Global Market Access (GMA)

Global Market Access (GMA) is the strategic methodology used by manufacturers to secure regulatory approval for their products across multiple international jurisdictions simultaneously. For North American machinery builders, this involves looking beyond domestic UL/CSA listings to integrate requirements for the CE Mark in Europe, UKCA Marking in Britain, and other regional approvals.

A successful GMA strategy avoids redundant testing by identifying the "deltas" between markets early in the design phase. By utilizing international standards—such as IEC 60204-1 instead of just NFPA 79—engineers can design a single machine that satisfies Essential Health & Safety Requirements (EHSRs) for the EU while remaining compliant in the US and Canada.

This process relies heavily on data from Accredited Laboratories, often utilizing the IECEE CB Scheme to validate safety and EMC performance. Instead of re-testing for every border crossed, a robust GMA plan leverages a unified Testing Plan to accelerate entry into new territories, significantly reducing both certification costs and time-to-market.