QCVN (national technical regulations) – Mandatory regulatory mechanism and 2025 reforms

National technical regulations (QCVN) are mandatory documents promulgated by the State, specifying technical characteristic limits and management requirements that products, goods, services, processes, environments, and other subjects in socio-economic activities must comply with. The objective is to ensure safety, hygiene, and human health; protect animals, plants, and the environment; safeguard national interests and security, consumer rights, and other essential requirements.

I. Overview of QCVN

1. Legal definition

QCVN (national technical regulations) are documents issued by competent state authorities, stipulating technical characteristic limits and management requirements that products, goods, services, processes, environments, etc. are required to comply with in order to ensure safety, public health, environmental protection, and consumer rights.

QCVN are core technical management instruments of the State, ensuring consistency in socio-economic development and protection of the population and the environment.

Example: QCVN 3:2009/BKHCN – National technical regulation on safety of children’s toys.

2. Legal basis and relevant authorities

The QCVN system is developed and promulgated on the basis of legal instruments such as:

• The Law on Standards and Technical Regulations (No. 68/2006/QH11) and guiding decrees and circulars.

• Line ministries and ministerial-level agencies assigned to develop QCVN within their respective management domains.

• The Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) is responsible for appraising draft QCVN prior to promulgation.

3. Structure and designation of QCVN

QCVN designations typically follow the format QCVN [number]:[year]/[issuing authority].
Example: “QCVN 01-1:2018/BYT” denotes National Technical Regulation No. 01-1 of 2018 issued by the Ministry of Health.

4. Conformity and conformity mark (CR)

“Conformity” refers to products and goods that comply with QCVN and are certified as conforming; such products are generally required to bear the conformity mark (CR) when stipulated by the relevant QCVN.

Failure to carry out conformity assessment when required by QCVN constitutes a violation of state management regulations and may result in administrative penalties.

5. Access to QCVN and official documents

QCVN may be accessed via official sources, including:

• tcvn.gov.vn – National standards portal

• congbao.chinhphu.vn – Government gazette

• Legal information portals of MOST and relevant line ministries

6. Practical application and considerations for enterprises

Many product groups such as construction materials, electronic equipment, medical devices, and wastewater fall under mandatory conformity certification prior to market circulation.

Violations of QCVN may result in administrative sanctions, product recalls, or suspension from circulation. For example, fines ranging from VND 5–8 million may be imposed for producing goods inconsistent with the declared conformity.

Enterprises should proactively determine which QCVN apply to their products and implement testing, certification, and conformity declaration procedures from the outset.

II. Current QCVN system and classification

1. Categories within the QCVN system

The QCVN system is currently classified into five main categories:

• General technical regulations (applicable to a sector or a group of products/goods/services)

• Environmental technical regulations

• Safety technical regulations

• Service technical regulations

• Process technical regulations

2. Current QCVN system (as of 2025)

According to statistics in 2015, there were a total of 632 QCVN, developed and promulgated by 13 line ministries and appraised by MOST.

Of these, 425 QCVN (approximately 67%) regulate group-2 products and goods under the Law on Product and Goods Quality, i.e. products with potential safety risks.

There remain 86 groups of group-2 products and goods for which corresponding QCVN have not yet been issued.

III. Importance, scope of application and benefits of compliance

1. Importance

QCVN serve as essential legal and technical instruments to:

• Ensure safety, hygiene, and human health

• Protect animals, plants, and the ecological environment

• Safeguard national interests and security, and consumer rights

• Build trust in domestic and international markets and among enterprises

2. Scope of application

QCVN apply to all organizations and individuals involved in the production, import, and trading of products, goods, services, processes, and environments that may pose safety risks in Viet Nam.

Enterprises are required to apply QCVN if their products or activities fall under mandatory management lists issued by line ministries, such as:

• Ministry of Construction (construction materials, planning)

• Ministry of Health (lighting, hygiene, food-contact packaging)

• Ministry of Transport (vehicles)

• Ministry of Industry and Trade (petroleum products, hazardous chemicals)

• …

3. Benefits of compliance with QCVN

• Authorization to use the CR mark as evidence that products meet QCVN technical requirements and are eligible for circulation in the Vietnamese market.

• Demonstration of product quality and safety, enhancing trust among consumers and partners.

• Assurance of legal compliance, reducing the risk of penalties or product recalls.

• Enhancement of brand reputation and competitiveness in domestic and international markets.

• Optimization of production costs and reduction of defects, technical risks, and economic losses.

• Facilitation of bidding, cooperation, and export market expansion when products are demonstrated to meet national technical regulations.

In summary, application of QCVN and conformity certification constitutes a foundation for quality and safety assurance and represents a long-term strategy for Vietnamese enterprises to strengthen their market position.

• Legal compliance: Compliance with QCVN is a prerequisite for products and services to be legally marketed.

• Consumer protection: Products meet quality and safety requirements in accordance with technical regulations.

• Avoidance of administrative sanctions: Non-compliance with QCVN may result in penalties, recalls, or destruction.

• Enhanced competitiveness: Products meeting national standards are generally more highly evaluated and have improved access to domestic and international markets.

IV. QCVN reforms in 2025 – Trends and directions

1. Updates on new QCVN

• QCVN 14:2025 – Regulation on limit values of pollutant parameters in domestic and urban wastewater.

• QCVN 25:2025/BCT – Electrical safety, promulgated on 22 June 2025.

• QCVN 40:2025/BTNMT – Industrial wastewater, promulgated on 28 February 2025.

2. Key reform trends

• Simplification of QCVN promulgation procedures, with enhanced transparency and public consultation.

• Alignment with international standards, applying ISO and IEC standards to support integration and exports.

• Strengthening of post-market surveillance rather than pre-market control to reduce compliance costs for enterprises.

• Digitalization of QCVN management, development of electronic databases, and integration with conformity and standards declaration systems.

• Expansion of QCVN application to new sectors, particularly environmental protection, digital services, and high-technology products.

3. Impacts on enterprises and the market

• Enterprises must regularly update new QCVN to avoid delays in product circulation.

• Compliance with QCVN helps reduce legal risks, enhance credibility, and expand export opportunities.

• Conversely, non-compliance may result in strict enforcement actions, affecting brand reputation, remediation costs, and market access.

Conclusion

The QCVN system plays a pivotal role in ensuring legality, safety, and quality of products, goods, services, and the environment in Viet Nam. Understanding management mechanisms, mandatory legal requirements, and the direction of the 2025 reforms is an essential step for all enterprises and individuals engaged in production and business activities in Viet Nam.

Compliance with QCVN not only helps avoid legal risks and penalties but also creates opportunities for international market expansion, enhances competitiveness, and strengthens brand credibility.

Vietnamese standards (TCVN) – the foundation for ensuring the quality of domestic goods and services

In the context of globalization and increasingly intense competition, quality is not only a vital factor for enterprises but also a measure of the capacity of the entire economy. To ensure quality and create consistency in production and business activities, Viet Nam has established the system of Vietnamese standards (TCVN).

Concept of TCVN

TCVN refers to Vietnamese standards (under the Ordinance on goods quality of 1999). With the promulgation of the Law on standards and technical regulations in 2006, Vietnamese standards were converted into national standards and designated with the symbol TCVN. Since then, TCVN has also been used as the prefix for Viet Nam’s national technical standards.

System and designation

• National standards, designated TCVN

• Enterprise standards (TCCS)

Designation of national standards

The designation is specified as follows: the standard number and year of publication are placed after the abbreviation TCVN and separated by a colon.

Example: TCVN 4980:2006 indicates a national standard with the number 4980 issued in 2006.

If a TCVN is identical to an international standard, the designation includes both the TCVN designation and the international standard designation placed in parentheses and separated by a space.
Example: TCVN 111:2006 (ISO 15:1998)

Alternatively, the designations may be written on two lines, with TCVN above and the international standard below.

TCVN 111:2006 (ISO 15:1998) has the following meaning: the designation of a national standard with the number 111, issued in 1998, and developed on the basis of full adoption of the international standard ISO 15:1998.

