the EEA Joint Committee No 205/2025 of 19 September 2025 amending Annex II (Technical regulations, standards, testing and certification) to the EEA Agreement [2026/38]

**Executive Summary** This document is the Decision of the EEA Joint Committee No 205/2025, dated 19 September 2025, which amends Annex II to the EEA Agreement regarding technical regulations, standards, testing, and certification. It incorporates two Commission Regulations (EU) 2025/651 and 2025/652 into the EEA Agreement. This decision enters into force on 20 September 2025, provided all necessary notifications under Article 103(1) of the EEA Agreement have been made. **Key Points / Main Content** * **Amendment to Annex II, Chapter XII:** The Decision amends Chapter XII of Annex II to the EEA Agreement. * **Addition to Point 54zzzzr (Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008):** * Commission Regulation (EU) 2025/651 of 2 April 2025 * Commission Regulation (EU) 2025/652 of 2 April 2025 * **Addition to Point 69 (Commission Regulation (EU) No 231/2012):** * Commission Regulation (EU) 2025/652 of 2 April 2025 * **Language Authenticity:** The texts of Regulations (EU) 2025/651 and (EU) 2025/652 in Icelandic and Norwegian languages are authentic. They will be published in the EEA Supplement to the Official Journal of the European Union. * **Entry into Force:** The Decision enters into force on 20 September 2025, conditional upon all notifications under Article 103(1) of the EEA Agreement having been made. * **Publication:** The Decision will be published in the EEA Section of, and in the EEA Supplement to, the Official Journal of the European Union. **Impact Analysis** **Stakeholder: EEA Member States (excluding Liechtenstein)** * **Impact:** Must incorporate the amended technical regulations, standards, testing, and certification provisions related to food additives as specified in Commission Regulations (EU) 2025/651 and 2025/652 into their national legislation. * **Action Required:** Review and implement changes to national laws and regulations to align with the updated Annex II of the EEA Agreement, ensuring compliance with the incorporated Commission Regulations. Ensure necessary notifications under Article 103(1) of the EEA Agreement are completed. **Stakeholder: Food Producers and Distributors in EEA Member States (excluding Liechtenstein)** * **Impact:** Affected by the updated regulations regarding the use of mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids, carnauba wax, lecithins, fatty acids, and Steviol glycosides produced by fermentation using Yarrowia lipolytica in food products. * **Action Required:** Review and adapt manufacturing processes, ingredient usage, and labeling to comply with the updated food additive regulations, ensuring products meet the revised standards. **Stakeholder: EEA Joint Committee** * **Impact:** Responsible for ensuring the implementation and monitoring of the amended Annex II of the EEA Agreement. * **Action Required:** Oversee the adoption of the Decision by EEA Member States, ensure publication in the Official Journal, and monitor compliance with the updated regulations. **Stakeholder: Iceland and Norway** * **Impact:** The regulations (EU) 2025/651 and (EU) 2025/652 will be translated into Icelandic and Norwegian languages, to be published in the EEA Supplement to the Official Journal of the European Union. * **Action Required:** Review the translated regulation for any impacts on local manufacturers or distributors, and disseminate the information.

Key Entities Referenced