MPs Bjørnar Moxnes, Geir Jørgensen, and Sofie Marhaug introduced a private member's bill to require comparative analysis of EU regulations. The Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence, with a majority, recommends that the Storting adopt a standard practice: when the government presents bills, it should compare Norwegian rules with those of other countries—particularly the Nordic states—regarding EEA-relevant legislation. Socialist Left, Centre, and Red party members proposed three alternative amendments that go further, including establishing an independent council to monitor Norway's policy flexibility.
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These are the proposals in the document, not decisions. See the votes for the outcome.
The Storting asks the government to make it standard procedure to compare how other countries, especially the Nordic states, implement EEA-relevant rules when presenting bills to the Storting.
The Storting asks the government to include in every bill on consent to new EU acts a review of how other countries implement or plan to adapt to those rules.
The Storting asks the government to amend the guidelines for government inquiries to require comparison with how other countries apply EEA-relevant legislation.
The Storting asks the government to appoint an independent expert council to ensure Norway does not exceed EU requirements at the expense of national policy flexibility. The council would receive input from the public, conduct comparative analyses on its own initiative, and issue public recommendations to the government. The government must explain any decision not to follow a recommendation. Labour unions, industry, and primary sectors must be represented on the council.