Some other examples: TCVN ISO 14001:2006 denotes a national standard developed on the basis of full adoption of the international standard ISO 14001 on environmental management systems and published in 2006. TCVN published in 2006 replaced TCVN 289:2000 and is designated as TCVN 289:2006.

TCVN includes the following types of standards:

• Terminology standards

• Technical requirement standards

• Test method standards

• Standards for labeling, packaging, transportation, and storage

The development and promulgation of TCVN are led by the Ministry of science and technology, through the Directorate for standards, metrology and quality, with the coordination of ministries, sectors, professional associations, enterprises, and research institutes.

Importance of Vietnamese standards

As of 2022, Viet Nam has issued more than 12,600 national standards (TCVN) currently in force and more than 800 national technical regulations (QCVN). This system covers over 90% of production and service sectors, ranging from industry, agriculture, healthcare, and construction to information technology. These figures reflect the broad coverage and strategic importance of standardization in the socio-economic development process.

According to the Directorate for standards, metrology and quality, standardization has contributed an increase of 1–1.5% in GDP annually by improving labor productivity, reducing waste, and facilitating trade. Many Vietnamese standards have also been harmonized with international standards such as ISO and IEC, enabling Vietnamese goods to more easily access global markets and meet the stringent technical requirements of foreign partners.

In addition, TCVN is an important tool for quality management and consumer protection. Through the application of standards, regulatory authorities have a clear basis for inspection, supervision, and enforcement, ensuring transparency and fairness in the market.

It can be stated that TCVN is not only a technical measure but also a driver of economic development, contributing to the enhancement of national competitiveness and the promotion of the image of “high-quality Vietnamese goods” in the international arena.

Which enterprises are suitable for TCVN?

In principle, TCVN (Vietnamese standards) are applied on a voluntary basis; therefore, they are suitable for all organizations and individuals with relevant activities in Viet Nam, regardless of size or type.

Rather than being limited to a specific type of enterprise, TCVN covers almost all sectors and fields of the economy. Specifically:

• Industrial sectors: Including electronics, mechanical engineering (requirements for materials and processing), and construction (requirements for materials, design, construction, and occupational safety).

• Agriculture and food: Ensuring agricultural product quality and hygiene and safety in food production, processing, and storage.

• Service sectors: TCVN is also applied to improve service quality in healthcare (technical aspects and facilities), education (training programs and facilities), and tourism.

• Public administration and non-profit organizations: State administrative agencies and non-profit organizations also apply TCVN (for example, TCVN ISO 9001) to improve performance, enhance transparency, and improve management quality.

Basically, TCVN is suitable for any enterprise with internal management needs and a desire to standardize its production and business activities.
Exception: when TCVN becomes “mandatory”. This is a legal pitfall that many enterprises often overlook, leading to serious compliance risks. The “voluntary” principle of TCVN is immediately invalidated when a specific TCVN is referenced in a legal normative document or in a QCVN. Clause 1, Article 23 of Law No. 68/2006/QH11 clearly states: “All or part of a specific standard becomes mandatory for application when it is referenced in a legal normative document or a technical regulation.”

Benefits of applying TCVN

The application of TCVN provides multidimensional benefits for both enterprises and the national economy, reflected at three main levels: quality improvement – cost optimization – expanded integration.

First, TCVN helps enterprises control quality and reduce production risks.
With a clear system of standards, enterprises can more easily maintain stable processes, reduce technical errors, and lower warranty costs. For example, in the food industry, after applying hygiene and safety standards (such as TCVN 5603:2008 – HACCP), enterprises reduced product defect remediation costs by an average of 15–20%, while increasing the confidence of domestic consumers.

Second, TCVN enhances productivity and competitiveness.
Technical and management standards help enterprises improve operational efficiency, optimize resources, and save costs. According to the Directorate for standards, metrology and quality, standardization of production processes helps enterprises save 3–6% of annual operating costs. In the mechanical manufacturing sector, enterprises complying with TCVN 5639:2018 (inspection of lifting equipment) recorded a 12% increase in operational efficiency compared with the period before standardization.

Third, TCVN expands export opportunities and international integration.
Many Vietnamese standards have been harmonized with ISO and ASEAN standards, enabling Vietnamese goods to meet global technical requirements. For instance, seafood processing enterprises in Can Tho that achieved TCVN ISO 22000 certification increased their access to the EU and Japanese markets, with export turnover increasing by approximately 10–15% per year.

Fourth, TCVN contributes to consumer and environmental protection.
Standards on product safety, energy efficiency, and environmental protection help reduce social risks. According to the Ministry of science and technology, the implementation of TCVN 11856:2017 on energy labeling has helped save more than 2 billion kWh of electricity per year, equivalent to a reduction of 1.3 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions.

In summary, TCVN is not only a technical tool but also a lever for sustainable development, helping enterprises enhance competitiveness while contributing to the development of a high-quality, efficient, and more deeply integrated Vietnamese economy.

Conclusion

It can be affirmed that TCVN is not only a technical instrument but also a foundation for national sustainable development. Proactive application and updating of TCVN help Vietnamese enterprises approach international standards, affirm the quality of “Made in Vietnam,” and enhance their position in the global market. In the period of digital transformation and green economy development, TCVN represents a “standard of trust,” contributing to the construction of a modern, transparent, and deeply integrated Vietnamese economy.

GOTS – Global organic textile standard oriented toward green and sustainable production

An increasing number of consumers prioritize products that are environmentally and health friendly. The GOTS standard (Global Organic Textile Standard) is a leading international certification for the organic textile sector. GOTS establishes stringent requirements across the entire supply chain—from raw materials and production to packaging—to ensure that textile products are not only safe but also socially and environmentally responsible.

What is GOTS?

GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) is defined as the world’s leading textile processing standard for organic fibers. This definition contains an important distinction. GOTS is not merely a standard that verifies the organic content of raw materials—a role commonly fulfilled by standards such as OCS (Organic Content Standard). Instead, the core value of GOTS lies in its comprehensive control of the production processes that occur after fiber harvesting.

This standard is designed to address a major paradox of sustainable fashion: a product may be made from 100% organic cotton but still undergo wet processing stages (such as dyeing and finishing) that use hazardous chemicals, causing environmental pollution and affecting consumer health. GOTS prevents this by integrating stringent environmental, human rights, and social criteria into a single system. It ensures that “organic” integrity is maintained from farm to finished product, with particular focus on the most environmentally intensive stages of the textile industry, including the mandatory requirement for functional wastewater treatment facilities for any wet-processing unit.

To achieve certification, GOTS requires that a textile product contain a minimum of 70% certified organic fibers. However, fiber content is only one of the four pillars monitored by GOTS. A GOTS-certified product represents the integration of:

• Organic fibers: Must meet the minimum percentage requirement.
• Environmental criteria: Including strict restrictions on input chemicals (dyes, auxiliaries), wastewater management, and energy consumption.
• Social and human rights criteria: Based on the core conventions of the International Labour Organization (ILO). GOTS prohibits child labor and forced labor and requires safe working conditions, gender equality, and payment of a living wage.
• Technical quality and human toxicity criteria: Ensuring that the final product is safe for users and has the required durability.

This comprehensive integration is what gives GOTS its strength. It provides a single assessment framework for the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) aspects of the textile supply chain.

Based on organic fiber content, GOTS specifies two clearly defined labeling levels:

• Level 1: “Organic”: Requires the product to contain at least 95% certified organic fibers and a maximum of 5% non-organic natural or synthetic fibers.
• Level 2: “Made with x% organic”: Requires the product to contain at least 70% certified organic fibers.

Importance of GOTS for enterprises

According to the 2024 Annual Report published by Global Standard, GOTS continues on a stable growth trajectory. As of 2024, there were 15,441 GOTS-certified facilities worldwide. This figure represents an increase of 5.2% compared with the 14,676 facilities reported in 2023.

The GOTS ecosystem is currently present in 87 countries and is overseen by 26 independent certification bodies approved by GOTS.

Below is Table 3.1, summarizing key statistics on the scope and growth of GOTS:

Table 3.1: Growth statistics and global scope of GOTS (2023–2024)

Mandatory scope within the supply chain

GOTS applies to the entire supply chain. GOTS certification is divided into specific scopes for different types of enterprises:

• Scope 1: Certification of mechanical processing activities (e.g. spinning, weaving).
• Scope 2: Certification of wet processing and finishing activities (e.g. dyeing, printing).
• Scope 3: Certification of trading activities and related products (e.g. importers, distributors).
• Scope 4: Approval of textile auxiliaries (input chemicals).

