The EEA Joint Committee Decision No 221/2021 amends Annex XX (Environment) to the EEA Agreement to incorporate two EU legal acts related to greenhouse gas emission allowances.
Specifically, it incorporates Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/447, which determines revised benchmark values for free allocation of emission allowances for the period from 2021 to 2025.
It also incorporates Commission Decision (EU) 2021/355 concerning national implementation measures for the transitional free allocation of greenhouse gas emission allowances.
Key Changes
Annex XX to the EEA Agreement is amended to include Commission Decision (EU) 2021/355 of 25 February 2021 concerning national implementation measures for the transitional free allocation of greenhouse gas emission allowances in accordance with Article 11(3) of Directive 2003/87/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ L 68, 26.2.2021, p. 221).
Annex XX to the EEA Agreement is amended to include Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/447 of 12 March 2021 determining revised benchmark values for free allocation of emission allowances for the period from 2021 to 2025 pursuant to Article 10a(2) of Directive 2003/87/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ L 87, 15.3.2021, p. 29).
The Decision entered into force on 10 July 2021, provided that all notifications under Article 103(1) of the EEA Agreement have been made.
Impact Analysis
Businesses operating within the EEA
Action Item: Businesses should assess the impact of the revised benchmark values and national implementation measures on their emission allowance allocations and compliance strategies. They should also engage with national authorities to understand the specific implementation details in their respective countries.
National Governments of EEA member states
Action Item: National governments should review and update their national regulations and policies to reflect the changes introduced by Regulation 2021/447 and Decision 2021/355. They should also communicate these changes to businesses operating within their jurisdictions.
EEA as a whole
Action Item: The EEA Joint Committee should continue to monitor the implementation of these measures and assess their effectiveness in achieving the EEA's climate goals.
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 EU legislation, including regulations and decisions related to the EU ETS.
EEA Member States: The countries that are party to the EEA Agreement, including EU member states and Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway.
Directive 2003/87/EC: Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a scheme for greenhouse gas emission allowance trading within the Community.
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/447: Commission Implementing Regulation determining revised benchmark values for free allocation of emission allowances for the period from 2021 to 2025 pursuant to Article 10a(2) of Directive 2003/87/EC.
Commission Decision (EU) 2021/355: Commission Decision concerning national implementation measures for the transitional free allocation of greenhouse gas emission allowances in accordance with Article 11(3) of Directive 2003/87/EC.
Official Journal EN
of the European Union L series
2024/275 8.2.2024
DECISION OF THE EEA JOINT COMMITTEE No 221/2021
of 9 July 2021
amending Annex XX (Environment) to the EEA Agreement [2024/275]
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) 2021/447 of 12 March 2021determining revised benchmark values for
free allocation of emission allowances for the period from 2021 to 2025 pursuant to Article 10a(2) of
Directive 2003/87/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council(1) is to be incorporated into the EEA
Agreement.
(2) Commission Decision (EU) 2021/355 of 25 February 2021concerning national implementation measures for the
transitional free allocation of greenhouse gas emission allowances in accordance with Article 11(3) of
Directive 2003/87/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council(2) is to be incorporated into the EEA
Agreement.
(3) Annex XX to the EEA Agreement should therefore be amended accordingly,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
Article 1
The following points are inserted after point 21alm (Commission Delegated Decision (EU) 2019/708) of Annex XX to the
EEA Agreement:
‘21aln. 32021 D 0355: Commission Decision (EU) 2021/355 of 25 February 2021concerning national implementation
measures for the transitional free allocation of greenhouse gas emission allowances in accordance with
Article 11(3) of Directive 2003/87/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ L 68, 26.2.2021, p. 221).
21alo. 32021 R 0447: Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/447 of 12 March 2021 determining revised
benchmark values for free allocation of emission allowances for the period from 2021 to 2025 pursuant to
Article 10a(2) of Directive 2003/87/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ L 87, 15.3.2021, p. 29).’
Article 2
The texts of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/447 and Decision (EU) 2021/355 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 10 July 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.
(1) OJ L 87, 15.3.2021, p. 29.
(2) OJ L 68, 26.2.2021, p. 221.
* No constitutional requirements indicated.
ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2024/275/oj 1/2EN
OJ L, 8.2.2024
Done at Brussels, 9 July 2021.
For the EEA Joint Committee
The President
Rolf Einar FIFE
2/2 ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2024/275/oj