mras – mutual recognition agreements/arrangements update

August 8, 2005 MRA Update 1

MRAs – Mutual Recognition Agreements/Arrangements

Update


Three MRAsUS-EU Mutual Recognition Agreement

Bi-lateral, multi-sector (6), 25 member states

Asia Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) Mutual Recognition Arrangement

Multi-lateral, single sector, 21 economies

Inter-American Telecommunication Commission (CITEL) Mutual Recognition Agreement

Multi-lateral, single sector, 34 countries


Annual CAB Update

Responses reviewed Some CABs will receive e-mails requesting further informationIf no response is received, CABs will be suspended and/or withdrawn as necessary


US-EU MRA – Designated CABsEntered operational phase in January 2001

EMC Designated CABsUS 31 (47 locations)*

EU 51

Telecom Designated CABsUS 16 (27 locations)EU 10

Recreational Craft Designated CABsUS 0*

EU 0

* recent changes


US-EU MRA - EMC

Timeline for EMC Directive ImplementationDecember 31, 2004 – New EMC Directive PublishedJanuary 20, 2005 – Member States have two years to incorporate new EMCD into national legislation January 20, 2007 – Deadline for transposition July 20, 2007 – 2004/108/EC repeals 89/336/EEC

• 89/336/EEC can no longer be applied• 2004/108/EC can be applied

July 20, 2009 – Application of new Directive is mandatory and apparatus under 89/336/EEC cannot be sold on the market


US-EU MRA - EMC

Revision of EMC DirectiveCompetent Bodies to become Notified Bodies (NB)Increased Surveillance of NBsGuidelines to be published December 2005Use of a NB will not be required under any circumstances but can be used anywayMarket forces will determine


US-EU MRA - EMC

EMC Info Day Presentationshttp://europa.eu.int/comm/enterprise/electr_equipment/emc/revision/workshop.htm

Scope and Clarification, Essential Requirements, Conformity Assessment Procedure, Role of NBs, Marking and Information Requirements, Fixed Installations, Market Surveillance

Europa EMC Web sitehttp://europa.eu.int/comm/enterprise/electr_equipment/emc/index.htm


Other Developments in Europe

EU Enlargement

Currently no requests to designate CABs from the 10 new EU countries

PECAs with Romania and Bulgaria in progress• National legislation aligns with EU Directives• Expected to join EU in 2007• Turkey and Croatia are EU candidate countries but

accession negotiations have not started


APEC/CITEL MRAs

MRAs are limited to conformity assessment procedures

Does not harmonize standards Does not harmonize regulationsHowever, it may happen as a byproduct

Participation is voluntary

U.S. requires an exchange of letters


APEC MRA - Phase-I Current Status

Australia Phase-IACA – 8 at 9 locations

Canada Phase-IIC - 26 at 33 locations

Chinese Taipei Phase-IBSMI – 68 at 96 locationsDGT – 6 at 7 locations

Singapore Phase-IIDA - 14 at 25 locations

Korea Phase-IRRL - 1 US CAB nomination, but no official designation yet


APEC MRA - Phase-I DevelopmentsKorea

U.S. and Korea Exchanged Letters to implement Phase-I of the MRA

Workshop was held on May 10, 2005 in Baltimore-Washington area

Specific information on Korea’s technical requirements is available in English at http://www.rrl.go.kr/eng/kindex.html. Click on regulations at the top of the page.

Includes Administrative Provisions and Technical Regulations for Telecom Terminal Equipment, Radio Equipment (including SAR), and EMC.


APEC MRA - Phase-I DevelopmentsKorea

Assessor’s must use checklist provided by Korean Ministry of Information and Communication Radio Research Laboratory

Prospective CAB candidates must submit to NIST the front page and the evaluator signature page of the checklist for each area of technical interest (Telecom, Radio, SAR, Safety, EMS, EMI). Do not submit entire checklists. This is in addition to other documents to be submitted for CAB designation listed on our web site.


APEC MRA - Phase-I DevelopmentsHong Kong

On April 4, 2005 U.S. and Hong Kong exchanged letters to implement Phase-I and Phase-II of the MRA.

Technical information for HK requirements is available at http://www.ofta.gov.hk/en/ under “industry focus”

Designation for Phase-I is available.

Next step in the implementation of Phase-II will involve information exchange.

Next APEC Tel MRA Meeting September 5-9, 2005 Seoul, Korea


APEC MRA - Phase-II Current StatusCanada Phase-II

U.S. designated 12 Certification Bodies to ICRSS 212 being replace with a Procedures DocumentRSS 102 being revised to include SAR requirementsSome earlier RSS prescribed marking requirements have been revisedCBs will be able to notify IC through an electronic filing system. Visit http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/epic/internet/inceb-bhst.nsf/en/h_tt00052e.html at Certification and Engineering Bureau’s E-filing. A web-based CB discussion forum has been created. See http://www.scc.ca/forums/tapac/dispatch.cgi/CAB


APEC MRA - Phase-II Developments

Singapore Phase-IIANSI applied to NIST for scope expansion to include IDA requirementsNIST conducted document review and witness auditANSI is in process of accrediting U.S. CABs to IDA requirementsSingapore is expected qualify and nominate one CAB Phase-II is expected to be implemented towards the end of this calendar year


U.S.-Japan MRA

U.S. and Japan negotiating a separate MRA for telecommunications equipment only

Scope: EMC, Telecom, and Electrical SafetyTime frame is about one year until MRA is signed and longer for implementationWorking towards VCCI acceptance of NVLAP and A2LA accreditations


CITEL MRA(Inter-American Telecommunication Commission Mutual Recognition Agreement)

Adopted October 1999 by the Organization of American States (OAS)Essentially identical to APEC MRAImplementation with Brazil, TBD Implementation with Mexico, June 2006Next CITEL meeting September 20-23, 2005 Washington, DC


Brazil – Phase I

ANATEL has 3 equipment categoriesCategory 1: Terminal Category 2: RadioCategory 3: Network

Over 50% of standards/regulations have been converted to include test methods. Older versions do not. Many more revisions to come this year. When implemented, the agreement may have a transition period. When this period ends, the parties may decide not to go forward with full implementation.


Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America

Keep borders closed to terrorism and open to tradeWorking Group on E-Commerce and Information Communication Technology to “…stimulate and accelerate cross-border technology trade by preventing unnecessary barriers from being erected (e.g., agree on mutual recognition of technical requirements for telecommunications equipment, tests and certification; adopt a framework of common principles for e-commerce)”.

See http://www.spp.gov/spp/index.aspJune 2006 – Mexico states they will be ready to exchange letters for MRA implementation Phase I


Workshop at NIST October 3-7, 2005Sponsored by NIST, FCC, TCBC, and OASU.S., EU, CITEL, APEC Agenda

EMC Directive, EU EnlargementTechnical, Policy, and Administrative IssuesUpdates from various countries and regions MRA Implementation

Limited sponsorship opportunities still available


Thank you for your attentionFor more information please contact -

Mary Jo DiBernardo, NIST – [email protected] (CITEL MRA, Israel, US-EU

MRA – EMC, Telecom)

Joe Dhillon, NIST – [email protected] (APEC MRA, US-Japan MRA, US-EU MRA – Med

Devices, Rec Craft)

mras – mutual recognition agreements/arrangements update

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