Commentary on Sections Interpretation of legislation Section 26: EEA agreement and EEA state
138.The EEA agreement is an agreement between the European Economic Community, the European Coal and Steel Community, their Member States and the members of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), the purpose of which is "to promote a continuous and balanced strengthening of trade and economic relations ... with a view to creating a homogeneous European Economic Area".
139.References to an "EEA State" are made frequently in both primary and subordinate legislation, requiring the inclusion of a definition on each occasion. This section introduces standard definitions to avoid having to do this. Subsection (1) inserts definitions of "EEA agreement" and "EEA state" into the 1978 Act. These definitions will apply to all Acts passed after the coming into force of the Legislative and Regulatory Reform Act 2006 on 8th January 2007. By virtue of section 23 of the 1978 Act, the definitions will also apply to all subordinate legislation, within the meaning of that section, made after the coming into force of the Legislative and Regulatory Reform Act 2006.
140.Subsection (2) amends section 24 of the 1978 Act to apply the same definitions to Northern Ireland legislation, within the meaning of that section.
141.Subsection (3) amends the Scotland Act 1998 (Transitory and Transitional Provisions) (Publication and Interpretation etc of Acts of the Scottish Parliament) Order 1999 to secure the same result for Acts of the Scottish Parliament. Subsection (4) provides that the amendment only applies to Acts of the Scottish Parliament passed (and Scottish subordinate legislation made) after commencement of the new provision.