Common use of Conformity Assessment Procedures Clause in Contracts

Conformity Assessment Procedures. 1. The Parties recognise the benefits of increasing efficiency, avoiding duplication and ensuring cost effectiveness in conformity assessment, and that a broad range of mechanisms exists to facilitate the acceptance of conformity assessment procedures. In this regard, each Party shall, as appropriate: (a) encourage conformity assessment bodies located in its territory to enter into voluntary arrangements to accept the results of assessment procedures of bodies located in the territory of the other Party; (b) consider recognising accreditation of conformity assessment bodies located in the territory of the other Party; (c) consider designating conformity assessment bodies located in the territory of the other Party to perform conformity assessments; (d) facilitate access to conformity assessment procedures in its territory; (e) encourage the adoption by conformity assessment bodies in its territory of regional and international mutual recognition agreements and arrangements; and (f) consider implementing mutual recognition of results of conformity assessment procedures conducted by bodies located in the respective territories of the Parties. 2. The Parties shall exchange information on their experience in the development and application of the mechanisms in subparagraphs 1 (a)-(f) and other similar mechanisms with a view to facilitating the acceptance of the results of conformity assessment. 3. Where a Party does not accept the results of any conformity assessment procedure performed in the territory of the other Party, it shall, on request of the other Party, explain its reasons.