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MRA newsletter – Edition 6 1 April 2012
Trade issues…
Technical Barriers
to Trade
Mutual Recognition Agreements and Agreements
on Conformity Assessment and Acceptance of
Industrial Products
MRA Newsletter N°6
MRA newsletter – Edition 6 2 April 2012
2012
Foreword
This is the sixth edition of a newsletter1 on Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRA) concluded between
the European Union and third countries. MRAs are instruments that facilitate market access by reducing
costs and time associated with obtaining product approvals.
The newsletter provides information on the current status of MRAs with the United States, Canada,
Japan, Switzerland, Australia and New Zealand, and the Agreement on chemical Good Laboratory
Practice with Israel. It also covers the agreement with the US on marine equipment. It has been
compiled from a trade perspective, on the basis of information provided by the Directorates General for
External Trade, for Enterprise and Industry, for Health and Consumer Protection, and for Mobility and
Transport. An overview of the Agreements on Conformity Assessment and Acceptance of Industrial
Products (ACAAs) currently agreed and under consideration with countries in the European
neighbourhood is also included.
Traditional MRAs enable Conformity Assessment Bodies (CABs) nominated by one Party to certify
products for access to the other Party’s market, according to the other Party’s technical legislation.
They provide for the mutual recognition between trading partners of mandatory test results and
certificates for certain industrial products.
No regulatory convergence is implied by a traditional MRA. In other words, there is no implication that
the regulations imposed on products by the Parties are to be brought into alignment at any stage,
though there are exceptions to this: for example, the MRA with Switzerland deals for the most part with
mutual recognition of certificates in areas where Swiss and EU regulations are deemed "equivalent";
and the MRA on marine equipment, for which the underlying regulations are International Maritime
Organisation Conventions (IMO) agreed by both the US and the EU’s Member States. MRAs only
confer benefits on importing parties for products subject to mandatory certification.
No further traditional MRAs are foreseen, but there is a certain amount of evolution in their operation, for
example, as amendments to their scope are considered and as mandatory certification gives way to
reliance on supplier’s declarations of conformity. Accordingly, it is intended that this newsletter will be
issued from time to time to reflect the evolution of the current position.
The Newsletter will be available on http://ec.europa.eu/trade/creating-opportunities/trade-
topics/european-competitiveness/non-tariff-barriers/. If you have suggestions or want to make a
contribution, please contact External Trade, Unit F3, Tariff and Non-Tariff Negotiations, Rules of Origin
(contact: [email protected]).
1 This newsletter is provided to enhance public access to information with the goal to keep this information timely and accurate. However, the Commission
accepts no responsibility or liability whatsoever with regard to the information in this newsletter.
MRA newsletter – Edition 6 3 April 2012
UNITED STATES
1. Signature
Council Decision 1999/78/EC of 22 June 1998 on the conclusion of an Agreement on Mutual
Recognition between the European Community and the United States of America (OJ L 31,
4.02.1999, p.1), as amended by Council Decision 2002/803/EC of 8.10.2002 (OJ L 278,
16.10.2002, p.22). Entered into force in December 1998.
To view the text of the Agreement:
http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/policies/single-market-goods/international-aspects/mutual-recognition-agreement/usa/index_en.htm
Sectoral Annexes Operational since Number of CABs
Telecommunications equipment 14 December 2000 11 EU CABs and 19 US CABs
Electromagnetic compatibility 14 December 2000 31 EU CABs and 25 US CABs
Electrical safety Not in operation Nil
Recreational craft 1 June 2000 Nil
Pharmaceutical Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs)
Nominally in operation 1 December 2001 (see below)
Not applicable (the legislation does not refer to CABs)
Medical devices Not in operation Not in operation (see below)
For a complete list of the designated CABs under the MRA with the United States, see the
Commission’s Web sites: http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/policies/single-market-
goods/international-aspects/mutual-recognition-agreement/usa/index_en.htm
2. Joint Committee meetings
The last Joint Committee meeting was held by videoconference on 24 February 2009.
