INTRODUCTION

The ASEAN Consultative Committee on Standards and Quality (ACCSQ) endorsed the establishment of the Electrotechnical Product Working Group (EPWG) at the 14th ACCSQ meeting in Chiang Mai, Thailand, on 28-29 July 1999. The EPWG was established to look into, amongst others, the possibility of developing a Mutual Recognition Agreement for the electrical products to eliminate technical barrier to trade posed by regulations in ASEAN member countries on electrical products.

The composition of the EPWG comprises a Chair and a Co-Chair with participation from regulators of Electrical Products and representatives from Industry. The ASEAN Secretariat provides the secretariat support.

 

 

EPWG MEETING

 

The EPWG meets twice a year with each member country taking turns to host a 2-day meeting. An industrial forum usually precedes the meeting. The industrial forum provides the industry and government agencies, especially from the host-country, a better understanding on the regulatory requirements of the ASEAN member countries.

The first EPWG meeting was held in Hanoi, Vietnam, from 7-9 December 1999. To date, the EPWG has met for a total of seven meetings. Please see Table A for the venue of the meetings.

 

WORK PROGRAMME

The following are the activities in the work programme: -

 

a)       Transparency of regulations – A survey on Technical Infrastructure for electrical products in ASEAN was conducted. In addition, a compilation of information on each member country’s regulatory requirements was tabulated. Both information are posted on the ASEAN Website at http://www.aseansec.org/4951.htm.

        Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) – The MRA was signed on 5 April 2002. Documents such as detailed criteria and explanation for designation of testing laboratories and certification bodies were developed.A detailed checklist to qualify for an MRA was also developed for member countries’ reference; and

c)       Harmonisation – A comparative study on the existing regulations within ASEAN member countries in terms of test standards used, as well as the acceptance of test reports and certificates for the MRA was conducted.

 

ACHIEVEMENT

 

The ASEAN Mutual Recognition Arrangement (EEMRA) for Electrical and Electronic Equipment was initiated in June 2000. It was signed at the ASEAN Economic Minister Meeting (AEM) in Bangkok, Thailand, on 5th April 2002. This MRA would facilitate mutual recognition of test reports and certification among participating ASEAN member countries.

To facilitate the implementation of the EEMRA, a Joint Sectoral Committee (JSC) was established. The first JSC meeting would be held back to back with the 8th EPWG meeting in May/June 2003. To date, four member countries have filed their notification to the ASEAN Secretariat to participate in the EEMRA. Please see tabulation in TABLE B.

 

EPWG EXTENDED FOR ANOTHER YEAR

The ACCSQ has decided to extend the Terms of Reference of the EPWG for another year to look into the following: -

(a)     Consideration of the Guide on Good Regulatory Practice;

(b)     Development and implementation of Outreach Programme for training; and

(c)     Consideration of matters relating to future FTAs and MRAs with (i) CER countries, (ii) China and (iii) Japan.

 

SUMMARY

 

The implementation of the ASEAN MRA on EE Equipment will help to enhance free trade in ASEAN. With the co-operation of ASEAN member countries and the ASEAN Secretariat, the EPWG endeavours to achieve the tasks set by ACCSQ.

 

 

Table A. Venue for EPWG Meetings

 

No. of EPWG Meeting held

Date of Meeting

Host-Country

Chair

Co-Chair

1st meeting

07-09 December 1999

Hanoi, Vietnam

ASEAN Secretariat

Thailand

2nd meeting

20-22 June 2000

Bangkok, Thailand

Singapore

-

3rd meeting

08-10 November 2000

Singapore

-

Thailand

4th meeting

17-19 July 2001

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

ASEAN Secretariat

Thailand

5th meeting

04-06 March 2002

Yangon, Myanmar

Singapore

Thailand

6th meeting

09-11 July 2002

Vientiane, Lao PDR

Singapore

Thailand

7th meeting

14-16 October 2002

Bali, Indonesia

Singapore

Thailand

 

Table B. Latest information as of 29 January 2003

Member Country

Committed Date

Effective Date to participate and implement

Type of Acceptance

JSC Representative

Test Reports only

Certifications only

Both

1     

Brunei Darussalam

2003

1 July 2003

 

 

X

 

2     

Cambodia

2003

 

 

 

 

 

3     

Indonesia

2003

 

 

 

 

 

4     

Lao PDR

2003

1 January 2003

 

 

X

 

5     

Malaysia

2003

1 July 2003

 

X

 

 

6     

Myanmar

2004

 

 

 

 

 

7     

Philippines

2004

 

 

 

 

Mr Jesus L. MOTOOMULL

8     

Singapore

2003

24 April 2003

 

 

X

Mr Michael ONG

9     

Thailand

2003

 

 

 

 

Mr Surasak ASAVADORNDEJA

10  

Vietnam

2003