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EU–United States of America mutual recognition agreement (MRA)
SUMMARY OF:
Agreement on mutual recognition between the European Community and the United States of America
WHAT IS THE AIM OF THE AGREEMENT AND THE DECISION?
The mutual recognition agreement (MRA)* aims to promote trade in goods between the EU and the US by removing technical barriers.
Under the bilateral agreement EU governments approved on 22 June 1998, the EU and the US accept the conformity assessment* results carried out for specified industrial products.
The decision adopts the MRA with the US on behalf of the EU.
KEY POINTS
The agreement covers the following sectors:
The agreement, which has been updated several times:
FROM WHEN DOES THE AGREEMENT APPLY?
It has applied since 1 December 1998.
BACKGROUND
In their resolution of 21 December 1989, EU governments agreed the principles of MRAs. On 21 September 1992, they authorised the European Commission to negotiate mutual recognition agreements on behalf of the EU with certain non-EU countries.
For more information, see:
KEY TERMS
MAIN DOCUMENTS
Agreement on mutual recognition between the European Community and the United States of America (OJ L 31, 4.2.1999, pp. 3-80)
Successive amendments to the agreement have been incorporated in the original text. This consolidated version is of documentary value only.
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, 4.2.1999, pp. 1-2)
See consolidated version.
RELATED DOCUMENTS
2002/294/EC: Decision No 14/2002 of 19 March 2002 of the Joint Committee established under the Agreement on Mutual Recognition between the European Community and the United States of America adopting its Rules of Procedure (OJ L 101, 17.4.2002, pp. 30-35)
Council Resolution of 21 December 1989 on a global approach to conformity assessment (OJ C 10, 16.1.1990, pp. 1-2)
last update 24.07.2018