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Local manufacturers of electrical and electronic products, and telecommunications equipment can soon enter the Indian market once the products are tested and certified in Singapore. This is made possible by the India-Singapore Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) signed on 29 Jun 2005.
CECA provides a framework for concluding Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs) to eliminate duplicative testing and certification of products to facilitate entry of goods for sale in the respective markets. SPRING Singapore was actively involved in the negotiation of the MRA to eliminate duplicative testing and certification of electrical and electronic products.
Previously, local manufacturers of electrical and electronic products, and telecommunications equipment had to send their products to India for testing and certification to ensure that they complied with Indian standards and technical regulations. This has to be done even if the products have already been tested and certified in Singapore. With the MRA, testing and certification can be done by registered certification bodies in Singapore, eliminating the need for duplicative testing or certification.
Benefits to local enterprises include a reduction in costs, faster time-to-market and easier market access. All these will enhance the competitiveness of local enterprises vying for a share of the enormous India market.
India is expected to make the necessary amendments to its legislation to implement the MRA arrangement. It is expected that to take 12 – 18 months before the new testing and certification arrangements are implemented. | 
