Vietnam’s Ministry of Science and Technology (BKHCN) has issued Circular No. 14/2026/TT-BKHCN, establishing updated regulations on the declaration of conformity with standards, the declaration of compliance with technical regulations, and the methods for assessing conformity with both. Issued on April 9, 2026 and effective May 25, 2026, the Circular replaces the previous framework and introduces more detailed procedural requirements for manufacturers, importers, and distributors placing products on the Vietnamese market.
Voluntary vs. Mandatory Declarations: A Clear Distinction
The Circular draws a firm line between two types of conformity declarations. Declaration of conformity with standards (công bố hợp chuẩn) remains a voluntary activity, allowing organizations and individuals to self-declare or obtain third-party certification against applicable Vietnamese standards. Declaration of compliance with technical regulations (công bố hợp quy) is a mandatory activity, required for all products, goods, services, and processes subject to national or local technical regulations issued by the relevant ministries or provincial People’s Committees. This distinction is central to understanding compliance obligations under the new framework.
Eight Certification Methods Now Formally Defined
The Circular formally codifies eight conformity assessment methods, each suited to different product risk levels and market contexts:
Methods 1 and 6 are explicitly prohibited for high-risk products. Certificates of conformity issued under Methods 2 through 5 are valid for a maximum of five years, subject to ongoing surveillance. The selected method must be proportionate to the product’s risk level and must be stated on the certificate itself.
Reduced Testing and Surveillance Relief for Qualifying Manufacturers
A notable provision in the Circular allows for reduced testing requirements and production process assessment exemptions during surveillance cycles, but only under specific conditions. To qualify, manufacturers must hold a valid quality management system certificate (ISO 9001, HACCP, GMP, or equivalent) that covers the relevant product scope, issued by a certification body accredited under an MRA/MLA recognized by Vietnam including those under ILAC, IAF, or APAC frameworks.
The QMS certificate must have at least six months of remaining validity at the time of the exemption review. Additionally, all technical parameters required by the applicable technical regulation must be tested under surveillance at least once per certification cycle, regardless of any reduction in testing frequency.
Digital Declaration via the National Database
Both voluntary and mandatory declarations must now be submitted through the National Database on Standards, Metrology, and Quality. Upon submission, organizations receive a confirmation code as proof of completed registration. If the database is unavailable due to technical issues, declarations may be submitted directly or by post to the relevant local specialized agency, which is then responsible for updating the national database. This digital-first approach centralizes Vietnam’s conformity declaration records and streamlines regulatory oversight.
Conformity Marks and Labelling Requirements
The Circular specifies requirements for both the conformity mark (for standard-based declarations) and the compliance mark (for technical regulation-based declarations). The compliance mark – whose shape and dimensions are defined in Appendix I – must be affixed directly to the product, its packaging, technical documentation, or product label. It must be displayed prominently, be resistant to removal or tampering, and be reproduced in a single consistent color. For products subject to multiple technical regulations, the compliance mark may only be used once the product has been confirmed compliant with all applicable regulations. Products using electronic labels must display the compliance mark within the electronic label itself.
For this article’s source information and any product certification guidance, please contact Global Validity.
Quick Country Facts
Vietnam
Certification Body: Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC)
Certification Type: Mandatory
License Validity: 36 Months
Application Language: English
Legal License Holder: Local Representative
In-Country Testing Requirement: In-Country Testing
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