[pic] | EUROPEAN COMMISSION |

Brussels, 28.5.2010

COM(2010)257 final

2010/0138 (NLE)

Proposal for a

COUNCIL DECISION

on the signature on behalf of the European Union of an Agreement between the European Union and New Zealand amending the Agreement on mutual recognition in relation to conformity assessment between the European Community and New Zealand

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

I. THE AMENDMENT

1. BACKGROUND

The Agreement between the European Community and New Zealand (‘the Parties’) on mutual recognition in relation to conformity assessment[1] (hereinafter ‘the Agreement on Mutual Recognition”) entered into force on 1 January 1999[2]. With a view to further improving and simplifying the functioning of the Agreement on Mutual Recognition, the Parties have decided to amend some of its provisions.

On the basis of the negotiating directives included in the specific decision of the Council of 21 September 1992 authorising the Commission to negotiate agreements between the European Economic Community and certain third countries on mutual recognition relating to conformity assessment, as amended by the specific decisions adopted by the Council on 26 May 1997 and 8 July 2002, the Commission has negotiated and initialled an Amendment to the Agreement on Mutual Recognition (hereinafter ‘the Amendment’).

The text of the Amendment is attached to this proposal. The Commission proposes that the Council authorise the signature of the Amendment on behalf of the Union.

The Agreement between the European Community and Australia on mutual recognition in relation to conformity assessment, certificates and markings[3] is in effect identical to the Agreement on Mutual Recognition with New Zealand. A parallel Agreement amending the Agreement with Australia will be proposed.

2. ASSESSMENT OF THE AMENDMENT

The amendments are intended to allow greater flexibility in the structure of Sectoral Annexes to the Agreement on Mutual Recognition, to remove unnecessary restrictions on trade between the Parties, to reduce the administrative burden related to management of the Agreement and to facilitate and clarify the operation of the Agreement.

In addition, the Sectoral Annexes on medicinal products GMP inspection and batch certification and on medical devices have been superseded by changes in technical and administrative practice and by changes in the organisations listed therein, and the opportunity has been taken to revise them.

There are no financial implications to this proposal. The Amendment will be published in the Official Journal of the European Union.

A detailed assessment of the Amendment follows.

1. In order to remove unnecessary restrictions on trade, the restriction in Article 4 of the application of the Agreement to industrial products that originate in the Parties according to non-preferential rules of origin will be deleted. As amended, the Agreement on Mutual Recognition will apply to all products covered by it, irrespective of their origin.

2. The references to the Chair of the Joint Committee will be deleted from Articles 8 and 12, in order to reflect the fact that the Joint Committee is co-chaired by the Parties.

3. In order to simplify operation of the Agreement on Mutual Recognition, a simpler procedure for the recognition, withdrawal of recognition and suspension of conformity assessment bodies will be set up in Article 12. As a result, a decision by a designating authority to designate or withdraw designation of a conformity assessment body will no longer need to be given effect by an amendment to a Sectoral Annex; the need for the Joint Committee to take action will be limited to cases that have been contested by the other Party under Article 8.

4. In order to make timely adaptations to the Sectoral Annexes to take account of technical progress and other factors such as enlargement of the European Union, Article 12 will also be amended in order to explicitly empower the Joint Committee to amend the Sectoral Annexes in areas other than to give effect to the decision by a designating authority to designate or withdraw designation of a particular conformity assessment body, and also to adopt new Sectoral Annexes.

5. Article 3 will be amended in order to reflect the changes to Article 12 and to allow greater flexibility in the structure of Sectoral Annexes to the Agreement on Mutual Recognition.

6. The wording of Articles 6, 7, 8, 9 and 15, and of paragraphs 9 and 10 of the Annex, have been changed in order to reflect the amendments to Article 12.

7. The Sectoral Annex on medicinal products GMP inspection and batch certification has been revised to take account of developments in technical and administrative practice, changes introduced by the Amendment to the main body of the Agreement on Mutual Recognition, updates in the organisations listed, and changes to the Parties’ legislation affecting this sector. The principle of operation of this Sectoral Annex remains unchanged.

8. The Sectoral Annex on medical devices has been revised to take account of developments in technical and administrative practice, changes introduced by the Amendment to the main body of the Agreement on Mutual Recognition, updates in the organisations listed, and changes to the Parties’ legislation affecting this sector. The principle of operation of this Sectoral Annex remains unchanged.

3. RELATIONS WITH EFTA/EEA MEMBER COUNTRIES

In accordance with the information and consultation procedures set out in the Agreement on the European Economic Area and Protocol 12 to that Agreement, the Commission has informed EFTA/EEA Member Countries of progress in the negotiations and the final result.

II. THE PROPOSAL FOR A COUNCIL DECISION

The attached proposal for a Council Decision concerns the signature of the Amendment. Signature by New Zealand and the EU is required for the adoption of this Amendment. It is accordingly proposed, on the basis of Articles 207 and 218 TFEU, that the Commission be authorised to sign and to designate the person empowered to proceed actually to the signature of the Amendment on behalf of the Union. Article 218(5) TFEU provides that the Council authorises the signature of international agreements. In view of the procedure set up by Article 218 TFEU, such an agreement should be signed by its negotiator. In this case, the agreement was negotiated by the Commission, who also represents externally the Union in the area in which this agreement falls (Article 17(1), last sentence TEU).

The Commission therefore proposes that the Council adopts the attached Decision on the signature of the Agreement. A separate proposal on the conclusion of the Agreement is also being submitted.