This means that GOTS certification is not limited to manufacturers of finished garments. A fashion brand cannot simply purchase conventional fabric, sew garments, and then apply for GOTS certification. For a final product to be labeled, every entity involved in creating the product—from spinning mills, weaving mills, dyeing facilities, garment factories, and even traders—must be independently GOTS-certified.

For Vietnamese enterprises, even those operating at only one stage (such as spinning or dyeing), certification is mandatory if they wish to participate in the GOTS supply chain and serve customers that require this standard.

Benefits of enterprise adoption

Pursuing GOTS certification requires investment in time and resources, but it delivers strategic benefits that extend beyond initial costs. These benefits can be classified into three main groups: internal operations, risk management, and market strategy.

Operational and efficiency benefits (internal to the enterprise)

Contrary to the perception that GOTS only increases costs, compliance with its stringent criteria can, in practice, create efficiencies and reduce long-term operating costs.

• Ecological efficiency: Tight management of water, energy, and chemicals as required helps reduce waste and operating expenses.
• Social efficiency: Ensuring safe and fair working conditions helps increase productivity and worker engagement while reducing employee turnover.

Financial and risk management benefits

At a strategic level, GOTS functions as a comprehensive risk management tool for the supply chain.

• Shift of verification burden: Brands do not need to incur costs for auditing suppliers. Instead, GOTS (as a third party) performs this verification, allowing suppliers to rely on a single certification.
• B2B signaling: Achieving GOTS serves as a strong B2B signal of reliability, reduces commercial friction, and demonstrates readiness to comply with increasingly stringent regulations.

Strategic and market benefits (external to the enterprise)

GOTS certification acts as a strategic positioning tool that affects both B2B and B2C relationships.

• Credibility: Provides independent and reliable verification for consumers, replacing unverified self-declarations.
• Differentiation: Creates clear added value compared with conventional products, helping to attract customer segments willing to pay a premium.
• Market access: As a globally recognized certification, GOTS facilitates entry into new and demanding markets, such as public procurement markets in Europe.

Conclusion

GOTS is not only a certification for organic products but also a comprehensive commitment to environmental, social, and ethical practices in textile production. Achieving GOTS enables Vietnamese enterprises to enhance credibility, meet stringent international market requirements, and move toward a sustainable development model in which economic benefits are aligned with responsibility to people and the planet.

GRS – Global recycled standard enhancing the value of environmentally friendly products

An increasing number of consumers are concerned about environmentally friendly products and expect brands to take responsibility for their production pathways. The GRS (Global Recycled Standard) is a leading international certification for textile products, accessories, and materials containing recycled content. GRS establishes strict requirements on the proportion of recycled materials, environmental management, social responsibility, and traceability, in order to ensure that the final product is not only sustainable but also transparent and reliable.

What is GRS?

GRS is an abbreviation of the English term “Global Recycled Standard”, translated into Vietnamese as “Tiêu chuẩn tái chế toàn cầu”. The Global Recycled Standard provides companies with a tool to verify that one or more specific input materials are present in the final product. In addition, GRS is a comprehensive product standard that specifies best practices in social and environmental aspects, as well as chemical restrictions for fabrics, apparel, garments, accessories, etc.

Classification of the standard
GRS certification is divided into two types:

• GRS scope certificate (SC – Scope certificate): Issued to suppliers/enterprises that meet the criteria and are permitted to produce GRS goods.

• GRS transaction certificate (TS – Transaction certificate): Issued for products/goods that meet the criteria of GRS products.

Importance of GRS

The clearest evidence of the strategic importance of GRS is the rapid growth in the number of certified facilities worldwide. This standard is no longer a niche market but has become a mainstream industry requirement.
According to the market report of Textile Exchange (data aggregated through the end of 2023), the number of GRS-certified facilities increased from 34,178 facilities in 2022 to 43,427 facilities in 2023.

To illustrate the scale of this shift, consider the growth data over the past three years:

• 2021: 25,763 certified facilities.

• 2022: 34,178 certified facilities (an increase of 32.7% compared with 2021).

• 2023: 43,427 certified facilities (an increase of 27.1% compared with 2022).

The total growth in the number of GRS-certified facilities during the period 2021–2023 was 68.5%. This growth spans 50 countries.

Table 2: Growth in the number of GRS-certified facilities (2021–2023)

Purpose: To visualize the exponential growth rate and demonstrate that GRS is becoming a mandatory industry standard.

Entities subject to GRS

The entities subject to the GRS standard include all organizations participating in the supply chain of products containing recycled materials.
Industries and products that should apply GRS include, but are not limited to:

• Textiles: Recycled garments, apparel, home textiles, fabrics, yarns.

• Plastics and packaging: Products made from recycled plastics (such as rPET, rPP), PE packaging, plastic bottles.

• Other industries: Recycled paper, recycled metals, and other consumer products.

GRS also applies to the entire supply chain, from the recycler to the final seller, provided that the organization intends to make a GRS claim.
To ensure the integrity of the chain of custody (CoC), every organization that holds legal ownership of the product during production or commercial activities is required to be certified.

The links in the chain requiring certification include:

• Recyclers: Convert waste into raw materials (cotton, plastic pellets, etc.).

• Material manufacturers: Spinning mills, GRS plastic pellet production facilities.

• Processing facilities: Weaving, knitting, dyeing, printing facilities.

• Finishing facilities: Cutting, sewing.

• Distributors and traders: Entities that purchase and resell GRS products.

Benefits for enterprises applying GRS

• Demonstration of commitment to sustainable development: Enterprises can demonstrate the transparent and controlled use of recycled materials, in line with green consumption trends.

• Enhancement of corporate credibility and brand image: GRS supports the establishment of an image of environmental and social responsibility, building trust with partners and consumers.

• Increased access to international markets: GRS certification is one of the requirements of interest to many global brands and major export markets such as the EU, the United States, and Japan.

• Creation of competitive advantage: GRS helps enterprises stand out from competitors without certification, particularly in sectors such as textiles, packaging, and consumer products.

• Support for production process control and improvement: Compliance with GRS requires enterprises to review, improve, and operate production systems in a more structured and efficient manner.

• Supply chain transparency: GRS certification requires traceability of materials and transparency throughout the entire supply chain, thereby enhancing product credibility.

Conclusion

The standard is not only evidence of the use of recycled materials, but also a measure of credibility and environmental commitment within the global supply chain. In the context of sustainable consumption trends reshaping the market, achieving GRS certification enables enterprises not only to meet legal requirements and international market expectations, but also to enhance product value, strengthen brand trust, and establish long-term competitive advantages. GRS is therefore not merely a technical standard; it represents an entry point toward a future of circular and responsible production, where each recycled product becomes a representation of innovation and sustainable development.

What is FSC? Ten FSC principles that must be complied with to achieve certification

In the context of increasing emphasis on green consumption trends and sustainable development, demonstrating transparent material origin has become a mandatory requirement for many enterprises engaged in the production and trading of timber and wood products. Among current international standards, FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) is regarded as one of the most reputable and widely accepted systems. A clear understanding of what FSC is, its operating principles, and the requirements that enterprises must comply with not only helps enhance competitiveness but also creates opportunities to access major global markets.

Concept of FSC

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is not only a non-governmental organization (NGO) established in 1993, but in essence a global governance mechanism designed to address the complex challenge of forest resource degradation. Operating in more than 50 countries with over 850 members, FSC establishes a benchmark for forest management based on a balanced integration of three pillars:

• Environmental sustainability: Ensuring that timber harvesting maintains biodiversity, productivity, and forest ecological processes.
• Social benefits: Respecting the rights of local communities, indigenous peoples, and society at large.
• Economic viability: Ensuring that forestry activities generate sufficient economic returns to sustain forest management without depleting resources.

Unlike other certification systems, FSC operates on the basis of stakeholder consensus through a tripartite structure (economic, social, environmental), ensuring that no single interest group can dominate the decision-making process.

