The cabinet met via a video conference on May 5, 2021. Some of the resolutions are as follows:
The cabinet approved in principle the draft Ministerial Regulation on Thai Industrial Standard for Home-Use Washing Machine: Energy Efficiency Requirements, B.E. ?, as proposed by Ministry of Industry.
The draft Ministerial Regulation on Thai Industrial Standard for Home-Use Washing Machine: Energy Efficiency Requirements, B.E. ?, prescribes Thai Industrial Standard for home-use washing machine under TIS 1462 ? 2562 (2019), in accordance with the Ministerial Announcement No. 5990 (B.E. 2563), issued under the Industrial Product Standards Act B.E. 2511, on Withdrawal and Prescription of Thai Industrial Standard for home-use washing machine.
The cabinet approved in principle the draft Ministerial Regulation on Thai Industrial Standard for Fluorescent Lamp Holders and Starter Holders, B.E. ?, as proposed by Ministry of Industry.
The draft Ministerial Regulation on Thai Industrial Standard for Fluorescent Lamp Holders and Starter Holders, B.E. ?, prescribes Thai Industrial Standard for fluorescent lamp holders and starter holders under TIS 344-2562 (2019), in accordance with the Ministerial Announcement No. 5989 (B.E. 2563), dated October 28, 2020 and issued under the Industrial Product Standards Act B.E. 2511, on Withdrawal and Prescription of Thai Industrial Standard for Fluorescent Lamp Holders and Starter Holders.
The cabinet approved the draft Royal Decree on land expropriation in parts of Sisaket province (Jan Yai sub-district in Kantralak district; and Siao and Nong Ngu Leum sub districts in Benjalak district), B.E. ?, as proposed by Ministry of Transport.
The Royal Decree prescribes areas in Sisaket province (Jan Yai sub-district in Kantralak district; and Siao and Nong Ngu Leum sub districts in Benjalak district to be expropriated for expansion of Highway nos. 2085 and 2178 (off Highway 24- Ubon Ratchathani- Sisaket).
The cabinet approved the draft Ministerial Regulation prescribing other material as cosmetics, B.E. ?, as proposed by Ministry of Public Health.
The draft Ministerial Regulation prescribing other material as cosmetics, B.E. ?, prescribes tampons as cosmetics in accordance with the Cosmetics Act, B.E. 2558.
The cabinet approved the extension of a Duty-Free Quota Free Scheme (DFQF) for the Least Developed Countries (LDCs), e.g., Afghanistan, Angola, Bangladesh, and Ethiopia, under the country?s obligation as WTO member.
The DFQF scheme will be extended for another 6 years to end on December 2026 (The 1st phase has ended on December 31, 2020). There are 7,187 Thai products eligible for market access under this scheme, which account for 66.47% of all the products listed in the Harmonized System (HS) 2017. This is as proposed by Ministry of Commerce.
The 1st phase of DFQF scheme was implemented during April 9, 2015 and December 31, 2020. Goods imported into Thailand from the DFQF beneficiary countries (Ethiopia and Bangladesh) during the year 2019 accounted for 39.37 million Baht or 0.0005% of the total import value, and the year 2020, 98.09 million Baht or 0.0015% of the total import value.
Extension of the DFQF scheme would provide Thailand with alternative channels for the import of low-priced goods, especially raw materials and primary products.
Source: Cabinet Meeting (Prayut Chan-o-cha) May 05, 2021