Cambodia: TRC Updates Type Approval Importer Rules

A new requirement has been introduced for all Cambodia TRC Type Approval (TA) applications, requiring importer details before certificates can be issued.

The Telecommunications Regulator of Cambodia (TRC) has recently announced that providing importer details is a mandatory requirement for obtaining a Cambodia TRC Type Approval certificate.

The new requirement aims to improve regulatory compliance, transparency, and accountability throughout the certification process.

Cambodia TRC Type Approval New Requirement

Effective immediately, companies applying for TA certificates are required to submit a declaration identifying the importer of the relevant products.

The Telecommunication Regulator of Cambodia (TRC) has introduced this requirement to promote transparency and ensure adherence to regulations, especially in cases where the applicant company is not directly responsible for importing the goods in need of certification. If neither the company nor its client can provide the importer’s details, the TA certificate will not be granted.

Under the new requirement, the TRC now requests:

1. The importer’s name, address, and contact information
2. A formal submission through an Importer Declaration Letter
3. These details must be provided for the application to be approved, although they will not be displayed on the final certificate

This updated regulation is designed to improve the efficiency of the certification process and reinforce accountability within Cambodia’s telecommunications industry. Companies pursuing TA certification should comply with the new guidelines to avoid processing delays.

Why Is Importer Information Required?

The importer declaration requirement implemented by the TRC is necessary for several reasons. Here’s why importer information is needed:

• To enhance transparency throughout the certification and import process: Authorities can maintain more accurate records of products entering the country and the parties involved in their distribution.
• To identify responsible entities: Once products are on the market, authorities can more easily investigate compliance-related issues that arise after a certificate has been issued.
• Supporting post-market monitoring activities: Authorities can track products more efficiently and enhance regulatory oversight to help ensure that telecommunications equipment complies with applicable requirements.
• Strengthening accountability in Cambodia’s telecommunications sector: The TRC aims to strengthen regulatory compliance and ensure that stakeholders in the supply chain can be accurately identified throughout the product lifecycle.

Who Is Affected by the New Requirement?

Essentially, these new importer declaration requirements are intended to identify importers of certified products. However, they affect several parties involved in the Cambodian TRC type approval process.

First, foreign manufacturers. Those wishing to market telecommunications products in Cambodia need to coordinate more closely with local partners. This is necessary to ensure that the required importer information is available during the application process. 

Second, type approval applicants. Applicants who are not the same as the importer will need additional coordination. This is necessary to obtain accurate importer details and complete the required declarations to be submitted as part of the documentation to the TRC.

Third, local importers and distributors. These are the entities that play a more significant role in the certification process. Their company information is now required before a type approval certificate can be issued. 

In addition to the three entities mentioned above, authorized representatives and certification consultants who assist with applications to the TRC in Cambodia must also be aware of these new requirements. They need to verify importer information early in the project. 

Proactive preparation can help ensure that applications are submitted with all supporting documents complete. This will prevent potential setbacks during the approval process.

Cambodia TRC Certification Process

The Telecommunications Regulator of Cambodia (TRC) does not mandate local testing for product certification. Instead, approval can be obtained through a streamlined documentation process.

This involves the submission and review of existing reports such as Radio Frequency (RF), Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC), Safety Reports, CB Certificates and Reports, Health, Electromagnetic Field (EMF), or Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) Test Reports, and Certificates of Conformity (e.g., EU standards).

This method allows Cambodia to recognize international certifications—such as CE, FCC, ANATEL, and others—as part of its approval criteria. As a result, products that have already been certified in other regions may be approved in Cambodia without undergoing redundant local testing.

The Cambodia TRC certification process typically includes the following steps:

• Application Submission: Companies must submit a complete application package to the TRC, including technical details, relevant test reports, and applicable certifications.
• Compliance Review: The TRC evaluates the documentation and may, in some cases, request local testing to ensure the product aligns with Cambodian regulatory standards.
• Type Approval Issuance: Once the product has passed the evaluation, the TRC issues a type approval certificate, authorizing the device for sale and use within Cambodia.

What Happens If Importer Information Cannot Be Provided?

Under these new requirements, importer information—which was previously optional during the Cambodian TRC type approval process—is now mandatory. The authorities have made it clear that a type approval certificate will not be issued if the applicant cannot provide the required importer details.

Incomplete importer information may cause delays in the application process. Furthermore, this could prevent the product from obtaining certification altogether. Consequently, the product may be unable to obtain a type approval certificate, potentially affecting its planned market entry in Cambodia.

Therefore, it is important to identify the importer early in the certification process. By confirming the importer’s details and preparing the necessary declaration documents, companies can help reduce the risk of application rejection and improve the efficiency of the approval process.

Early preparation can also support a smoother product launch and market access activities in Cambodia. If you are having difficulty with this, contacting Narmadi Company is the best solution available to you.