EU–New Zealand mutual recognition agreement (MRA)

SUMMARY OF:

Agreement on mutual recognition between the European Community and New Zealand

Decision 98/509/EC concluding an Agreement on mutual recognition between the European Community and New Zealand

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 New Zealand by removing technical barriers.

Under the bilateral agreement that EU countries agreed on 18 June 1998, the EU and New Zealand accept the conformity assessment* results each other’s designated conformity assessment bodies carry out for specific industrial products.

The decision adopts the MRA with New Zealand on behalf of the EU.

KEY POINTS

The agreement covers the following sectors:

good manufacturing practice for medicines;
medical devices;
telecommunications terminal and radio equipment;
electrical products;
electromagnetic compatibility* of equipment;
industrial machinery including tower and mobile cranes;
pressure equipment.

The agreement:

enables EU companies to have their products — which must comply with New Zealand’s requirements — tested and certified in the EU and then they can export them to the New Zealand's 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;
provides procedures for designation of conformity assessment bodies* for each sector;
requires the EU and New Zealand to audit, inspect and monitor the conformity assessment bodies to ensure their work is carried out correctly;
provides for the suspension of a designated conformity assessment bodies;
establishes a joint committee of EU and New Zealand 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 countries 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 countries 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 standards.

MAIN DOCUMENTS

Agreement on mutual recognition in relation to conformity assessment between the European Community and New Zealand (OJ L 229, 17.8.1998, pp. 62-110).

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

Council Decision 98/509/EC of 18 June 1998 on the conclusion of an Agreement on mutual recognition in relation to conformity assessment between the European Community and New Zealand (OJ L 229, 17.8.1998, p. 61)

See consolidated version.