The standards are divided into five parts: standards for member management; for customer and marketing management; production; accountancy and finance; and developing sustainable community business.

Industry Ministry permanent secretary Chakramon Phasukvanich said community operators needed to develop their internal management to comply with international standards owing to tough competition and rapid growth among their products.

"The Industry Ministry will grant a certification for operators who pass all five standards. For operators whose systems are under the standards we will send our officials to advice and train them," he said.

Participants don't have to pay for any additional costs because the government has already approved Bt17 million to run the project, he said.

It aims for 3,000 operators to take part in this project within this year.

Chakramon said that certified operators would also have some benefits from the public sector, such as participating in exhibitions.

It has already verified 22,816 products for Thai Community Product Standards, which were launched last year.

It will speed up verifying 50 more products this year.

Chalida Ekvitthayavechnukul

 The Nation