September 30, 2022
In keeping with the government’s strong focus on consumer protection in recent years, Cambodia’s consumer protection authority issued a notice on consumer product labeling on September 23, 2022. The notice from the General Department of Consumer Protection, Competition, and Fraud Repression (CCF) provides clarifications on labeling rules for general consumer products, goods, and services.
The most significant clarification is that both locally produced and imported products, goods, and services must have a Khmer-language label or attach a product description in Khmer language. Imports may use a sticker with Khmer language as long as the minimum labeling requirements are met.
The notice announces a transition period for companies to amend their labeling, allowing them to make changes to the labeling until December 31, 2022. According to the notice, the CCF will investigate and take enforcement measures starting January 1, 2023. This likely signals a major increase in enforcement efforts throughout 2023.
Labeling Rules
The CCF notice gives instructions on product labeling rules. In Cambodia, “product” refers to general products, goods, and services on the Cambodian market. Product-specific labeling regulations (e.g., for food products) overrule the requirements for these general products.
The CCF notice provides the following instructions:
All products on the market must have a label, or attach a product description, using Khmer language.
Imported products that do not have a Khmer-language label printed on the packaging should provide a product description in Khmer. Companies can attach the necessary information or apply a sticker to the product.
Trademarks on the products may use a foreign language but must be in line with the relevant local trademark registration.
Foreign-language or different labeling is only permitted if authorized by the regulator, or by regulations that apply to a specific type of product.
The label or product description must use an appropriate font size, in relation to the packaging of the product. The