Thailand - Standards for TradeThailand - Trade Standards
Overview
The main standards-developing organization is the Thailand Industrial Standards Institute (TISI) under the Ministry of Industry. TISI is a member of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). TISI also participates in the International Accreditation Forum (IAF), the International Auditor and Training Certification Association (IATCA), and the International Laboratory Conference (ILAC). In Southeast Asia, TISI is a member of the ASEAN Consultative Committee for Standards and Quality (ACCSQ). TISI is also a member of the Standards and Conformance Subcommittee (SCSC) under the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) organization and represents Thailand in the Pacific Area Standards Congress (PASC). Thailand follows ISO guidelines to synchronize standards with its trade partners.
Standards
TISI develops both mandatory and voluntary Thai Industrial Standards (TIS). TISI publishes a work program every six months with its plan for standards development for Thailand.
Please refer to the National Institute of Standards of Technology (NIST) and its web-based Notify U.S. Service.
Member countries of the World Trade Organization (WTO) are required under the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Agreement to report to the WTO all proposed technical regulations that could affect trade with other member countries. Notify U.S. is a free, web-based e-mail subscription service that offers an opportunity to review and comment on proposed foreign technical regulations that can affect access to international markets.
Conformity Assessment
The National Standardization Council (NSC) of Thailand is the part of TISI that administers the accreditation system in Thailand. Through the process of the Thai accreditation system, the National Standardization Council gives formal recognition that a conformity assessment body is competent to carry out specific functions or tasks according to relevant international requirements.
TISI issues product certifications according to established Thai standards and is an accredited body for ISO and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) certifications in Thailand.
Testing, Inspection and Certification
The Government of Thailand requires a compulsory certification of 124 products in 10 sectors including: agriculture, civil and construction materials, consumer goods, electrical appliances and accessories, PVC pipe, medical, LPG gas containers, surface coatings, chemical, mechanical engineering and vehicles. Certification of other products is on a voluntary basis. Industrial products that have TISI certification are generally regarded as having high standards and good quality. TISI has certified more than 3,000 products on a voluntary basis. Thailand is part of the ASEAN Economic Community, and as such, Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs) become effective for compulsory standards of certain electrical products traded between Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore. Eligible products for MRAs must meet the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) or its equivalent standards.
Accreditation
The National Standardization Council (NSC) of Thailand is Thailand’s official accreditation body:
National Standardization Council (NSC) of Thailand
Rama 6 Road, Ratchathewi, Bangkok, 10400 Thailand
Tel: 662-202-3486-7, 202-3413
Fax: 662-354-3313
All authorized laboratories are required to be accredited under the scope relevant to such products or product groups by the Thai Laboratory Accreditation Scheme (TLAS) or a laboratory accreditation body that has been approved by the International Product Standards Council (IPSC).
Publication of Technical Regulations
Information can be obtained at TISI, official documents are only available in Thai.
Members of the World Trade Organization (WTO) are required under the Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT Agreement) to notify to the WTO proposed technical regulations and conformity assessment procedures that could affect trade. Notify U.S. (www.nist.gov/notifyus) is a free, web-based e-mail registration service that captures and makes available for review and comment key information on draft regulations and conformity assessment procedures. Users receive customized e-mail alerts when new notifications are added by selected country(ies) and industry sector(s) of interest, and can also request full texts of regulations. This service and its associated web site are managed and operated by the USA WTO TBT Inquiry Point housed within the National Institute of Standards and Technology, part of the U.S. Department of Commerce.
Contact Information
Thai Industrial Standards Institute, Ministry of Industry
Rama IV Street, Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
Tel: (662) 354-3266, 202-3304, 202-3300
E-mail: nsw@tisi.mail.go.th