Are you curious to learn how the agreement behind the world’s largest internal market operates in practice? Do you wonder how Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and the EU collaborate on the incorporation of new legislation and how the three EEA EFTA States help shape the EEA of the future?
This edition will delve into how the EEA Agreement translates from framework to function, how EU law becomes EEA law and how different institutional bodies work together to make up the mosaic of the EEA.
The EEA Seminar is ideal for professionals in public administration, the EU community or the private sector who want to understand the “what, why and how” behind the EEA.
Morning session (livestreamed):
Discover the mechanics of the EEA Agreement and gain insights from expert speakers from across the EEA institutional framework. This session will be livestreamed for those unable to attend in person.
Breakout sessions
From framework to function: How EU law becomes EEA law
Suitable for those new to the EEA collaboration or those looking for a refresher on the basic principles of adaptation and incorporation.
What steps need to be taken for an EU act to apply to the EEA EFTA States? Can the EEA EFTA States choose which EU laws to implement? How do Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and the EU collaborate on decisions? Join our legal officers for an insightful discussion on how EU legislation is incorporated into the EEA Agreement.
From framework to function: A deep dive into the two-pillar system (advanced session)
Suitable for those who have experience working with EEA law/incorporation or have already attended the “From EU law to EEA law” breakout session.
This breakout session offers an in-depth discussion on integrating the two-pillar system, and how challenges have been addressed to ensure that the EEA stays both dynamic and homogenous.
Making an impact: Shaping the EEA of the future
Ideal for those curious about the early stages of EU policymaking, how the EEA EFTA States interact with EU institutions, and how they ensure their voice is heard.
What is the interaction between the EEA EFTA States, the EFTA Secretariat and the different EU institutions? How do the EEA EFTA States contribute to EU policy before laws are adopted? What is the role of the EFTA Secretariat in supporting their efforts?
This session explains how Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway work to influence EU legislation at the drafting stage—including through expert groups, committees and political dialogue. It also looks at the broader dialogue between EU and EEA EFTA societies, including through the EEA Joint Parliamentary and Consultative Committees.
Making rights real: Judicial enforcement and surveillance
Ideal for those interested in the practical application of EEA law, its recent developments and the mechanisms that protect the EEA. Run by the EFTA Surveillance Authority and the EFTA Court.
This session will explore important recent cases from the EFTA Court, and their role in shaping rights under the EEA Agreement. It will look at new developments in judicial enforcement, including situations where individuals may seek redress when national systems fall short. The session will also examine the recent case law of the Court, e.g. in the fast-evolving field of environmental law, and the significance of fundamental rights in the EEA legal order.
The discussion will also highlight the role