Norway is a member of the EEA, which in many matters unites the EU and three EFTA states. Norway is therefore obliged to implement EU rules pertaining to food production and safety. The Norwegian Food Act from 2004 is harmonised with EU legislation.
The players in the seafood industry are responsible for operating in compliance with the hygiene package, which focuses on a risk-based approach to hygiene control. In addition, the hygiene package introduces the HACCP system (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point).
The Quality Regulation covers the entire food chain including marketing, production and transport of fish and fishery products. The regulation also covers fish and fishery products of foreign origin. Under these rules, establishments, production areas and relaying areas must be approved by the Norwegian Food Safety Authority as being in full compliance with the Quality Regulation. The Authority allots the establishment a special approval number and maintains a register of all approved establishments. Approval may be withdrawn if whole or part of the establishment, raw materials or handling of products no longer fulfils the requirements as set out in the Quality Regulation.