3. State of play
“Traditional” type MRA: Mutual recognition of conformity assessment certificates without
alignment of the relevant requirements.
Electrical Safety: Not in operation. The Annex (and the EC’s obligations under it) remains
suspended because of the position of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
In any case the EC makes no mandatory requirements for third party certification in the area of
electrical safety.
GMP: Regulatory cooperation and information exchange in the context of pharmaceutical GMP
exists; however the Annex is not now expected to come into operation.
MRA newsletter – Edition 6 4 April 2012
Telecomms: The US is requesting regular reassessments of CABs. In general this Annex is
working satisfactorily.
Medical devices: Regulatory cooperation between the US and the EU on medical devices is
taking place. The Annex is regarded as superseded by this co-operation.
EMC: The Community has eliminated mandatory requirements for third party testing in EMC
(although the US maintains them): the EMC Directive 2004/108/EC of 15 December 2004, (OJ
L390, 31.12.2004), amending Directive 89/336/EEC of 3 May 1989 (OJ L 139/19, 23.05.1989)
imposes no third party certification obligation on manufacturers - and thus there is no need for an
MRA on the part of the EU (though voluntary third party involvement is still envisaged in the
Directive). This Annex is however still needed for EU access to the US market.
Recreational Craft: Directive 2003/44/EC of 16 June 2003 (OJ L 214/18, 26.08.2003) amending
Directive 94/25/EC of 16 June 1994 (OJ L 164/15, 30.06.1994), relates to emissions and a new
scope. This Annex is not in use; there are no operational CABs; in any case, the US has stated
that it does not impose third party certification requirements.
MRA newsletter – Edition 6 5 April 2012
UNITED STATES: MARINE EQUIPMENT
1. Signature
Council Decision 2004/425/EC of 21 April 2004 on the conclusion of an Agreement between
the European Community and the United States of America on the Mutual Recognition of
Certificates of Conformity for Marine Equipment (OJ L 150, 30.04.2004, p.42).
To view the text of the Agreement:
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2004:150:0042:0086:EN:PDF
2. Joint Committee meetings
The latest meeting of the US-EC Marine Equipment MRA Joint Committee was held by video
conference on 24 February 2009.
3. State of play
The EU-US MRA is intended to facilitate transatlantic trade in marine equipment. Under its
terms, designated products which comply with EU requirements will be accepted for sale in the
US without any additional testing or certification and vice versa. Both parties have based their
respective legislations on the Conventions of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and
the relevant international standards. The European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) carries out
the technical work for the European Union relating to the maintenance of this Agreement.
The Agreement covers 49 types of marine equipment ranging from life-saving equipment
(distress signals, rigid life rafts), to fire protection equipment (flame-retardant materials) and
navigational equipment (GPS equipment, echo-sounding equipment).
Notified bodies under the MED are all entitled to certify according to this MRA, together with
the US Coast Guard.
MRA newsletter – Edition 6 6 April 2012
CANADA 1. Signature
Implemented by Council Decision 98/556/EEC of 20.7.1998 (OJ L 280, 16.10.1998, p.1), as
amended by Council Decision 2002/800/EC of 8.10.2002 (OJ L 278, 16.10.2002, p.19), on 14
May 1998. Entered into force on 1 November 1998.
Sectoral Annexes Operational since Number of CABs
EMC 31 September 2001 Not relevant. Both sides have abandoned third party certification for EMC.
TTE 31 September 2001 1 Canadian, 11 EU for certification
Electrical safety Not in operation Not in operation
Rec craft 31 September 2001 7 EU
Medical devices Not in operation Not in operation
For a complete list of the designated CABs under the MRA with Canada, see the DG Enterprise
Website: http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/policies/single-market-goods/international-
aspects/mutual-recognition-agreement/canada/index_en.htm
2. Joint Committee meetings
Last meeting in March 2003, by videoconference. Next one not yet set.
