New regulatory requirements for tobacco products in Norway
On 30 March 2026, Norway implemented key provisions of the European Tobacco Products Directive (TPD), 2014/40/EU, bringing Norwegian regulations in line with EU standards. These regulatory changes introduce new obligations for businesses involved in the import, export, manufacturing, or distribution of tobacco products and related goods to, from, or within Norway. The formal date of entry into force for the EFTA countries was 11 March 2026.
While many operators within the EU will already be familiar with several of these requirements, the incorporation of the directive into Norwegian law means that specific national rules, procedures, and compliance obligations now apply to activities connected to the Norwegian tobacco market. Some of the changes are additional national requirements that are not directly derived from the directive itself.
Some of the central changes are
- reports to EU-CEG must include importer to Norway
- new requirements for health warnings on smokeless tobacco products
- prohibition on engaging in cross‑border distance sales of tobacco products, e‑cigarettes and refill containers (e‑liquids) to or from Norway
- prohibition on the import and placing on the market of e-cigarettes and refill containers (e-liquids) containing nicotine
- prohibition on importing and placing waterpipe tobacco on the market in Norway
For several of these regulatory changes, transition periods will apply, allowing affected businesses time to adapt to the new requirements. The length and conditions of these transition periods are established in the relevant regulations and may vary depending on the type of obligation.
To support businesses in understanding these changes, the Norwegian Directorate of Health (Helsedirektoratet) has published a new guidance document (in Norwegian only).
The following is a brief overview in English of the most important regulatory changes, ensuring that non-Norwegian speaking stakeholders are aware of the key obligations and can prepare for compliance.
The regulations referred to are found in lovdata.no – in Norwegian only:
Ingredient and emissions reporting via EU‑CEG
Manufacturers and importers of tobacco products and herbal smoking products must report, among other things, information on product contents and emissions to EU-CEG (EU Common Entry Gate). They must also submit market research, sales volumes and related information to the Norwegian Directorate of Health. For certain additives in cigarettes and roll-your-own tobacco, there is an extended reporting obligation.
The rules on reporting are set out in Section 38 of the Tobacco Control Act and the Regulation on Tobacco Products and Related Products Section 7 and 9.
The reporting requirements to EU-CEG depend on the type of product being imported or manufactured.
For tobacco products, the following information must be reported, by brand name and type:
- a list of all ingredients, including their quantities, in descending order by weight
- a declaration stating the purpose of the ingredients, and information on the ingredients’ status under EU Regulations 1907/2006/EC and 1272/2008/EC
- all relevant toxicological data regarding the ingredients, before and after combustion
- emission levels of tar, nicotine and carbon monoxide in cigarette smoke, measured or verified by a laboratory approved by the Norwegian Directorate of Health
- information on other emissions from the products and their levels, where applicable
- importer to Norway
For cigarettes and roll‑your‑own tobacco, a technical document must also be submitted containing a general description of the additives used and their properties.
For herbal smoking products, lists arranged by brand name and type must be submitted, containing information about the products’ ingredients and their quantities.
When submitting information, manufacturers and importers must indicate which information they consider to be trade secrets.
Extended reporting requirements for certain additives in cigarettes and roll-your-own tobacco
There is an extended reporting obligation for manufacturers and importers of cigarettes and roll‑your‑own tobacco that contain certain additives, see Regulation on Tobacco Products and Related Products Section 9. The additives covered by this requirement are listed in the list of priority additives in annex 1 to the Regulation.
The obligation requires manufacturers and importers to carry out comprehensive studies to determine whether the additive
- contributes to, or significantly or measurably increases, the toxic or addictive effects of the product
- results in a characterising flavour
- facilitates inhalation or nicotine uptake
- leads to the formation of substances with CMR properties, the quantity of such substances, and whether this significantly or measurably increases the CMR properties
The studies must take into account the intended use of the product and must in particular examine emissions resulting from the combustion process that relate to the additive in question. They must also examine how the additive interacts with other ingredients in the product, see Regulation on Tobacco Products and Related Products Section 7, second paragraph.
Small and medium-sized enterprises are exempt from the reporting obligation if another manufacturer or importer prepares a report for the relevant additive.
Reporting of market research and sales volumes for tobacco products
Manufacturers and importers of tobacco products must submit to the Norwegian Directorate of Health any studies available to them concerning market research and surveys of different consumer groups’ preferences regarding ingredients and emissions.
The same applies to summaries of market research conducted in connection with the launch of new products.
Manufacturers and importers must, by 1 March each year, report the sales volume for the preceding year, broken down by brand name and type, specified per unit or in kilograms. The reporting must include information dating back to 1 January 2015.
Deadlines for reporting
Information concerning new products or changes to product composition must be reported 12 weeks before the product is placed on the Norwegian market.
If the product is already sold in Norway, the manufacturer and importer must submit the report to the Norwegian Directorate of Health by 30 September 2026.
If the composition of a product is altered so that it no longer corresponds to the information previously reported, the manufacturer and importer must notify the Norwegian Directorate of Health.
Creating an EU‑Login account and Submitter ID
Manufacturers and importers must have an EU‑Login account and a Submitter ID for EU‑CEG in order to report to the system.
