Technical Barriers to Tradetrade.ec.europa.eu/doclib/docs/2012/may/tradoc_149385.pdf · Technical Barriers to Trade ... but there is a certain amount of evolution in their operation,

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


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.

http://ec.europa.eu/trade/creating-opportunities/trade-topics/european-competitiveness/non-tariff-barriers/

http://ec.europa.eu/trade/creating-opportunities/trade-topics/european-competitiveness/non-tariff-barriers/

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]


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.






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.


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


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.

http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2004:150:0042:0086:EN:PDF


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.


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


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.

http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/policies/single-market-goods/international-aspects/mutual-recognition-agreement/canada/index_en.htm

http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/policies/single-market-goods/international-aspects/mutual-recognition-agreement/canada/index_en.htm


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.


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.


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


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.

http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/policies/single-market-goods/international-aspects/mutual-recognition-agreement/japan/index_en.htm




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.


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.


Last meeting on 23 November 2011 in Bern. The next one is tentatively scheduled for fall

2012 in Brussels.


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

http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/newapproach/nando/index.cfm?fuseaction=directive.notifiedbody&dir_id=13&type_dir=NO%20CPD&pro_id=99999&prc_id=99999&ann_id=99999&prc_anx=99999




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.

http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/sectors/automotive/approval-authorities-technical-services/index_en.htm

http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/policies/single-market-goods/international-aspects/mutual-recognition-agreement/switzerland/index_en.htm

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


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.


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.

http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/policies/single-market-goods/international-aspects/mutual-recognition-agreement/australia/index_en.htm

http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/policies/single-market-goods/international-aspects/mutual-recognition-agreement/australia/index_en.htm


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.


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.


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).

http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/policies/single-market-goods/international-aspects/mutual-recognition-agreement/new-zealand/index_en.htm

http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/policies/single-market-goods/international-aspects/mutual-recognition-agreement/new-zealand/index_en.htm


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.


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).


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




Bosnia & Herzegovina.

Bosnia and Herzegovina has not yet

requested the start of negotiations.

Montenegro

ACAA




Montenegro.

Preliminary discussions were held with

Montenegro in March 2010, but

Montenegro has not yet requested the

start of negotiations.

Serbia ACAA




Montenegro.

Serbia has not yet requested the start of

negotiations.


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







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.


Legal Basis Status

Israel ACAA







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







Under consideration.


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.


Legal Basis Status

Lebanon ACAA







Under consideration


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









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


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.


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.


Legal Basis Status

Syria ACAA







2003.


Priority sectors: electrical

products.

A technical assistance project

aimed at the re-organisation and

upgrading of the quality.

infrastructure is ongoing.

Tunisia ACAA







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.

Documents

Technical Barriers to Tradetrade.ec.europa.eu/doclib/docs/2012/may/tradoc_149385.pdf · Technical Barriers to Trade ... but there is a certain amount of evolution in their operation,