FSC certification helps ensure that timber and forest products are harvested, processed, and distributed in a legal, transparent, and sustainable manner, delivering benefits to the environment, communities, and the economy.

FSC has three main certification types:

• FSC FM (Forest management): For forest management organizations.
• FSC CoC (Chain of custody): For enterprises engaged in processing and trading timber and wood products.
• FSC CW (Controlled wood certification): Certification of controlled wood, applicable to forest management units or organizations involved in producing, processing, or trading timber sources in accordance with FSC requirements.

Importance of FSC for enterprises

The year 2025 marks a significant shift in the structure of the global forest products market, influenced simultaneously by geopolitical dynamics and changes in consumer behavior. These factors create a new context that requires wood-sector enterprises to adapt in order to maintain competitiveness, particularly in markets with stringent sustainability requirements.

First, regarding consumer behavior, the Global Consumer Awareness Survey 2025 conducted by Ipsos for FSC (surveying more than 40,000 respondents in 50 countries) highlights a notable paradox. Concern about climate change has declined to 31%, significantly lower than concern about war and conflict (52%). In major European markets such as Germany, the United Kingdom, and France, this level of concern decreased by 6.5% to 10% compared to 2022. However, sustainable consumption behavior remains high: 72% of global consumers continue to prioritize products that “do not harm plants and animals.” This reflects a shift from macro-level concerns toward a need for concrete assurance through credible certifications such as FSC. In this context, FSC enables enterprises to demonstrate transparency and responsibility, thereby maintaining customer loyalty despite economic uncertainty.

Alongside changes in consumer behavior, Vietnam’s wood industry in 2025 has set an ambitious export target of USD 18 billion. The United States remains the primary market, accounting for 55.6% of total export value, followed by Japan (12.6%) and China (10.4%). However, challenges are substantial, as Vietnam faced 32 trade defense cases in 2024. In this context, transparency of material origin through FSC certification becomes an important tool to demonstrate that enterprises are not engaged in dumping, are not receiving unlawful subsidies, and comply with the requirements of sensitive markets.

Finally, key product groups such as wooden furniture and wood pellets continue to show strong growth. In particular, the Japanese market requires 100% sustainability certification for wood pellets, further confirming the strategic role of FSC in efforts to maintain and expand Vietnam’s export market share. Overall, the 2025 context indicates that FSC certification is not merely a technical standard, but an important competitive lever for Vietnam’s wood-sector enterprises.

Which enterprises is FSC suitable for?

Enterprises and organizations that should prioritize FSC certification

• Enterprises operating in the forestry and wood processing sector
• Forest management organizations and local communities
• Retailers and enterprises using forest products

Enterprises operating in the forestry and wood processing sector: Companies involved in timber harvesting, wood product manufacturing, paper, packaging, flooring, furniture, and other forest products should prioritize FSC certification to ensure sustainable timber origin, enhance brand credibility, and expand market access.

Forest management organizations and local communities: Forest management boards, forestry companies, and local communities managing forests should pursue FSC-FM certification to manage forests sustainably, protect the environment, and promote socio-economic development.

Retailers and enterprises using forest products: Supermarkets, retail outlets, construction companies, printing and publishing enterprises, and other organizations using forest products in their operations should prioritize FSC-certified products to demonstrate environmental commitment and meet customer demand.

Ten FSC principles that enterprises must comply with

1. Principle 1: Compliance with laws and FSC principles
2. Principle 2: Workers’ rights and employment conditions
3. Principle 3: Indigenous peoples’ rights
4. Principle 4: Community relations and workers’ rights
5. Principle 5: Benefits from the forest
6. Principle 6: Environmental values and impacts
7. Principle 7: Management planning
8. Principle 8: Monitoring and assessment
9. Principle 9: Maintenance of high conservation value forests
10. Principle 10: Plantations

Benefits of applying FSC

Applying FSC provides both tangible and intangible benefits, helping enterprises increase product value, expand exports, and enhance competitiveness. Enterprises achieving FSC certification record forest value increases of 20–30% and gain easier access to global customers committed to sustainable timber use, such as IKEA, Walmart, and Home Depot.

FSC also helps reduce legal risks through transparent material flows, while requiring standardized production processes, reducing losses, and improving management efficiency. In the context of green finance, FSC certification serves as evidence of the environmental component within ESG, supporting access to preferential financing and attracting international investment.

In overall terms, FSC contributes to environmental protection, demonstrates social responsibility, increases the economic value of products, and enhances brand standing through the FSC label. As a result, FSC becomes a long-term strategy enabling enterprises to develop sustainably, meet global market requirements, and establish credibility.

Conclusion

FSC is not only an international certification but also a long-term strategy that supports sustainable development for enterprises in the wood sector. Applying FSC ensures transparent material origin, enhances product value, strengthens brand credibility, and expands export opportunities. At the same time, FSC enables enterprises to demonstrate environmental and social responsibility, creating competitive advantage in a global market that increasingly demands sustainability standards. Therefore, initiating FSC implementation is an important step toward sustainable development and maintaining market position.

What is GLOBALG.A.P? Exploring the international standard that enhances the value of Vietnamese agricultural products

GLOBALG.A.P is one of the most important standards in modern agriculture, ensuring food safety and maintaining sustainable farming practices from the farm level. Established in the late 1990s in response to major agricultural food safety crises in Europe, GLOBALG.A.P has rapidly become a “common language” connecting producers and global retailers, creating a foundation for safe, transparent, and reliable agricultural products in international markets.

Origin and development pathway of GLOBALG.A.P

GLOBALG.A.P originated in the late 1990s, when European agriculture faced multiple food safety crises, particularly the bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) crisis in 1996 and incidents involving pesticide residues exceeding permissible limits in fresh agricultural products.

In response to legal and reputational risks, in 1997 major European retailers established the Euro-Retailer Produce Working Group (EUREP) to harmonize a common standard for Good Agricultural Practice (G.A.P). From this initiative, EUREPGAP was developed to control risks at the farm level and strengthen consumer confidence.

Due to its practical applicability and commercial value, EUREPGAP was rapidly adopted beyond Europe by producers seeking access to the EU market. In 2007, the standard was officially renamed GLOBALG.A.P, reflecting its global expansion objectives and affirming its role as a “common language” for safe and sustainable farming practices between buyers and sellers worldwide.

Importance of GLOBALG.A.P

GLOBALG.A.P has increasingly become a mandatory standard for agricultural and aquaculture producers seeking access to international markets. With more than 195,000 certified producers across 130 countries, managing over 4.5 million hectares of cultivated land and 2.8 million tonnes of aquaculture products, this certification not only ensures traceability and food safety, but also enhances product value, brand credibility, and export capacity.

The IFA v6 version, recognized by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI), combined with sustainable management programmes such as SPRING, enables producers to conserve resources, reduce chemical risks, and meet stringent requirements from supermarkets and foreign partners. Transparency regarding maximum residue limit (MRL) violations in many countries further strengthens the confidence of consumers and importers. These data indicate that failure to apply GLOBALG.A.P results in missed international market opportunities, increased legal risks, and competitive disadvantages. Consequently, producers are required to implement this certification to sustain operations and achieve long-term development.

Who should apply GLOBALG.A.P to increase agricultural product value?

GLOBALG.A.P is applicable to a wide range of stakeholders, including not only large farms but also small-scale and value-chain-linked production models.

1. Export-oriented agricultural production farms
   • Fresh fruits and vegetables (mango, dragon fruit, banana, avocado, durian, etc.)
   • Coffee, pepper, cocoa, tea
   • Farmed aquaculture products (shrimp, pangasius, etc.)
2. Processing enterprises and retail supply chain operators
   GLOBALG.A.P supports enterprises in ensuring input material traceability and supply chain food safety.
3. Cooperatives and production linkage groups
   The group certification model (Option 2) allows sharing of audit, training, and internal monitoring costs.
4. Animal feed manufacturers
   GLOBALG.A.P provides specific modules for compound feed mills, enhancing credibility when supplying large farms.
5. High-tech agricultural enterprises
   Farms applying greenhouse, hydroponic, or aeroponic technologies may require certification to expand markets and attract investment capital.

