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CASCO liaisons

CASCO also has a number of external liaisons with international organizations concerned with various specific aspects such as accreditation and testing. The aim underlying many of these liaisons is to promote cross-border mutual recognition agreements (MRAs) between conformity assessment bodies, including accreditation bodies. MRAs are seen as establishing user confidence in the competence and equivalence of bodies in different countries, reducing the need for multiple assessments and hence lowering technical barriers to trade. These liaisons afford stakeholders and other interested parties the opportunity of participating fully in CASCO's work.

CASCO also maintains internal liaisons with the ISO technical committees (TCs) most closely concerned with producing standards and other publications relevant to conformity assessment. CASCO, through its liaison with other ISO TCs, ensures a harmonized approach in all ISO standards to conformity assessment.

CASCO also has a very strong liaison covering both policy and publications with ISO's standardization partner, the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). As well as being responsible for International Standards in the electrical, electronic and related areas, IEC operates a number of global certification schemes for products in its field. The vast majority of CASCO documents are published as joint ISO and IEC documents.