2010/0138 (NLE)

Proposal for a

COUNCIL DECISION

on the signature on behalf of the European Union of an Agreement between the European Union and New Zealand amending the Agreement on mutual recognition in relation to conformity assessment between the European Community and New Zealand

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Articles 207(4), first subparagraph, and 218(5) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,

Whereas:

(1) The Agreement on mutual recognition in relation to conformity assessment between the European Community and New Zealand[4] (hereinafter ‘the Agreement on Mutual Recognition’) entered into force on 1 January 1999[5].

(2) On 8 July 2002 the Council authorised the Commission to open negotiations with New Zealand for amending the Agreement on Mutual Recognition. The negotiations were successfully concluded by the initialling of the Agreement in Brussels on 29 June 2009.

(3) The Agreement should be signed by the negotiator on behalf of the European Union, subject to its conclusion at a later date,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

The Commission is hereby authorised to sign, on behalf of the European Union, the Agreement between the European Union and New Zealand amending the Agreement on mutual recognition in relation to conformity assessment between the European Community and New Zealand (hereinafter referred to as ‘the Agreement’), and to designate the persons empowered to proceed to the signature.

The text of the Agreement to be signed is attached to this Decision.

Article 2

This Decision shall enter into force on the day of its adoption.

Done at Brussels, […]

For the Council

The President […]

AGREEMENT

amending the Agreement on Mutual Recognition in relation to Conformity Assessment between the European Community and New Zealand

THE EUROPEAN UNION AND NEW ZEALAND, hereinafter referred to as ‘the Parties’,

HAVING concluded an Agreement on Mutual Recognition in relation to Conformity Assessment, done at Wellington on 25 June 1998 (hereinafter referred to as ‘the Agreement’);

NOTING the need to simplify the operation of the Agreement;

WHEREAS Article 3 of the Agreement sets out the form of the Sectoral Annexes in detail, and, specifically, provides that Section II of each Sectoral Annex to the Agreement shall contain a list of the designated Conformity Assessment Bodies;

WHEREAS Article 4 of the Agreement restricts the application of the Agreement to products that originate in the Parties according to non-preferential rules of origin;

WHEREAS Article 12 of the Agreement establishes a Joint Committee that, inter alia , gives effect to decisions on the inclusion of Conformity Assessment Bodies in, and their removal from, the Sectoral Annexes and sets out a procedure for such inclusion and removal;

WHEREAS Articles 8 and 12 of the Agreement refer to the Chair of the Joint Committee;

WHEREAS Article 12 of the Agreement does not explicitly empower the Joint Committee to amend the Sectoral Annexes, except to give effect to the decision by a Designating Authority to designate or to withdraw designation of a particular Conformity Assessment Body;

CONSIDERING that Article 3 should be amended, both to reflect the changes proposed to Article 12 to limit the requirement for the Joint Committee to take action on the recognition or withdrawal of recognition of Conformity Assessment Bodies to cases that have been contested by the other Party under Article 8, and to allow greater flexibility in the structure of Sectoral Annexes to the Agreement;

CONSIDERING that in order that trade between the Parties is not unnecessarily restricted, the origin restriction in Article 4 should be deleted;

CONSIDERING that in order to reflect the fact that the Joint Committee is co-chaired by the Parties, the references to the Chair of the Joint Committee should be deleted from Articles 8 and 12 of the Agreement;

CONSIDERING that enhanced exchange of information between the Parties regarding the operation of the Agreement will facilitate its operation;

CONSIDERING that in order to make timely adaptations to the Sectoral Annexes in order to take account of technical progress, and other factors such as enlargement of the European Union, the Joint Committee should be explicitly empowered in Article 12 to amend the Sectoral Annexes in areas other than to give effect to the decision by a Designating Authority to designate or to withdraw designation of a particular Conformity Assessment Body, and also to adopt new Sectoral Annexes;

CONSIDERING that in order to simplify the operation of the Agreement, the need for the Joint Committee to take decisions on the recognition or withdrawal of recognition of Conformity Assessment Bodies should be limited to cases that have been contested by the other Party under Article 8;

CONSIDERING that in order to simplify the operation of the Agreement, a simpler procedure for the recognition, withdrawal of recognition, and suspension of Conformity Assessment Bodies should be set up in Article 12, and the position regarding conformity assessment carried out by bodies before their designation is suspended or withdrawn should be clarified;

CONSIDERING that the Agreement on mutual recognition in relation to conformity assessment, certificates and markings between the European Union and Australia is identical in form to the Agreement, and is therefore being amended in parallel in order to retain coherence between the Agreements;

CONSIDERING that the legal references and mode of operation of the Sectoral Annexes on Medicinal Products GMP Inspections and Batch Certification and on Medical Devices are outdated, and the opportunity has been taken to amend them to reflect the current position;

HAVE AGREED TO AMEND THE AGREEMENT AS FOLLOWS:

Article 1

Amendments to the Agreement

The Agreement is amended as follows:

1. Article 3.2 is replaced by the following:

‘2. Each Sectoral Annex shall, in general, contain the following information:

(a) a statement of its scope and coverage;

(b) the legislative, regulatory and administrative requirements pertaining to the conformity assessment procedures;

(c) the Designating Authorities;

(d) a set of procedures for the designation of Conformity Assessment Bodies; and

(e) additional provisions as required.’

2. Article 4 is replaced by the following:

‘ Article 4

Scope and coverage

The provisions of this Agreement shall apply to products specified in the statement of scope and coverage in each Sectoral Annex.’

3. Article 6.1 is replaced by the following:

‘1. The Parties shall ensure that the Designating Authorities responsible for designating Conformity Assessment Bodies have the necessary power and competence to designate, suspend, remove suspension and withdraw the designation of such bodies.’

