Resolution of the Council of 24 June 1999 on the management of Agreements on mutual recognition
Date: 1999-06-24
Institutions: Council of the European Union
Subjects: Community certification, agreement (EU), extra-EU trade, mutual recognition principle, third country

C 190/2

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

7.7.1999

(b) the breakdown of research allocations between the sectors of coal and steel and their related sectors
the
the ECSC

should be confirmed in the final Decision of
Governments of
Treaty on the basis of the Commision’s contribution of 17 November 1998.

the Member States, meeting within the Council on the expiry of

the Representatives of

the Council and of

3.

INVITE THE COMMISSION:

to submit in good time a proposal for a Decision containing measures necessary for implementing the
contents of this resolution.

RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL

of 24 June 1999

on the management of Agreements on mutual recognition

(1999/C 190/02)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

importance of mutual

UNDERLINING the
conformity assessment
barriers
Community and third countries;

to trade

a means
and to promote

as

recognition of
to reduce
technical
trade between the

RECALLING that the Council on 21 September 1992 adopted a
decision authorising the Commission to negotiate Agreements
between the Community and certain third countries on mutual
recognition relating to conformity assessment;

the
RECALLING that, as a result of successful negotiations,
European Community has been able to conclude Mutual
Recognition Agreements (MRA) with Australia, Canada, New
Zealand and the United States of America;

NOTING that the objective of these Agreements is to provide
effective market access throughout the territories of the Parties
for all products covered by the Agreements;

RECALLING the Council Conclusions adopted on 26 June 1997
concerning standards and conformity assessment;

EMPHASING the importance of
involved in the preparation, negotiation as well as
implementation phases of Mutual Recognition Agreements;

the Council being actively
the

STRESSING the need to develop guiding principles for the
management of Mutual Recognition Agreements in order to
achieve a more efficient and coherent system,

1.

2.

for

INVITES the Commission to present a proposal for guiding
principles
the management of Mutual Recognition
Agreements covering the preparation, negotiation and
implementation phases and to draw up a draft model
agreement as a basis for negotiations and conclusions of
future such Agreements, taking into account the experience
gained from already concluded agreements.

regarding

INVITES the Commission also to develop a vade-mecum
the Mutual Recognition
containing an explanation of
Agreements, as well as a guide for all Community parties
concerned
these
Agreements. Such a vade-mecum should also explain the
respective MRA
decision-making
Committees as well as the coordination of the decision-
making process
and sectoral) within the
Community.

implementation

(horizontal

function

the

the

of

of

3. CALLS ON the Member States to lend their full support to
Recognition

effective
implementation
Agreements, including sectoral annexes.

Mutual

of

4. CALLS ON the Commission to establish regular reports on
interim results regarding the implementation of existing
Mutural Recognition Agreements.

5. TAKES NOTE with satisfaction of the Commission’s intention
to ensure a timely planning of meetings of Mutual Recog-
nition Agreement Committees and a proper Community
preparation and coordination of such meetings.

6. REQUESTS the Commission to inform the Council before the

end of 1999 on progress in these regards.