A method for manufacturing a resin-framed membrane electrode assembly including a stepped MEA and a resin frame member, the method includes using a first suction mechanism to hold the stepped MEA on a worktable. The stepped MBA includes a solid polymer electrolyte membrane sandwiched between a first electrode and a second electrode having an area smaller than an area of the first electrode. A second suction mechanism is used to hold a film member including the frame-shaped adhesive layer to be placed on the stepped MEA held by the first suction mechanism. The film member is peeled from the stepped MEA after the frame-shaped adhesive layer has been affixed to the stepped MEA. The resin frame member is joined to an outer peripheral surface of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane of the stepped MEA via the frame-shaped adhesive layer. The outer peripheral surface is exposed from the second electrode.