In addition to the regular management of existing trade agreements and the negotiation of new or modernised ones, EFTA carries out cross-cutting horizontal work such as the monitoring of the implementation and operation of commitments on trade and sustainable development and the monitoring of the utilisation of tariff preferences.
The EFTA States are further seeking to enhance the possibility for small and medium-sized enterprises to benefit from free trade agreements through dedicated provisions and other modern tools. EFTA aims to cover other cross-cutting issues by developing suitable practices for its FTAs.