GDAC Dissemination Workshop on "Legal Frameworks, International Standards, and Accreditation Systems" in Ratanakiri Province

Ratanakiri Province: From September 9–11, 2026, the General Department of Accreditation of Cambodia (GDAC), in collaboration with the Departments of Industry, Science, Technology & Innovation of Ratanakiri, Mondulkiri, and Stung Treng provinces, organized a dissemination workshop on "Legal Frameworks, International Standards, and Accreditation System Procedures for Conformity Assessment Bodies" at Ratanakiri Province.The workshop was presided over by H.E. Prom Dolin, Undersecretary of State and High Representative of H.E. Hem Vanndy, Minister of Industry, Science, Technology & Innovation. The event brought together a total of 79 participants (including 17 women) representing relevant ministries/institutions, associations, Conformity Assessment Bodies (CABs), and the private sector.Key Objectives of the Workshop:1. Disseminate information and enhance understanding of accreditation and its related procedural systems.2. Increase awareness of national and international legal frameworks and standards relevant to conformity assessment.3. Promote operational capability and performance of Conformity Assessment Bodies, focusing on competence, independence, impartiality, and credibility.4. Provide a platform for stakeholders to exchange knowledge, practical experience, and best practices regarding conformity assessment and accreditation.During the workshop, participants actively engaged in discussions regarding operational challenges, shared practical experiences, and raised key recommendations and requirements aimed at strengthening Cambodia’s conformity assessment and accreditation framework.Organizing this workshop is part of GDAC’s ongoing commitment to raising stakeholder awareness about the critical role of accreditation in promoting quality, competence, credibility, and national as well as international recognition of conformity assessment results.

CANC Backs Wider Use of Conformity Assessment Services Accredited by GDAC

Phnom Penh, September 3, 2026 - The National Accreditation Council of Cambodia (CANC) on Thursday backed measures to strengthen the country’s accreditation system and expand the use of accredited testing, inspection and certification services, as part of efforts to improve product quality, regulatory confidence and market access. The Council’s sixth meeting reviewed the compliance status of conformity assessment bodies (CABs) and discussed the General Department of Accreditation of Cambodia’s (GDAC) quality management system and accreditation schemes, developed in line with international standards including ISO/IEC 17011, ISO/IEC 17025 and ISO/IEC 17065 - these frameworks were further validated by the re-peer evaluation conducted last April 2026, in accordance with the Global ACI cycle set every four years. As a direct result of this evaluation, GDAC successfully maintained its Signatory MRA status with both APAC and Global ACI.A key focus was a proposal to progressively require public and private CABs - including laboratories, inspection and certification bodies - to obtain accreditation, while encouraging factories, enterprises and SMEs to use testing, inspection and certification services provided by accredited CABs. Minister Hem Vanndy, Chair of CANC, said accreditation was essential to building confidence in the competence and reliability of Cambodia’s conformity assessment system. “Accreditation is not simply about obtaining a certificate. It is about building confidence that our laboratories and conformity assessment bodies have the competence to produce reliable results. When those results are internationally recognized, our businesses can reduce repeat testing, lower costs and gain more access to overseas markets,” Minister Vanndy said. The Council agreed in principle on three main proposals: progressively making accreditation a requirement for CABs; promoting the use of accredited CAB services among factories, enterprises and SMEs; and encouraging sector regulators to incorporate appropriate accreditation and conformity assessment requirements into relevant regulations and technical rules. CANC tasked its Secretariat with further study of the proposals and development of a phased approach to implementation before submitting detailed measures to the Council for future approval. 

Training Course on "Accreditation of Food Safety Management System (GMP & HACCP)"

Phnom Penh, 23–24 July 2026: The Department of Accreditation of Certification Bodies (DACB) of the General Department of Accreditation of Cambodia (GDAC) organized a training course on "Accreditation of Food Safety Management System: GMP & HACCP". The training course was conducted under the leadership of Mr. Mean Chumneanh, Deputy Director General, representing His Excellency Chhrien Sengkong, Director General of the General Department of Accreditation of Cambodia (GDAC). The program was actively attended by representatives from the Institute of Standards of Cambodia, the General Department of Industry, the General Department of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), companies, factories, enterprises, handicraft businesses, conformity assessment bodies, as well as technical officials from GDAC. The primary objective of this training course was to provide in-depth knowledge and highlight the structural framework and essential accreditation requirements for management system conformity assessment bodies. In response to the commitment to enhancing food quality and safety, the content focused primarily on food safety accreditation, closely covering core areas including the Food Safety Management System (FSMS), Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP). Through this training course, GDAC strongly hopes that all participants gained practical knowledge and insights to help establish and improve quality management systems, foster consumer confidence, and enhance the overall effectiveness of accreditation services in the Kingdom of Cambodia. Concurrently, the DACB hopes that conformity assessment bodies across Cambodia will continue to cooperate with and utilize the accreditation services provided by GDAC.