What benefits does GLOBALG.A.P provide to enterprises?

Investment in GLOBALG.A.P certification requires substantial financial, human, and time resources. The following analysis clarifies the multidimensional value delivered by this standard.

Economic benefits: market access and value enhancement

The most evident benefit of GLOBALG.A.P is improved market access.

• Target markets: In premium markets such as the European Union (EU), the United States, Japan, and global retail chains (Walmart, AEON, Tesco, Carrefour), GLOBALG.A.P is commonly regarded as a prerequisite for initiating contract negotiations. Without it, Vietnamese agricultural products are often limited to low-price segments, wholesale markets, or informal exports to China, which involve high payment risks and extreme price volatility.
• Production cost optimization: Despite high certification costs, implementation of GLOBALG.A.P can reduce long-term production costs. Compliance with integrated pest management (IPM) practices enables farmers to reduce the frequency of pesticide applications and fertilizer usage.
  In practice, at My Xuong Mango Cooperative (Dong Thap), adoption of GLOBALG.A.P processes reduced pesticide application frequency by 50%, while maintaining yields of 10–12 tonnes per hectare, with up to 80% of fruit classified as grade 1.

Risk management and traceability

The GLOBALG.A.P system requires establishment of a robust traceability system down to individual production lots.

• Brand protection: In the event of a food safety incident (e.g. detection of E. coli bacteria), the traceability system enables precise identification of the affected lot and source farm, rather than requiring recall of all products on the market. This minimizes economic losses and protects producer reputation.
• Information transparency: Through the GGN number and GGN label, consumers can access farm-level information, fostering trust and product engagement.

Social and environmental benefits

• Worker welfare: Through IFA and particularly the GRASP add-on, working conditions on farms are significantly improved. Workers are provided with personal protective equipment, trained in chemical safety and first aid, thereby reducing occupational accidents and work-related illnesses.
• Ecosystem protection: Strict requirements for waste management, wastewater control, and wildlife protection reduce the negative environmental impacts of agriculture. More efficient water use under the SPRING programme contributes to protection of increasingly depleted groundwater resources.

Conclusion

GLOBALG.A.P today is not only a food safety control standard but has become a strategic foundation enabling agricultural enterprises to enhance credibility, expand markets, and achieve sustainable development. Through its capacity to ensure quality, traceability, risk management, and production efficiency improvement, GLOBALG.A.P provides a clear competitive advantage in the context of increasingly stringent international markets. Adoption of this certification is therefore an essential step for Vietnamese agricultural products to increase value, meet global retailer requirements, and establish a solid position in the international trade landscape.

Fairtrade – Fair trade certification promoting socially responsible production

Fair trade certification (Fairtrade) is increasingly becoming an important standard enabling enterprises to demonstrate their commitment to social responsibility, ethics, and environmental considerations in a global context oriented toward sustainable development. In addition to providing fair economic benefits to producers, Fairtrade contributes to reshaping global supply chains in a more transparent, humane, and sustainable manner.

What is Fairtrade – fair trade certification?

Fairtrade – fair trade is an international certification system intended to ensure that producers, particularly farmers and workers in developing countries, are paid fair prices, work under safe conditions, and have their rights respected. Established in the late twentieth century, this certification system is administered by FLO – the international fair trade labeling organization, with the objective of addressing inequalities in global trade, where small-scale producers are often disadvantaged in relation to large corporations.

Unlike conventional trade, in which small producers are frequently subject to price pressure, Fairtrade ensures a minimum price (Fairtrade minimum price) and a community development premium (Fairtrade premium) to support income stability, improvement of living conditions, and reinvestment in production. Fairtrade currently applies not only to coffee, cocoa, tea, bananas, cotton, sugar, wine, fresh flowers, etc., but has also expanded to many other production sectors, becoming a global reference for ethical business practices and responsible consumption.

Why is Fairtrade becoming increasingly important?

As global markets continue to develop, ethical consumption trends among consumers in major markets (the United States, the EU, Japan, Australia) show increasing concern for product origin and social impacts. Fairtrade is not merely a “label” but represents a commitment to a transparent, sustainable, and humane supply chain. Fairtrade helps overcome non-tariff ethical barriers and has become an important competitive factor for access to high-end retailers and consumers. Fair trade practices ensure a stable minimum price, protecting farmers from market fluctuations, while supporting community development through the development premium (investment in schools, healthcare, clean water, etc.). In addition, enterprises are required to comply with international labor standards, prohibit child labor, and Fairtrade encourages gender equality, occupational safety, and worker welfare. Fairtrade guides enterprises toward sustainable agriculture, efficient resource use, and reduced chemical inputs, thereby contributing to climate change mitigation and the conservation of local ecosystems.

Establishment and certification of Fairtrade: suitable subjects

Fairtrade is established with the objective of creating opportunities for economically disadvantaged small producers and improving working conditions; therefore, the core target groups include:

1. Producer organizations, which are the primary focus of Fairtrade and directly produce goods:
   • Small producer organizations: Cooperatives, associations, or community organizations of small-scale farmers in developing countries, with typical products such as coffee, cocoa, tea, bananas, sugar, cotton, cashew nuts, flowers, etc. These are the groups Fairtrade aims to empower and ensure receive fair prices (Fairtrade minimum price) and community investment premiums (Fairtrade premium).
   • Plantations and labor-based companies: Large farms or companies employing hired labor. Fairtrade certification for this group focuses on ensuring workers’ rights, working conditions, occupational safety, and the payment of living wages.
2. Trading companies and enterprises, which act as intermediaries in the supply chain, from procurement and processing to retail of Fairtrade products:
   • Importers / buyers: Companies purchasing Fairtrade-certified raw products directly from producer organizations.
   • Processors / packers: Companies carrying out processing activities (coffee roasting and grinding, chocolate production, tea packaging, etc.) and applying the Fairtrade label to final products.
   • Retailers / brand owners: Companies owning brands and selling Fairtrade products to the market, required to comply with correct use of the Fairtrade trademark.

To obtain certification, all entities from producers to traders are required to meet Fairtrade’s stringent standards, including:

• Economic: Commitment to buying and selling at the Fairtrade minimum price and payment of the Fairtrade premium for community reinvestment.
• Social: Prohibition of child labor and forced labor, assurance of safe working conditions, respect for freedom of association, and non-discrimination.
• Environmental: Application of sustainable agricultural and production practices, limitation of hazardous chemical use, and appropriate waste management.
• Transparency: Disclosure and transparency in commercial transactions and governance.

Benefits for enterprises from establishing and obtaining Fairtrade certification

Fairtrade provides social value and also functions as a mechanism supporting enterprises in enhancing competitiveness:

• Enhanced brand credibility and trust
  Enterprises with Fairtrade certification demonstrate responsibility and transparency in business practices, thereby attracting customers and investors, particularly in high-standard markets such as the EU, the United States, and Japan.
• Strengthened and transparent supply chains
  The Fairtrade system requires clear traceability and ensures fairness for producers, helping enterprises reduce risk and maintain long-term supply chain stability.
• Improved relationships with suppliers and producer communities
  Fairtrade enables enterprises to cooperate with higher-standard suppliers, establish sustainable partnerships, and improve product quality and productivity.
• Expansion of export markets
  Fairtrade products are often priced 10–20% higher than conventional products. This supports Vietnamese enterprises in joining higher-value global supply chains and meeting ESG and CSR requirements from international partners.
• Strengthened internal capacity
  Establishing and certifying Fairtrade requires enterprises to standardize processes, improve governance, and train personnel, thereby building a foundation for long-term sustainable development.

Conclusion

Fairtrade is not only a social responsibility mechanism but also supports enterprises in risk reduction, market expansion, and brand development based on ethical and sustainable values, contributing to effective ESG practices. For enterprises seeking international market expansion, sustainable development, and responsible operations, establishing and obtaining Fairtrade certification represents a strategic choice.

Innovation management – A key to sustainable development for enterprises

In the context of increasingly strong globalization, innovation management has become a key factor enabling enterprises to maintain competitiveness and achieve sustainable development. Innovation management is not merely the promotion of new ideas; it is a process of systematically establishing systems, controlling activities, and exploiting innovation potential in a structured manner, with a clear strategic orientation. This supports enterprises in adapting promptly to market conditions, creating new value, and maintaining long-term competitive advantages.