3. State of play
“Traditional” type MRA: Mutual recognition of conformity assessment certificates without
alignment of the relevant requirements.
Electrical safety: Implementation was intended to rely on a mutual auditing process. The EC
side audited the potential Canadian certifiers in 2000 but it is clear that there remains no
interest on either side in completing the process. Note that the MRA has no effect the other
way (i.e., for imports of Canadian goods into the EU), since the European legislation - Directive
2006/95/EC of 12 December 2006 on the harmonisation of the laws of Member States relating
to electrical equipment designed for use within certain voltage limits does not require third party
certification.
Pharma GMP: It is now in operation. Ongoing assessment by Canada of the new Member
States’ inspection systems is almost complete.
Medical devices: It is not operational because (in 2002) Canadian regulators - citing primacy
of their domestic responsibilities - required control over approval of CABs, which in the EC’s
opinion is not compatible with the principle of the MRA.
MRA newsletter – Edition 6 7 April 2012
Recreational craft: Directive 2003/44/EC of 16 June 2003 (OJ L 214/18, 26.08.2003);
amending Directive 94/25/EC of 16 June 1994 (OJ L 164/15, 30.06.1994), and the
corresponding Canadian legislation has been amended.
In practice the Sectoral Annex is not in operation, although certain EU CABs have been
designated.
EMC: Canada has abolished mandatory third party testing in the area of EMC, and EMC
Directive 2004/108/EC of 15 December 2004 (OJ L 390, 31.12.2004), amending Directive
89/336/EEC of 3 May 1989 (OJ L 139/19, 23.05.1989) do the same, meaning that this Annex
has been unnecessary since that time.
MRA newsletter – Edition 6 8 April 2012
JAPAN
1. Signature
Council Decision 2001/747/EC of 27 September 2001 on the conclusion of an Agreement
on Mutual Recognition between the European Community and Japan (OJ L 284,
29.10.2001, p.1). Entered into force on 1 January 2002, was the first bilateral agreement on
mutual recognition for Japan.
Sectoral Annexes Operational since Number of CABs
Telecommunications and radio equipment
1 January 2002 7 EU CABs and 2 JP CAB
Electrical products 1 January 2002
Good manufacturing practice (GMP) for medicinal products
Good laboratory practice (GLP) for chemicals
1 January 2002 Exchange of lists of confirmed facilities in July 2005
2. Joint Committee meetings
For a complete list of the designated CABs under the MRA with Japan, see the DG Enterprise
Website: http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/policies/single-market-goods/international-
aspects/mutual-recognition-agreement/japan/index_en.htm
Last meeting on 7 June 2010 by video-conference.
MRA newsletter – Edition 6 9 April 2012
3. State of play
R&TTE: The telecommunications and radio equipment annex of the MRA is functioning
reasonably well with 9 CABs currently operating under it. The range of products which
need third party certification has been narrowed as Japan introduced a system of
Supplier's Verification of Conformity (SVC) some time ago for a broad range of products.
The SVC system can be used in the case of "special specified radio equipment", defined in
Article 2-2 of the "Ordinance concerning Technical Regulations Conformity Certification etc.
of Specified Radio Equipment."
Electrical products: No new developments since the last newsletter. The EU has
amended the EMC directive, introducing SDoC for all products as from 20 July 2007 (date
of application of the new provisions).
GMP: A subcommittee was created by JC Decision 2/2002 of 20 June 2002. Mutual visits
to exchange information and discuss key elements of the preparatory work under this
Annex took place in June and July 2002. Further rounds of mutual visits took place in 2003
and early 2004. The third subcommittee meeting on 18-19 February 2004 confirmed
equivalence except for biological pharmaceuticals, including immunological and stable
medicinal products derived from human blood or plasma and sterile medicinal products.
The last subcommittee meeting took place in Japan in October 2006. At the moment, the
EU and Japan are discussing the expansion of the coverage of the GMP annex to the GMP
inspection authorities of the new EU Member States.
