Following the enforcement of the Law on Construction with respect to the use of construction materials, construction equipment, construction products, and the construction laboratory that in line with the Cambodian Government’s strategic plan to strengthen the construction sector and enhance construction safety standards, the Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction (“MLMUPC”) issued a new Prakas No. 050 on 5 June 2026 (“Prakas 050”), which regulates construction laboratories business in Cambodia.
Prakas 050 establishes the legal framework for the issuance, suspension, and revocation of construction laboratory licenses, with the objective of ensuring construction quality and safety, protecting life and property, and promoting accountability and efficiency in the conduct of related professional activities.
These requirements apply to both local and foreign companies seeking to operate general or specialized construction laboratories in Cambodia. The licensing regime implements the broader objectives of Cambodia’s Law on Construction, which aims to ensure construction quality, safety, and compliance with applicable technical regulations. Construction laboratories play a critical role in this framework by testing and verifying the quality, strength, durability, and compliance of construction materials, equipment, products, and structural components used in construction projects. Prakas 050 further operationalizes this requirement by establishing a formal licensing system for construction laboratories and the construction testing results required by MLMUPC be issued by the licensed construction laboratories.
Key Legal Development
Construction laboratories refer to facilities that perform testing and analysis of construction materials, equipment, products, and structural components to assess compliance with technical standards and regulatory requirements. Under Prakas 050, both local and foreign companies engaging in construction testing activities or intending to provide construction laboratory services in Cambodia must first obtain the appropriate construction laboratory license from MLMUPC.
Types of Licensing: Construction laboratory licenses are categorized into two types:
- General construction laboratory license: for carrying out all types of construction laboratory testing activities.
- Specialized construction laboratory license: Such specialization includes the following fields:
- Geo-technical engineering;
- Construction materials, construction equipment, and construction products; and
- Structural components.
The construction laboratory license holders (licensed entities) are authorized to perform testing and analysis of construction materials; conduct structural and technical assessments; and support quality control and safety assurance in construction projects. Specialized licenses may permit more advanced or sector-specific testing activities.
Minimum Qualification Requirements: Prakas 050 establishes clear qualification requirements for obtaining a construction laboratory license, which vary depending on the type of license sought. Both the general laboratory licenses and the specialized laboratory licenses are issued by MLMUPC.
General laboratory license must satisfy, among others, the following requirements:
- A technical director, being a professional engineer specializing in civil engineering with at least five (5) years of relevant working experience
- Three (3) heads of technical units, being professional engineers specialized respectively in geo-technical engineering, civil engineering, and mechanical engineering, each with at least three (3) years of relevant working experience;
- Three (3) technical personnels (engineers or mid-level technicians), one per specialization (geo-technical, civil, and mechanical engineering), each with at least one (1) year of relevant working experience; and
- Compliant testing equipment and machinery for each testing specialization, accompanied by calibration certificates.
Specialized laboratory licenses are subject to more limited, but field-specific, requirements, including:
- A technical director with specialization relevant to the specific laboratory field, with at least three (3) years of relevant working experience;
- A head of technical unit per specialization, with at least two (2) years of relevant working experience;
- A technical personnel per specialization, with at least one (1) year of working experience; and
- Compliant testing equipment and machinery with calibration certificates.
Application Process and Processing Timeline: Applications for a new construction laboratory license must be submitted to MLMUPC through its One Window Service. If the application dossier is complete in accordance with the official checklist, the One Window Service will issue the original application receipt to the applicant on the day of review, upon payment of the applicable service fee. Under this Prakas 050, the review and decision on an application for a construction laboratory license must be completed within a maximum period of twenty (20) working days from the date the application receipt is issued.
License Validity and Renewal: Construction Laboratory Licenses are valid for three (3) years from the date of issuance and may be renewed, provided that the renewal application is submitted at least thirty (30) days before the license expiry date. In conducting construction laboratory activities, license holders must comply with the operational requirements and other ongoing compliance obligations prescribed under Prakas 050 this includes ensuring their technical personnel has a certain experience, performing testing activities only within the scope of their licensed category etc.
Enforcement Framework: The Prakas 050 introduces a tiered enforcement regime for construction laboratory licenses, including:
- Warning: A written warning may be issued where a license holder fails to comply with operational requirements, fails to replace personnel who have lost professional eligibility, or replaces technical personnel without notifying MLMUPC. Issued for non-compliance, with up to thirty (30) days to rectify, while operations continue.
- Suspension: Up to ninety (90) days if issues are not resolved after a warning; no new contracts may be entered into during the suspension period, but the license holder may continue to fulfil obligations under existing contracts.
- Revocation: Permanent removal of the license for serious or continued non-compliance; a revoked license cannot be reissued or reinstated, and the license holder must cease all operations and may not continue performing obligations under existing contracts. Clients have the right to unilaterally terminate contracts and claim damages.
Transitional Provisions: Construction laboratories that were already providing testing services before Prakas 050 entered e into force are also required to apply for a construction laboratory license in accordance with the requirements and procedures set out in this Prakas. This means existing operators cannot grandfather their current activities and must obtain a formal license to continue operating.
What This Means for Your Business: To avoid any enforcement measures to be taken by MLMUPC as mentioned above,both local or foreign companies engaged in construction testing activities, or intending to provide construction laboratory services in Cambodia, should:
- Obtain the appropriate construction laboratory license from MLMUPC, whether as a general or specialized construction laboratory;
- Ensure ongoing compliance with the operational requirements and obligations applicable to the relevant construction laboratory license and other MLMUPC requirements;
- Implement internal systems and controls to ensure compliance with applicable technical and regulatory standards; and
- Monitor license validity periods and ensure timely renewal of licenses before their expiry.
Should you require further information or wish to discuss how the regulation may impact on your business, please reach out to our colleagues listed below.
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for information purposes only and is not intended to constitute legal advice. Legal advice should be obtained from qualified legal counsel for all specific situation.
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