4. Article 6.2 is replaced by the following:

‘2. In making such designations, suspensions, removals of suspension and withdrawals, Designating Authorities shall, unless specified otherwise in the Sectoral Annexes, observe the procedures for designation set out in Article 12 and the Annex.’

5. Article 6.3 is deleted.

6. Article 7.1 is replaced by the following:

‘1. The Parties shall exchange information concerning the procedures used to ensure that the designated Conformity Assessment Bodies under their responsibility comply with the legislative, regulatory and administrative requirements outlined in the Sectoral Annexes and the competence requirements specified in the Annex.’

7. Article 8.3 is replaced by the following:

‘3. Such contestation has to be justified in an objective and argued manner and in writing to the other Party and the Joint Committee.’

8. Article 8.6 is replaced by the following:

‘6. Except when decided otherwise by the Joint Committee, the contested Conformity Assessment Body shall be suspended by the competent Designating Authority from the time its technical competence and compliance is contested in accordance with this Article until either agreement has been reached in the Joint Committee on the status of that Body or the challenging Party notifies the other Party and the Joint Committee that it is satisfied as to the technical competence and compliance of the Conformity Assessment Body.’

9. Article 9 is replaced by the following:

‘Article 9

Exchange of information

1. The Parties shall exchange information concerning the implementation of the legislative, regulatory and administrative provisions identified in the Sectoral Annexes and shall maintain an accurate list of Conformity Assessment Bodies designated in accordance with this Agreement.

2. Consistent with their obligations under the World Trade Organization Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade, each Party shall inform the other Party of the changes it intends to make to the legislative, regulatory and administrative provisions relating to the subject matter of this Agreement and shall, except as provided in Article 9.3 of this Agreement, notify the other Party of the new provisions at least 60 days before their entry into force.

3. Where a Party takes urgent measures that it considers warranted by considerations of safety, health or protection of the environment to manage a risk posed by a product covered by a Sectoral Annex, it shall notify immediately the other Party of the measures, with a brief indication of the objective and the rationale of the measures, or as otherwise specified in a Sectoral Annex.’

10. Article 12.3 is replaced by the following:

‘3. The Joint Committee shall meet at least once a year unless the Joint Committee or the Parties decide otherwise. If required for the effective functioning of this Agreement, or at the request of either Party, an additional meeting or meetings shall be held.’

11. Article 12.4 is replaced by the following:

‘4. The Joint Committee may consider any matter related to the functioning of this Agreement. In particular, it shall be responsible for:

(a) amending the Sectoral Annexes in accordance with this Agreement;

(b) exchanging information concerning the procedures used by either Party to ensure that the Conformity Assessment Bodies maintain the necessary level of competence;

(c) in accordance with Article 8, appointing a joint team or teams of experts to verify the technical competence of a Conformity Assessment Body and its compliance with other relevant requirements;

(d) exchanging information and notifying the Parties of modifications of legislative, regulatory and administrative provisions referred to in the Sectoral Annexes including those which require modification of the Sectoral Annexes;

(e) resolving any questions relating to the application of this Agreement and its Sectoral Annexes; and

(f) adopting new Sectoral Annexes in accordance with this Agreement.’

12. Article 12.5 is replaced by the following:

‘5. Any amendments to Sectoral Annexes made in accordance with this Agreement and any new Sectoral Annexes adopted in accordance with this Agreement shall be notified promptly in writing by the Joint Committee to each Party, and shall come into effect as determined by the Joint Committee.’

13. Article 12.6 is replaced by the following:

‘6. The following procedure shall apply in relation to the designation of a Conformity Assessment Body:

(a) a Party wishing to designate any Conformity Assessment Body shall forward its proposal to the other Party in writing, to that effect, adding supporting documentation, as may be defined by the Joint Committee, to the request;

(b) in the event that the other Party consents or upon the expiry of 60 days without an objection having been lodged, in accordance with any applicable procedures established by the Joint Committee, to the proposal, the Conformity Assessment Body shall be considered to be a designated Conformity Assessment Body under the terms of Article 5;

(c) in the event that, under Article 8, the other Party contests the technical competence or compliance of a Conformity Assessment Body within the aforementioned 60-day period, the Joint Committee may decide to carry out a verification of the Body concerned, in accordance with that Article;

(d) in the case of the designation of a new Conformity Assessment Body, conformity assessment carried out by such a Conformity Assessment Body shall be valid from the date on which the Conformity Assessment Body becomes a designated Conformity Assessment Body in accordance with this Agreement;

(e) either Party may suspend, remove the suspension of, or withdraw the designation of a Conformity Assessment Body under its jurisdiction. The Party concerned shall immediately notify the other Party and the Joint Committee of its decision in writing, together with the date of such decision. The suspension, removal of suspension or withdrawal of the designation shall take effect from the date of the Party’s decision;

(f) in accordance with Article 8, either Party may, in exceptional circumstances, contest the technical competence of a designated Conformity Assessment Body under the jurisdiction of the other Party. In this case the Joint Committee may decide to carry out a verification of the body concerned, in accordance with Article 8.’

14. Article 12.7 is replaced by the following:

‘7. In the event that the designation of a Conformity Assessment Body is suspended or withdrawn, conformity assessment carried out by that Conformity Assessment Body before the date of effect of the suspension or withdrawal shall remain valid unless either the responsible Party has limited or cancelled that validity, or the Joint Committee determines otherwise. The Party under whose jurisdiction the suspended or withdrawn Conformity Assessment Body was operating shall notify the other Party in writing of any such changes relating to a limitation or cancellation of validity.’