What is innovation management?

Innovation management is a systematic process of exploiting new ideas to create value, including the identification of strategy, allocation of resources, development of an innovation culture, application of development processes, and control of implementation activities in order to achieve business objectives. Innovation management comprises multiple closely interrelated activities such as planning, implementation, execution, and maintenance. These activities cover various aspects, including innovation in products, processes, organization, and marketing, while balancing the optimization of current performance with the exploration of new opportunities.

According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), innovation is classified into the following types:

• Product innovation: the creation of new products or services, or significant improvements to existing ones available on the market.
• Process innovation: the development of new or more efficient production, operational, or service delivery processes.
• Business model innovation: the creation of new business models or the improvement of existing models to deliver value in different ways.

The importance of innovation management for enterprises

In the digital era, innovation management has become increasingly essential. By establishing and obtaining certification for innovation management systems, enterprises can overcome traditional barriers and exploit new opportunities arising in continuously changing environments. Innovation management is not limited to individual initiatives or isolated departments; rather, it constitutes a comprehensive strategy aimed at promoting a culture of creativity and continuous innovation capability across the organization. This forms the foundation enabling enterprises not only to sustain operations but also to achieve sustained development in a highly competitive environment.

The establishment of an innovation management system requires a clear framework with the capacity for continuity and ongoing development, comprehensively encompassing regulations, policies, idea evaluation processes, innovation project control mechanisms, and designated units responsible for driving the process. Innovation management enables enterprises to remain flexible in adapting to market changes and new technologies, while encouraging employees to propose initiatives and reducing constraints arising from internal barriers. In addition, the construction of a management system should not rely solely on technology, but rather integrate governance elements, organizational culture, and advanced creative techniques. Only through such integration can enterprises maintain innovation in a sustainable and effective manner.

Innovation management: which enterprises need to establish it?

An innovation management system is applicable to enterprises of all sizes and sectors. Suitable groups include:

• Large enterprises and multi-sector groups: technology, finance, manufacturing, and energy groups that require standardized innovation processes, control of R&D project portfolios, and the promotion of innovation across multiple subsidiaries. This supports effective coordination of initiatives, avoidance of duplication, and assurance that innovation investments deliver practical value.
• Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs): operating in sectors such as light industrial manufacturing, information technology, education, high-tech agriculture, and tourism. Although resources may be limited, SMEs benefit from flexibility and responsiveness in innovation. Establishing an innovation management system provides clear orientation, supports the selection of appropriate ideas, and facilitates rapid product development.
• Enterprises in service and creative sectors: including marketing, design, logistics, education, and tourism, which require continuous innovation in business models, processes, and customer experience. Innovation management supports the systematization of experimentation processes, reduction of time to market, and maintenance of competitive advantage.
• Organizations oriented toward sustainable development: enterprises concerned with corporate social responsibility (CSR) and green development require innovation in governance, production, and supply chains. Innovation management supports the integration of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors into enterprise strategy.

Establishing an innovation management system: a strategic step for enterprises

The establishment of an innovation management system delivers several practical benefits for enterprises:

• Clear strategic orientation: supports enterprises in defining innovation objectives aligned with long-term development strategies.
• Improved operational performance and efficiency: through structured innovation processes, enterprises optimize resource use and reduce waste.
• Encouragement of a creative culture: creates an open environment that motivates employees to propose ideas, experiment, and learn.
• Enhanced competitiveness: new products, services, and business models support market leadership.
• Promotion of sustainable development: innovation enables enterprises not only to increase revenue but also to generate positive social and environmental impacts.

Conclusion

Innovation is not only a “key” enabling enterprises to address current challenges, but also a foundation for stable development in the future. Establishing an effective management system, continuously improving it, and fully exploiting the benefits of innovation support not only economic growth but also the creation of a solid foundation for the future. It is essential for enterprises to clearly recognize the importance of innovation and integrate it into comprehensive development strategies in order to avoid being left behind in global competition.

RoHS – standard for the restriction of hazardous substances in electronic equipment

In a global context of increasing concern for the environment and public health, RoHS has become an important standard in the electronic equipment manufacturing sector. Beyond being a legal or technical certification, RoHS also represents corporate social responsibility in restricting the use of hazardous substances, thereby contributing to environmental protection and the protection of human health.

What is RoHS?

RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) is a directive of the European Union aimed at restricting the use of hazardous substances in the manufacture of electrical and electronic equipment. Issued in 2003 and effective from 2006, RoHS originated from the objective of reducing environmental pollution and protecting consumer health from the negative impacts of toxic substances entering daily-use products. RoHS clearly reflects the commitment of enterprises to control and minimize the use of hazardous substances throughout the production process, with the aim of promoting a clean and sustainably developing industry.

The core content of this standard focuses on six hazardous substances with maximum permissible concentrations in the final product, including:

• Four heavy metals: Lead (Pb), Mercury (Hg), Cadmium (Cd), Hexavalent chromium (Cr⁶⁺).
• Two flame retardants: Polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs) and Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs).

The primary objective of this standard is to assist enterprises in ensuring that the electronic equipment they manufacture does not cause harm to the environment or public health, while also promoting fair competition in the international market. During RoHS implementation, enterprises are required to clearly identify raw material sources and product components, control production processes, and conduct periodic self-inspections. This approach ensures that no hazardous substances exceed permissible limits, while maintaining and improving product quality in accordance with international standards, thereby supporting long-term and sustainable enterprise development.

Why is RoHS important for enterprises?

At present, as environmental protection regulations become increasingly stringent, RoHS has become a key factor in enhancing enterprise competitiveness. Clear evidence of the strategic importance of RoHS lies not only in legal compliance with EU regulations, but also in its widespread adoption as a formal requirement throughout the global electrical and electronic supply chain. Under equivalent regulations in China (China RoHS), the United Arab Emirates, the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), and other Asian markets, enterprises are required to obtain certification in order to export to major markets, not only to the EU. Within supply chain requirements, approximately 80% of major consumer electronic products require RoHS compliance. Consequently, enterprises that achieve RoHS compliance generally gain easier access to demanding markets, while demonstrating their commitment to customers regarding product safety and environmental compatibility.

Which enterprises need RoHS certification?

Enterprises operating in the manufacture of electronic equipment, refrigeration and electrical appliances, household electrical products, consumer electronics, or electronic components are required to pay attention to and establish RoHS compliance. In particular, enterprises of both large and small scale may be subject to this requirement when exporting products to international markets or maintaining domestic competitiveness, as most developed markets stipulate this standard as a mandatory condition. Industries such as PC manufacturing, mobile phone production, integrated circuit components, medical devices, lighting equipment, as well as material processing industries, are required to comply with these regulations.

In addition, enterprises providing processing, importing, or distribution services for electronic equipment are also required to ensure that their products comply with RoHS, in order to avoid suspension of goods circulation or legal penalties. However, certification processes and requirements may vary depending on enterprise scale, sector, and business type. Small enterprises and newly established start-ups need to understand these regulations from the outset in order to avoid legal complications and support sustainable development.

Enterprises need to clearly define their objectives in achieving RoHS compliance, thereby establishing appropriate quality control processes and investing in inspection and monitoring systems throughout the entire production process, from design and material selection to mass production. This proactive approach helps enterprises avoid avoidable nonconformities that could affect reputation and profitability, while maintaining long-term competitiveness in the international market.

Benefits of RoHS certification for enterprises

RoHS provides clear benefits for enterprises, particularly in the context of global integration and increasingly stringent environmental standards.

• Market expansion: RoHS is a prerequisite for exporting electrical and electronic products to the European Union (EU) and many other countries with similar regulations.
• Enhanced reputation and competitiveness: RoHS enables products to be evaluated more positively in terms of quality and safety, strengthening brand reputation and competitive advantage in international markets.
• Legal compliance: Enterprises can avoid legal risks, fines, and severe penalties arising from non-compliance with hazardous substance restriction regulations.
• Protection of health and the environment:
  • Human health: Limiting exposure to hazardous substances during production and product use reduces potential harm to consumers.
  • Environment: Minimizing environmental pollution resulting from the treatment of electronic waste containing hazardous substances.
• Increased trust: RoHS demonstrates corporate social responsibility and commitment to sustainable development, strengthening trust among customers, partners, and investors.

