Regulations concerning the approval of telecommunications terminal equipment (TTE) have undergone substantial revision in both the European Union (EU) and the United States in recent years. In addition, the two regions have sought to facilitate trade in TTE between them through a mutual recognition agreement (MRA). The MRA recognizes the competence of the regulatory authorities of one region, including designated test and certification bodies, to undertake the conformity assessment actions specified in the legislation of the other. The key EU legislation is the Radio and Telecommunications Terminal Equipment (RTTE) Directive (1999/5/EC). In the United States it is Part 68 of CFR Title 47. Their revisions in both cases have been intended to remove technical requirements whose objectives were thought to be addressed adequately by market forces and also to introduce wider acceptance of the supplier's declaration of conformity as an alternative to, or even a substitute for, third-party test or certification. Ideally, the changes should not only simplify market access but also lead to some measure of convergence between European and U.S. requirements. This article compares the principles behind the two regimes and examines implications for suppliers trying to serve both markets.
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