About
The Act may implement two groups of EU regulations:
- Regulations that set specific requirements for the sustainability characteristics of products (known as eco-design)
- Regulations that set requirements throughout the supply chain
For instance, companies that sell different types of electrical products are now obligated to ensure the availability of spare parts for the relevant products for 7, 8, or 10 years, depending on the type of product, after the last unit of the particular model was introduced to the market.
The Act also establishes the authority for the relevant regulator to request information from a company to assess its compliance with the Act. Additionally, the regulator can temporarily prohibit a product's production, importation, sale, and use. The regulator can also require the company to take risk-reducing actions, such as issuing public warnings, recalling products, and implementing similar measures. In cases of non-compliance, the Act empowers the regulator to impose compulsory fines and an infringement penalty.
Who does it impact?
Producers of most products, as well as distributors, importers, dealers, public purchasers, and authorised representatives.
Status: In force
The Act entered into force on 1 July 2024.
Thommessen's comments
The Act facilitates the swift and effective implementation of rapidly evolving EU product regulations under the European Green Deal and the EU's Circular Economy Action Plan.
Rather than outlining specific requirements, the Act will incorporate new legislation into Norwegian law through regulations (Norwegian: forskrift). As numerous regulations are expected to be implemented under this Act in the future, it may pose challenges for businesses and individuals to navigate and obtain a comprehensive overview of these regulations.