Are your products covered by new EU regulations?
Below, you will find a selection of EU regulations that will affect Norwegian companies exporting to the EU. Many of these will be incorporated fully or partially into the EEA Agreement, which means the requirements will eventually also apply in Norway. It makes sense to start preparing now. Remember that several regulations may apply to the same product, so it is important to understand which requirements apply and adapt your products early.
We offer guidance on the EU regulatory framework and tailor our advisory services to your business. You’ll find our contact details at the bottom of the page.
Relevant EU regulations
The General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR) entered into force in the EU on 13 December 2024, replacing the previous Product Safety Directive. The GPSR applies to all consumer products that are not specifically regulated and introduces stricter requirements for
- traceability and documentation
- labelling and contact information
- duty to report accidents
- recall of dangerous products
Norwegian companies exporting to the EU must already comply with the GPSR. Useful information for businesses about the GPSR is available on the European Commission's website.
The Norwegian Directorate for Civil Protection (DSB) is the authority responsible for implementing the GPSR in Norway once the regulation is incorporated into the EEA Agreement. More information about the GPSR is available on the DSB website.
The EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) requires that products containing, made from or fed with coffee, cocoa, wood, rubber, soya, cattle or palm oil have not contributed to deforestation or forest degradation.
To sell or export such products to the EU, the product must be
- deforestation-free and must not have contributed to forest degradation
- produced in accordance with the relevant legislation in the country of production
- covered by a due diligence statement (DDS)
This means that companies that market, import or produce relevant products for or within the EU (or export such products from the EU) must obtain information about the product's value chain, assess and, where necessary, mitigate significant risks, and submit the information gathered through this process to a central EU system.
The regulatory requirements are scheduled to apply from 30 December 2026 for large and medium-sized companies, and from 30 June 2027 for small and micro companies (in accordance with the definitions in the EU Accounting Directive, Article 3, which has been implemented in Norwegian law through the Norwegian Accounting Act). For small and micro companies covered by the EU Timber Regulation (Regulation (EU) No 995/2010), the same deadline applies as for large and medium-sized companies. These small and micro companies will have to comply with the EUDR requirements from 30 December 2026.
A complete list of products covered by the regulations can be found in Annex I to the Regulation and is based on HS commodity codes (customs tariff codes).
The Norwegian Environment Agency and the Norwegian Agriculture Agency have been proposed as the competent authorities responsible for enforcing the EUDR in Norway once the regulation is incorporated into the EEA Agreement. The Norwegian Environment Agency has prepared guidance for businesses affected by the EUDR. More information about the regulation is available on the websites of the Norwegian Environment Agency and the Norwegian Agriculture Agency.
The Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) is new EU legislation that sets security requirements for products with digital components, such as smartwatches, routers, software and IoT devices. It aims to protect consumers and businesses from cyberattacks and vulnerabilities.
If you develop, import or sell digital products in the EU, you must ensure that the products
- are secure from the outset ('security by design')
- are updated regularly to address vulnerabilities
- has clear documentation and labelling
- meets the requirements for reporting security incidents
The CRA entered into force in the EU on 10 December 2024. The full legislation, including all compliance requirements, will apply from 11 December 2027 (36 months after its entry into force). Read more about the CRA on the European Commission's website.
Products covered by the CRA must have CE marking to be legally sold in the EU/EEA.
The Norwegian Communications Authority (Nkom) plays an important role in implementing the legislation in Norway once it is incorporated into the EEA Agreement. Read more about the CRA on Nkom's website.
The Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) imposes CO₂ charges on goods imported from countries outside the European Economic Area (EEA) in sectors with high greenhouse gas emissions. It covers cement, iron and steel, aluminium, fertilisers, hydrogen and electricity. The aim is to ensure that the cost of emissions is the same, whether the goods are produced in Norway or the EU or imported from third countries.
CBAM entered into force in the EU in 2023 and will be fully implemented from 2026. Norwegian companies exporting to the EU must therefore comply with CBAM from that point onwards. The Norwegian Government aims to introduce CBAM in Norway from 2027 and is in close dialogue with the European Commission and the other EFTA countries on this matter.
The Batteries Regulation, the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation and the Ecodesign Regulation are part of the European Green Deal and set requirements for, among other things
- design, choice of materials and recyclability
- labelling (digital product passport) and information on environmental impact
- extended producer responsibility
The Batteries Regulation sets requirements for the entire battery life cycle – from production to recycling. The Regulation entered into force in the EU on 17 August 2023, but the various requirements will be introduced gradually up to 2030, depending on the type and function of the battery. Read more about the Batteries Regulation on the European Commission's website.
The Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) entered into force on 11 February 2025 and sets requirements for packaging design, material use and recyclability. The Regulation will apply in the EU from 12 August 2026. Read more about the PPWR on the European Commission's website.
Under the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), the EU has prioritised several product categories for delegated acts, meaning product-specific regulations. These include iron and steel (expected to be adopted in 2026), clothing and textiles (2027), aluminium (2027), tyres (2027), furniture (2028) and mattresses (2029). Read more about ESPR on the European Commission's website.
The regulations are being considered for full or partial incorporation into the EEA Agreement. The Norwegian Environment Agency will play a key role in implementing them in Norway once they become part of the EEA Agreement. Visit the Norwegian Environment Agency’s website and subscribe to its newsletters to stay up to date on:
