The EFTA Court ruled on Thursday that the Norwegian continental shelf falls under the EEA Agreement, contradicting Norway’s long-standing belief that it was exempt. The court noted that the EEA Agreement is already applicable to the continental shelf in EU member states, suggesting a need for alignment in Norway's legal framework concerning energy activities and regulations. This ruling has been deemed historical and could set a precedent in cases where EU regulations supersede Norwegian rules.

Legal experts, such as Catherine Banet from the University of Oslo, emphasize that the court's advisory ruling is clear and will likely impact the interpretation of the geographical scope of the EEA Agreement, particularly regarding energy operations in Norway. The implications of this decision may extend beyond the continental shelf, affecting how EU regulations are integrated into Norwegian law, especially in sectors previously thought to be outside its jurisdiction.

In conjunction with this ruling, the union Forbundet Styrke celebrates the ruling which reinforces that contracted workers on multi-purpose vessels have the same pay and working conditions as direct employees. This development indicates a trend towards strengthening workers' rights and may motivate further legal changes in the context of the EEA Agreement, reflecting broader shifts in labor and energy policy in Norway and potentially influencing discussions on labor rights within the EU framework.