MRA newsletter – Edition 6 10 April 2012
SWITZERLAND
1. Signature:
Council and Commission Decision 2002/309/EC of 4 April 2002 on the conclusion of an
Agreement on Mutual Recognition between the European Community and Switzerland (OJ L
114, 30.04.2002, p.1), signed on 21 June 1999. Entered into force on 1 June 2002.
2. Joint Committee meetings
Last meeting on 23 November 2011 in Bern. The next one is tentatively scheduled for fall
2012 in Brussels.
Sectoral Annexes Operational since Number of CABs
Machinery 1 June 2002 165 EU and 3 Swiss CABs
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) 1 June 2002 119 EU and 3 Swiss CABs
Toys 1 June 2002 67 EU
Medical Devices 1 June 2002 67 EU and 5 Swiss CABs under Directive 93/42/EEC; 24 EU CABs and 1 Swiss CAB under Directive 98/79/EC; 19 EU CABs under Directive 90/385/EEC
Gas Appliances and Boilers 1 June 2002 52 EU CABs and 1 Swiss CAB;
Pressure Vessels 1 June 2002 97 EU CABs and 1 Swiss CAB under Directive 87/404/EEC; 251 EC and 8 Swiss CABs under Directive 97/23/EC; 174 EC CABs and 1 Swiss CAB under Directive 99/36/EC
Radio and Telecommunications Terminal Equipment (R&TTE)
1 June 2002 51 EU CABs
Equipment and Protective Systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres (ATEX)
1 June 2002 57 EU CABs and 1 Swiss CAB
Electrical Safety and Electromagnetic Compatibility
1 June 2002 150 EU and 10 Swiss CABs under Directive 2006/95/EC; 133 EU and 7 Swiss CABs under Directive 2004/108/EC
Construction Plant and Equipment 1 June 2002 70 EU and 2 Swiss CABs
Measuring Instruments and Prepackages
1 June 2002 272 EU and 2 Swiss CABs under Directive 90/384/EEC; 141 EU CABs and 1 Swiss CAB under Directive 2004/22/EC
MRA newsletter – Edition 6 11 April 2012
Motor Vehicles 1 June 2002 8 Swiss CABs; for a list of EU CABs, please visit DG Enterprise website.
Agricultural and Forestry tractors 1 June 2002 4 Swiss CABs; for a list of EU CABs, please visit DG Enterprise website.
Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) 1 June 2002 750 EU and 37 Swiss CABs
Medicinal products GMP inspection and batch certification
1 June 2002 40 EU and 0 Swiss CABs
Construction Products 12 March 2008 675 EU and 11 Swiss CABs
Lifts 21 December 2009
202 EU CABs
Biocidal Products 18 October 2010
Cableway Installations 20 December 2011
Up to date information on Swiss CABs and EU Notified Bodies operating under each respective
sector of the MRA can be found on the DG Enterprise website, as well as in the NANDO
database:
http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/policies/single-market-goods/international-aspects/mutual-
recognition-agreement/switzerland/index_en.htm
http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/newapproach/nando/index.cfm
3. State of play
“Enhanced” type MRA: Mutual recognition of certificates based on equivalent or common requirements. Gas Appliances and Efficiency Hot Water Boilers are non-equivalent sectors. Pressure Equipment, Construction Plant and Equipment, Non-Automatic Measuring Instruments are non-equivalent but Switzerland accepts compliance with EC Directives. Measuring Instruments and Prepackages is equivalent for certain products only.
New chapter on Cableway Installations: A new chapter on cableways has been added to Annex I of the Agreement following Joint Committee Decision 1/2011 of 20 December 2011.
MRA newsletter – Edition 6 12 April 2012
AUSTRALIA
1. Signature
Council Decision 98/508/EC of 18.6.1998 (OJ L 229, 17. 8.1998, p.1), as amended by
Council Decision 2002/800/EC of 8.10.2002 (OJ L 278, 16.10.2002, p.19). Signed on 24
June 1998 (OJ L 229 of 17.08.1998, p.3). Entered into force on 1 January 1999.
