The Value of Joining and Participating in Mutual Recognition Arrangements (MRA) Mick Owens International Standardisation Section International Training Program Friday, 8 September 2006

What is an MRA? An agreement between two or more countries to allow testing to each other’s standards to be undertaken in each exporting country Most trading relationships involve testing and certification of equipment in the importing economy. Phase One of the APEC TEL MRA provides for the mutual recognition of test results, which allows technical testing to be done in the exporting economy and recognised in the importing economy.

What is an MRA continued Phase Two provides for the mutual recognition of certification, allowing certification to be undertaken in the exporting economy and recognised in the importing economy.

What is the aim of an MRA? The main aim of an MRA is to promote trade liberalisation and economic cooperation with co-signatories to the arrangement.

Benefits of MRAs Manufacturers Conformity Assessment Bodies Regulators Consumers

Risks associated with MRAs Added workload on Regulatory Authorities Potential embarrassment if procedures aren’t known or followed: Government Industry Judging applications based on out of date information Are all members of a community included?

Overcoming risks The main way to overcome most risks is the provision of quality, timely information for all parties in the conformity assessment process. Development of Website information is seen as the most accessible. The information is available to all within each economy, and is also available to all parties in the proposed exporting country. ACMA has developed fairly comprehensive information on the APEC TEL MRA which is located at: APEC-TEL MRA Information pageAPEC-TEL MRA Information page ASEAN has also developed information on its own MRA which is located at: ASEAN Sectoral Mutual Recognition Arrangement for Electrical and Electronic Equipment (2002)ASEAN Sectoral Mutual Recognition Arrangement for Electrical and Electronic Equipment (2002)

Scope of APEC TEL MRA The MRA includes all equipment subject to telecommunication regulations, including wireline and wireless, terrestrial and satellite equipment. For such equipment, the MRA covers electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) and electrical safety aspects as well as purely telecommunications aspects of the conformity assessment requirements

MRAs Australia is a signatory to: APECTEL MRA TTMRA EC-MRA EFTA-MRA Singapore-MRA Chinese Taipei-MRA Upcoming new MRA Chinese Taipei/Australia EMR MRA – Negotiations are well underway to put this MRA in place. It will be the first EMR MRA Australia has entered into.

How do MRAs support our International Engagement Strategy (IES) The key objective for our IES is improving ACMA’s ability to influence domestic policy development and international regulatory arrangements within identified strategic areas. MRAs can influence 3 of the 6 key areas relevant to ACMA’s regulatory imperative and Australia’s national interest. Global and regional standardization Increased influence into standards setting reflecting needs of Australian communications industry and community. Identification of trends as early as practicable in the development cycle. Engagement with international regulators ACMA’s approach to resolution of regulatory challenges is informed by relevant international experience. ACMA shares the Australian regulatory experience with international colleagues. Spectrum harmonisation Increased influence into international planning fora to encourage global harmonisation.