Vietnam
Access one of Southeast Asia's fastest-growing consumer markets with CR Mark certification, STAMEQ approvals, and comprehensive compliance to Vietnam's robust regulatory standards spanning mandatory technical regulations and voluntary quality programs.
Key Requirements Overview
CR Mark Certification
Mandatory for group-2 consumer products
MIC Type Approval
Wireless and telecommunications equipment
MOH Registration
Food, cosmetics, medical devices
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Vietnam Southeast Asia's fastest-growing consumer market
Vietnam's 100 million consumers represent one of Southeast Asia's most dynamic and rapidly expanding markets. The country's product compliance regime, grounded in the 2006 Law on Standards and Technical Regulations, combines mandatory technical regulations (QCVN) with over 9,500 voluntary national standards (TCVN) aligned to international benchmarks. Multiple ministries oversee sector-specific requirements, creating a comprehensive framework for product safety and quality.
Market Advantages
Regulatory Framework
Vietnam's Ministry of Science & Technology (through STAMEQ) coordinates standards and quality, while line ministries issue sector-specific technical regulations. MOIT regulates electrical/electronic goods, MOH oversees food and cosmetics, and MIC governs telecom equipment.
Products deemed "group-2" (potentially unsafe) must meet applicable QCVNs and obtain a Certificate of Conformity with the CR mark before market entry.
Quick Facts
- Official Language
- Vietnamese
- Currency
- Vietnamese Đồng (VND)
- Market Area
- 58 provinces + 5 municipalities
- Standards Organization
- STAMEQ (Directorate for Standards, Metrology and Quality)
- Key Regulators
- MOST, MOIT, MOH, MIC, MARD
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Contact Vietnam ExpertKey Vietnam regulations
Understanding Vietnam's multi-agency compliance framework
CR Mark Certification
Mandatory Conformity to Regulation mark for group-2 consumer products. Testing to Vietnamese QCVNs (often IEC-aligned) and certification by accredited bodies required.
MIC Type Approval
Ministry of Information & Communications type approval for wireless and telecom devices. Testing to Vietnamese RF, EMC, and safety standards required.
Food Safety Compliance
All food and beverages require registration or self-declaration before sale. Higher-risk products need VFA approval from Ministry of Health.
Cosmetic Notification
ASEAN-aligned notification system. Each cosmetic SKU requires MOH notification before market entry, valid for 5 years.
Medical Device Registration
Risk-based classification (A-D). Class A/B require notification, Class C/D require full MOH registration with Marketing Authorization.
Voluntary Quality Programs
Vietnam Quality Mark, Green Label, energy efficiency labeling, and ISO certifications provide competitive advantages beyond mandatory compliance.
Requirements by product category
Understanding which regulations apply to your products
Electronics & Electrical
CR Mark Certification (QCVN 4, 9)
Safety and EMC testing to Vietnamese QCVNs (IEC-aligned). Accredited lab testing, QUACERT certification, CR mark required. Vietnamese labeling mandatory. Energy efficiency labels for appliances (refrigerators, air conditioners).
Telecom & Wireless
MIC Type Approval (Circular 04/2023)
All RF equipment requires MIC certification or declaration. Testing to Vietnamese RF/EMC/safety standards. ICT conformity label with approval code. IMEI registration for mobile phones. Lithium battery safety (QCVN 101:2020).
Food & Beverages
VFA Registration/Self-Declaration
Self-declaration for standard foods, VFA registration for supplements/infant formula. Lab testing for safety criteria. Vietnamese labels with nutrition facts, allergen warnings. GMP/HACCP compliance expected. Certificate of Free Sale from origin.
Cosmetics
MOH Notification (ASEAN Directive)
Online notification to Drug Administration of Vietnam for each SKU. ASEAN ingredient compliance (prohibited/restricted lists). Vietnamese labels with INCI ingredients. 5-year validity. Letter of Authorization from brand owner. ASEAN GMP guidelines.
Medical Devices
MOH Registration (Classes A-D)
Class A/B: notification with conformity declaration. Class C/D: full MOH review and registration. ISO 13485 required. Local MAH needed. Vietnamese instructions mandatory. Free Sale Certificate from origin. Post-market vigilance reporting.
Toys & Children's Products
Toy Safety (QCVN 3:2019)
Mandatory certification to QCVN 3:2019 (ISO 8124 aligned). Physical/mechanical safety, flammability, chemical migration testing. Phthalate limits for mouthing toys. Third-party certification, CR mark required. Age grading and Vietnamese warnings.
Textiles & Apparel
Chemical Safety (QCVN 01:2017)
Formaldehyde limits (30-300 mg/kg based on use). Banned azo dye-derived amines <30 mg/kg. Self-declaration with lab testing. Vietnamese labels with fiber content, care instructions, size, origin. No textile-specific license but compliance mandatory.
