The Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation (MISTI) in Cambodia has officially launched a comprehensive campaign to promote product registration nationwide. This initiative aims to bolster the quality of products circulating within the Cambodian market, safeguard consumer interests, and cultivate greater confidence among both producers and consumers. The campaign is set to run from its launch until the close of 2026.
The official launch ceremony took place in Phnom Penh on October 28, presided over by H.E. Hem Vanndy, Minister of Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation. The event garnered significant participation, drawing approximately 2,000 attendees. This diverse group included representatives from 19 local manufacturing enterprises, 6 importing companies, 3 automotive assembly firms, and numerous officials from various related government ministries and institutions. To encourage widespread participation, the Ministry announced special incentives for businesses. Manufacturing enterprises and importing companies that register multiple products concurrently during the campaign period will benefit from tiered discounts: a 10% reduction for registering 5-19 products, a 15% reduction for 20-49 products, and a substantial 20% discount for registering 50 or more products at the same time.
Minister Hem Vanndy emphasized that product registration should not be viewed as an arduous new task or an extra burden for businesses. He clarified that the campaign reflects the Ministry’s steadfast commitment to enhancing public services and providing tangible support to the private sector. “This campaign is timely, appropriate to the current circumstances, and directly addresses the concerns and demands of the market, benefiting both producers and consumers, as well as responding to the evolving landscape of commerce,” the Minister affirmed.
Product registration serves as a crucial procedure for formally identifying all types and forms of products, ensuring their compliance with Cambodian Standard CS001-2000, which pertains to product labeling. For consumers, registered products offer transparency and enable them to easily trace the origin of goods and verify their legal owners, thereby enhancing trust and safety. Despite its importance, the Institute of Standards of Cambodia has registered only 9,535 products over the last five years, a figure deemed relatively low compared to the vast array of products currently available in the market. Recognizing this, the Ministry is actively developing further mechanisms to streamline procedures and reduce associated costs, aiming to significantly boost participation from both manufacturers and importers.
Significant improvements have already been made to the registration process. The Ministry has streamlined procedures by reducing the number of required documents for applications and drastically cutting down the processing time for a Product Registration (PR) license to just five working days, provided all submitted documents are accurate and complete. Furthermore, a single application now allows for the simultaneous registration of multiple products, and each PR license remains valid for a period of three years.
The Ministry further clarified that manufacturers and importers now have the flexibility to conduct product testing at their own accredited laboratories, submitting the results alongside their applications, rather than being exclusively tied to testing via the Institute of Standards of Cambodia. In support of the current campaign, the Ministry has directed the Institute of Standards of Cambodia to form a dedicated special working group, tasked with providing expert consultation and technical guidance specifically for the private sector. Minister Hem Vanndy strongly urged manufacturers and importers to submit their applications directly to the Institute of Standards of Cambodia, advising against the use of intermediaries, which often inflate the costs associated with product registration. He also issued a broader appeal to all businesses, emphasizing the paramount importance of integrity, transparency, and responsibility in their operations, underscored by the act of product registration. “These values,” the Minister asserted, “form the essential foundation for the long-term success of individual businesses and contribute significantly to national development.” He further empowered consumers to leverage their purchasing power, encouraging them to prioritize and exclusively purchase products that have been properly registered, thereby driving manufacturers and importers to uphold these critical standards.
In a move to enhance accessibility and trust, the Ministry of Industry has consistently published the list of registered products on its official website, allowing consumers and distributors to readily verify the legality and authenticity of items. Looking ahead, the Ministry is committed to the full digitalization of its public services. By 2026, a comprehensive online product registration system is planned for implementation. This digital transformation is expected to further simplify application procedures, minimize documentation requirements, eliminate the need for in-person interactions, and ultimately render the entire PR license application process quicker, more transparent, and less reliant on external intermediary services.