To create an EU‑Login: visit the EU‑Login page and select «Create account».
To create a Submitter ID: download and complete the application form available on the EU webpages under «2) how to register for a submitter ID.» Submission instructions are provided in the form. After submission, the application will be processed by the EU. Upon approval, a Submitter ID will be issued.
Traceability and security features
All cigarettes and roll‑your‑own tobacco must comply with EU‑wide tracking and tracing systems by 11 July 2027. Additional product categories must comply with the tracking and tracing systems by 11 March 2031. Security features must be installed in line with Article 16 of the directive and Sections 16 d to h of the Tobacco Control Act.
The Norwegian Directorate of Health will conduct a competition for the award of a contract to a national issuer of identification marks. The competition will be carried out in accordance with the applicable regulations governing public procurement. Information regarding the process will be published here once it is initiated.
Updated health warnings and standardised packaging requirements
The directive introduces larger and revised health warnings for tobacco products for smoking and smokeless tobacco, including mandatory dualsided text warnings for smokeless tobacco products. Standardised (plain) packaging rules already established in Norwegian law continue to apply and require the elimination of all branding elements other than standardised text.
The rules on standardised packaging and health warnings are set out in Regulation on Tobacco Products and Related Products sections 14 to 43.
Transition period until 31 December 2026
From 30 March 2026, the requirements for health warnings have been amended. Some key changes include:
- For smoking tobacco, the health warning must cover 65% of the front and back of the packaging. This is an increase from the previous requirement of 30% and 40% coverage, respectively.
- A new picture library has been developed.
- New wording requirements for health warnings.
- A requirement that snus packaging must carry a health warning on both main surfaces.
- A requirement for health warnings on herbal smoking products.
There will be a nine‑month transition period, meaning that all products must carry the new health warnings by 1 January 2027. This follows from the Regulation on Transitional Rules to Act 10 February 2017 No. 5 amending the Tobacco Control Act of 9 March 1973 No. 14, No. 3.
The new picture library is available in Appendix 2 to the Regulation on Tobacco Products and Related Products.
International undertakings must also account for Norway specific adaptations, including additional pregnancy related health warnings on smokeless tobacco products directed at young women and pregnant users.
Ordering image files with health warnings for smoking tobacco
You may request files containing the combined health warnings by sending an email to the Norwegian Directorate of Health at pbx130200ffmh@helsedir.no with the following information:
- company name
- contact person
- postal address
Prohibition of characteristic flavours and certain additives
International actors must comply with new bans on flavourings that create a characteristic aroma, as well as additives that suggest health benefits, alter product colour, or otherwise mislead consumers. This applies across all tobacco products and e-cigarettes, see the Tobacco Control Act Section 32 and 32 a.
A characteristic flavour means a clearly noticeable smell or taste other than tobacco, resulting from an additive or a combination of additives, and detectable before or during consumption of the tobacco product, see the Tobacco Control Act Section 2. Examples of such smells or flavours include fruit, spices, herbs, alcohol, confectionery, menthol or vanilla.
The prohibition means that it is only permitted to sell cigarettes and roll‑your‑own tobacco with a tobacco flavour or with no added flavour.
It is prohibited to import or sell tobacco products that contain certain additives:
- vitamins or other additives that give the impression of a health benefit or a reduced health risk
- caffeine, taurine or other additives associated with energy and vitality
- additives with CMR properties in their unburnt form
- additives that give coloured properties to emissions (does not apply to smokeless tobacco)
- additives in smoking tobacco that facilitate inhalation or nicotine uptake (does not apply to smokeless tobacco)
It is also prohibited to import or sell tobacco products that contain:
- additives in quantities that significantly or measurably increase the toxic or addictive effects
- additives in quantities that significantly or measurably increase the CMR properties of the product at the time of use
The prohibition on certain additives follows from the Tobacco Control Act Sections 32, 32 a and the Regulation on Tobacco Products and Related Products Section 11.
CMR properties refer to carcinogenic, mutagenic and reprotoxic substances — that is, properties relating to cancer development, as well as negative effects on genetic material and reproductive ability. Certain additives are subject to extended reporting requirements; see Appendix 1 to the Regulation on Tobacco Products and Related Products.
Waterpipe tobacco, e-cigarettes and refill containers with nicotine may not be imported or sold in Norway
It is prohibited to import and place on the market waterpipe tobacco, e-cigarettes and refill containers containing nicotine, see the Regulation on Tobacco Products and Related Products Section 46 and 47.
The Norwegian government has proposed extending the prohibition to include e-cigarettes without nicotine. Until this matter is resolved, the new rules and obligations arising from Directive 2014/40/EU (the Tobacco Products Directive) will not apply to e-cigarettes – for example the requirement to register products in EU-CEG, requirements for health warnings, or requirements for packaging design.
Prohibition of cross‑border distance sales
Cross‑border distance sales of tobacco products, e‑cigarettes and refill containers to Norwegian consumers are prohibited, meaning foreign retailers cannot legally sell such products directly to consumers in Norway, see the Tobacco Control Act Section 21 b.