WHAT ARE STANDARD CONFORMITY, TECHNICAL REGULATION CONFORMITY? THE PROCESS OF DECLARATION

To ensure goods can circulate and be imported or exported in Vietnam, businesses are often required to declare standard conformity, technical regulation conformity. This is a crucial step, as not understanding the relevant regulations and policies for certain goods may lead to challenges in importing or marketing products. Therefore, it is essential to understand the concepts of standard conformity, technical regulation conformity, and their declaration processes.

1. What Are Standard Conformity, Technical Regulation Conformity?

These are processes to ensure that a product, service, or procedure meets technical and quality standards set by national, international, or local authorities.

To confirm the quality of the products or services they offer, organizations or individuals often seek third-party entities with authority to inspect and certify. These assessments are based on national, international, regional standards, or relevant local technical regulations.

2. What Is the Declaration of Standard Conformity and Technical Regulation Conformity?

• Standard Conformity Declaration: This refers to an individual or organization self-declaring that their product, service, or process complies with the relevant standard.
• Technical Regulation Conformity Declaration: This refers to an individual or organization self-declaring that their product, service, or process complies with the relevant technical regulation.

For products to be distributed in the market, businesses are required to declare technical regulation conformity to ensure safety, quality, and consumer health protection.

3. Regulations on Standard Conformity, Technical Regulation Conformity

Current regulations in Vietnam include:

• The Law on Standards and Technical Regulations 2006.
• Circular 28/2012/TT-BKHCN: Providing detailed regulations on standard conformity and technical regulation conformity declarations, and conformity assessment methods.

The Standard System in Vietnam Includes Two Levels

• National Standards.
• Organizational Standards.

Certification of Standard Conformity:
This is the confirmation that the assessed entity complies with the relevant standard.

• Generally, this is a voluntary activity. However, customer requirements may make it mandatory in some cases.

Certification of Technical Regulation Conformity:
This is the confirmation that the assessed entity complies with the relevant technical regulation.

• This is a mandatory activity, especially for entities related to safety, health, and environmental protection.

4. The Process of Declaring Standard Conformity and Technical Regulation Conformity

To complete certification and declaration, businesses must follow these steps:

• Step 1: Conformity Assessment
  Evaluate products, services, or processes to ensure they meet the relevant standards or technical regulations.
  This assessment can be conducted by a certification organization or through self-declaration. If using assessment results from foreign organizations, approval in writing from a competent authority in Vietnam is required.

• Step 2: Registration of Declaration
  Submit registration procedures to local sectoral management authorities or designated authorities under the respective Ministry.
  Currently, popular assessment methods in Vietnam include Methods 1, 5, and 7, applicable to both domestically manufactured goods and imports.

We hope this information helps you better understand standard conformity, technical regulation conformity, and the declaration process to ensure compliance with legal regulations in production, business, and import-export activities. If you need legal support or assistance with customs procedures in import-export, please contact Smart Link Logistics for fast and effective consultation. With over 14 years of experience in transportation, we are proud to accompany you throughout your journey.