Thailand mandates new safety standards for solar panels

The Cabinet of Thailand has approved a draft ministerial regulation requiring crystalline silicon solar panels to comply with the Thai Industrial Standard (TIS). This measure aims to improve the quality and safety of solar installations by preventing risks such as electric shock, leakage, heat buildup, and fire.

Under the new regulation, manufacturers and importers must obtain a license in accordance with the Industrial Product Standards Act. Distributors will be restricted to selling only licensed products that meet TIS requirements to prevent the entry of substandard equipment. The regulation will take effect the day after its publication in the Royal Gazette.

To minimize trade friction, the Thai Industrial Standards Institute (TISI) confirmed that imported products already meeting International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) standards can submit existing test results for registration. This process is expected to take no more than five days. The Ministry of Industry also indicated plans to eventually review safety standards for other solar components, including inverters, cables, and batteries.