Law-making in the EEA: The capacity of EEA/EFTA States to influence the legislative process with regard to the adoption of EEA-relevant acts

Abstrakt

As members of the European Economic Area (EEA) but not of the European Union (EU), Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein have specific mechanisms through which they can influence EEA law and thus EU law. However, their ability to enforce amendments to acts adopted in the EU is limited compared to EU Member States. They can propose amendments and provide input during consultations and decision-making processes, but ultimately must rely on negotiations and agreement with the EU to incorporate these changes. Direct enforcement of amendments to EU legislation is not within their legal powers, which highlights the limitations of their status as non-EU members within the EEA. In the present article, we look at the different ways in which Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein can interact with EEA and EU legislation and influence its shape at different stages of the legislative process. In particular, we will focus on a content analysis of EEA/EFTA comments over the last thirty years since the EEA was established.