Sectoral Annexes Operational since Number of CABs
EMC 1 January 1999 3 AUS and 33 EU. See note below on applicability of this Annex.
Low voltage equipment 1 January 1999 3 AUS and 25 EU
Machinery 1 January 1999 1 AUS and 20 EU
Medical devices 1 January 1999 1 AUS and 15 EU
Pressure equipment 1 January 1999 1 AUS and 18 EU
Telecomms terminal equipment 1 January 1999 1 AUS and 5 EU
Automotive products 1 January 1999 1 AUS and 10 EU
For a complete list of the designated CABs under the MRA with Australia, see the DG
Enterprise Websites:
http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/policies/single-market-goods/international-
aspects/mutual-recognition-agreement/australia/index_en.htm
2. Joint Committee meeting
Last meeting in Wellington, NZ, October 2002.
Next meeting in Canberra, Aus, March 2012.
3. State of play
“Traditional” type MRA: Mutual recognition of conformity assessment certificates
without alignment of the relevant requirements.
Amendment: The powers of the Joint Committees are more limited than with other
MRAs. It cannot amend Sectoral Annexes except to add or delete CABs. The EC has
proposed amending the main text of the MRA to empower the Joint Committee to amend
the Sectoral Annexes, and then to amend the Annexes by means of a Joint Committee
Decision. The draft Amendment -which is the same for Australian and New Zealand - has
been discussed with the Australian and New Zealand Governments. The text has now
been agreed, and a Council Decision for its signature has been approved by the Council.
It has been signed in February 2012 and will then go for ratification.
MRA newsletter – Edition 6 13 April 2012
EMC: The EMC Directive (2004/108/EC) of 15 December 2004 (OJ L 390, 31.12.2004),
amending Directive 89/336/EEC of 3 May 1989 (OJ L 139/19, 23.05.1989), removed the
need for all third party certification in the EU.
Electrical products: The EU has amended the EMC directive, introducing SDoC for all
products as from 20 July 2007 and removing the need for third party certification in the EU.
MRA newsletter – Edition 6 14 April 2012
NEW ZEALAND
1. Signature
Council Decision 98/509/EC of 18.6.1998 (OJ L 229 of 17.08.1998), as amended by
Council Decision 2002/801/EC of 8.10.2002 (OJ L 278, 16.10.2002, p.20). Signed on 26
June 1998 (OJ L 229, 17.08.1998, p.62). Entered into force on 1 January 1999.
Sectoral Annexes Operational since Number of CABs
EMC 1 January 1999 2 NZ and 32 EU. See note below on applicability of this Annex.
Low voltage equipment 1 January 1999 2 NZ and 26 EU
Machinery 1 January 1999 0 NZ and 18 EU
Medical devices 1 January 1999 0 NZ and 11 EU
Pressure equipment 1 January 1999 0 NZ and 18 EU
Telecoms terminal equipment 1 January 1999 0 NZ and 6 EU
For a complete list of the designated CABs under the MRA with New Zealand, see the
DG Enterprise Website:
http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/policies/single-market-goods/international-
aspects/mutual-recognition-agreement/new-zealand/index_en.htm
2. Joint Committee meeting
The last Joint Committee meeting was held in Wellington, NZ in October 2002. Next one
has not been set yet. There have been informal discussions in the intervening period
which are expected to continue.
3. State of play
“Traditional” type MRA: Mutual recognition of conformity assessment certificates
without alignment of the relevant requirements.
Amendment: The powers of the Joint Committee are more limited than with other
MRAs: it cannot amend Sectoral Annexes except to add or delete CABs. The EC has
proposed amending the main text of the MRA to empower the Joint Committee to amend
the Sectoral Annexes, and then to amend the Annexes by means of a Joint Committee
Decision. The draft Amendment -which is the same for Australia and New Zealand - has
been discussed with the Australian and New Zealand Governments. The text has been
approved by the Council and was signed in February 2012. It will be presented for
ratification in accordance with Article 218 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the
European Union.
