Thailand makes its solar panel standard mandatory, with IEC results accepted
Serguey Asael Shinder1 min readThailand's cabinet has approved a draft ministerial regulation that makes crystalline silicon solar panels subject to the Thai Industrial Standard (TIS), pv magazine reported on 6 October, citing a government press release.
What the regulation does.
- Panels must comply with TIS rules designed to prevent electric shock, leakage, heat build-up and fire.
- Manufacturers and importers must obtain a licence under the Industrial Product Standards Act.
- Distributors may only sell licensed products that meet the standard — the measure is aimed at keeping substandard panels out of production and imports.
- It takes effect the day after publication in the Royal Gazette.
The cost question. Ministers say the standard will not add steps, cost or delay to imports. The Thai Industrial Standards Institute (TISI) explains how: if an imported product already meets International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) standards, its IEC test results can be submitted for TIS registration without further inspection or testing, in no more than five days. TISI says it is preparing to issue 279 import licences this month for panels that meet IEC standards.
What it means. For established suppliers with IEC certification, the change is mainly paperwork with a short deadline; for low-cost panels without recognised test reports, it closes the Thai market.