European Preference & Norway

What PM Støre Confirmed

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre discussed European Preference directly with EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at the Munich Security Conference. Von der Leyen was, in Støre’s words, clear that when the EU refers to “European,” Norway is included.

EU Council President Antonio Costa further reinforced this position during his visit to Norway on February 19, 2026, indicating broad agreement on the principle of proportionate European preference that includes EEA partners.

Who Is Out?

Notably, the UK and Turkey are not included in the “Made in Europe”definition despite their geographic proximity and trade ties. The UK has publicly criticised this exclusion, calling the rules protectionist.

However, the draft law includes a mechanism for the European Commission to designate specific third countries as “equivalent” — meaning the UK or others could potentially be included later through delegated acts, though this is not guaranteed.

What This Means for Norwegian Businesses

For Manufacturers & Exporters

Norwegian manufacturers gain a competitive advantage. Products made in Norway automatically meet the “European origin” requirement for EU public procurement bids. This is particularly relevant for Norway’s energy sector (hydrogen, batteries, renewables), metals industry (aluminium), and marine/offshore sectors.

For Norwegian Public Procurement

Norwegian public procurement officers will likely need to align with the same European content requirements when spending EEA-related funds or participating in cross-border procurement programmes. The practical impact depends on how the law is transposed into EEA regulation through the EFTA process.

For Supply Chain Managers

Companies with supply chains that run through Norway benefit from EEA inclusion. Norwegian-sourced components count toward European content thresholds, which could make Norway an attractive hub for supply chain restructuring — especially in aluminium, clean energy, and marine technology.

Key Sectors for Norway

Norway’s industrial strengths align well with the sectors covered by European Preference:

• Aluminium — Hydro and other Norwegian producers are major European suppliers. The 25% European content threshold in public procurement directly benefits Norwegian aluminium.
• Hydrogen & Clean Energy — Norway’s hydrogen strategy positions it as a leading European supplier. Strategic sector designation means procurement preference.
• Batteries — Freyr and other Norwegian battery companies benefit from strategic sector status and subsidy preference within the EEA framework.
• Offshore & Marine Technology — While not a primary sector in the current draft, Norwegian marine expertise could benefit from future extensions of European Preference to defence and maritime procurement.