[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 59 (Wednesday, March 27, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14762-14763]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-7373]


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OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE


United States-European Free Trade Association Mutual Recognition 
Agreement

AGENCY: Office of the United States Trade Representative.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The United States is considering a proposal to negotiate a 
mutual recognition agreement (MRA) with European Free Trade Association 
(EFTA) countries who are part of the European Economic Area (EEA)--
i.e., Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein. Such an agreement would 
parallel the provisions of the 1998 U.S.-EU MRA, but would be 
restricted to sectoral annexes on telecommunications equipment, 
electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) and recreational craft. The Office 
of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) seeks public comment 
on the desirability of negotiating a mutual recognition agreement in 
these sectors with EFTA EEA.

DATES: Comments should be submitted no later than Friday, May 3, 2002.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For procedural questions concerning 
public comments, contact Gloria Blue, Executive Secretary, Trade Policy 
Staff Committee, Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, 1724 F 
Street, NW., Washington, DC 20508, tel: (202) 395-3475. All other 
questions should be addressed to Jim Sanford, Director for European 
Affairs at (202) 395-3320; or Jason Buntin, Director for EFTA Affairs 
at (202) 395-4620.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Since 1995, the European Free Trade 
Association (EFTA) countries who are part of the European Economic Area 
(EEA)--i.e., Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein--have requested that 
the United States negotiate a mutual recognition agreement (MRA) that 
would parallel the agreement concluded between the United States and 
the European Community (EC) in 1998. The United States has indicated 
that it would continue to review EFTA's interest in an MRA as 
implementation of the U.S.-EU MRA proceeded. Now that the U.S.-EU MRA 
sectoral annexes on telecommunications equipment, EMC and recreational 
craft are fully operational, the United States is in a position to 
consider an MRA with EFTA EEA in these sectors. The possible addition 
of other sectors in the future will be considered in the context of 
agency priorities and the availability of agency resources.
    In 1994, the Agreement on the European Economic Area (EEA) created 
a single market ensuring free circulation of goods, persons, capital 
and services among the 15 EU Member States and the three EFTA EEA 
states. Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein, are integrated into the 
European Community Single Market and thereby apply the internal market 
legislation (acquis communautaire). This ensures that the EEA EFTA 
States and their economic operators are subject to the same rights and 
obligations as their counterparts in the Community, and that a product 
placed on the market in accordance with the EU technical requirements 
freely circulates within the EEA. Therefore, U.S. products marketed 
according to EC requirements also automatically comply with the 
requirements of the EEA EFTA States.
    An agreement between the United States and the EEA EFTA States 
would ensure U.S. producers direct market access to the EFTA part of 
the Community's Single Market. In effect, an MRA with EFTA EEA would 
extend the benefits of selected annexes of the U.S.-EU MRA to the 
markets of Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein.
    US-EU MRA: In December 1998, the United States and the EU began 
implementation of the U.S.-EU Mutual Recognition Agreement. The U.S.-EU 
MRA is designed to facilitate trade, while maintaining our current high 
levels of health and safety protection. Once fully implemented, this 
MRA will permit U.S. exporters to conduct required conformity 
assessment procedures (e.g., product tests, inspections, and 
certifications) in the United States according to EU requirements, and 
vice versa. The sectoral annexes of the U.S.-EU MRA cover the following 
products and associated conformity assessment procedures: (1) 
Telecommunications and information technology equipment; (2) network 
and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) for electrical products; (3) 
electrical safety for electrical products; (4) good manufacturing 
practices (GMP) for pharmaceutical products; (5) product assessment for 
certain medical devices and quality systems-related inspections for 
most medical devices; (6) and safety of recreational craft. Each 
sectoral annex contains specific provisions with respect to the 
products and associated conformity assessment procedures covered in the 
annex.
    Currently, three sectoral annexes of the U.S.-EU MRA are fully 
operational (telecommunications equipment, EMC

[[Page 14763]]

and recreational craft). The U.S.-EU mutual recognition agreement 
annexes on telecommunications equipment covers telecommunications 
terminal equipment, including radio transmitters and information 
technology equipment. The annex on electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) 
covers equipment subject to EU and U.S. radio interference and 
compatibility requirements, including radios and VCRs imported into the 
United States and most electrical and electronic equipment exported to 
the EU. The recreational craft annex covers the safety certification of 
small boats.

PUBLIC COMMENTS: USTR invites written comments from interested persons 
on the desirability of negotiating an MRA with EFTA covering the 
sectors of telecommunications equipment, electromagnetic compatibility, 
and recreational craft. Comments are invited in particular on: (a) The 
benefits for pursuing an MRA covering these sectors; and (b) any 
specific issues regarding an MRA covering any of the sectors. All 
submissions must be in English and should conform to the information 
requirements of 15 CFR part 2003. Comments should state clearly the 
position taken and should describe the specific information (including 
data, if possible) supporting that position.
    All written comments should be addressed to: Gloria Blue, Executive 
Secretary, Trade Policy Staff Committee, Office of the United States 
Trade Representative, 1724 F Street, NW., Washington, DC 20508.
    Written comments, requests, or other information submitted in 
connection with this request, except information granted ``business 
confidential'' status pursuant to 15 CFR 2003.6, will be available for 
public inspection in the USTR Reading Room, Room 3, 1724 F Street, NW., 
Washington, DC 20508. An appointment to review the file may be made by 
calling (202) 395-6186. The Reading Room is open to the public from 10 
a.m. to 12 noon, and from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
    Business confidential information will be subject to the 
requirements of 15 CFR 2003.6. Any business confidential material must 
be clearly marked as such on the cover letter or page and each 
succeeding page, and must be accompanied by a non-confidential summary 
thereof, in the form specified above. A justification as to why the 
information contained in the submission should be treated 
confidentially must be included in the submission.

Carmen Suro-Bredie,
Chair, Trade Policy Staff Committee.
[FR Doc. 02-7373 Filed 3-26-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3190-01-P