Prioritise standardization for global competitiveness, ISC to pvt sector
Prioritise standardization for global competitiveness, ISC to pvt sector
The Institute of Standards of Cambodia (ISC) of the Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation recently urged the private sector to prioritize the development of standardized production and services to enhance the competitiveness of local products in the global market.
Speaking to media, Tompen Virakvitou, Deputy Director of ISC’s information department, underlined the importance of standardization, noting that it significantly contributes to improving product quality and consumer safety.
He said that the ISC is a national institute, which has contributed greatly to other ministries with different expertise in jointly training manufacturers, processors or entrepreneurs. Additionally, numerous products have been submitted to the ISC for evaluation and verification.
The ISC has also actively collaborated with various associations and organizations to promote the importance of setting and adhering to standards, said Virakvitou.
“Products that meet established standards gain customer trust and credibility,” he explained, adding, “However, when products lack standards, the decision to trust the product is left entirely to the customer. Obtaining a standard mark demonstrates a company’s commitment to quality and inspires confidence among its customers.”
He urged artisans, craftspeople or manufacturers to apply for the standard label. He called on the private sector, particularly entrepreneurs to participate in training programs and gain knowledge about standards.
“This would help raise awareness, promote better business practices, and expand sales markets,” he emphasized.
Keo Mom, president of the Chamber of the Professional and Micro-Enterprises of Cambodia and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Lyly Food Industry, told Khmer Times that as for the word ‘standard’, it’s easy to say but not so easy to implement.
“However, if we can implement this standard, we will achieve business success, first in terms of cost and competitiveness, and secondly, we can compete in terms of quality and taste,” she said.
According to Mom, there are two types of standards: voluntary standards and mandatory standards. “Voluntary standards allow flexibility,” she explained. “For instance, when producing food, we can adjust ingredients like pepper or monosodium glutamate (MSG) to achieve the desired flavour. This is a standard we set ourselves.
On the other hand, mandatory standards are non-negotiable. For example, the use of chemicals in food must strictly comply with established laws, ensuring that the specified limits are neither exceeded nor undercut.
She said that product management standards, both voluntary and mandatory, must be clearly defined and effectively implemented to ensure consistent product quality. Every step must be carefully monitored to ensure compliance with standards, allowing for better quality control and accountability throughout the entire supply chain.
“Implementing standards allows us to compete on both product quality and price. However, it requires a significant investment of money and resources to ensure compliance with these standards,” Mom stressed.
