Advisory Group on Market Surveillance (MARS)

The MARS Group encourages member States to coordinate their effort to ensure that products on the markets are safe and comply with regulations in force.
Through the implementation of its Recommendations – particularly Recommendation M and Recommendation N, it actively promotes an approach of market surveillance based on best practice and international standard.
About the MARS Group
The Advisory Group on Market Surveillance (MARS Group) was established and its terms of reference approved in 2003 by decision of the Committee. To fulfil its tasks, the Group can establish sub-groups of experts, which are assisted by the UNECE secretariat. It reports to the Working Party.
The MARS Group has the following tasks:

To be a forum for discussion among all players involved with market surveillance (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 for MS; to identify good practices and methods ensuring fulfilment of legitimate objectives (e.g. protection of public health, fair competition, etc.).
To promote coherent good practices and draw up recommendations on market surveillance in the UNECE region.

The group is currently working on:

a general model for supporting the decision making process of market surveillance authorities from the phase of planning of inspections to the phase of product recall, in accordance with their own national legislation
a list of Global and regional market surveillance networks
a template for exchanging information among MSAs
a simple, broad system of information on market surveillance authorities as well as a database, in both English and Russian
a collection of information on market surveillance authorities in the UNECE region and beyond.

Meetings

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

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

How to get involved
The work of the Group is open to representatives of all United Nations Member States. Experts from international organizations, representatives of the private sector and non-governmental organizations can participate as observers. If you would like to participate, please contact the Secretariat: ([email protected])
Publications