| STATUS OF REPRESENTATION: 31 December 2009 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| What does Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MLA / MRA) mean? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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MLA is the abbreviation for Multilateral Recognition Arrangement (mutual recognition arrangement). It is an arrangement that has been
concluded among accreditation bodies for mutual recognition of accreditations in the voluntary, i.e. legally non-regulated area. MRA is the abbreviation for Mutual Recognition Agreement. It is an agreement concluded among governmental authorities of different countries in the mandatory, i.e. legally regulated area. (ISO Guide 68, §4.2) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| MLA | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Joining the MLA is possible after having successfuly passed an evaluation process conducted by a group of specially selected and trained experts representing
these accreditation bodies (Peer evaluation). Presently, there are worldwide MLAs for accreditors of
In addition to this, there is an EA MLA in Europe for the mutual recognition of accreditation bodies operating accreditations of inspection bodies and certification of persons. By signing the MLAs, the accreditation bodies mutually recognise each others accreditations granted, thus supporting the mutual equivalence of their systems, certificates as well as testing and calibration reports and encouraging the recognition and acceptance of the certificates and reports within all countries having signed the MLA. The MLA ensures a uniform accreditation standard to be met by all accreditation bodies. The necessity of multiple assessments will be reduced or even become unnecessary, i.e. the supplier needs only one certificate or one report. Joining the MLA in the non-regulated area, i.e. signing the MLA recognition agreement, is voluntary and is bound to the compliance with certain preconditions (verified by an evaluation). Not all accreditation body members of the DAR are signatories to the MLA recognition agreement. Please take note of the following! Under the aegis of the DAR, the following accreditation bodies signed the MLA for the scopes of accreditation mentioned in brackets (as of 2009):
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