Vietnam Proposes Decree on Product Quality and Labelling

2025-12-04

On 25 August 2025, Commission for the Standards, Metrology and Quality of Vietnam's Ministry of Science and Technology notified the World Trade Organisation (WTO) about its draft decree detailing the implementation of a number of articles of the:

Law on Quality of Products and Goods,
Law Amending and Supplementing several articles of the Law on Quality of Products and Goods, and on Goods Labelling

Highlights of the Key Requirements

A. Obligations of the Applicable Entities of the Laws

Under the draft decree and the underlying laws, manufacturers and importers shall have the following obligations:

(a) Obligations of Manufacturers

Manufacturers bear the primary responsibility for ensuring the quality, safety, and traceability of their products throughout the production and circulation process,
They must comply with all quality assurance requirements before placing products on the market, including conducting necessary tests and obtaining certifications.
Manufacturers are required to inform sellers and consumers of any potential risks associated with their products and provide guidance on prevention, thereby fostering a culture of informed consumption.
They must ensure that products are properly labelled and, where applicable, incorporate digital elements to enhance traceability.

(b) Obligations of Importers

1. Importers are responsible for providing accurate information regarding product quality and origin, warning of potential risks, and supplying warranty details to downstream sellers and consumers.

2. Ensuring that imported goods comply with labelling regulations, including the use of electronic labels or product digital passports – namely, digital integration.

B. Product Labelling Requirements

All products circulating in Vietnam must display essential information on the product or its commercial packaging, in either physical or electronic form. Exemptions apply to goods in transit or items with simple packaging, such as bulk shipments.

(a) Physical labels

Pyhsical lables must include written, printed, or imaged content affixed directly to the product, its packaging, or accompanying materials. The following information is mandatory:

Product name
Manufacturer or importer details
Country of origin
Quantity
Production and expiry dates
Composition
Usage instructions
Safety warnings
Technical specifications

(b) Electronic Labels (e-labels)
E-labels are a modern addition, consisting of digital carriers (e.g., QR codes or barcodes) that store all mandatory information. They must be affixed to goods or packaging and be scannable via devices for easy access.
Under the decree:

For low-risk products, e-labels may fully replace physical labels.
For medium- and high-risk products, certain core details (e.g., product name, manufacturer,and country of origin) must still appear on physical labels, while supplementary information may be provided through e-labels.

C. Product Digital Passport

The Product Digital Passport is a structured digital repository containing key data of the product and supply chain, stored in formats such as barcodes, databases, or other machine-readable systems, including:

Product name and global product identification number (GTIN)
Manufacturer, importer, or trader details (name, address or ID)
Country of origin
Traceability information
Origin of main raw materials (if applicable)
Information on production, processing, and transportation (if applicable)
Certificates of conformity and quality certifications (if applicable)
Date of manufacture and expiry date (if applicable)
Safety warnings (if applicable)
Sustainability and recycling information (if applicable)

D. Mechanisms to Ensure Product Quality in All Stages

These apply all stages across production, import, export, and market circulation, include risk-based inspections, conformity assessments, exemptions or reductions for compliant products, and clear procedures for addressing violations.

Dates