MAA certificates

Introduction

Implemented in January 2005, the OIML Mutual Acceptance Arrangement (“OIML MAA”) is a tool to increase the level of mutual confidence provided by OIML Basic Certificates. Detailed information may be found in OIML Publication B 10 Framework for a Mutual Acceptance Arrangement on OIML Type Evaluations.

The objectives of the OIML MAA are:

• to establish rules and procedures for fostering mutual confidence among participating OIML Member States and Corresponding Members in the results of type evaluations that indicate conformity of measuring instruments and/or modules, under legal metrological control, to OIML metrological and technical requirements and, when included, any agreed upon additional national/regional requirements;
• to promote the global harmonization, uniform interpretation, and implementation of legal metrological requirements for measuring instruments and/or modules;
• to promote efficiency in time and cost of national type evaluations and approvals, or recognition of measuring instruments and/or modules under legal metrological control, while achieving and maintaining confidence in the results in support of facilitating global trade of individual instruments; and
• to offer a viable alternative to countries in which no test facilities are available.

Participating in the OIML MAA commits the Participants in principle to accepting and using MAA Evaluation Reports issued by Issuing Participants.

MAA Certificates vs. Basic Certificates

OIML Basic Certificates are issued by Issuing Authorities that demonstrate compliance with ISO/IEC 17065 using the results of testing laboratories that comply with ISO/IEC 17025.

Within the OIML MAA, confidence in test and examination results is reinforced by a formal and mandatory peer evaluation process. This process verifies the compliance of the Issuing Authorities and the testing laboratories with the respective Standards, and also the capability of the testing laboratories to perform the tests. To prove this compliance, the Issuing Authorities and the testing laboratories must be accredited for the field covered by the respective OIML Recommendations or undergo peer assessment.

Who participates in the OIML MAA?

OIML Issuing Authorities, National Issuing Authorities and/or National Responsible Bodies of OIML Member States or Corresponding Members may participate in the OIML MAA.

There are three categories of participants:

• Issuing Participants are participants from Member States that issue OIML MAA Type Evaluation Reports and OIML MAA Certificates and that utilize those issued by other Issuing Participants.
• Utilizing Participants are participants from OIML Member States that do not issue OIML MAA Type Evaluation Reports or OIML MAA Certificates, but that utilize those issued by Issuing Participants.

• Associates are participants from OIML Corresponding Members that are willing to utilize OIML MAA Type Evaluation Reports or OIML MAA Certificates. Associates do not have voting rights in the review process. Currently, there are no Associates.

Who issues OIML MAA Certificates?

The list of Recommendations for which OIML MAA Type Evaluation Reports and OIML MAA Certificates are issued and the lists of participants in the agreement are maintained by the BIML in documents called “Declarations of Mutual Confidence” (DoMC) and published on the OIML website. Manufacturers may apply for an OIML MAA Certificate from any of the Issuing Participants on these lists.

The scope in which an Issuing Authority may issue OIML MAA Certificates is listed here.