The General Directorate of Consumer Protection, Competition and Fraud Repression (CCF) – in collaboration with Germany development agency GIZ – conducted an April 24-25 training session for 150 officials.

The course aimed to support them as they implemented the Code of Criminal Procedure and Criminal Code on competition and consumer protection laws.

CCF director-general Phan Oun said the course was intended to provide the trainees with knowledge of how to build court cases and gather evidence, and also shared the experiences of law enforcement officials with the attendees.

He added that the speakers, from the Competition Commission of Cambodia (CCC), were very experienced, with some of them former lawyers. They presented a wide range of topics on building court cases, gathering evidence and regulations. They also shared the practical experiences in building court cases of competition and consumer protection.

“This course focused on strengthening the capacity of investigating judges and judicial police officials on competition and consumer protection laws. We asked GIZ to collaborate with us, and were able to share experiences with officials at all levels from the capital and provinces,” he said.

Phan Oun added that the CCF had held two training courses this year.

“In 2022, the CCF and GIZ co-organised training courses on competition laws eight times and shared information on consumer protection and food safety – and related regulations – with officials across the Kingdom,” he noted.

The CCF currently employs 630 staff, 283 of whom have been granted the status of judicial police officers so they have the power to conduct investigations – and take action against offenders – in connection with consumer protection and competition laws. They are also responsible for cracking down on counterfeit goods.