Chemicals & Household
Chemical Law (Decree 113/2017)
GHS classification and labeling required. Toxic chemicals need MOIT permits. Vietnamese hazard labels and SDS. Lead paint restrictions. Household chemical products: correct labeling, voluntary TCVN standards. Detergents follow safety specifications.
Batteries & E-Waste
Safety & EPR Requirements
Lithium batteries: IEC 62133 compliance (via device approvals), UN38.3 for transport. Lead-acid batteries: EPR recycling programs mandatory. Proper disposal labeling required. E-waste products subject to Extended Producer Responsibility from 2026.
Food Contact Materials
Food Safety Standards
Product declaration required (often self-declaration). TCVN standards for plastics, metals, ceramics (EU/FDA aligned). Lead/cadmium leaching limits (Codex-aligned). Melamine formaldehyde migration limits. Vietnamese safety labeling.
Household Goods & Furniture
Product Quality Law
General consumer protection applies. Voluntary TCVN standards for strength, flammability, formaldehyde emission. Food contact items need declaration. Vietnamese labeling mandatory. Safety-critical items (helmets, gas appliances) have specific QCVNs with CR marks.
Automotive & Transport
Ministry of Transport Standards
Vehicles: QCVN standards (UNECE-based) for safety and Euro emissions. Type approval from Vietnam Register. Helmets: CR mark per QCVN 2:2008. Components (glass, tires, seat belts): mandatory standards. E-bikes regulated based on power/speed.
These are the basic requirements. Individual product types may have additional obligations.
Please contact SANTIQ for complete requirements specific to your products.
Your Vietnam compliance process
Follow these steps to ensure your products meet Vietnamese requirements
Product Classification
Determine if your product is group-2 (regulated) requiring mandatory certification or group-1 (general). Identify applicable QCVNs and TCVNs. Check ministry-specific lists (MOIT for electronics, MOH for health products, MIC for telecom). Confirm if CR mark, MIC approval, or MOH registration is required.
Testing & Documentation
Conduct testing at STAMEQ-accredited or ILAC-recognized labs to relevant QCVNs. Prepare technical files including product specs, test reports, quality manuals, user manuals in Vietnamese, and certificates from origin (Free Sale Certificate, ISO certifications). Translate key documents to Vietnamese.
Appoint Local Representative
Engage a Vietnamese entity (subsidiary, distributor, or agent) as your local representative. For cosmetics and medical devices, you must have a local Marketing Authorization Holder or importer on record. Ensure they obtain required business licenses and can handle regulatory submissions and post-market obligations.
Certification & Registration
Submit applications to relevant authorities: QUACERT or accredited bodies for CR certification (with factory audits if required), MIC for type approval, MOH for food/cosmetic/medical device registration. Processing times vary from immediate (cosmetic notifications) to several months (Class C/D medical devices). Address any non-conformities.
Labeling & Conformity Declaration
Apply required marks: CR mark with certification number for regulated products, MIC ICT conformity label for telecom devices, MOH notification numbers for food/cosmetics. Ensure comprehensive Vietnamese-language labels with all mandatory information (product details, warnings, manufacturer/importer info). Submit Declaration of Conformity to authorities.
Customs Clearance & Market Entry
Import with all permits and certificates. Customs requires Declaration of Conformity and proof of certification/registration. Provincial quality inspectors may conduct quality inspections. Maintain valid certificates (typically 3-5 years), monitor regulatory updates, implement post-market surveillance for adverse events, and comply with EPR obligations for applicable products.
Key laws and regulations for Vietnam
Essential legal framework governing product compliance
Primary Legislation
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Law on Standards and Technical Regulations (2006)Establishes TCVN (voluntary) and QCVN (mandatory) standards framework
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Law on Product and Goods Quality (2007)Defines group-2 regulated products and conformity assessment requirements
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Law on Food Safety (2010)Core food and beverage regulation with declaration/registration requirements
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Decree 15/2018/ND-CP (Food Safety)Implementing decree for food safety with detailed procedures
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Decree 98/2021/ND-CP (Medical Devices)Risk-based classification (A-D) and registration system for medical devices
Sectoral Regulations
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Decree 43/2017/ND-CP (Labeling)Mandatory Vietnamese labeling requirements for all consumer goods
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Decree 113/2017/ND-CP (Chemicals)Chemical control with GHS classification and licensing for toxic substances
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Circular 04/2023/TT-BTTTT (MIC)Type approval and declaration for ICT and telecommunications equipment
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QCVN 3:2019/BKHCN (Toys)Toy safety technical regulation (ISO 8124 aligned) with phthalate limits
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QCVN 01:2017/BCT (Textiles)Formaldehyde and azo dye limits for textile products
ASEAN Harmonization & International Alignment
Vietnam implements ASEAN Cosmetic Directive and ASEAN Medical Device Directive for regional harmonization. Most of Vietnam's 9,500+ TCVN standards are aligned with ISO, IEC, and Codex international standards. Vietnam is transitioning to more stringent requirements including mandatory RoHS from 2026.
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