Thailand, China Approve Weights and Measures Cooperation Deal
Thailand and China have approved a cooperation agreement on weights and measures to align measurement standards with international norms, prevent illegal scale sales, and strengthen trade facilitation through information sharing and technol
Deputy Government Spokesperson Lalida Perischvivat announced that the cabinet approved the draft MOU on weights and measures cooperation between Thailand's Ministry of Commerce and China's State Administration for Market Regulation. The agreement authorizes the Commerce Minister or designated representative to sign, aiming to upgrade measurement standards, prevent illegal weighing device sales, and enhance trade facilitation. The collaboration will align Thailand's measurement system with international standards through information exchange, expert consultation, and type approval processes, while jointly establishing guidelines to prevent and suppress illegal scale sales on online platforms. Both countries will promote technology transfer and innovation in measurement systems, develop mutual certificate recognition under the International Organization of Legal Metrology (OIML), and exchange test reports and related documents to strengthen Thailand's regulatory capacity and business competitiveness. A joint working group will be established with designated coordinators from each country to ensure continuous implementation and concrete results. The cooperation will provide Thailand access to Chinese expertise and technology, improve oversight of new measurement devices critical to agriculture, industry, and the economy, reduce technical trade barriers, and build international confidence in Thai product standards. The MOU is a non-binding administrative framework between the two countries and not a treaty under Thailand's constitution, but serves as an important mechanism to modernize Thailand's measurement standards in line with global technological and commercial changes while protecting consumers.