./.RESTRICTEDWORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/IT/SPEC/Q2/1
2 March 2001
(01-1048)
Committee of Participants on the Expansion
of Trade in Information Technology ProductsOriginal:  English
SUBMISSION FOR THE NON-TARIFF MEASURES WORK PROGRAMME
Communication from Canada
The following communication, dated 27 February 2001, has been received from the
Permanent Mission of Canada.
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Conformity Assessment of IT Products/Components for EMC
Issue
Canada’s experience in exporting information technology products/components throughout
the world reveals that the different conformity assessment requirements for EMC for informationtechnology products/components can constitute a market access barrier.
Product coverage
All the ITA products/components, e.g. automatic data processing machines(8471),
telecommunications equipment (8517 and 8525), IT-related electric conductors under HS headings
8544 and various instruments under HS heading 9027, are affected.
Impact on trade
Canadian exporters have indicated to Canadian officials that, currently the world-wide EMC
regulatory requirements for IT products/components are based on international standards, i.e. theIEC/CISPR standards.  However, the conformity assessment requirements are varied.
In Canada a supplier’s declaration of conformity is accepted without the testing by an
accredited  laboratory.  In the USA, a supplier’s declaration of conformity is accepted with the testing
of an accredited  laboratory.  In the EC, a technical filing by a third party (an accredited lab) is calledfor.  In Japan, Korea, Singapore and many other countries, third party  certification is required.
It should be noted that Canadian  industry supports the use of international standard.
However, exporters have also noted that the ITA products/components listed above,  generally have a
short life cycle and thus need to get to market rapidly after being manufactured.  The general opinionis from an EMC perspective that these products are considered to be a low risk in terms of safety.
Therefore, industry has questioned the need for such a variety/range of conformity assessment
requirements.G/IT/SPEC/Q2/1
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These differences in conformity assessment requirements impose an extra burden on industry
by requiring additional costs for complying with a variety of conformity assessments, as well as
causing delays in getting the product to market.  This has the result of undermining the intent of the
ITA, which is to foster and enhance global trade in information technology products.
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