15. Article 15.3 is replaced by the following:

‘3. The Joint Committee may adopt Sectoral Annexes to which Article 2 applies and which will provide the implementing arrangements for this Agreement.’

16. Article 15.4 is replaced by the following:

‘4. Amendments to the Sectoral Annexes, and the adoption of new Sectoral Annexes, shall be determined by the Joint Committee.’

17. Paragraph 9 of the Annex is replaced by the following:

‘9. Designating Authorities shall inform their Party's representatives on the Joint Committee, established under Article 12 of this Agreement, of Conformity Assessment Bodies to be designated, suspended, or withdrawn. The designation, suspension or withdrawal of designation of Conformity Assessment Bodies shall take place in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement and the rules of procedure of the Joint Committee.’

18. Paragraph 10 of the Annex is replaced by the following:

‘10. When advising their Party's representative on the Joint Committee established under this Agreement, of the Conformity Assessment Bodies to be designated, the Designating Authority shall provide the following details in respect of each Conformity Assessment Body:

(a) the name;

(b) the postal address;

(c) the facsimile (fax) number and electronic mail (email) address;

(d) the range of products, processes, standards or services it is authorised to assess;

(e) the conformity assessment procedures it is authorised to carry out; and

(f) the designation procedure used to determine competence.’

_____________

Article 2

Amendments to Sectoral Annexes

1. The Sectoral Annex on Medicinal Products GMP Inspections and Batch Certification, including Appendix 1 and Appendix 2, is deleted and replaced by the following:

‘SECTORAL ANNEX ON MEDICINAL PRODUCTS GMP INSPECTION AND BATCH CERTIFICATION TO THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY – NEW ZEALAND AGREEMENT ON MUTUAL RECOGNITION IN RELATION TO CONFORMITY ASSESSMENT, CERTIFICATES AND MARKINGS

SCOPE AND COVERAGE

1. The provisions of this Sectoral Annex cover all medicinal products which are industrially manufactured in New Zealand and the European Union, and to which Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) requirements apply.

For medicinal products covered by this Sectoral Annex, each Party will recognise the conclusions of inspections of manufacturers carried out by the relevant inspection services of the other Party and the relevant manufacturing authorisations granted by the competent authorities of the other Party.

In addition, the manufacturer's certification of the conformity of each batch to its specifications will be recognised by the other Party without re-control at import.

“Medicinal products” means all products regulated by the pharmaceutical legislation in the European Union and New Zealand referred to in Section I. The definition of medicinal products includes all human and veterinary products, such as chemical and biological pharmaceuticals, immunologicals, radiopharmaceuticals, stable medicinal products derived from human blood or human plasma, pre-mixes for the preparation of veterinary medicated feedingstuffs, and, where appropriate, vitamins, minerals, herbal remedies and homoeopathic medicinal products.

“GMP” is that part of quality assurance which ensures that products are consistently produced and controlled during manufacture to the quality standards appropriate to their intended use and as required by the marketing authorisation granted by the importing Party. For the purpose of this Sectoral Annex it includes the system whereby the manufacturer receives the specification of the product and/or process from the marketing authorisation holder or applicant and ensures that the medicinal product is made in compliance with this specification (equivalent to Qualified Person certification in the European Union).

2. With respect to medicinal products covered by the legislation of one Party (“regulating Party”) but not the other, the manufacturing company may request the authority nominated by the relevant contact point of the regulating Party listed in paragraph 12 of Section III, for the purpose of this Agreement, that an inspection be made by the locally competent inspection service. This provision will apply inter alia to the manufacture of active pharmaceutical ingredients and intermediate products and products intended for use in clinical trials, as well as jointly determined pre-marketing inspections. Operational arrangements are detailed under Section III, item 3 b.

Certification of manufacturers

3. At the request of an exporter, importer or the competent authority of the other Party, the authorities responsible for granting manufacturing authorisations and for supervision of the manufacture of medicinal products will certify that the manufacturer:

- is appropriately authorised to manufacture the relevant medicinal product or to carry out the relevant specified manufacturing operation,

- is regularly inspected by the authorities, and

- complies with the national GMP requirements recognised as equivalent by the two Parties, referred to in Section I. Where different GMP requirements are used as a reference (in line with the provisions in Section III, item 3 b), this is to be mentioned in the certificate.

The certificates will also identify the site(s) of manufacture (and contract testing laboratories, if any). The format of the certificate will be decided by the Joint Sectoral Group.

Certificates will be issued expeditiously, and the time taken should not exceed 30 days. In exceptional cases, such as when a new inspection has to be carried out, this period may be extended to 60 days.

Batch certification

4. Each batch exported will be accompanied by a batch certificate prepared by the manufacturer (self certification) after a full qualitative analysis, a quantitative analysis of all the active constituents and all the other tests or checks necessary to ensure the quality of the product in accordance with the requirements of the marketing authorisation. This certificate will attest that the batch meets its specifications and will be kept by the importer of the batch. It will be made available upon request of the competent authority.

When issuing a certificate, the manufacturer will take account of the provisions of the current WHO certification scheme on the quality of pharmaceutical products moving in international commerce. The certificate will detail the agreed specifications of the product, the reference of the analytical methods and the analytical results. It will contain a statement that the batch processing and packaging records were reviewed and found to be in conformity with GMP. The batch certificate will be signed by the person responsible for releasing the batch for sale or supply, i.e. in the European Union the "qualified person" as referred to in relevant European Union legislation. In New Zealand, the responsible person is named on the licence to manufacture issued under the relevant New Zealand legislation.

