THE EEA Agreement and the EFTA Surveillance Authority November 25, 2014 Helga Jónsdóttir, College Member Gjermund Mathiesen, Director CSA

Who are we? 70 employees 14 nationalities 6 trainees 3 College Members

 The Authority’s main role is to safeguard the EEA agreement, thereby enabling Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein to participate in the European internal market.  For the EEA to work successful implementation and application is needed in all Member States.  The Authority ensures that Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein respect obligations. Safeguarding the EEA-Agreement

 The EEA-Agreement is far-reaching and hugely influential in Iceland and Norway.  Internal Market  Free movement of goods, capital, persons and services.  Bringing down barriers and simplifying existing rules to enable everyone in the EEA – individuals, consumers and businesses to participate on level ground.  To ensure "a level playing field" on the internal market, the EEA also covers legislation in the area of competition and state aid.  Benefits individuals, consumers and businesses.  Direct access to 31 countries and over 500 million people. The EEA-Agreement

 The EEA Agreement has proved flexible and to function beyond expectations since its entering into force.  It promotes and enables professional working practices in Member States.  Procedures and work processes in a clear legal framework  Efficiency relates to equal treatment and predictability  Flexibility allows for consideration of varying needs and interests of parties to the agreement. Efficient while flexible

 Public Procurement,  The Authority enforces EEA rules on competition Prohibition of restrictive and distortive conduct. Ban against abuse of market power. Wide powers of investigation. Right to impose fines.  State aid affects competition and is therefore generally banned.  But sometimes necessary for a well functioning economy.  ESA assesses and monitors state aid in Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein. Competition, Public Procurement, State Aid

 Cases that highlight the municipal level  Participation in economic activity  Facilitation of economic activity  A few examples:  Waste collection, leisure/fitness centres  Sale of land to business development (Verne, Asker) State aid cases