International Workshop on the implementation of Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRA) on telecommunication equipment and promotion of trade

The United States is involved in three Mutual Recognition Agreements/Arrangements (MRAs) for telecommunications equipment: 1) U.S.-EC. MRA, 2) APEC Tel MRA, and 3) CITEL MRA. Although each of these agreements is at different stages of implementation with various countries, keeping up with technical regulations governing telecommunications equipment around the world can be a challenge. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has organized this workshop in cooperation with the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the Telecommunication Certification Body (TCB) Council, and the Inter-American Telecommunication Commission of the Organization of American States in order to bring together all interested parties.

The workshop will take place the week of October 3-7, 2005 (Gaithersburg, Maryland, U.S.A.). It will be full of instructive, thought-provoking presentations and discussions on how various telecom regulatory authorities are successfully implementing technical programs to implement MRAs and/or their efforts to work towards this goal. Government and industry representatives will include CITEL Member States, EU Member States, and economies within the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation.

Discussions will deal with topics such as a short course in FCC EMC Basics, TCB Council-presented topics on advanced technologies, the EU’s newly revised EMC Directive and its draft guidelines, Japan’s technical regulations and VCCI’s new kit module program, and the up-and-coming plans of countries in Latin America. Participants will hear from invited officials from around the globe.

The draft agenda is available and will be updated regularly.

Who Should Attend?:    Telecom Regulatory Authorities, Designating Authorities, EMC and Telecom Accreditation Bodies, Regional Accreditation Organizations, Conformity Assessment Bodies, Test Laboratories and Certification Bodies, Manufacturers, and all other interested parties are encouraged to attend.

Registration:  The deadline for registration is Friday, September 16, 2005. There is no fee to attend this workshop, but all attendees must register in advance. Please review the NIST Gaithersburg Visitor Information website regarding security.

Security:         There is no registration fee for this workshop. However, all participants must register for the workshop, in advance, in order to be admitted to the NIST campus. Official visitors must present photo identification upon arrival. Visitors can access the Gaithersburg campus from the main gate at West Diamond Avenue and Bureau Drive only. Visitors must wear a visitor badge at all times while on the NIST campus. You can find more information regarding security and other visitor information at the NIST Gaithersburg Visitor Information website.

Foreign Visitors:   Please contact your local U.S. Embassy for passport and visa requirements for entry into the United States.

Registration Contact: Mrs. Gerry Funk, NIST, Phone: +1 (301) 975-6472,
Fax: +1 (301) 975- 5414, E-Mail: gerry.funk@nist.gov

Technical Contact:      Mrs. Mary Jo DiBernardo, NIST, Phone: +1 (301) 975-5503,
Fax: +1 (301) 975-5414, E-Mail: maryjo.dibernardo@nist.gov

Sponsored By: NIST, the Federal Communications Commission, TCB Council, and the Inter-American Telecommunication Commission of the Organization of American States.

Mary Jo DiBernardo
NIST
E-Mail: maryjo.dibernardo@nist.gov