Mutual Recognition Agreements
Mutual Recognition Agreements : MRAs are negotiated on a sectoral basis (such as: telecommunciations, medicial devices, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, processed foods) and allow countries to accept each other's final test results, although quality assurances may be required. Under MRAs, the entire testing and certification process may occur outside the importing country. Under MRA's with the European Community, a U.S. firm would obtain product certification on an EC-wide basis, enabling the firms to market its products throughout the Community. Based on private-law contractual negotiations, subcontracting permits a notified body of the EC to delegate some of its testing responsibilities to a third-country testing lab or quality assessment body. However, the notified body retains ultimate responsibility for final decisions relating to EC certification. Formal discussions between representatives of the U.S. Government and the European Economic Community on entering MRSs began in October 1992
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