SECTION I:

LEGISLATIVE, REGULATORY AND ADMINISTRATIVE REQUIREMENTS

Subject to Section III "Operational provisions", general GMP inspections will be carried out against the GMP requirements of the exporting Party. The applicable legislative, regulatory and administrative provisions related to this Sectoral Annex are set out in Table I below.

However, the reference quality requirements of products to be exported, including their manufacturing method and product specifications, will be those of the relevant product marketing authorisation granted by the importing Party.

Table I:

Applicable legislative, regulatory and administrative provisions for the European Union | Applicable legislative, regulatory and administrative provisions for New Zealand |

Council Directive 65/65/EEC of 26 January 1965 on the approximation of provisions laid down by law, regulation or administrative action relating to medicinal products, as extended, widened and amended Second Council Directive 75/319/EEC of 20 May 1975 on the approximation of provisions laid down by law, regulation or administrative action relating to proprietary medicinal products, as extended, widened and amended Council Directive 81/851/EEC of 28 September 1981 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to veterinary medicinal products, as widened and amended Commission Directive 91/356/EEC of 13 June 1991 laying down the principles and guidelines of good manufacturing practice for medicinal products for human use Commission Directive 91/412/EEC of 23 July 1991 laying down the principles and guidelines of good manufacturing practice for veterinary medicinal products Council Regulation (EEC) No 2309/93 of 22 July 1993 laying down Community procedures for the authorisation and supervision of medicinal products for human and veterinary use and establishing a European Agency for the Evaluation of Medicinal Products Council Directive 92/25/EEC of 31 March 1992 on the wholesale distribution of medicinal products for human use Guide to Good Distribution Practice (94/C 63/03) Current version of the Guide to Good Manufacturing Practice, Rules Governing Medicinal Products in the European Union, Annex IV. | Medicines Act 1981 Medicines Regulations 1984 New Zealand Code of Good Manufacturing Practice for Manufacture and Distribution of Therapeutic Goods, Parts 1, 2, 4 and 5 Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines Act 1997 Animal Remedies Regulations 1980 Code of Good Manufacturing Practice for Animal Remedies 1984 and any legislation adopted on the basis of or that amends the above legislation. |

SECTION II:

OFFICIAL INSPECTION SERVICES

The lists of official inspection services related to this Annex have been jointly determined by the Parties and will be maintained by them. If a Party requests the other Party for a copy of its latest lists of official inspection services, the requested Party will provide the requesting Party with a copy of those lists within 30 days of the date of receipt of the request.

SECTION III:

OPERATIONAL PROVISIONS

1. Transmission of inspection reports

Upon reasoned request, the relevant inspection services will forward a copy of the last inspection report of the manufacturing or control site, in the case where analytical operations are contracted out. The request may concern a "full inspection report" or a "detailed report" (see item 2 below). Each Party will deal with these inspection reports with the degree of confidentiality requested by the Party of origin.

If the manufacturing operations of the medicinal product in question have not been inspected recently, i.e. when the last inspection dates back to more than two years or a particular need to inspect has been identified, a specific and detailed inspection may be requested. Parties will ensure that inspection reports are forwarded in no more than 30 days, this period being extended to 60 days should a new inspection be carried out.

2. Inspection reports

A "full inspection report" comprises a Site Master File (compiled by the manufacturer or by the inspectorate) and a narrative report by the inspectorate. A "detailed report" responds to specific queries about a firm by the other Party.

3. Reference GMP

(a) Manufacturers will be inspected against the applicable GMP of the exporting Party (see Section I ).

(b) With respect to medicinal products covered by the pharmaceutical legislation of the importing Party but not the exporting one, the locally competent inspection service willing to carry out an inspection of the relevant manufacturing operations will inspect against its own GMP or, in the absence of specific GMP requirements, against the applicable GMP of the importing Party. This will also be the case when the locally applicable GMP are not considered equivalent, in terms of quality assurance of the finished product, to the GMP of the importing Party.Equivalence of GMP requirements for specific products or classes of products (e.g. investigational medicinal products, starting materials) will be determined according to a procedure established by the Joint Sectoral Group.

4. Nature of inspections

(a) Inspections will routinely assess the compliance of the manufacturer with GMP. These are called general GMP inspections (also regular, periodic, or routine inspections).

(b) "Product- or process-oriented" inspections (which may be "pre-marketing" inspections as relevant) focus on the manufacture of one or one series of product(s) or process(es) and include an assessment of the validation of and compliance with specific process or control aspects as described in the marketing authorisation. Where necessary, relevant product information (the quality dossier of an application/authorisation dossier) will be provided in confidence to the inspectorate.

5. Inspection/establishment fees

The regime of inspection/establishment fees is determined by the manufacturer's location. Inspection/establishment fees will not be charged to manufacturers located on the territory of the other Party for products covered by this Sectoral Annex.

6. Safeguard clause for inspections

Each Party reserves the right to conduct its own inspection for reasons identified to the other Party. Such inspections are to be notified in advance to the other Party, which has the option of joining the inspection. Recourse to this safeguard clause should be an exception. Should such an inspection take place, inspection costs may be recovered.

7. Exchange of information between authorities and approximation of quality requirements

In accordance with the general provisions of this Agreement, the Parties will exchange any relevant information necessary for the ongoing mutual recognition of inspections. For the purposes of demonstration of capability in cases of significant changes to regulatory systems in either of the Parties, additional specific information may be requested by either Party in relation to an official inspection service. Such specific requests may cover information on training, inspection procedures, general information and document exchange, and transparency of agency audits of official inspection services relevant to the operation of this Sectoral Annex. Such requests should be made through and managed by the Joint Sectoral Group as part of an ongoing maintenance programme.

