PHNOM PENH, May 30 (Xinhua) -- Officials from the ten-member ASEAN gathered here on Wednesday to discuss ways to harmonize standards, conformity assessment procedures and technical regulations in the electrical and electronic equipment sector.

The 13th meeting of the Joint Sectoral Committee for Electrical and Electronic Equipment of the ASEAN consultative committee for standards and quality was chaired by Uch Bora, director general of the Institute of Standards of Cambodia.

Speaking at the opening of the two-day meeting, Uch Bora said that the electrical and electronic sector is one of the priority sectors identified for integration in ASEAN in line with the goal of ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) by 2015.

The sector is characterized by a single market and production base with free flow of goods, services and investment, he said.

"The meeting is to promote cooperation in the field of standards and conformity assessment for electrical and electronic equipment sector and also to enhance cooperation among ASEAN member states in ensuring the protection of human health and safety, property and preservation of environment," he said.

The meeting would also discuss ways to eliminate restrictions on trade of electrical and electronic equipment through harmonization of technical requirements and registration, he added.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.