   
  
G/TBT/W/792  
 
26 February 2024  
(24-1696)  Page: 1/2 
Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade  Original: English  
 
 
THEMATIC SESSION ON MUTUAL RECOGNITION AGREEMENTS  
TENTH TRIENNIAL REVIEW  
Proposal from the United Kingdom  
The following submiss ion, dated 22 February  2024, is being circulated at the request of the  
delegation of the United Kingdom . 
 
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1  BACKGROUND  
1.1.  Mutual Recognition Agreements (M RAs) can be concluded as part of Free Trade Agreements or 
as standalone agreements. For example, certain type of MRAs commit a country to accept results of  
conformity assessment procedures performed against its own regulations by a designated 
Conformity Assessment Body in a partner country, and vice versa. This allows manufacturers to 
work with Conformity Assessment Bodies located conveniently, reduces the burden of certification,  
and makes exports more competitive.  
1.2.  There is evidence suggesting that  MRAs  can encourage businesses to become exporters and 
increase trade1. MRAs promote trade in goods by reducing non -tariff barriers associated with 
conformity assessment while maintaini ng regulatory autonomy.  
1.3.  Article 6.3 of the TBT Agreement recognises the importance of MRAs in the acceptance of 
conformity assessment procedure results. The article encourages Members to consider negotiating 
agreements for the mutual recognition of each o ther's conformity assessment procedure results, if 
another Member asks.  
2  PROPOSAL  
2.1.  In light of the importance of MRAs, the United Kingdom proposes a thematic session to explore 
the importance and benefits of using MRAs with a view to enhance Members ' awareness of these 
tools and their role in reducing barriers to trade.  
2.2.  Topics and areas of focus could include:  
a. The various types of MRAs and their benefits.  
b. Members' experiences in developing and agreeing MRAs across different sectors.  
c. The challenges o f concluding and implementing MRA agreements.  
d. Sharing experiences of how Members have improved  business awareness of MRA 
provisions and the impact they have had on businesses e.g. on MSMEs.  
 
1 See Vancauteren, M. (2009). Trade effects of approaches intended to facilitate acceptance of results of 
conformity assessment: What is the evidence?  G/TBT/W/792  
 
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  e. Potential sectors of interest for MRAs and how these may contribut e to addressing future 
global challenges . 
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