Thailand's mandatory standard for solar panels takes effect on Gazette publication, targeted for October — importing non-conforming panels carries up to 2 years and THB 2 million

What the notice says

In a press release on 15 October 2026, Thailand's Ministry of Industry and TISI said the ministerial regulation making solar panels subject to a mandatory standard is being published in the Royal Gazette. It takes effect immediately on publication, and the Minister of Industry has ordered it to be in force within October 2026. The standard is TIS 61730 Part 2-2567, as published during the earlier consultation.

Once in force, panels may only be made, imported and sold if they are licensed and conform to the standard. The press release sets out the penalties:

• Making or importing non-conforming panels: up to 2 years' imprisonment, a fine of up to THB 2 million, or both
• Selling non-conforming panels: up to 6 months' imprisonment, a fine of up to THB 500,000, or both

Licence applications are made with test reports to IEC 61730 together with an ISO 9001 quality management certificate. TISI held its fourth industry briefing the same day and said it will also speed up mandatory standards for seven related products: DC cables, lithium batteries, fuses, inverters, DC circuit breakers, connectors and combiner boxes.

Business implications

Importers of solar panels will not be able to import without a TISI licence from the day the regulation takes effect. There is no transition period, so shipments already in transit or under contract may need a licence at the point of clearance.

Overseas manufacturers should first confirm that they hold IEC 61730 test reports and an ISO 9001 certificate, and that these can be used for an application in the Thai importer's name. The licence is issued to the Thai importer, so decide who that importer will be at the same time. The effective date is set by Gazette publication, so watch for it through the end of October.