EMC: Revision of the EMC Directive (2004/108/EC) of 15 December 2004 (OJ L 390,
31.12.2004) removed the need for all third party certification in the EU.
Electrical products: The EU has amended the EMC directive, introducing SDoC for all
products as from 20 July 2007 (date of application of the new provisions).
MRA newsletter – Edition 6 15 April 2012
ISRAEL
1. Signature
Council Decision 99/662/EC of 19 July 1999 (OJ L 263, 9.10.1999, p.7).
The Agreement on mutual recognition of OECD principles of good laboratory practice (GLP)
and compliance monitoring programmes between the European Community and the State of
Israel allows Israel to use the OECD guidelines for Good Laboratory Practice.
MRA newsletter – Edition 6 16 April 2012
Overview of PECAs and ACAAs currently under consideration
1. Introduction
This text provides an overview of all the ACAAs (Agreements on Conformity Assessment and
Acceptance of Industrial Products) currently under negotiation between non-EC countries and
the Community.
2. Agreements with acceding countries and candidate countries
Legal Basis Status
Croatia
ACAA
A commitment to an agreement is
included in the Stabilisation and
Association Agreement with Croatia.
Negotiations are in progress.
Former
Yugoslav
Republic of
Macedonia
ACAA
A commitment to an agreement is
included in the Stabilisation and
Association Agreement with the
former Yugoslav Republic of
Macedonia.
Negotiations are in progress;
Turkey No agreement of this type is necessary,
as there is a customs union which goes
further. Relevant provisions are
included in the Agreement establishing
the definite phase of the Customs Union
(OJ L 35, 13.2.1996).
MRA newsletter – Edition 6 17 April 2012
3. Agreements with other European countries
Legal Basis Status
Ukraine A commitment to an ACAA is
included in the ENP Action Plan with
Ukraine and covered in principle by
the Partnership and co-
operation Agreement between the
EU and Ukraine. In December
2005, an “ACAA Action Plan”
was agreed between the
Commission and Ukrainian
authorities, which foresees an ACAA
being signed by 2011.
Under negotiation.
It has been agreed in principle that an
ACAA will be attached to the FTA with
Ukraine for which negotiations have
recently been concluded.
Albania
ACAA
A commitment to an agreement of this
type is included in the Stabilisation
and Association Agreement with
Albania.
Albania has not yet requested the start of
negotiations.
Bosnia & Herzegovina ACAA
A commitment to an agreement of this
type is included in the Stabilisation
and Association Agreement with
Bosnia & Herzegovina.
Bosnia and Herzegovina has not yet
requested the start of negotiations.
Montenegro
ACAA
A commitment to an agreement of this
type is included in the Stabilisation
and Association Agreement with
Montenegro.
Preliminary discussions were held with
Montenegro in March 2010, but
Montenegro has not yet requested the
start of negotiations.
Serbia ACAA
A commitment to an agreement of this
type is included in the Stabilisation
and Association Agreement with
Montenegro.
Serbia has not yet requested the start of
negotiations.
MRA newsletter – Edition 6 18 April 2012
4. Agreements with Euromed countries or economies
Legal Basis Status
Algeria ACAA
An action plan to facilitate the free
movement of industrial products
between the EU and the Euro-Med
partners was outlined in the Palermo
Action Plan, agreed by Euro-Med
Ministers on 7 July 2003.
Under consideration
Priority sectors identified by
Algeria: Construction products,
low voltage equipment, simple
pressure vessels, toys and
energy
efficiency of refrigeration
products.
Algeria has started its preparatory
work for an ACAA with the
support of technical assistance. Some legislation has been received
for screening. Technical assistance is ongoing.
Egypt ACAA
An action plan to facilitate the free
movement of industrial products
between the EU and the Euro-Med
partners was outlined in the Palermo
Action Plan, agreed by Euro-Med
Ministers on 7 July 2003.
