RECOMMENDATIONS
OF THE ACCSQ SEMINAR ON STANDARDS
AND CONFORMITY ASSESSMENT IN CAMBODIA
20-22 November 2001, Phnom Penh
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In realizing the decision of the ASEAN Economic Ministers to provide a hands-on assistance to the new Members and in contributing a practical action to the implementation of the Initiative of ASEAN Integration (IAI) launched by the ASEAN Leaders, the 18th ACCSQ Meeting held on 1-2 August 2001 in Bangkok, Thailand, agreed to conduct a Seminar to assist Cambodia on Standards and Conformity Assessment. The ACCSQ Seminar on Standards and Conformity Assessment was held on 20-22 November 2001 with the participation from all ACCSQ Members, Standards Australia, ASEAN Secretariat and relevant Ministries, industry and agencies in Cambodia.
The Seminar considered a wide range of topics with regards to Standards and Conformity Assessment, which, among others, included the following:
(i)Role of Standards and Conformity Assessment in economic development, regional and international trade;
(ii)Current technical infrastructure and systems on Standards and Conformity Assessment in ASEAN and CER Countries; and
(iii)Identification of the urgent needs for Cambodia on Standards and Conformity Assessment.
The Seminar discussed and made the following recommendations to assist Cambodia on Standards and Conformity Assessment:
1.Current efforts of Cambodia to develop its Standards and Conformance Technical Infrastructure should be encouraged with a hands-on assistance from ACCSQ Members and its Dialogue Partners.
2.At the same time, the National Master-Plan for Standards and Conformity Assessment (NMP) in Cambodia should be developed to address the institutional, infrastructure needs as well as to provide guidance in building up an adequate Standards and Conformity Assessment system in the country.
3.A roadmap for standards and conformity assessment in Cambodia be developed to serve as an input for the National Master-Plan for Standards and Conformity Assessment and to facilitate the implementation of the Sub-Decree on Industrial Standards of Cambodia issued on May 15, 2001. In developing a roadmap, the following areas, among others, are recommended to be looked into:
(i)Standards development (including the use of international standards);
(ii)Testing and Calibration Laboratories;
(iii)Product Certification;
(iv)ISO 9000 and 14000 Management Systems;
(v)Accreditation (including the issue of the outside accreditation);
(vi)Metrology such as legal metrology; and
(vii)Information on Standards and Conformity Assessment.
4.Active involvement of the private sector in the work of Standards and Conformity Assessment should be encouraged. The private sector should be well informed on the role of Standards and Conformity Assessment, up-to-date knowledge, particularly on the ACCSQ activities. In this regard, the Camcontrol should coordinate with the ACCSQ and the ASEAN Secretariat to disseminate relevant information for the industry and private sector.
5.Regular and frequent training courses be conducted through a comprehensive skills training programme for industries as well as for officials working in the field of Standards and Conformity Assessment. It is also recommended that assistance to enterprises to improve quality of their products through implementation of Quality Systems should be addressed.
6.Study visits and attachment in ASEAN Member Countries as well as in Dialogue Partners countries by Cambodian officials would be considered and undertaken.
7.Concrete proposals for assistance are recommended to be submitted by Cambodia to the next ACCSQ Meeting, which is scheduled in March 2002 in Viet Nam, for consideration. This could include, among others, the following:
(i)Priority list of training, study visits and attachment;
(ii)Participation in Regional and International Standards Bodies as well as Specialist Organizations; and
(iii)Assistance with the preparation of the Master-Plan and comment on the draft new law on industrial standards of Cambodia.
8.All Members of ACCSQ are encouraged to assist Cambodia either bilaterally or through the ACCSQ in cooperation with its Dialogue Partners.
9.Cambodia’s participation in the work of ACCSQ including the ACCSQ Working Groups and Product Working Groups has to be more proactive to get more knowledge and skills from the ACCSQ Members.
- Materials presented at this Seminar would be published for wider use of the new Members of ASEAN as well as industries.
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