General Standards
Brunei conforms to a range of international standards, including the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) guidelines. The country also recognizes certifications from bodies that have been accredited by the members of the Pacific Accreditation Cooperation.
Standards organizations
The National Standards Center is the main standardization and accreditation body of Brunei. The center is responsible for the standardization of the local products and service quality, and provides a legislative framework to guide the enforcement activities in the implementation and management of the standards.
The National Standards Centre consists of five units:
- Conformity Assessment
- Certification
- Legal and Standards Development
- International Relations
- Standard Promotion and Information
The National Standards Centre provides the following services to small- and medium-sized enterprises:
- Certification Services
- Standards and Quality Product Training Services
- Quality and Promotion Development Services
- Standard and Information Services
- Consultation Services
- Testing and Metrology Collaboration Lab Services
Telecommunications standards are regulated by the Authority for Info-Communication and Technology (AITI). AITI regulates the use of telecommunication equipment in Brunei, requiring that services meet national standards.
Conformity Assessment
Brunei is a member of the ASEAN and follows the conformity procedures of this organization. Conformity assessment procedures are a means of ensuring that goods traded or placed in the market comply with defined requirements. These procedures entail a determination of compliance that is undertaken by test and calibration laboratories, inspection and certification bodies, (collectively known as Conformity Assessment Bodies). Conformity assessment procedures are implemented by ASEAN Member States (hereinafter, AMSs) to support technical regulations that prescribe safety, health, environmental and other legal requirements for products. Conformity assessment procedures are also widely utilised voluntarily by the business community in ASEAN and provide assurance of the performance and quality of products to individual and industrial buyers and users.
Conformity assessment should be conducted to recognised standards, preferably to standards harmonised in ASEAN, international standards, national standards, or other transparent and objective criteria, such as national or harmonised technical regulations, in a non-discriminatory manner.
Implementation of conformity assessment schemes should depend on justification based on relevant technical regulation or an ASEAN harmonised regulatory regime with respect to the ASEAN Priority Integration Sectors, to serve public interests or be driven by market demand from potential users of certification.
Certificates of conformity and laboratory accreditations are also accepted from Asia Pacific Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (APLAC) Mutual Recognition Arrangement members.
Product Certification
Food products require a halal certificate and permit as well as halal branding in accordance with the Halal Certificate and Label Order 2005. Under the order, the manufacturer is only permitted to produce and prepare halal products using raw ingredients from halal suppliers. Multinational companies or medium-sized enterprises are required to form an Internal Halal Audit Committee to handle and ensure the company is in compliance with all halal requirements.
Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) recognition is a requirement for local food manufacturers in order to export products outside of Brunei.
Food traders must comply with the Public Health (Food) Act.
Labeling requirements
The following information should be indicated on the labels:
- name of the product
- list of ingredients (including additives)
- net weight/volume
- date marking
- storage instructions
- country of origin
- name and address of the local importer for imported food/name and address of the manufacturer/packager in the case of a food of local origin
Contacts
Head, Food Safety and Quality Control Division
Department of Health Services/Ministry of Health, Brunei, Darussalam
Website: www.moh.gov.bn
E-mail: fsqc@moh.gov.bn
Tel: +673 233-1100
Fax: +673 233-1107
Ministry of Development
E-mail: info@mod.gov.bn
Address: Old Airport Complex Berakas BB3510, Brunei Darussalam
Tel: +673 238-3222
Fax: +673 238-0298
Authority for Info-Communications Technology Industry of Brunei Darussalam (AITI)
Website: www.aiti.gov.bn
E-mail: info@aiti.gov.bn
Address: Block B14, Simpang 32-5 Kampung Anggerek Desa, Jalan Berakas BB3713, Brunei Darussalam.
Tel : +673 232-3232
Fax : +673 238-2447
