GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 26, 2026
Mutual Recognition Agreement
Customs authorities, accreditation bodies, and trade ministries use Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs) to eliminate redundant conformity testing at borders.
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Source: https://www.wcoomd.org/en/topics/facilitation/instrument-and-tools/conventions/pf_kyoto_convention/kyoto_new.aspx
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Definition & Explanation
Customs authorities, accreditation bodies, and trade ministries use Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs) to eliminate redundant conformity testing at borders. An MRA is a formal bilateral or multilateral treaty under which parties agree to accept each other's conformity assessment results, regulatory approvals, and technical standards as equivalent. In practical terms, a product certified in the exporting country clears entry in the importing country without repeat testing – reducing both border processing times and compliance costs for exporters and importers alike. MRAs are typically concluded as legally binding instruments between governments and specify which standards qualify as equivalent and the conditions governing mutual trust. Unlike a Memorandum of Understanding, which records political intent, an MRA produces direct legal effects for the businesses involved.
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