The Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC) has announced that its archive has been certified ISO 9001:2015 for quality management, making it the first public archive in Cambodia to receive this globally recognised distinction.
In a September 1 press release, the ECCC explained that the certification shows its commitment to upholding international standards in archival maintenance, preservation and management, access to information and the long-term safeguarding of judicial records and multimedia archives.
“The ECCC Archive is not only a repository of judicial records from the Khmer Rouge Tribunal, but also a cornerstone of Cambodia’s accountability process. Achieving ISO certification assures the public, victims and future generations that the archive is managed with the highest standard of integrity, accessibility, and preservation,” said Tony Kranh, acting director of administration.
According to the release, ISO 9001:2015 is a global standard of the International Organization for Standardization for quality management systems. It sets out criteria for ensuring consistency, efficiency and continuous improvement in organisational processes, with a strong focus on meeting user needs and upholding professional excellence.
Since the conclusion of judicial proceedings in 2022, the ECCC has had a residual mandate to make this material broadly accessible to the public for education, memory and research.
During this phase, the ECCC completed the development of dedicated physical and digital repositories to continue providing access to its materials for generations to come. The archive holds extensive case files, victim testimonies and audiovisual recordings of the court hearings.
Following the closure of the court, which tried Khmer Rouge leaders, the government ordered the creation of a new legacy institution, already underway, with the archive as one of its central pillars. This ensures that the work of safeguarding and sharing the ECCC’s records will remain a living contribution to justice, reconciliation and genocide prevention.
“With this certification, the ECCC is setting a new benchmark in archival management in Cambodia and internationally. We are committed to sharing our expertise and best practices, strengthening professional archival standards and contributing to a global culture of justice and remembrance,” Kranh added.
The ECCC Archive is housed at the ECCC Resource Centre, which is a central hub for free public access and research on the Khmer Rouge trials.
