Cambodia has issued a set of regulations that aim to encourage greater energy efficiency from appliances marketed in the country. The regulations follow Cambodia’s adoption of its National Energy Efficiency Policy, which sets out the government’s energy efficiency targets and policies to reach them by 2030, including the ambitious national target of reducing the country’s total energy consumption by at least 19%. This set of regulations for appliances marketed in Cambodia is contained in Sub-Decree No. 254 on the Management and Improvement of Energy Efficiency of Electrical Appliances, dated August 11, 2023. This sub-decree sets out product registration and energy efficiency labeling requirements for electrical appliances marketed in Cambodia. It further provides that appliances should meet energy efficiency standards and all other mandatory standards that apply to electrical appliances. During the product registration process, the appliances are checked against such standards, and registration is only granted if the standards are met. The sub-decree identifies the Ministry of Mines and Energy as the main ministry responsible for the implementation of the sub-decree. To assist with the wide scope of regulations as set by the sub-decree, it further appoints assisting ministries that may implement and enforce only certain aspects. These effective implementation and enforcement mechanisms suggest that once the sub-decree’s 12-month implementation period has passed, there is likely to be a rather strict enforcement approach to the requirements. Key Features of the Sub-Decree Several mandatory standards have already been applied to most electrical appliances over the past years, but the required product registration process to check for compliance with those standards has not always been completed by those importing, distributing, or manufacturing electrical appliances in Cambodia. The new sub-decree clearly mandates a product registration requirement as a check to verify the applicable standards are met, and sets penalties for non-compliance. Penalties

Laos’ Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MOIC) has added to the list of goods subject to the country’s recently imposed import-export registration requirement. Traders who import or export goods on the expanded list, which was issued in MOIC Notification No. 1941 on September 18, 2023, must first obtain a certificate authorizing their import or export activities. The six additional categories of goods specified by the notification, along with the corresponding Harmonized System (HS) codes from the World Customs Organization, are: Mining – HS 2601–2611, 2613–2617 Electricity – HS 27160000 Wood and wood products – HS 4401–4421, 4701–4707, 4801–4812, 94 Spare parts and electronic equipment, electrical equipment – HS 8501–8548 Cigarettes – HS 240220 Alcoholic beverages – 2203–2206, 2208 Enterprises that import or export these goods must complete registration with the MOIC’s Department of Import and Export (DIMEX) by October 31, 2023. Enterprises not registered with DIMEX will be prohibited from importing or exporting these goods. Importers and exporters of other goods not covered by this list may also register, with the option of registering until any future changes to the import-export registration requirements dictate otherwise. Registrants must also seek Bank of Lao PDR certification of their commercial bank accounts. Following this, they must ask the relevant commercial bank to convert their account to an import-export account. For more details on Laos’ new import-export registration rules, or on any aspect of trade involving Laos, please contact Tilleke & Gibbins at [email protected].

Michael Ramirez, a counsel in Tilleke & Gibbins’ dispute resolution department, has contributed an article to a series on contractual terms in Asia from the Asian Business Law Institute. Previous articles in the series have looked at administrative and tax requirements and contract breach and remedy under Thai law. The article gives an overview of how extracontractual liabilities are treated under Thai law. It addresses issues related to contract negotiations, no-reliance clauses, entire agreement clauses, and concurrent liability. ABLI, which is based in Singapore, conducts legal research and dissemination in order to provide knowledge, guidance, and recommendations surrounding development of legal systems in Asia. The full article on extracontractual liabilities is available as a PDF through the button below.

On August 23, 2023, the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) issued Circular No. 10/2023/TT-NHNN (“Circular 10”), suspending the implementation of certain provisions of Circular No. 06/2023/TT-NHNN (“Circular 06”) concerning the offering of onshore loans to customers by credit institutions, including commercial banks and foreign bank branches. (See our previous coverage of Circular 06 here.) Both Circular 06 and Circular 10 will take effect on September 1, 2023. Circular 10 re-allows three categories of loans that credit institutions were not allowed to provide under Circular 06, including: Loans for making or acquiring capital contributions or shares in other companies which have not yet been listed on the securities market or registered for trading on the unlisted public company market (UPCoM) system. Loans for paying capital contributions under capital contribution contracts, investment cooperation contracts, or business cooperation contracts for implementation of investment projects that fail to satisfy conditions for being put into business operation. Loans for financial reimbursement. This change is a result of the working session between Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai and the Governor of the State Bank of Vietnam to consider loosening restrictions for loans to borrowers after the issuance of Circular No. 06/2023/TT-NHNN.