International Workshop on the implementation of Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRA) on telecommunication equipment and promotion of trade

The Inter-American Mutual Recognition Agreement for Conformity Assessment of Telecommunications Equipment  was approved by CITEL PCC.I on November 1999 and then was endorsed by COM/CITEL on December 1999. This is a non-binding, agreement similar to APEC TEL MRA.and has as objective to improve the conditions of introduction of products to the market taking into account not only the cost but also the time required to analyze the meeting of the national technical  standards.

It focus on two main activities:

• Products tested by exporting country to importing country’s requirements and accepted by importing country

• Products certified by exporting country to importing country’s requirements and accepted by importing country

It has a phased approach. The Phases are independent of each other

• Phase I - mutual recognition of test reports

• Phase II - mutual recognition of equipment certifications

Several countries are already participating in its phases, while others are adopting measures to be able to implement it, including the adjustment of national laws and regulations, as appropriate.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has organized the International Workshop on the implementation of Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRA) on telecommunication equipment and promotion of trade in cooperation with the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the Telecommunication Certification Body (TCB) Council, and the Inter-American Telecommunication Commission of the Organization of American States in order to bring together all interested parties.

The workshop will take place the week of October 3-7, 2005 (Gaithersburg, Maryland, U.S.A.). It will be full of instructive, thought-provoking presentations and discussions on how various telecom regulatory authorities are successfully implementing technical programs to implement MRAs and/or their efforts to work towards this goal. Government and industry representatives will include CITEL Member States, EU Member States, and economies within the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation.

The draft agenda is available and will be updated regularly.

Who Should Attend?:    Telecom Regulatory Authorities, Designating Authorities, EMC and Telecom Accreditation Bodies, Regional Accreditation Organizations, Conformity Assessment Bodies, Test Laboratories and Certification Bodies, Manufacturers, and all other interested parties are encouraged to attend.

Registration:  The deadline for registration is Friday, September 16, 2005. There is no fee to attend this workshop, but all attendees must register in advance. Please review the NIST Gaithersburg Visitor Information website regarding security.