Mutual Recognition Agreements are established between the Community and the Government of third countries, which are on a comparable level of technical development and have a compatible approach concerning conformity assessment.

These agreements are based on the mutual acceptance of test reports, certificates and marks of conformity issued by the conformity assessment bodies of one of the Parties of the Agreement in conformity with the legislation of the other Party.

Five Mutual Recognition Agreements on conformity assessment between the European Community and third countries entered recently into force: on 1/12/98 with the United States, on 1/11/98 with Canada, on 1/1/99 with Australia and New Zealand respectively and on 1/5/00 with Israel in the Sector of Chemicals Good Laboratory Practices (GLP).

Furthermore, a Mutual Recognition Agreement with Japan was signed on 4/4/01. Before the EU and Japan MRA come into force, however, a formal ratification by the EU Council of Ministers and the Japanese Parliament is required. MRA's include the finalization of relevant lists of designated laboratories, inspection bodies and conformity assessment bodies in both the EC and the third country. Links to existing lists are provided on this website.

In the case of MRA's between the EU and Canada and between the EU and the USA, provisions exist in the Framework text for transitional arrangements between the Parties in order to implement confidence building as specified in the sectoral annexes. Transitional periods, varying from 18 to 36 months depending on the Sector, are established to exchange information, build confidence and finalize detailed work-programs for approval of conformity assessment bodies (CABs) between the Parties.

Passage to the operational phase has taken place, in the case of the MRA between the EU and the USA, for the following sectors:

In general terms, the transitional arrangements are meant to allow the relevant authorities of the Parties to build confidence and understanding of each others procedures for designation of CABs and to evaluate the ability of the CABs to carry out their duties.