Conclusion

RoHS serves as a certification representing enterprise commitment to environmental protection and public health. Compliance with RoHS requirements not only enables enterprises to meet legal obligations but also provides multiple strategic benefits, ranging from enhancing brand positioning to expanding market access. Enterprises need to clearly recognize the importance of this certification in order to ensure sustainable enterprise development.

FDA – Quality standards for products exported to the United States market

In the context of increasing globalization, the FDA plays an important role in ensuring that enterprise products comply with the safety and quality standards of the United States. Beyond meeting legal requirements, FDA compliance serves as a measure of credibility, contributes to brand value, and expands business opportunities for Vietnamese enterprises.

What is the FDA? What are FDA standards?

The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) is the government authority of the United States responsible for the regulation of food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and various other sectors, operating under the supervision of the United States Department of Health and Human Services. The mission of the FDA is to protect public health by ensuring that consumer products, food, drugs, and cosmetics meet the highest safety and quality standards before reaching consumers.

FDA standards constitute a system of stringent regulations designed to ensure the safety of products such as food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and medical devices circulating in the United States market, with the objective of protecting public health. Accordingly, FDA standards are developed on the basis of scientific evidence and principles of maximum risk prevention. FDA standards are not merely regulatory requirements, but a comprehensive system of principles, inspection procedures, and strict monitoring mechanisms to ensure that exported products meet the requirements of the United States market. For Vietnamese enterprises, compliance with these standards implies enhanced product quality and the establishment of trust among customers and international partners.

Why FDA is important for Vietnamese enterprises

The United States is the largest export market of Viet Nam. Although electronics, textiles, and footwear account for the largest shares, product groups under FDA jurisdiction continue to contribute billions of United States dollars and hold strategic importance. Therefore, FDA compliance plays a key role for Vietnamese enterprises exporting to the United States market, which is considered highly demanding in terms of product safety and quality. Compliance with FDA requirements is not only mandatory for products to be permitted for importation and to avoid rejection or placement on warning lists, but also contributes to enhanced credibility, increased opportunities for international cooperation, and greater commercial value.

In the context of the United States strengthening controls over food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and medical devices through regulations such as FSMA, 21 CFR, and requirements for facility registration, FDA compliance also enables Vietnamese enterprises to reduce legal risks, litigation exposure, and product recall costs, while establishing sustainable competitive advantages in international markets.

Entities required to comply with FDA

Entities subject to FDA standards include manufacturing and trading enterprises of all sizes seeking to access the United States market, specifically:

• Large enterprises
• Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)
• Production households with business registration
• Contract manufacturing facilities (OEM/ODM)

The scope of FDA regulation is extensive and covers most products that directly affect human and animal health, with the exception of meat, poultry, and eggs (which are regulated by the United States Department of Agriculture – USDA). The main regulated product categories include:

• Food: including conventional food, food additives, bottled water, infant formula, and dietary supplements.
• Pharmaceuticals and biological products: including prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, and biological products such as vaccines and blood products.
• Cosmetics: including cosmetic and cosmeceutical products, subject to full compliance with labeling and ingredient assessment requirements.
• Medical devices: ranging from surgical gloves to magnetic resonance imaging equipment and devices emitting electromagnetic radiation.
• Other products: including tobacco products, veterinary drugs, human cells and tissues, and products emitting electronic radiation.

Benefits for enterprises when complying with FDA

Achieving certification or compliance with FDA requirements provides multidimensional benefits affecting enterprises, consumers, and society as a whole.

For enterprises:

• Market expansion: access to the United States market and other demanding markets, as FDA serves as a global reference standard.
• Enhanced credibility: establishment of a transparent, quality-oriented, and responsible brand image.
• Risk reduction: minimization of risks related to product recalls, litigation, or trade restrictions, thereby protecting revenue and reputation.

For consumers:

• Safety assurance: confidence in using products that have undergone stringent evaluation of ingredients and production processes.
• Transparent information: product labeling provides accurate and non-misleading information.

For public health:

• Disease prevention: control of food and drug safety to prevent the spread of health hazards.
• Promotion of scientific development: establishment of high standards for research and development of new products, particularly pharmaceuticals and medical devices.

Conclusion

FDA compliance is a mandatory requirement and serves as a key factor enabling Vietnamese enterprises to demonstrate product quality in the United States market. A clear understanding of FDA requirements and compliance with United States regulatory processes and conditions not only ensures legal conformity, but also supports enterprises in enhancing competitive position, expanding market access, and building international credibility.

OCOP – promoting the value of local products and expanding opportunities for Vietnamese enterprises

Product development in accordance with the OCOP standard (one commune one product) is an important task of Viet Nam aimed at promoting the potential of local products, contributing to improved community livelihoods and economic development. Through OCOP, enterprises and local communities have opportunities to maximize the value of region-specific products, moving toward sustainable brand development and enhancing their position in domestic and international markets.

What is OCOP? what is the purpose of OCOP?

OCOP, also known as one commune one product (OCOP), is a national programme initiated by the Government through Decision No. 919/QĐ-TTg in 2018, with the objective of promoting the intrinsic values of local products, building brands, and increasing added value. The programme not only focuses on improving product quality to meet OCOP technical criteria, but also aims to leverage the cultural and traditional characteristics of each region to create distinct features and clearly identify local specialties. The primary purpose of OCOP is to promote the development of local products with potential, improve people’s livelihoods, and foster sustainable economic development.

OCOP requires each commune to develop at least one product that reflects its distinctive local characteristics, thereby establishing value chains and enhancing competitiveness in both domestic and export markets. When a product achieves OCOP status, it demonstrates strict control over quality standards and alignment with increasingly stringent consumer requirements, thereby contributing to the enhancement of national agriculture and traditional handicrafts.

The importance of OCOP for enterprises

In the context of increasingly intense market competition, OCOP plays an essential role in enhancing production capacity and brand development for local products. OCOP marks a shift in rural development policy from infrastructure investment support to the promotion of endogenous economic development. The OCOP programme for the period 2021–2025 was approved by the Prime Minister under Decision No. 919/QĐ-TTg dated 01 August 2022. This decision further refines the overall orientation, positioning OCOP as an important pillar in rural economic restructuring and new rural development. To meet programme standards, enterprises are required not only to comply with strict regulations on quality, design, and packaging, but also to invest in technology, marketing, and human resource development. These factors are important for maintaining credibility, enhancing competitiveness, and expanding markets domestically and internationally. Accordingly, OCOP-certified products can more easily access high-end markets, enhance the competitive position of participating entities, and contribute to increasing community value.

OCOP also serves as an important platform for disseminating Vietnamese regional cultural values and identities. Beyond agricultural products, OCOP promotes handicraft products and tourism services. The target by 2025 is for at least 50% of traditional craft villages to have OCOP products, contributing to the sustainable preservation and development of these villages.

Scope of OCOP application

The OCOP programme is designed to maximize the capacity for professional production organization and product commercialization. Therefore, eligible participating entities are clearly defined and focus on organizations with legal status or business registration, with the capacity to manage and scale production, including:

• Cooperatives.
• Cooperative groups.
• Local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
• Farms and production households with business registration.
• Tourism service enterprises.

According to the set of criteria and the product evaluation and classification process issued under Decision No. 148/QĐ-TTg dated 24 February 2023, products participating in the programme are classified into six main product groups:

• Food: including processed and fresh products.
• Beverages: including beverages derived from agricultural products and medicinal materials.
• Medicinal materials and products derived from medicinal materials: a diverse group including functional foods, traditional and modern medicinal preparations, cosmetics derived from medicinal materials, medical equipment and instruments, and other herbal products.
• Handicrafts: refined products with cultural value, often associated with traditional craft villages.
• Ornamental organisms: including ornamental plants and animals with high economic value and distinctive local characteristics.
• Community-based tourism services, ecotourism, and tourist destinations: focusing on economic development through the utilization of landscapes, culture, and rural accommodation services.

