1Mutual recognition CASCO Comms/ International Organization for Standardization

2Mutual recognition CASCO Comms/ Mutual recognition ISO/IEC Guide 68:2002 by Mr. Graeme Drake Head of Conformity Assessment ISO Central Secretariat ISO CASCO/DEVCO – BIS Regional workshop on Certification New Delhi, India, 7 December 2004

3Mutual recognition CASCO Comms/ To start with… Arrangements versus agreements Scope of the ISO/IEC Guide 68 Guide for development, issuance and operation of arrangements for the recognition and acceptance of results of produced by bodies undertaking similar CA and related activities Focused on the recognition and acceptance in the unregulated cross border marketplace The Guide covers both: basic elements of an arrangement/agreement, and details on establishing the agreement group

4Mutual recognition CASCO Comms/ Elements of an agreement Introduction Signatories Scope Conditions of eligibility Individual obligations of signatories Collective obligations of signatories Relationship with other agreement groups Duration Points of contact Official signatures Conditions of amendment

5Mutual recognition CASCO Comms/ Establishing the agreement group Demonstration of conformity to internationally recognised requirements Direct method for demonstrating conformity e.g. peer assessment Indirect method for demonstrating conformity e.g. accreditation Other methods hybrid approaches

6Mutual recognition CASCO Comms/ Hybrid example using accreditation Management System / Product/Personnel/ laboratories and tests CERTIFICATION BODIES ISO/IEC Guides and Standards ISO/IEC Guide 68 MRAs – Dec 2002 Management System / Product/Personnel/ laboratories and tests CERTIFICATION BODIES ACCREDITS CERTIFIES ACCREDITATION BODY B ACCREDITATION BODY A VOLUNTARY MUTUAL RECOGNITION ACCREDITS DESIGNATES REGULATOR G2G MUTUAL RECOGNITION REGULATOR DESIGNATES

7Mutual recognition CASCO Comms/ Example using peer assessment amongst certifiers Management System / Product/Personnel/ laboratories and tests CERTIFICATION BODIES ISO/IEC Guides and Standards ISO/IEC Guide 68 MRAs – Dec 2002 Management System / Product/Personnel/ laboratories and tests CERTIFICATION BODIES CERTIFIES VOLUNTARY MUTUAL RECOGNITION through peer assessment confidence

8Mutual recognition CASCO Comms/ Procedures for transparency and access to documentation Methods of test and inspection Methods to evaluate measurement facilities and calibration of test equipment Methods to control environmental test conditions Test, inspection and report forms Procedures for evaluation of a report resulting in a decision to approve or not to approve Means of communicating positive or negative test results Application procedures Peer assessment and accreditation procedures Internal harmonisation

9Mutual recognition CASCO Comms/ Regulation, regulators and standards Fear of the end game Level of commitment Resource intensive negotiation Correct tool for level of confidence Potential influences on MRA development and implementation Making MRAs work

10Mutual recognition CASCO Comms/ Checklist for potential MRA signatories Clearly identify the target of the MRA and match it to your own needs Check what other tools or methods can be used to address the target Vision the end game so all potential participants understand what the end result may be Use a cost/benefit analysis Gain commitment from decision makers Be prepared to make internal changes to facilitate MRA process Identify and allocate adequate resources to MRA negotiation, maintenance and promotion Use international standards

11Mutual recognition CASCO Comms/ Further information on conformity assessment can be found at the following link: or Graeme Drake, Head of Conformity Assessment and Secretary of ISO/CASCO at