Under consideration
Priority sectors identified by Egypt:
construction products, electrical
products, pressure equipment,
gas appliances, medical devices,
machinery, toys, vehicles and
their parts.
Egypt is advanced in the
preparatory work for an ACAA.
Horizontal and sectoral legislation
has been received for screening;
the adoption of EN standards in the
priority sectors is well advanced;
the upgrading of quality
infrastructure is on-going with the
support of technical assistance.
MRA newsletter – Edition 6 19 April 2012
Legal Basis Status
Israel ACAA
An action plan to facilitate the free
movement of industrial products
between the EU and the Euro-Med
partners was outlined in the Palermo
Action Plan, agreed by Euro-Med
Ministers on 7 July 2003.
Signed: An ACAA on pharmaceutical products has been signed with Israel and has been submitted to the European Parliament consent procedure where it remains in discussion.
Under consideration:
Other sectors for which the
preparations are advanced are
pressure equipment and medical
devices. Machinery is also under
consideration.
Jordan ACAA
An action plan to facilitate the free
movement of industrial products
between the EU and the Euro-Med
partners was outlined in the Palermo
Action Plan, agreed by Euro-Med
Ministers on 7 July 2003.
Under consideration.
Priority sectors identified by
Jordan: electrical products,
pressure equipment, toys,
measuring instruments,
construction products, gas
appliances.
Some legislation has been received
for screening. Adoption of horizontal
legislation still pending.
The upgrading of quality
infrastructure is on-going with the
help of technical assistance.
MRA newsletter – Edition 6 20 April 2012
Legal Basis Status
Lebanon ACAA
An action plan to facilitate the free
movement of industrial products
between the EU and the Euro-Med
partners was outlined in the Palermo
Action Plan, agreed by Euro-Med
Ministers on 7 July 2003.
Under consideration
Priority sectors identified by
Lebanon: electrical
products, pressure equipment,
construction products.
The ACAA National Committee
has prepared an Action programme
that has not been adopted yet.
Some horizontal legislation has
been sent for screening.
The upgrading of the quality
infrastructure has started.
Morocco ACAA
An action plan to facilitate the free
movement of industrial products
between the EU and the Euro-Med
partners was outlined in the Palermo
Action Plan, agreed by Euro-Med
Ministers on 7 July 2003.
Under consideration.
Priority sectors identified by
Morocco: electrical products,
machinery, construction
products, gas appliances, toys.
ACAA preparations have been
speeded up following the adoption
of the horizontal legislation.
Technical assistance will allow
progress with the view to open
negotiations as soon as ready.
Palestinian Authority ACAA
An action plan to facilitate the free
movement of industrial
products between the EU and the
Euro-Med partners was outlined in
the Palermo Action Plan, agreed
by Euro-Med Ministers on 7 July
2003.
Under consideration.
Priority sectors: Construction
products, pharmaceuticals. Some
legislation has been received for
screening.
The technical assistance project
aimed at the re-organisation and
upgrading of the quality
infrastructure has been delayed and
will hopefully start this year.
MRA newsletter – Edition 6 21 April 2012
Legal Basis Status
Syria ACAA
An action plan to facilitate the free
movement of industrial
products between the EU and the
Euro-Med partners was outlined in
the Palermo Action Plan, agreed
by Euro-Med Ministers on 7 July
2003.
Under consideration.
Priority sectors: electrical
products.
A technical assistance project
aimed at the re-organisation and
upgrading of the quality.
infrastructure is ongoing.
Tunisia ACAA
An action plan to facilitate the free
movement of industrial
products between the EU and the
Euro-Med partners was outlined in
the Palermo Action Plan, agreed
by Euro-Med Ministers on 7 July
2003.
Under consideration
Priority sectors: electrical
products, machinery,
construction products, pressure
equipment, measuring
instruments Tunisia is very advanced in the
preparations.
A Joint Declaration has been signed in March 2012 by VP Tajani and Minister Chakhari to speed up the finalisation of the preparations and launch the negotiations as soon as possible.