In addition, the relevant authorities in New Zealand and in the European Union will keep each other informed of any new technical guidance or changes to inspection procedures. Each Party will consult the other before their adoption.

8. Official batch release

The official batch release procedure is an additional verification of safety and efficacy of immunological medicinal products (vaccines) and blood derivatives, carried out by the competent authorities before the distribution of each batch of product. This Agreement does not encompass this mutual recognition of official batch releases. However, when an official batch release procedure applies the manufacturer will provide, at the request of the importing Party, the official batch release certificate if the batch in question has been tested by the control authorities of the exporting Party.

For the European Union, the official batch release procedure for medicinal products for human use is published by the European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines & HealthCare. For New Zealand, the official batch release procedure is specified in document "WHO Technical Report Series, No. 822, 1992."

9. Inspectors training

In accordance with the general provisions of this Agreement, training sessions for inspectors, organised by the authorities, will be accessible to inspectors of the other Party. The Parties to this Agreement will keep each other informed of these sessions.

10. Joint inspections

In accordance with the general provisions of this Agreement, and by mutual arrangement between the Parties, joint inspections may be authorised. These inspections are intended to develop common understanding and interpretation of practice and requirements. The setting up of these inspections and their form will be established through procedures approved by the Joint Sectoral Group.

11. Alert system

Contact points will be designated by the Parties to permit competent authorities and manufacturers to inform the authorities of the other Party with the appropriate speed in case of quality defects, batch recalls, counterfeiting and other problems concerning quality, which could necessitate additional controls or suspension of the distribution of the batch. A detailed alert procedure will be jointly established.

The Parties will ensure that any suspension or withdrawal (total or partial) of a manufacturing authorisation, based on non-compliance with GMP and which could affect the protection of public health, are communicated to each other with the appropriate degree of urgency.

12. Contact points

For the purpose of this Sectoral Annex, the contact points for any technical question, such as exchange of inspection reports, inspector training sessions, technical requirements, will be:

FOR NEW ZEALAND : For medicinal products for human use: Group ManagerMedicines and Medical Devices Safety Authority (Medsafe)PO Box 5013WellingtonNew ZealandTel: 64-4-819 6874Fax: 64-4-819 6806

For medicinal products for use in animals:The DirectorNew Zealand Food Safety AuthorityAgricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines GroupPO Box 2835Wellington New Zealand Tel: 64-4-894 2562Fax: 64-4-894 2566

FOR THE EUROPEAN UNION :The Director of the European Agency for the Evaluation of Medicinal Products7 Westferry CircusCanary WharfLondon E14 4HBUnited KingdomTel: 44-171-418 8400Fax: 44-171-418 8416

13. Joint Sectoral Group

A Joint Sectoral Group made up of representatives of the Parties will be established under this Sectoral Annex. It will be responsible for the effective functioning of this Sectoral Annex. It will report to the Joint Committee as the Joint Committee will determine.

The Joint Sectoral Group will determine its own rules of procedure. It will take its decisions and adopt its recommendations by consensus. It may decide to delegate its tasks to subgroups.

14. Divergence of views

Both Parties will use their best endeavours to resolve any divergence of views concerning inter alia compliance of manufacturers and conclusions of inspection reports. Unresolved divergences of view will be referred to the Joint Sectoral Group.

SECTION IV:

CHANGES TO THE LIST OF OFFICIAL INSPECTION SERVICES

The Parties recognise the need for this Sectoral Annex to accommodate change, particularly with regard to the entry of new official inspection services or changes in the nature or role of established competent authorities. Where significant changes have occurred with regard to official inspection services, the Joint Sectoral Group will consider what, if any, additional information is required to verify programmes and establish or maintain mutual recognition of inspections, in accordance with Section III, item 7.’

______________

1. The Sectoral Annex on Medical Devices is deleted and replaced by the following:

‘SECTORAL ANNEX ON MEDICAL DEVICES TO THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY – NEW ZEALAND AGREEMENT ON MUTUAL RECOGNITION IN RELATION TO CONFORMITY ASSESSMENT, CERTIFICATES AND MARKINGS

SCOPE AND COVERAGE |

The provisions of this Sectoral Annex will apply to the following products:

Products for export to the European Union | Products for export to New Zealand |

(1) All medical devices: (a) manufactured in New Zealand; and (b) subject to third party conformity assessment procedures, both product and quality systems-related; and (c) provided for in Council Directive 90/385/EEC of 20 June 1990, as last amended, on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to active implantable medical devices; and (d) provided for in Council Directive 93/42/EEC of 14 June 1993, as last amended, concerning medical devices. | (1) All medical devices: (a) manufactured in the European Union; and (b) subject to third party conformity assessment procedures, both product and quality systems-related, or subject to other requirements under the legislation listed in Section I of this Sectoral Annex, as last amended. |

(2) For the purposes of paragraph (1): (a) medical devices provided for in Appendix 1 are excluded; and (b) unless otherwise provided for or by mutual arrangement by the Parties, “manufacture” of a medical device does not include: (i) restoration or renovation processes such as repairing, re-conditioning, overhauling or refurbishing; or (ii) operations such as pressing, labelling, ticketing, packaging and preparation for sale, conducted alone or in combination with each other; or (iii) quality control inspections alone; or (iv) sterilisation alone. | (2) For the purposes of paragraph (1): (a) medical devices provided for in Appendix 1 are excluded; and (b) unless otherwise provided for or by mutual arrangement by the Parties, “manufacture” of a medical device does not include: (i) restoration or renovation processes such as repairing, re-conditioning, overhauling or refurbishing; or (ii) operations such as pressing, labelling, ticketing, packaging and preparation for sale, conducted alone or in combination with each other; or (iii) quality control inspections alone; or (iv) sterilisation alone. |

