Singapore has notified the APEC Telecommunications Working Group that it intends to initiate implementation of Phase I of the APEC Telecommunications Multilateral Mutual Recognition Arrangement (TEL MRA) with effect from 1 July 1999 ...
Singapore, 5 April 1999 | For Immediate Release
Singapore has notified the APEC Telecommunications Working Group that it intends to initiate implementation of Phase I of the APEC Telecommunications Multilateral Mutual Recognition Arrangement (TEL MRA) with effect from 1 July 1999. This commitment was given at the APEC Telecommunications Working Group meeting held in Miyazaki, Japan from 10-12 March 1999. Singapore is among the first group of APEC economies which has notified their readiness to implement the MRA when it comes into operation from 1 July 1999. The other economies, which have indicated their readiness, are Australia, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong China, Korea and the United States.
The APEC TEL MRA is the world's first multilateral MRA covering telecommunications equipment. The MRA agreement was endorsed by telecommunication ministers of the APEC economies during the 3rd APEC Ministerial Meeting on Telecommunications and Information Industry (TELMIN3) hosted in Singapore last June. The MRA is essentially an arrangement among APEC member economies for mutual recognition of conformity assessment of telecommunications equipment. It will reduce technical barriers to trade in telecommunications equipment by allowing equipment to be tested in the exporting economy, in accordance with the importing economy's requirements. Telecommunications equipment can then be accepted in the importing economy with minimal further regulatory action. As testing and certification are expensive procedures for exporters and importers, the simplified procedures will reduce these costs and shorten the time for suppliers to market their telecommunications products.
The MRA provides for two phases of implementation (See Annex 1). Phase I of the APEC Telecommunications MRA will permit the mutual recognition of testing laboratories that are accredited by the six participating economies to test telecommunications equipment to conform to the other parties' requirements. The mutual recognition of test results therefore allows technical tests to be done in the exporting economy and recognised in the importing economy. Phase II of the MRA provides for the mutual recognition of certification, which is the step following test results usually taken on by the regulatory body. Mutual recognition of certification of test results allows regulatory action to be taken in the exporting economy and recognised in the importing economy.
The MRA relies on voluntary participation and commitments by members of the APEC economies. So far, ten economies have indicated that they would participate in the Telecommunications MRA by the end of 1999. Other APEC economies will join the Telecommunications MRA later when they are ready (See Annex 2).
Commenting on Singapore's adoption of the first phase of the MRA, Mr Lim Choon Sai, Director of Industry Management at TAS said, "Singapore is committed to implementing the APEC MRA in telecommunications equipment together with other economies which are ready. We were closely involved in the negotiations to conclude this agreement and we now want to make a swift transition to actually implementing it. The benefits to Singapore and to the entire APEC region are clear. We will be working with other agencies to lower regulatory barriers and thereby give intra-APEC trade in telecommunications equipment a boost".
The MRA covers network terminal equipment and radio-communications equipment that are subject to telecommunications regulation, including wireline and wireless, terrestrial and satellite equipment. Besides the telecommunications aspects, the MRA also covers the electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) and electrical safety aspects of the telecommunications equipment.
Annex 1: Diagrammatic Representation of the Phases of the APEC Telecommunication MRA Agreement
Figure 1. Current patterns
| Exporting Economy | Importing Economy | |||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Figure 2. Phase One of the MRA
| Exporting Economy | Importing Economy | |||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Figure 3. Phase Two of the MRA
| Exporting Economy | Importing Economy | |||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Annex 2: Indicative Schedule for Voluntary Participation in the Mutual Recognition Arrangement on Conformity Assessment for Telecommunications Equipment
| Economy | Mutual Recognition of Test Reports (Phase I) | Mutual Recognition of Equipment Certification (Phase II) |
| Australia | Australia already accepts test reports from other parties. | Suppliers declarations are accepted now. Australia does not require certification. |
| Brunei Darussalam | 2003 | 2003 |
| Canada | End of 1998 | End of 1999 |
| China | 2002 for network terminals | To be advised |
| Hong Kong, China | Already in effect | July 1999 |
| Indonesia | 2005 | To be advised |
| Japan | July 1999 | July 1999 (targeted, but could be 2000) |
| Korea | July 1999 | To be advised |
| Malaysia | 2003 | 2003 |
| Mexico | June 2001 | To be advised |
| New Zealand* | (See * below) | (See * below) |
| Papua New Guinea | December 2001 | To be advised |
| Philippines | 2005 | 2006 |
| Singapore | July 1999 | End of 1999 |
| Chinese Taipei | Already in effect | 2000 (targeted, but could be 2001) |
| Thailand | 2004 | 2006 |
| United States | FCC currently accepts test data from other parties | July 1999 |
* The responsibility for setting the standards for attachment to telecommunications networks in New Zealand rests with network operators, not the Government - except in as far as electrical safety and electro-magnetic compatibility are concerned. Recognising its potential to contribute towards removal of non-tariff barriers in the APEC region, New Zealand proposes to endorse the MRA.
.webp)