Rajah & Tann Regional Round-Up your snapshot of key legal developments in Asia Issue 3 - Jul/Aug/Sep 2017

	Packed Products to be Registered Prior to their Importation, Exportation, Packing, and Distribution in Lao PDR The Ministry of Science and Technology ("MOST") issued Minister’s Decision on the Management of Packed Products No. 0542/MOST, dated 16 May 2017 ("Decision"). The objective of the Decision is to create standards and quality guarantees for all products that are exported from, imported to and distributed in Lao PDR, and to implement such standards.  The Decision stipulates that all types of packed products, for instance, food, mortars, fuels, gases, fertilizers, paints, cosmetics, and liquids must be registered as packed products prior to their importation, exportation, packing and distribution in Lao PDR. Under the registration procedure for packed products, the exported products, as well as the products distributed in Lao PDR should be tagged a label and trademark in Lao language, while the imported products need only be tagged a label in the local language. The wording in the label should be clear, prominent, understandable and indelible. If the label in written in a foreign language, such wording should be translated into the Lao language. MOST's Department of Standard and Measurement is mandated to inspect all types of packed products before it can issue a Packaging and Product Registration Certificate ("PPRC"). The PPRC, once issued, does not expire. Please note that whilst the information in this Update is correct to the best of our knowledge and belief at the time of writing, it is only intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter and should not be treated as a substitute for specific professional advice.	Rajah & Tann (Laos) Co., Ltd Anou Village, Samsenthai Road Unit 17, Chanthabouly District, Vientiane Capital, Lao PDR. http://la.rajahtannasia.com Contacts: Khanti Syackhaphom Legal Advisor D +856 21 454 239 F +856 21 285 261 khanti.syackhaphom@rajahtann.com Desmond Wee Director D +65 62320474 desmond.wee@rajahtann.com Rajah & Tann Asia is a network of legal practices based in Asia. Member firms are independently constituted and regulated in accordance with relevant local legal requirements. Services provided by a member firm are governed by the terms of engagement between the member firm and the client. This update is solely intended to provide general information and does not provide any advice or create any relationship, whether legally binding or otherwise. Rajah & Tann Asia and its member firms do not accept, and fully disclaim, responsibility for any loss or damage which may result from accessing or relying on this update.