EU–Australia mutual recognition agreement (MRA)

SUMMARY OF:

Agreement on mutual recognition between the European Community and Australia

Decision 98/508/EC concluding an Agreement on mutual recognition between the European Community and Australia

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 Australia by removing technical barriers.

Under the bilateral agreement that EU countries agreed on 11 November 2005, the EU and Australia accept the conformity assessment* results that each carries out for specific industrial products.

The decision adopts the MRA with Australia on behalf of the EU.

KEY POINTS

The agreement covers the following sectors:

good manufacturing practice for medicines;
medical devices;
telecommunications terminal and satellite earth station equipment;
low-voltage electrical equipment;
electromagnetic compatibility* of equipment;
industrial machinery, including tower and mobile cranes;
pressure equipment;
automotive products.

The agreement:

enables EU companies to have their products — which must comply with Australian requirements — tested and certified in the EU and then they can export them to the Australian market and vice versa;
lists the legislation, regulations and administrative rules the agreement covers for each sector;
lays down the conditions for reciprocal acceptance of conformity assessment results;
lays down procedures for designation of conformity assessment bodies* for each sector;
requires the EU and Australian authorities to audit, inspect and monitor the designated conformity assessment bodies to ensure their work is carried out correctly;
provides for the suspension of a designated conformity assessment body;
establishes a joint committee of EU and Australian representatives to deal with any issues that might arise under the agreement.

FROM WHEN DOES THE AGREEMENT APPLY?

It has applied since 1 January 1999.

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:

Mutual Recognition Agreements (European Commission).

KEY TERMS

Mutual recognition agreement: an international agreement where 2 or more parties recognise each other’s conformity assessment results.

Conformity assessment: the procedure in which a product, before it can be marketed, is tested inspected and certified to ensure it complies with the relevant legislation.

Electromagnetic compatibility: the interaction of electrical and electronic equipment with its electromagnetic environment, and with other equipment. All electronic devices have the potential to emit electromagnetic fields.

Conformity assessment bodies: these assess whether a product meets the relevant legislative or regulatory requirements.

MAIN DOCUMENTS

Agreement on mutual recognition in relation to conformity assessment, certificates and markings between the European Community and Australia (OJ L 229, 17.8.1998, pp. 3-60)

Successive amendments to the agreement have been incorporated in the original text. This consolidated version is of documentary value only.

Council Decision 98/508/EC of 18 June 1998 on the conclusion of an Agreement on mutual recognition in relation to conformity assessment, certificates and markings between the European Community and Australia (OJ L 229, 17.8.1998, pp. 1-2)

See consolidated version.