Law on Standard in Cambodia
1. What is the purpose of the Standards Law in Cambodia? Which institution has the authority to evaluate and develop this standard?
Nowadays, internationally and nationally, products made for mass consumption must have a set standard so that those using the product are safe and avoid any problems. What is a standard? Standard is a document that is established by consensus and approved by a recognized body, which is for common and repeated use, guidelines, rules, and characteristics for activities or their results. Standards are categorized into company standards, national standards, regional standards, and international standards.
In 2007, the Law on Standards in Cambodia was implemented and amended again in 2018 in several articles. This law was established to set standards for traders who intend to market their products locally. The trader must comply with this law to ensure products are safe for local consumers, as well as promote products to international standards, improve product quality, service, and management, facilitate the use of products, increase consumer protection, and promote public welfare (Article 2 of the Law on Standards in Cambodia). The evaluation and establishment of this standard is the responsibility of the Institute of Standards of Cambodia and the Standards Council of Cambodia.
2. What are the institute of Standards of Cambodia and the Council of Standard in Cambodia? What are the competencies of these two institution?
The Institute of Standards of Cambodia (ISC) is a government institution under the Ministry of Industry and Science, Technology and Innovation. ISC has key competencies such as standardization of a defined product or production chain, certification of compliance, certification of production management systems, and services requested by traders or producers. Research and create new standards, suspend and revoke product certification, compliance certification, system certification, and accreditation certification. This institution also cooperates with individuals, international organizations, and related parties to ensure the exercise of this Law. Furthermore, ISC have inspector who inspecting the standards of the institutions that produce products for direct supply, inspecting products, processing or importing or advertising, selling or selling any products that meet the standards set by the Cambodian Standards Council or by relevant institutions, monitoring and seizing products or equipment that are suspected of violating the law. Inspector can force individuals to show their certificates and other documents that are required to be presented, summon individuals to provide answers to consider the allegations, take measures to temporarily ban any products that affect human health, animals, and plants. Inspectors also have authority to take action under applicable law, remove products as subject to inspection, suspend, or revoke other certificates when violating the law.
On the other hand, the Standards Council of Cambodia is an institution that has the authority to decide on standards or rules, with the Institute of Standards of Cambodia (ISC) acting as the secretariat to implement the decisions of the Council. The Standards Council of Cambodia is responsible for deciding, agreeing to amend or repeal any national standard and any standard mark. The council also has authority to set voluntary standards, technical regulations, a standard mark, provide advice and recommend some polices to the Minister, as well as take action to protect consumers through standardization, guide the ISC on the criteria and related procedure.
3. What are the procedures for certification and licensing for the use of product certification mark?
Before the evaluation of the Institute of Standards of Cambodia, traders must first prepare relevant documents such as;
1. Copy of Prakas / Decision to open a company or handicraft from the Ministry of Industry and Handicraft ,2. Production site layout and production equipment location, 3. Production line diagram, 4.List of machinery, machines, and equipment used in production,4. List of raw materials used in production, 5.Logo design that intends to use standard logos,6. Copy of Product Registration Certificate,7. Copy of Certificate from GS1 Cambodia issued by the Cambodian Chamber of Commerce.
Once all the required documents are ready, traders who wish to receive a standard evaluation of the product, as well as production. Traders can submit these documents to the Standards Institute of Cambodia for evaluation. To obtain product certificate and license to use a product certification mark, trader can apply direct to the Institute of Standards, and then the application will be sent to a specialized department (eg: a letter requesting a standard inspection on a rubber product, so the application for a standard inspection will be sent to the Department of Rubber for evaluation and evaluation). The specialist will then make a report and test the results. If the product complies with the required standards, then there will be a meeting of the Product Certification Commission. After this process, if our product or production meets the Cambodian standards that has been set, they will provide us a certificate and license to use a product certification mark. In contrast, if the evaluation of reports and test results that did not meet the standard, the officer will seek additional technical assistance to re-evaluate, guide and correct that product or production until it meet the standard that has been set before the Standards Institute can issue certificates and licenses for the use of the product certification mark.
4. What are the benefits do business receive when they obtain certification and licenses to use product certification marks?
Once traders have obtained product certifications and licenses to use the product certification mark, the trader will gain the trust of consumers, contribute to the protection of social health, be able to compete in both domestic and foreign markets, be legitimate for the use of standard markings on their products, and raise national dignity. In addition, traders or companies must follow the principles set out in this law to avoid revoking their certificates or licenses, and acquitted that stated in Chapter 10 from Article 50 to Article 68 of this law.
Finally, we hope that the above legal bulletin will help the public and fellow readers better understand the purpose of this law, the officer in charge, the institutions, and procedure for applying for licenses and certificates for product certification issued by the Standards Institute of Cambodia for traders who intend to trade products in the Kingdom of Cambodia.