A recently signed mutual recognition arrangement on electromagnetic energy health exposure (EME MRA) with Taiwan allows for the mutual acceptance of test reports from recognised assessment bodies for radiocommunications products, such as cellular and cordless phones.
The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office and the Australian Commerce and Industry Office are the signatories to the EME MRA; the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) and the National Communications Commission of Taiwan are the ‘implementing authorities’.
Under the EME MRA, products manufactured or tested in Australia with a test report issued by an ACMA-designated conformity assessment body will no longer require re-testing before entering the Taiwan market. Duplication of testing and certification will be eliminated, saving time and money for manufacturers and importers.
ACMA already accepts test reports from test labs accredited by the National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) and NATA-MRA partners, which means there are no changes required to the regulatory arrangements for importers into Australia. The bilateral MRA will provide significant cost benefits for exporters from Australia trying to enter the Taiwan market.
The MRA is based on mutual recognition of accredited testing facilities as capable of testing and meeting each other’s EME standard for portable radiocommunications devices. It is based on a mutual confidence in test houses that follow the MRA guidelines of the Asia–Pacific Economic Cooperation Telecommunications and Information Working Group (APEC TEL), and the capabilities of these test houses to meet the MRA partner’s regulatory requirements. For more information contact Dr. Sharon Lim, Sharon.lim@acma.gov.au.