Decision 1994/1 - 94/1/EC, ECSC: Decision of the Council and the Commission of 13 December 1993 on the conclusion of the Agreement on the EEA between the EC, their Member States and Austria, Finland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland

1.

Summary of Legislation

Agreement on the European Economic Area

SUMMARY OF:

Decision 94/1/EC, ECSC on the conclusion of the agreement on the European Economic Area

Agreement on the European Economic Area

SUMMARY

WHAT DOES THE AGREEMENT DO?

  • It created a zone in which there is free movement of people, services, goods and capital across 31 European countries.
  • Its stated aim is ‘to promote a continuous and balanced strengthening of trade and economic relations’ between these countries.
  • It now covers the 28 EU countries (1) and 3 of the 4 European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries — Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.

KEY POINTS

Scope

Joint bodies

The agreement created several joint EEA bodies which largely mirror EU institutions:

In addition:

  • the EFTA Surveillance Authority ensures that Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway respect their obligations under the EEA Agreement; the European Commission performs a similar role in regard to the EU countries;
  • the EFTA Court rules on actions brought by the EFTA Surveillance Authority against an EFTA country with regard to the implementation, application or interpretation of EEA rules, as does the Court of Justice of the EU in the case of EU countries.

How does EU legislation become EEA legislation?

  • EFTA countries are not formally involved in the EU’s lawmaking process. However, they may participate in preparatory work and submit comments.
  • When the EU adopts legislation, the 3 EFTA countries assess whether the act is EEA-relevant. If all 3 countries conclude that it is, a draft Joint Committee Decision (JCD) is prepared by the EFTA Secretariat with a view to amending the EEA agreement.
  • The draft JCD is then adopted by the Commission or, if it contains substantial changes, is sent to the Council for adoption.
  • The EFTA Secretariat and the EEAS then consult on the timing of the decision’s adoption in the EEA Joint Committee.

Participation in EU programmes and agencies

  • The 3 EFTA countries participate in a wide range of EU programmes and agencies. When this participation is agreed, the programme in question is incorporated into the EEA agreement and the countries commit to contributing to operating costs.

Financial aspects

Under the agreement, the EFTA members contribute towards reducing economic and social disparities between EEA regions — 16 EU countries currently benefit. These EEA grants are jointly financed by Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, each contributing according to their size and wealth.

In addition to the 3 EFTA countries’ contributions to EU programme operating costs, they pay towards the Commission’s administrative costs (e.g. office space, meetings, etc.).

BACKGROUND

The EEA agreement was signed in 1992 between the then 12 EU countries and 6 EFTA countries: Austria, Finland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland, although Switzerland later chose to reject the agreement. It entered into force in 1994. In 1995, 3 of the EFTA countries (Austria, Finland and Sweden) joined the EU. The agreement has been progressively adapted to take account of the accession of 10 countries to EU membership in 2004, of a further 2 in 2007, and lastly, of Croatia in 2013.

For more information, see:

ACT

Decision 94/1/EC, ECSC of the Council and the Commission of 13 December 1993 on the conclusion of the Agreement on the European Economic Area between the European Communities, their Member States and the Republic of Austria, the Republic of Finland, the Republic of Iceland, the Principality of Liechtenstein, the Kingdom of Norway, the Kingdom of Sweden and the Swiss Confederation (OJ L 1, 3.1.1994, p. 1)

Agreement on the European Economic Area — Final Act — Joint Declarations - Declarations by the Governments of the Member States of the Community and the EFTA States — Arrangements — Agreed Minutes — Declarations by one or several of the Contracting Parties of the Agreement on the European Economic Area (OJ L 1, 3.1.1994, pp. 3-522)

Successive amendments to the agreement have been incorporated in the basic text. This consolidated version is of documentary value only.

last update 24.05.2016

 

  • (1) 
    The United Kingdom withdraws from the European Union and becomes a third country (non-EU country) as of 1 February 2020.

This summary has been adopted from EUR-Lex.

2.

Legislative text

94/1/EC, ECSC: Decision of the Council and the Commission of 13 December 1993 on the conclusion of the Agreement on the European Economic Area between the European Communities, their Member States and the Republic of Austria, the Republic of Finland, the Republic of Iceland, the Principality of Liechtenstein, the Kingdom of Norway, the Kingdom of Sweden and the Swiss Confederation