In recognition of the intention to facilitate trade under the
Agreement between New Zealand and the Separate Customs Territory
of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen, and Matsu on Economic Cooperation
(ANZTEC), the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in New Zealand
(TECO) and the New Zealand Commerce and Industry Office (NZCIO)
hereinafter referred to as “ the Participants ”, have reached
the following understandings regarding accreditation
cooperation:

Recognising:

The mutual interest and benefit in strengthening technical
cooperation within a framework of friendship and in pursuance of
the desire to cooperate in defined areas.

The mutual benefit that can be derived from staff interaction,
information exchange, cooperative assessments, training and
other forms of collaboration as may be identified from time to
time.

The advantages in developing strong links and a close and
long-term relationship for technical cooperation.

Consistent with the prevailing laws and regulations in their
respective jurisdiction, the Participants have reached the
following understandings:

PARAGRAPH 1
Implementing Bodies
The bodies implementing this Arrangement will be International
Accreditation New Zealand (IANZ) and the Taiwan Accreditation
Foundation (TAF) (the “ Implementing Bodies ” ).

PARAGRAPH 2
Definitions
TAF is the sole accreditation body that has represented Taiwan
to sign the Mutual Recognition Arrangements (MRAs) of the
International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) and
the Asia Pacific Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (APLAC),
and the Multilateral Recognition Arrangements (MLAs) of the
International Accreditation Forum (IAF) and the Pacific
Accreditation Cooperation (PAC). TAF provides the following
services to:
1. provide full-range accreditation services in accordance with
relevant international standards and governmental
regulations, by employing peer assessment professionals, to
laboratories, inspection bodies, certification bodies,
reference material producers, proficiency testing providers
and all other conformity assessment bodies;
2. establish a sound conformity assessment infrastructure
environment in Taiwan and build up bilateral and/or
multilateral collaborative relationships with international
organisations and other accreditation bodies so as to
facilitate trade, and
3. underpin accredited conformity assessment services, through
accreditation, to meet market needs and to accommodate
governmental designated regulatory requirements so as to
protect the interests of the Taiwan community and its welfare
.
IANZ is the sole accreditation body authorised by the New
Zealand authorities to:
1. provide accreditation, assessment, training and advisory
services in the areas of technical competence, quality
management and conformity assessment;
2. provide accreditation services to testing and calibration
laboratories, inspection bodies, reference material providers
and proficiency testing scheme providers and all other
conformity assessment bodies (except certification bodies)
while engaging peer technical assessors from the national and
international scientific community;
3. protect the interests of the New Zealand community through
the recognition through accreditation of reliable laboratory
testing, calibration and inspection services that underpin
quality of life and export markets; and
4. provide accreditation, assessment, training and advisory
services internationally to organisations that wish to manage
their technical competence through assisting other
jurisdictions in the development of their technical
infrastructures, accreditation activities and organisational
capability.

PARAGRAPH 3
Guiding Principles
The Participants jointly decide that the following guiding
principles are at the heart of this Arrangement to enhance
friendship and cooperation, and will at all times form the
relationship between the Implementing Bodies. These are:
1. the clear recognition of the experience of each of the
respective Implementing Bodies;
2. the acknowledgement of the mutual desire to share knowledge
and experience for the common good;
3. the mutual desire to provide mutual support to the
Participants ’ respective technical infrastructures;
4. the further enhancement of robust bilateral trade between New
Zealand and Taiwan; and
5. the strengthening of the role accreditation plays in
supporting regulatory policy, particularly in relation to
appropriate risk management strategies.

PARAGRAPH 4
Policies and Strategies
The Participants jointly decide that the following policies and
strategies will apply as between the Implementing Bodies:
1. to work together to achieve enhanced confidence in the
outputs of accredited facilities in both Taiwan and New
Zealand, by both users of accreditation and regulators;
2. to work jointly to influence the effectiveness of the ILAC
and APLAC MRAs;
3. to work together to address matters that have the potential
to affect confidence in the MRAs;
4. to work together to resolve issues of mutual technical
concern in an expeditious manner; and
5. to jointly develop a better understanding of the New Zealand
accreditation system by Taiwan regulators and of the Taiwan
accreditation system by New Zealand regulators.

PARAGRAPH 5
Formal Liaison Mechanism
The Participants jointly decide that a mechanism for liaison
will be maintained to allow easy and clear communications
between the Implementing Bodies, and to enhance and assure the
effectiveness of this Arrangement.

PARAGRAPH 6
Potential Areas for Cooperation
The Participants jointly decide on the following areas for
future cooperation.
1. Technical Cooperation
i. The exchange of accreditation/technical documents and other
relevant information;
ii. The conduct of joint research on capability and
methodology associated with assessments;
iii. The development of joint accreditation programmes in
areas of mutual interest;
iv. The exchange of personnel (including structured
placements) in relevant areas to foster the Transfer of
knowledge; and
v. The provision of information on new developments in
accreditation fields in both jurisdictions.
2. Proficiency Testing (PT)
i. Share experience and information on the use of PT in
accreditation.
3. Training
i. Collaborate in researching training needs and developing
training courses that support accreditation, as
appropriate.
4. Mutual Recognition of Good Laboratory Practice (GLP)
Compliance Monitoring
i. Undertake evaluations, against Organisation for Economic
Cooperation and Development (OECD) criteria, of each body
’ s GLP Compliance Monitoring programmes, in order to sign
a Mutual Recognition Arrangement to enable regulators in
each other ’ s economies to accept data that meet OECD GLP
requirements
5. Other Possible Areas
i. Conduct joint assessments as deemed relevant; and
ii. Explore ways to address areas of mutual technical concern
as decided.

PARAGRAPH 7
Deeds of Understanding
The terms of specific areas of cooperation will be decided in
writing through a “ Deed of Understanding ” by both
Implementing Bodies, prior to the initiation of any particular
programme or activity. Any specific programme will be subject to
mutual consent, availability of funds, availability of
resources, and approval of both Implementing Bodies.

In such cases, each Implementing Bodies will nominate a specific
point of contact within their organisation to facilitate
effective and efficient communication between the Implementing
Bodies.

Progress on any Deeds of Understanding will be reviewed at the
time of the biennial review of this Arrangement.

PARAGRAPH 8
Confidentiality
Unless otherwise jointly decided, the Implementing Bodies will
keep confidential all information and documents exchanged under
the terms of this Arrangement. All people involved in the
cooperation will sign a declaration of confidentiality to this
effect.

PARAGRAPH 9
Terms of the Duration and Termination of the Arrangement

This Arrangement will commence on the date both Participants
sign this document.

This Arrangement will continue in effect unless, and until
terminated, by either Participant by giving 90 days ’ written
notice to the other. In this case, any joint business affairs
will be completed as decided in the relevant Deed(s) of
Understanding.

This Arrangement will be formally reviewed every two years after
its signing, and may be amended and supplemented at any time, by
the mutual written consent of the Participants.

Any difference that may arise from the interpretation or
application of the provisions of the Arrangement will be settled
amicably through consultation or negotiation between the
Participants.


Signed in duplicate in the Chinese and English languages at
Taipei, Taiwan, on 5 December 2014, both texts having equal
validity.


For the Taipei For the New Zealand
Economic and Cultural Commerce and
Office in New Zealand Industry Office

__________________ __________________
Chien Kuo David Wu Si'alei van Toor
Representative Director