• 
• 

Published on April 1, 2008

The centre will focus on improving production methods for small and medium-sized manufacturers to meet international standards, said Deputy Prime Minister and Industry Minister Suwit Khunkitti.

This collaboration will include transfers of technology and the know-how to use natural resources, particularly in the automotive and electronics industries.

"This project can save government money on building laboratories, while operators can reduce costs to test their products abroad," Suwit said.

The centre is expected to start providing services in October.

Meanwhile, the Thai Industrial Standards Institute (TISI) will allow appointed private organisations to run their certifying processes in June.

Suwit said the cooperation between TISI and the private sector would improve the certifying process by relieving the institute's shortage of officials and shortening the approval period for the benefit of operators. These private organisations need to set up their own laboratories and research centres, and their certifying processes must be approved by TISI, in order to meet international standards.

TISI secretary-general Pairoj Sanyadechakul said the institute had appointed many organisations to give certificates to operators. Among them are the Federation of Thai Industries, the Thai Society for Non-destructive Testing, the National Food Institute, the Management System Certification Institute and the Thai Textile Institute.

Presently, 2,722 standards are effective, 2,629 of which are voluntary and 93 mandatory

Chalida Ekvitthayavechnukul

The Nation.