SECTION I : LEGISLATIVE, REGULATORY AND ADMINISTRATIVE REQUIREMENTS |

The legislative, regulatory and administrative requirements of the European Union with which New Zealand-designated Conformity Assessment Bodies will assess compliance | The legislative, regulatory and administrative requirements of New Zealand with which European Union-designated Conformity Assessment Bodies will assess compliance |

Council Directive of 20 June 1990 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to active implantable medical devices (90/385/EEC), as amended Council Directive 93/42/EEC of 14 June 1993 concerning medical devices, as amended and any EC legislation adopted on the basis of these Directives. | Radiocommunications Act 1989 and Regulations made pursuant to that Act Electricity Act 1992 and Regulations made pursuant to that Act Medicines Act 1981 Medicines Regulations 1984 Medicines (Database of Medical Devices) Regulations 2003 and any legislation adopted on the basis of or that amends the above legislation. |

SECTION II : THE AUTHORITIES RESPONSIBLE FOR DESIGNATING CONFORMITY ASSESSMENT BODIES UNDER THIS SECTORAL ANNEX |

For the Conformity Assessment Bodies designated by New Zealand | For the Conformity Assessment Bodies designated by the European Union |

( Ministry of Health | Belgium Ministère de la Santé publique, de l'Environnement et de l'Intégration sociale Ministerie van Volksgezondheid, Leefmilieu en Sociale Integrati Denmark Sundhedsministeriet Germany Bundesministerium für Gesundheit Greece Ministry of Health Spain Ministerio Sanidad y Consumo France Ministère de la Santé Ireland Department of Health Italy Ministero Sanità Luxembourg Ministère de la Santé Netherlands Ministerie van Volksgezondheid, Welzijn en Sport Austria Bundesministerium für wirtschaftliche Angelegenheiten Portugal Ministério da Saúde Finland Sosiaali- ja terveysministeriö Sweden Under the authority of the Government of Sweden: Styrelsen för ackreditering och teknisk controll (SWEDAC) United Kingdom Department of Health |

SECTION III : PROCEDURES FOR DESIGNATING CONFORMITY ASSESSMENT BODIES |

The procedures to be followed by New Zealand in designating Conformity Assessment Bodies to assess products against the European Union's requirements | The procedures to be followed by the European Union in designating Conformity Assessment Bodies to assess products against New Zealand's requirements |

Conformity Assessment Bodies to be designated for the purposes of this Sectoral Annex will meet the requirements of the Directives listed in Section I, taking into account Council Decision of 22 July 1993 concerning the modules for the various phases of the conformity assessment procedures and the rules for the affixing and use of the CE conformity marking, which are intended to be used in the technical harmonisation directives (93/465/EEC), and be designated on the basis of the procedures defined in the Annex to the Agreement. This may be demonstrated through: (a) Product Certification Bodies operating according to the requirements of EN 45011 or ISO Guide 28 and 40, and either: accredited by the Joint Accreditation System of Australia and New Zealand (JAS-ANZ), or able to demonstrate competence by other means in accordance with Sections A and B of the Annex to the Agreement. (b) Quality System Certification Bodies operating according to the requirements of EN 45012 or ISO Guide 62, and either: accredited by JAS-ANZ, or able to demonstrate competence by other means in accordance with Sections A and B of the Annex to the Agreement. (c) Inspection Bodies operating according to the requirements of ISO/IEC 17020, and either: ( accredited by the Testing Laboratory Registration Council of New Zealand or any other body established by law in New Zealand which replaces it and which has the same functions, or ( able to demonstrate competence by other means in accordance with Sections A and B of the Annex to the Agreement. Pursuant to paragraph 5.2 in Section IV of this Sectoral Annex, designation for high-risk devices listed in paragraph 5.1 in the same Section will occur on the basis of a confidence-building programme. | 1. The procedures for designating Conformity Assessment Bodies will be consistent with the principles and procedures set out in the Annex to the Agreement. 2. The following procedures are deemed to be consistent with those set out in the Annex to the Agreement: (a) Certification Bodies: ( accredited by accreditation bodies which are signatories to the European cooperation for Accreditation (EA) Multilateral Agreement (MLA) for certification of products, members of the IECEE CB Scheme, accredited by an accreditation body with which JAS-ANZ has a mutual recognition agreement, or ( able to demonstrate competence by other means in accordance with Section A and B of the Annex to the Agreement. (b) Testing Laboratories: ( accredited by accreditation bodies which are signatories to the European cooperation for Accreditation (EA) Multilateral Agreement (MLA) for calibration and testing laboratories, ( recognised within the IECEE CB Scheme, or ( able to demonstrate competence by other means in accordance with Section A and B of the Annex to the Agreement. Pursuant to paragraph 5.2 in Section IV of this Sectoral Annex, designation for high-risk devices listed in paragraph 5.1 in the same Section will occur on the basis of a confidence-building programme. |

SECTION IV : ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS |

1. New legislation

The Parties note New Zealand's intention to introduce new legislation concerning medical devices, and jointly decide that the provisions of this Sectoral Annex will apply to this legislation upon its entry into force in New Zealand.

The Parties jointly declare their intention to extend the scope of this Sectoral Annex to in vitro diagnostic devices as soon as New Zealand’s new legislation concerning medical devices is in place.

