Asia Network Forum
Asia Network Forum (ANF) (http://www.theanf.org/index.asp) is an international forum conformity assessment bodies, which represents each Asian economy, CQC (China), ETC (Chinese Taipei), JQA (Japan), KTL (Korea) and TUV-SUD-PSB (Singapore), has agreed to establish for promoting trades in the region and the coalition among members.
Current ANF Presidency and Staff Members
President : Mr. Wei CHEN (CQC)
Vice-president : Mr. Yoo-Jong LEE (KTL)
Secretary general : Mr. Jung-Sup KIM (KTL)
Chairmen
C1 : Mr. Tsutomu MATSUNO (JQA)
C2 : Ms. Chiew Wan TAN (PSB)
C3 : Mr. Yong-Deuk LEE (KTL)
C4 : Mr. Wei CHEN (CQC)
C5 : Mr. Andrew LIN (ETC)
Treasurer : Ms. Susan CHOI (KTL)
Background
The harmonization of technical requirements of electrical/electronic products and its conformity assessment movement are getting more active worldwide in a borderless and global economy.
Responding to these developments, an Asia Network Forum (ANF) is established by CQC (China), ETC (Chinese-Taiwan), JQA (Japan), KTL (Korea) and TUV-SUD PSB (Singapore). The first meeting of the ANF took place in Tokyo, Japan on October 25 (Wed) and 26 (Thurs), 2000.
These organizations exchanged their opinions frankly during the first meeting and have reached the following conclusions.
Present Situation
In recent years, Asian economic power is getting stronger in the world. Asian economies have been playing the key role as a manufacturing base for supplying electrical/electronics products to world markets. Comparing to the Asian economic presence, the voice of Asian certification/testing organisations is still small at international meetings/conferences such as IEC/ISO/IECEE. Under this situation, the coalition of Asian certification/testing organizations representing each Asian economy is strongly desired by various sectors of each economy. This will facilitate trade in the Asian region and will eliminate repetitive testing and certifications.
Therefore, these organizations agreed to establish the Asia Network Forum (ANF) to promote the coalition of Asian certification/testing organizations which represents each Asian economy. The agreement among these organizations is as follows:
Objectives
1. To promote mutual understanding and friendship among Asian certification/ testing organizations.
2. To make mutual business development and promotion by introducing a common platform for each ANF member to serve industries in each economy.
3. To cooperate mutually for enhancing technical competence and capability of each organization.
4. To exchange the latest information on product safety and EMC regulations etc. in each economy for promoting mutually certification/testing services of each organization.
5. To reflect Asian opinions in international meetings such as IEC/ISO etc., after summarizing opinions of all member organizations before the meetings
Benefits for Industry
By achieving the objectives of the ANF, we aim to provide industry in the Asian economies with the following benefits:
- One stop testing and certification for Asian markets.
- Faster time to markets through better efficiency and cost.
- Quicker access to testing and certification information.
- Facilitate future cooperation with other regional testing and certification organizations
ANF Operational Plan
The ANF will introduce its programs in three phases
Phase I
- Mutual Recognition of Application Service:
The manufacturer who wishes to obtain certifications from Asian Network member bodies, will be able to make an "one-stop" application at one of the member bodies. The body who receives such applications, will immediately notify other member body/ies concerned of such applications. The other body/ies who are notified, will give first priority in processing these applications after a formal application is made.
Phase II
- Mutual Recognition of Test Report:
Under phase II, member bodies of the ANF will recognise test reports issued by other member bodies with/without samples. The scope of recognition of test reports is wider than that of CB scheme.
Phase III
- Common Logo:
Under phase III, a common logo will be designed to give recognition to the alliance of Asian Testing and Certification Organizations, which will be providing better and more efficient product testing and certification services to the industry. Manufacturers and/or clients may use this logo on their products.
The implementation of the above three phases may take place simultaneously.