Introduction and Implementation of the Inter-American MRA

The Inter-American MRA is a multi-lateral, single sector agreement between participating OAS Member States that agree to streamline conformity assessment processes by allowing recognized Conformity Assessment Bodies (CABs) from the exporting member states to test (Phase I) or certify (Phase II) telecom products to the mandatory technical requirements of the importing Member States.

Participation is voluntary; however, participating member states will have rights and obligations. The scope of the MRA is equipment subject to mandatory telecommunications requirements, and covers telecom, EMC and electrical safety.

CAB is a generic term used to refer to a testing laboratory (in Phase I), or a certification body (in Phase II). The competence of CABs is determined by using ISO/IEC standard 17025 (for testing laboratories), and ISO/IEC Guide 65 (for certification bodies).

The main benefit of the MRA is that products can be tested and certified in the exporting country and shipped to the importing country without further requirements of testing and certification. This reduces costs, time to market and facilitates trade.

The text of the MRA is available at the web site: http://www.citel.oas.org/pcc1.asp. The important section of this document is the Appendix section, which give the procedures that participant countries should follow to designate and recognize CABs. The MRA also requires that each participant member state list four annexes with the following information: Annex I – List of the Technical Regulations Annex II – List of Designating Authority and Accreditation Body Annex III – List of CABs Designated Annex IV – List of CABs Recognized.

The CITEL Secretariat has developed an MRA management database: http://www.citel.oas.org/MRA-Menu.asp, where participant countries can enter their Annex information.

The main MRA players are:

The Regulatory Authority (RA) – may be one or more governmental entities who:

• develop technical regulations and conformity assessment requirements;

• recognize CABs that have been accredited and designated in accordance with the terms of the MRA, and

• accept the test results performed by a recognized CABs and permit the product to be sold without further testing (Phase I) or certification (Phase II).

The Designating Authority (DA) – a governmental entity that has the authority to verify competence and designate CABs within its jurisdiction, for Phase I and Phase II.

The Accrediting Body (AB) - one or more approved private sector entities, or a government entity, responsible for accrediting competent CABs in accordance with ISO/IEC 17025 and/or Guide 65 to the importing party’s technical requirements, and Conformity Assessment Body (CAB) - responsible for testing and/or certifying products to the importing party’s technical regulations.

A country wishing to implement the Inter-American MRA needs to take the following steps:

1. Obtain necessary regulatory authority;

2. Institute rule changes to privatize current conformity assessment program following Appendix A of the Inter-American MRA;

3. Notify CITEL Secretariat of its decision to implement the MRA;

4. Develop procedures for the designation and recognition of private sector entities to test and/or certify equipment (Accreditation Bodies from other countries may be used when necessary);

5. Develop training program to transfer knowledge;

6. Work with Accreditation Bodies and technical assessors to ensure competence of CABs;

7. Monitor and enforce program;

8. The RA should develop a process to audit products tested and/or certified by CABs to ensure consistency in the application of technical requirements.

Efrain Guevara
Manager, Interconection Standards,
Telecommunications Engineering and Certification
Industry Canada