Benefits of participation in and compliance with OCOP

OCOP (one commune one product) provides comprehensive benefits for enterprises, communities, and national economic development, specifically:

For enterprises:

• Improvement of product quality and value: OCOP encourages producers to invest in and improve technology and processes to meet stringent criteria, from raw materials and production to packaging. In particular, OCOP-certified products are often required to obtain important certifications such as VietGAP, ISO, and HACCP, ensuring quality and food safety.
• Brand development: OCOP represents official state recognition of product quality and value, facilitating consumer trust and acceptance.
• Market expansion: products receive support for promotion and introduction through provincial and national OCOP fairs and events, as well as modern sales channels (supermarkets and e-commerce platforms), thereby creating opportunities to access international markets and demanding market segments.
• Enhancement of management capacity: OCOP entities participate in training and capacity-building programmes related to production techniques, business management, marketing, and supply chain development.
• Encouragement of innovation: OCOP serves as a driver for more effective production and business organization, supporting a shift from outdated agricultural production practices toward a market-oriented economy.

For communities and local economies:

• Sustainable economic development: OCOP promotes the restructuring of rural economies toward higher value addition, linking agriculture with services and tourism, and leveraging local advantages in raw materials and traditional culture.
• Job creation and income improvement: OCOP creates stable local employment opportunities for rural residents, contributing to reduced migration and improved living standards and incomes in rural areas.
• Preservation and recognition of culture: OCOP products serve as “ambassadors” conveying the cultural narratives and distinctive characteristics of regions, thereby contributing to the preservation and promotion of traditional crafts, occupations, and local cultural values.

Conclusion

OCOP is not only a standard but also a mechanism for creating added value for products, increasing incomes for local communities, and making an important contribution to the development of sustainable and modern rural areas. Enhancing awareness and strengthening coordination among government authorities at all levels, enterprises, and communities are key factors in ensuring that the OCOP programme achieves significant outcomes, contributing to the development of a strong domestic industry with extended reach in international markets.

What is VietGAP? Four core criteria of the VietGAP standard 2025

VietGAP is currently a “high-interest” term within the agriculture and safe food sector in Viet Nam. In the context of widespread concerns regarding unsafe food, the VietGAP standard has become a “pass” enabling Vietnamese agricultural products to gain consumer trust and expand export opportunities.
What is VietGAP? What strict standards must be complied with? The following sections provide a detailed explanation.

What is VietGAP?

VietGAP (an abbreviation of Vietnamese Good Agricultural Practices) means good agricultural production practices in Viet Nam.

It is a set of regulations on principles, processes, and procedures guiding organizations and individuals in production, harvesting, and preliminary processing to ensure safety, improve product quality, ensure social welfare, protect the health of producers and consumers, protect the environment, and enable traceability of production origins.

This standard is issued by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development for specific products in the following sectors: crop production, livestock production, and aquaculture.

Four core criteria of the VietGAP standard

To obtain certification, production facilities shall meet four “core” criteria:

• Production techniques: Strict requirements for cultivation and harvesting processes.
• Food safety: No residues of chemicals, plant protection products, or harmful microorganisms.
• Working environment: Land, water, and the surrounding environment shall be protected and shall not cause pollution.
• Traceability: Products shall have clear records from seed stage through to sale.

Importance of VietGAP

The export turnover of agricultural, forestry, and fishery products in the first ten months of 2025 is estimated at USD 58.13 billion, an increase of nearly 13% compared with the same period in 2024; the increase in export value is mainly due to higher selling prices and increased value added through processing, rather than only increased output.

However, the capacity to leverage the trend of “increasing value through quality” remains significant, as the area under VietGAP certification is still limited. A report published in 2024 recorded a total VietGAP-certified area of approximately 150,000 hectares for six crop groups; vegetables alone accounted for more than 8,000 hectares out of a total 1.15 million hectares of vegetable cultivation area (less than 1%). This indicates that the majority of products circulating in the market do not yet demonstrate traceability or standardized production practices.

In parallel with certification, traceability requirements—planting area codes (PUC) and packing facility codes—have become mandatory conditions in many major markets. According to the Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection, by mid-2025 thousands of planting area codes and packing facility codes had been issued. Updated reports indicate that 9,207 planting area codes and 1,735 packing facility codes had been granted (controlled and approved for export purposes). The issuance of these codes is closely linked to good agricultural practices and management of plant protection product residues.

In addition, economic evidence indicates that VietGAP and food safety standards provide clear financial benefits. Studies and project reports (for example, ACIAR projects) show that farmers participating in VietGAP models may obtain 30–40% higher selling prices for certified products (together with productivity gains), resulting in substantial increases in household income. This demonstrates that investment in standard implementation not only reduces the risk of rejected shipments but also increases unit product value.

Which enterprises should apply VietGAP?

VietGAP is not limited to large companies. Any entity participating in the food supply chain should apply, and needs to apply, the standard. Specifically:

• Agricultural cooperatives: These are the entities most strongly encouraged by the State. Crop production cooperatives (vegetables, tubers, fruits, rice), livestock cooperatives (pigs, poultry, cattle), and aquaculture cooperatives (shrimp, fish) require VietGAP to secure output markets for members.
• Large-scale farms and farming households: Entities seeking to avoid price volatility during peak harvests and to sell directly to large traders or supermarkets instead of informal markets.
• Agricultural processing and packing enterprises: Units that purchase raw materials for preliminary processing and packing (processing facilities) also require VietGAP certification for preliminary processing operations to ensure continuity of food safety within the supply chain.
• Industrial and school meal service providers: For bidding to supply meals to schools and industrial zones, VietGAP certification of input material sources is a highly important evaluation criterion.

Benefits for enterprises obtaining VietGAP certification

Obtaining VietGAP certification primarily enables enterprises to significantly expand market access, particularly to export markets with high requirements for traceability and food safety. Many countries, such as China, Japan, and EU member states, are tightening technical barriers and require imported products to ensure transparent production processes. In this context, VietGAP functions as a “pass,” enabling enterprises to negotiate stable contracts and reduce the risk of warnings or shipment rejections.

Another significant benefit is increased product value and profit margins. Studies across various production models indicate that VietGAP-certified products typically achieve selling prices 20–40% higher than non-certified products, due to more consistent quality and higher credibility. This added value not only offsets certification costs but also provides a clear competitive advantage in the market.

From a branding perspective, VietGAP supports enterprises in building credibility with consumers and partners. Compliance with safe production processes, comprehensive record keeping, and control of plant protection product residues demonstrates an enterprise’s commitment to quality and public health. This is particularly important as consumers increasingly prioritize safe agricultural products with clear and transparent origins.

Furthermore, VietGAP certification creates opportunities for cooperation with supermarket systems and large retail chains. Most modern distribution systems such as AEON, Co.opmart, WinMart, and Big C prioritize or require suppliers to hold safety certifications such as VietGAP. This enables enterprises to expand sales volumes, access urban customers, and enhance long-term sales stability.

VietGAP also helps enterprises reduce legal and food safety risks. Through strict control of inputs such as seeds, fertilizers, plant protection products, and irrigation water, enterprises significantly reduce the risk of non-compliance with food safety regulations. This, in turn, limits situations requiring product recalls, communication crisis management, or administrative penalties.

Finally, application of VietGAP contributes to optimization of production processes and reduction of long-term costs. Requirements for management, monitoring, and efficient use of agricultural inputs help reduce input losses, limit post-harvest losses, and improve productivity. At the same time, VietGAP provides a favorable foundation for upgrading to international standards such as GlobalG.A.P, HACCP, or ISO 22000, creating opportunities to access higher-value markets in the future.

Conclusion

It can be observed that VietGAP is not only a technical standard but has become a strategic foundation for agricultural enterprises in an increasingly stringent market environment. Certification enables enterprises to increase product value, access premium distribution channels, and reduce food safety risks. More importantly, VietGAP establishes a transparent, effective, and sustainable production management system, enabling enterprises not only to compete more effectively in the present but also to be prepared for upgrading to international standards in the future. Investment in VietGAP therefore constitutes investment in long-term competitiveness and ensures a stable position within the modern agricultural value chain.