The European Economic Area (EEA) is a region that includes all European Union (EU) member states, as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway. It was established to extend the EU's single market to these three non-EU countries, allowing for the free movement of goods, services, people, and capital. The EEA also ensures that these countries adopt many EU laws and regulations, including those related to digital services, consumer protection, and data privacy. This alignment helps create a consistent legal and economic environment across the region, facilitating cross-border business and safeguarding consumer rights.