In a concerted effort to enhance consumer safety, the Thai Industrial Standards Institute (TISI) has intensified its crackdown on substandard products under the directive of the Minister of Industry. Wanchai Phanomchai, the secretary-general of TISI, announced that the institute is actively involved in identifying and removing products that pose potential risks to consumers, both in physical stores and online marketplaces. This initiative, known as “Quick Win,” has been instrumental in seizing non-compliant goods from the market.
Between September 2023 and July 2024, TISI confiscated products valued at 322.4 million baht that failed to meet the necessary standards. Notably, 92.7 million baht of these goods were imported from neighboring countries, representing 29 percent of the total haul.
In response to evolving safety concerns, TISI has significantly expanded its scope of oversight. This year alone, the institute has introduced over 1,400 new product standards, supplementing the existing 2,722 standards. Additionally, TISI is in the process of classifying 52 more items as controlled goods, which will be added to the current list of 144.
The newly established standards cover a wide range of products crucial for public safety. These include stainless steel containers and tableware, kitchen utensils such as pans, spatulas, pots, and spoons, as well as food packaging materials like plastic bags and microwave-safe food bags. Other items under the new standards are household stoves powered by LPG, rubber and plastic hoses for LPG use, car window films, plastic containers for drinking water, electric seat covers for flush toilets, child car seats, and solar panels.
To curb the proliferation of non-compliant products through online channels, TISI has implemented several strategies. These include accelerating communication with companies involved in shipping and customs clearance to ensure compliance, raising public awareness about the importance of purchasing products with standard certification seals on online platforms, and integrating efforts with Customs to monitor imports more effectively. Additionally, TISI is coordinating with the Electronic Transactions Development Agency (ETDA) to oversee online platforms and collaborating with the Consumer Council to safeguard consumer interests.
It was reported that these measures have involved extensive cooperation with various agencies to enforce compliance and protect the public from potentially hazardous products.
