US-UK Mutual Recognition Agreement

US-UK Mutual Recognition Agreement

Introduction
 

The US-UK Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA)was signed on February 14, 2019, and entered into force on January 1, 2021.

Under this agreement, qualified US CABs can obtain UK Approved Body recognition for the specific UK regulations noted below.

Note: UK recognition is not available or required for testing laboratories. Manufacturers can use any lab for the required testing.

Please refer to the following two MRA Annexes for further information:

- Telecommunications Equipment Annex (MRA text p. 17)
- EMC Annex (MRA text p. 29)

UK Telecom Regulatory Authority

Ofcom

UK Recognition Authority for the MRA

Department for Business and Trade (DBT)

Scope of Designation for EMC

Approved Body Status for

UK Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Regulations 2016 (SI 2016/1091) - EMCR

With revisions in UK Statutory Instruments 2019 No. 696 SCHEDULE 20

Module B - Schedule 3, Part 1 (Type Examination)

Scope of Designation for Radio

Approved Body Status for

UK Radio Equipment Regulations 2017 (SI 2017/1206) - RER

With revisions in UK Statutory Instruments 2019 No. 696 SCHEDULE 29

Module B – Schedule 3 (Type Examination)

Application Requirements

1. Since many of the key aspects of the UK scheme are still under development, it is a prerequisite that US CABs demonstrate knowledge and technical expertise of the EU Notified Body (NB) scheme for the Radio Equipment Directive (RED) and/or EMC Directive (EMCD) upon which the UK scheme is based. US CABs can do this by either (a) obtaining EU NB status, or (b) demonstrating competency for the relevant EU NB activities through RED and/or EMCD accreditation, having personnel with NB experience, and having regular access to all EU NB information.
2. US CABs must also obtain ISO/IEC 17065 accreditation for the appropriate UK RER and/or EMCR Approved Body activities (that parallel the NB activities).
3. US CABs shall submit an application form and supporting documentation in accordance with the instructions noted in the NIST requirements for NB status here.  Application materials must be tailored to show the UK scheme differences (from the EU RED and EMCD NB schemes).  

Note: Accreditation must be issued by one of the following US accreditation bodies:  A2LA or ANAB.

Please contact NIST via mra [at] nist.gov (mra[at]nist[dot]gov) to obtain further details on this developing program.

Resources/Links to Additional Information: 

About UK designated standards  (apply for Great Britain - England, Scotland, Wales)

EMC specific UK designated standards

Radio specific UK designated standards

Low voltage UK specific designated standards

Radio Equipment Regulation 14 Guidance

Radio Equipment Regulation (RER) Approved Bodies (AB) website - Under Development

Questions

For questions related to this MRA, please contact NIST via mra [at] nist.gov (mra[at]nist[dot]gov)

Content last revised on June 21, 2023