Market Surveillance

Introduction

Market surveillance and the chain of control of products which enter the market is a pillar of quality infrastructure. Since its establishment in 2003, the Advisory Group on Market Surveillance (MARS) brings together all players involved (public authorities, manufacturers, retailers, importers, consumers, etc.) to increase transparency and attract attention to the role and responsibilities of public authorities in the chain of control. It has developed comprehensive guidance and serves as a forum of best practice and development of recommendation guidelines.

Market surveillance is a set of activities by designated authorities to ensure that products comply with mandatory requirements and do not endanger any aspect of public interest. This involves proper calibration of machinery and measurements (metrology) as well as actively engaging with other border control agencies such as customs. MARS actively brings together member States to discuss best practice for countering sub-standard and counterfeit goods.

In focus

MARS will soon launch a project to revise Recommendation N on Good Market Surveillance Policies and Practices. If you are interested to join this work, please contact the secretariat.

Key deliverables

Symbol/Title	Issued date	ENG	FRE	RUS
ECE/CTCS/WP.6/2024/9 Recommendation M on Use of Market Surveillance Infrastructure as a Complementary Means to Protect Users against Counterfeit Goods	2024	PDF	PDF	PDF
ECE/TRADE/C/WP.6/2011/12 Recommendation N on Good Market Surveillance Policies and Practices	2011	PDF	PDF	PDF
ECE/CTCS/WP.6/2016/7 Recommendation S on Applying Predictive Risk Management Tools for Targeted Market Surveillance	2016	PDF	PDF	PDF
Template for exchanging information between Market Surveillance Agencies	2015	PDF
ECE/TRADE/389/Rev.1 Glossary of Market Surveillance Terms	2023	PDF	PDF	PDF
ECE/TRADE/301 Market Surveillance in the ECE Region	2004	PDF

History

The Advisory Group on Market Surveillance (MARS) was established in 2003, resulting from the UNECE International Forum on Market Surveillance (29 October 2002, Geneva).

Market players such as public authorities, manufacturers, retailers, importers, and consumers/users need transparent rules of play. Consistent and effective procedures in the field of the protection of consumers and workers are a precondition to address this concern. Improved coordination and creation of best practices for market surveillance authorities are of great importance. Such cooperation and coordination are essential for the good functioning of both national markets and for the ECE region at large in order to eliminate distortion of competition and to protect consumers. Transparent and consistent best practices will also contribute to the facilitation of international trade.

The general task of the Advisory Group on Market Surveillance (MARS Group) is to contribute to the activities of the Working Party on Regulatory Cooperation and Standardization Policies (WP.6) aimed at creating conditions conducive to the development and promotion of global trade and economic cooperation.

Impact

Impact text forthcoming

Events

Official annual reports of the Advisory Group on Market Surveillance (MARS)

• 2024
• 2023
• 2022

Official meetings of the Advisory Group on Market Surveillance (MARS)

• 22nd MARS Group meeting, 4 - 5 April 2024, Virtual meeting
• 21st MARS Group meeting, 26 May 2023, Virtual meeting
• 20th MARS Group meeting, 10 June 2022, Virtual meeting
• 19th MARS Group meeting, 13 July 2021, Virtual meeting
• Joint MARS and GRM Groups meeting, 11 - 12 June 2020, Virtual meeting
• 17th MARS Group meeting, 8 - 9 July 2019, Moscow, Russian Federation
• 16th MARS Group meeting, 26 - 27 June 2018, Geneva, Switzerland
• 15th MARS Group meeting, 11 - 12 September 2017, Stockholm, Sweden
• 14th MARS Group meeting, 26 - 27 September 2016, Geneva, Switzerland
• 13th MARS Group meeting, 24 - 25 June 2015, Prague, Czech Republic
• 12th MARS Group meeting, 23 - 25 April 2014, Belgrade, Republic of Serbia
• 11th MARS Group meeting, 25 - 27 September 2013, Prague, Czech Republic
• 10th MARS Group meeting, 12 - 14 September 2012, Bratislava, Slovakia
• 9th MARS Group meeting, 13 - 15 September 2011, Bratislava, Slovakia
• 8th MARS Group meeting, 6 - 8 October 2010, Bratislava, Slovakia
• 7th MARS Group meeting, 8 - 10 October 2009, Bratislava, Slovakia
• 6th MARS Group meeting, 2 - 4 October 2008, Bratislava, Slovakia
• 5th MARS Group meeting, 10 - 13 October 2007, Bratislava, Slovakia
• 4th MARS Group meeting, 24 - 26 September 2006, Bratislava, Slovakia
• 3rd MARS Group meeting, 4 April 2005, Strbske Pleso, Slovakia
• 2nd MARS Group meeting, 5 - 6 April 2004, Strbske Pleso, Slovakia, ("Market Surveillance - a Common Strategy of the UNECE - EU under the Regulatory Convergence")
• 1st MARS meeting, 8 - 9 September 2003, Piestany, Slovakia, (UNECE workshop “Market Surveillance in the context of the “wider Europe”: current approaches and future directions“)

Other events related to market surveillance organized by WP.6

• Market surveillance role in combatting counterfeit products event, 21 February 2023, virtual meeting
• International Conference on “Safer products and workplaces, safer communities” 25 November 2014, Geneva, Switzerland
• Panel Session - “Market Surveillance Model Initiative”, 4 November 2008, Geneva
• Second International Forum on Market Surveillance and Consumer Protection, 24-25 October 2005, Geneva, Switzerland
• First International Forum on Market Surveillance, 22 October 2002, Geneva, Switzerland

Policies and Procedures

Symbol / title	Issued date	ENG	FRE	RUS
ECE/CTCS/WP.6/2023/14 Annex III Terms of reference of the Advisory Group on Market Surveillance (MARS Group)	2023	PDF	PDF	PDF