MRA Frequently Asked Questions

Q.  HOW DOES AN MRA WORK?

A.  The MRAs allow products to be tested and approved in one country to another country's technical requirements. For instance, under the APEC Tel MRA, a cell phone can be tested and certified in the United States to Singapore's technical requirements, and the product can be shipped and marketed throughout Singapore without the need for any further testing or approvals. The reverse is true as well - a product can be tested and certified in Singapore to the requirements of the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and sold on the market here in the United States.

Q.  WHAT PRODUCTS ARE COVERED UNDER THE MRAs?

A.  The U.S.-EU MRA contains provisions for six product sectors:

1. Telecommunications,

2. Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC),

3. Electrical Safety,

4. Recreational Craft,

5. Medical Devices, and

6. Pharmaceutical Good Manufacturing Practices.

The APEC Tel MRA and the CITEL MRA are single sector MRAs for telecommunications equipment, including EMC and electrical safety. The specifics of each MRA and in some instances, each country, will vary.

Q.  WHAT ARE THE IMPORTANT ROLES IN THE MRAs?

Regulatory Authority (RA)

The RA is a government agency responsible for telecom systems and products within its territory. The RA develops and publishes technical regulations, including conformity assessment requirements, in the public interest. In the United States, the Federal Communications Commission serves as the RA.

 

Designating Authority (DA)

The DA is a government entity responsible for designating competent conformity assessment bodies (CABs) within their jurisdiction in accordance with procedures. NIST is the U.S. DA under portions of the U.S.-EU MRA, as well as the APEC Tel and CITEL MRAs.

 

Accreditation Bodies (ABs)

MRAs rely on accreditation as a basis for establishing technical competence and building regulator confidence. ABs are responsible for accrediting competent CABs in accordance with international standards and to the importing party's technical requirements. In the United States, NIST currently recognizes the National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program (NVLAP) and the American Association of Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA) as the accreditation bodies for EMC and telecommunications test laboratories, and the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA) and the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) are recognized through the NIST National Voluntary Conformity Assessment Systems Evaluation (NVCASE) Program as accreditors of certification bodies.

 

Conformity Assessment Bodies (CABs)

CABs are responsible for testing and/or approving products in accordanceto the importing party's technical requirements. CABs in the United States are designated and listed by NIST.

 

Suppliers

Manufacturers and importers of regulated products must ensure that their products comply with all necessary requirements.

 

Consumers

Consumers are the end users of regulated products and as a result, trust that products sold on the market are safe to own and operate.

Q.  WHAT ARE NIST'S ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES UNDER THE MRAs?

A.  Under the U.S.-EU MRA, NIST serves as the Designating Authority for Telecommunications, EMC, and Recreational Craft. As Designating Authority, NIST has the authority to verify competence, nominate, designate, list, monitor performance, suspend, withdraw, and reinstate CABs in the United States.

Q.  HOW CAN A CAB REQUEST TO BE DESIGNATED BY NIST?

A.  The requirements for designation will vary depending on the specific requirements outlined in the MRAs. In the APEC and CITEL MRAs, the requirements also vary from country to country or economy. A prospective CAB can visit the following sites for specific information regarding the designation requirements:

U.S.-EU MRA
APEC MRA
CITEL MRA (Designation is not available at this time)

Q.  HOW MANY CABs ARE THERE IN THE U.S. TODAY?

A.  The number of U.S. CABs varies depending upon the MRA and/or the country or economy. Tables of designated U.S. CABs can be viewed at:

• U.S.-EU MRA
• APEC MRA

CITEL MRA (Currently, there are no CABs are designated under the CITEL MRA)

Q.  ARE THE MRAs ACCOMPLISHING WHAT THEY SET OUT TO DO?

A.  The time and resources associated with negotiating and implementing MRAs can be significant for the parties involved and are regarded with varying degrees of success. However, MRAs open doors to foreign markets and allow for the free flow and exchange of goods and services. Some of the benefits of MRAs include the following:

1. MRAs can reduce the time and costs. Requirements for duplicative testing are eliminated. Products can be tested in one country to another county's regulations and therefore, allow a product to reach the market faster than before. This is especially important in the telecom sector since the lifecycle of a product is typically short.
2. EMC and telecom regulations, laws, policies, and procedures are more transparent.
3. Laboratories, product certification bodies, and manufacturers are more knowledgeable and stay up-to-date on changes in technical regulations and policies.
4. Industry committees have formed as a means of sharing information and communicating with regulatory authorities, designating authorities, and accreditation bodies.
5. Frequent dialogue between regulatory authorities, designating authorities, and accreditation bodies exists in order to maintain consistency of programs.