Mutual recognition agreements - Problems caused by inconsistencies in the accreditation requirements of EMC test laboratories.

Accreditation bodies around the world have established Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs) that facilitate the mutual acceptance of each other's test reports. While EMC standards are internationally harmonised, the broad scope of activities covered by MRAs often results in failure to adequately address all areas of EMC testing in sufficient detail to guarantee consistency in the accreditation requirements for EMC test laboratories. Because of the vagaries of EMC testing, accreditation bodies often apply inconsistent technical criteria when assessing EMC laboratories for accreditation. The international acceptance of EMC test reports has become a major test of the success of MRAs on conformity assessment.