The Canada-European Union (EU) Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) is a free trade agreement between Canada and EU. Its purpose is to facilitate trade between Canada and the EU and provide for Canadian businesses to have more access and be more competitive in EU market. 

The agreement was signed in 2016 and entered into force in 2017.

For more information about CETA visit Global Affairs Canada.

Protocol on mutual acceptance of conformity assessment results

Included in the CETA agreement is the Protocol on mutual acceptance of conformity assessment results (Protocol). SCC was given the mandate by the government of Canada to implement the Protocol in Canada. Canada and the EU are referred to in the Protocol as “Parties”.

The Protocol includes provisions for recognition of accreditation bodies (ABs) and conformity assessment bodies (CABs) between Canada and EU, so that the results of conformity assessments are mutually recognized. The protocol applies to products requiring third party certification for the purpose of meeting the technical regulations of each Party.

Annex 1 and Annex 2 of the Protocol specify product categories for implementation. The Protocol allows for Canadian products to be certified for EU markets by Canadian CABs; prior to CETA this certification was only performed by the EU CABs. Similarly, EU products destined for Canadian markets can now be certified by the EU CABs. 

For more information about the Protocol visit Global Affairs Canada.

Bilateral cooperation agreement between SCC and EA (BCA)

The Protocol is implemented through a BCA between SCC and the European Cooperation for Accreditation (EA)The intent of BCA is to define the scope and means of cooperation between SCC and EA. It was signed in June 2016 and is renewable every three years. This agreement also establishes a Steering Committee composed of three members each from SCC and EA.

Recognition of SCC in the EU 

In February 2021, SCC was recognized in the EU. The recognition is specific to product categories listed in the Protocol. SCC’s current recognition is for the ATEX directive (2014/34/EU).

SCC was previously recognized for Electromagnetic Compatibility and Radio Equipment directives under the 1998 MRA whose provisions were carried into the Protocol. For more information visit Global Affairs Canada.

SCC’s role as a Notification Authority in Canada

The EU’s regulatory framework requires that the bodies deemed competent to certify products against EU directives be notified to the European Commission and the EU member states, i.e., they must be recognized as notified bodies. The process requires that each country appoints a Notification Authority who designates a certification body and notifies the EC and member states using the NANDO (New Approach Notified and Designated Organizations) online database. If no objections are raised within 30 days, the designated certification body becomes a notified body. SCC has been appointed as a notification authority for all product categories listed in the Protocol except Electromagnetic Compatibility and Radio Equipment for which Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) fulfills this role. For more information visit ISED Canada's Mutual Recognition Agreements/Arrangements Web Site.

For more information about the notification process visit the European Commission’s webpage. 

Accreditation and Notification of Canadian CABs 

SCC- accredited CABs can now have their scopes of accreditation extended accredited as competent to certify products against EU directives related to product categories included in the Protocol. 

Those SCC-accredited CABs having a legal presence in Canada are also eligible for designation as notified bodies in the EU.

Please contact your SCC account manager or send inquiries to cetainfo@scc.ca if you are:

• an SCC-accredited CAB, and are interested in extending your scope of accreditation to include EU directives, or
• already accredited by SCC to EU directive(s) and would like to become a notified body.

Recognition of EU Accreditation Bodies and Certification Bodies in Canada

When recognized in Canada, the EU ABs can accredit EU CABs as competent to certify products to Canadian technical regulations. 

Manufacturers

Canadian manufacturers interested in certifying their products for the EU market can contact SCC for further information at cetainfo@scc.ca. 

Canadian Regulators

In order for EU ABs to be recognized in Canada, they must ensure that their accredited CABs establish relationships with Canadian Authorities Having Jurisdiction and/or with the appropriate Regulatory Authority Advisory Bodies in the same manner as SCC-accredited CABs in Canada. 

The Protocol does not require any changes to Canadian and EU regulatory requirements. EU products will be certified by EU CABs for the Canadian market such that they meet all applicable F/P/T regulations. As such, the CE marking is not applicable in this context. 

SCC will work with Canadian regulators on obtaining a formal approval of those EU CABs accredited by EU ABs and recognized by SCC. 

For more information, contact SCC at cetainfo@scc.ca.