2. Exchange of information

The Parties will inform each other of incidents in the context of the medical device vigilance procedure, or with regard to matters concerning product safety. The Parties will also inform each other of:

(a) certificates withdrawn, suspended, restricted or revoked; and

(b) any legislation or amendment to existing legislation adopted on the basis of the legal instruments listed in Section I.

The contact points through which the information can be passed are:

(a) New Zealand: | The Manager Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Authority (Medsafe) PO Box 5013 Wellington New Zealand Tel.: 64-4-819 6874 Fax: 64-4-819 6806 and Group Manager Energy Safety and Radio Spectrum Management Ministry of Economic Development (MED) P.O. Box 1473 Wellington New Zealand Tel.: 64-4-472-0030 Fax: 64-4-471-0500 |

(b) European Union | European Commission Directorate-General for Health and Consumers Rue de la Loi 200 B-1049 Brussels Tel.: 32-2-299.11.11 |

The Parties may exchange information on the consequences of the establishment of Eudamed.

In addition, the Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Authority will advise of any certificates issued.

3. Subcontracting

Where required by New Zealand legislative, regulatory and administrative provisions, European Union Conformity Assessment Bodies subcontracting all or part of the testing will subcontract only to testing laboratories accredited in accordance with Section III, item 2 of this Sectoral Annex.

4. Recording of approvals granted

In addition to the requirements imposed by the Annex to the Agreement, on designation of a Conformity Assessment Body, the relevant European Union Designating Authority will provide to New Zealand, in respect of each designated Conformity Assessment Body, details of the method that that Conformity Assessment Body intends to adopt to record the fact that an approval required by the Secretary under the Electricity Act 1992 (and Regulations made pursuant to that Act) for fittings or appliances to be sold or offered for sale in New Zealand has been granted.

5. Confidence-building with respect to high-risk devices

5.1 A confidence-building process for the purpose of strengthening confidence in the designating systems of each of the Parties will apply for the following medical devices:

- active implantable devices as defined in the legislation referred to in Section I;

- devices that are classified as class III devices under the legislation referred to in Section I;

- medical devices that are an implantable intra-ocular lens;

- medical devices that are an intra-ocular visco elastic fluid; and

- medical devices that are a barrier indicated for contraception or prevention of the sexual transmission of disease.

5.2 The Parties will establish a detailed programme to this effect involving the Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Authority and the European Union’s competent authorities.

5.3 The confidence-building period will be reviewed after two (2) years commencing from the date the Sectoral Annex, as amended, becomes effective.

5.4 Additional specific requirements for regulatory progress:

5.4.1 In pursuance of Articles 2, 7(1), 8(1) and 9(1) of this Agreement, either Party may request additional specific requirements in relation to the Conformity Assessment Bodies for the purposes of demonstration of experience in the evolving regulatory systems.

5.4.2. These specific requirements may include training, observed Conformity Assessment Body audits, visits and information and document exchange, including audit reports.

5.4.3. These requirements may likewise be applicable in relation to the designation of a Conformity Assessment Body in accordance with this Agreement.

6. Joint Sectoral Group

A Joint Sectoral Group made up of representatives of the Parties will be established under this Sectoral Annex. It will be responsible for the effective functioning of this Sectoral Annex. It will report to the Joint Committee as the Joint Committee will determine.

The Joint Sectoral Group will determine its own rules of procedure. It will take its decisions and adopt its recommendations by consensus. It may decide to delegate its tasks to subgroups.

7. Divergence of views

Both Parties will use their best endeavours to resolve any divergence of views concerning inter alia compliance of manufacturers and conclusions of conformity assessment reports. Unresolved divergences of view will be referred to the Joint Sectoral Group.

APPENDIX 1

The provisions of this Sectoral Annex will not apply to the following devices:

- medical devices that contain or are manufactured using cells, tissues or tissue derivatives of animal origin that have been rendered non-viable, where the safety with regard to viruses or other transferable agents requires validated methods for elimination or viral inactivation in the course of the manufacturing process;

- medical devices that contain tissues, cells or substances of microbial, bacterial or recombinant origin and are intended for use in or on the human body;

- medical devices incorporating tissues or tissue derivatives of human origin;

- medical devices incorporating stable derivatives of human blood or human plasma that are liable to act on the human body in a way that is ancillary to the device;

- medical devices that incorporate, or intend to incorporate, as an integral part, a substance that, if used separately, might be considered to be a medicine that is intended to act on a patient in a way that is ancillary to the device; and

- medical devices that are intended by the manufacturer specifically to be used for chemical disinfection of another medical device, except for sterilisers using dry heat, moist heat or ethylene oxide.

Both Parties may decide by common arrangement to extend the application of this Sectoral Annex to the aforementioned medical devices.’

_____________

Article 3

Entry into force

1. This Agreement shall enter into force on the first day of the second month following the date on which the Parties have exchanged diplomatic Notes confirming the completion of their respective procedures for entry into force of this Agreement.

2. This Agreement is drawn up in two originals in the Bulgarian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Estonian, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hungarian, Irish, Italian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Maltese, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Slovak, Slovene, Spanish and Swedish languages, each text being equally authentic.

On behalf of New Zealand | On behalf of the European Union |

DONE in ____________ on _____________ | DONE in ____________ on _____________ |

[1] OJ L 229, 17.8.1998, p. 62.

[2] OJ L 5, 9.1.1999, p. 74.

[3] Ibid., p. 3.

[4] OJ L 229, 17.8.1998, p. 62.

[5] OJ L 5, 9.1.1999, p. 74.