Original text is on:
http://www.ita.doc.gov/media/mraprod.htm
Regards,
Mirko
---------------------------------------
For Further Information, Please Contact:
Bill Buck at 202-482-4883 or Curt Cultice at 202-482-3809
U.S., EU Reach Agreement on Mutual Recognition of Product Testing &
Approval Requirements
Agreements cover $50 billion in two-way trade
U.S. Department of Commerce News Release from the Office of the
Secretary,
Friday, June 13, 1997
Washington-- The United States and European Union have agreed to a
package
of mutual recognition agreements (MRAs) that will reduce trade barriers
in
six industry sectors covering approximately $50 billion two-way trade,
U.S.
Commerce Secretary William M. Daley and U.S. Trade Representative
Charlene
Barshefsky announced.
When fully implemented, the agreements willrecognize the results of
product
testing or certification requirements set by both governments and
eliminates the need for duplicative testing, inspection, or
certification
requirements for products from each side of the Atlantic.
"Under this landmark agreement U.S. regulatory agencies, for the first
time, have entered into a cooperative international agreement that
strives
to reduce regulatory costs while at the same time seeks to expand market
access and protect the health and safety of consumers on both sides of
the
Atlantic," Commerce Secretary Daley said.
"Completion of these mutual recognition agreements has been a
longstanding
priority of the United States and the European Union," Secretary Daley
added. "I also want to give credit to the Transatlantic Business
Dialogue.
The TABD and the MRA was important; we heard them and acted."
"We achieved an agreement that is good for U.S. and EU business, good
for
our regulatory agencies, and good for our consumers," said Barshefsky.
"The
MRA is yet another example of the Administration's push to open markets
in
sectoral areas where the United States leads the world, while assuring
our
absolute right to choose our own health and safety standards. The real
winners today are manufacturers, workers, and consumers, both in America
and in Europe, who will see reduced costs, increased jobs, and a better
standard of living."
These agreements are expected to increase U.S. exports by saving
manufacturers more than $1 billion in costs annually, which is
equivalent
to a two or three point reduction in tariffs. The MRAs include
telecommunications, medical devices, electromagnetic compatibility,
electrical safety, recreational craft, and pharmaceuticals. The
agreements
allow products or processes to be assessed for conformity (i.e.,
testing,
inspection, and certification) in the United States to European Union
standards, and vice versa.
After entry into force, the agreements will be phased in and fully
implemented in two years for electronic products and three years for
health
products.
This agreement was concluded with the support of the Transatlantic
Business
Dialogue (TABD), a U.S.-EU government-business partnership that
generates
business recommendations for removing barriers to transatlantic trade
for
direct consideration in the government decision-making process.
