Vietnam - New Guideline on TA Certification under Scheme 1

Alphabet Regulatory Team has obtained information that on 12th June, the Vietnam Certification Centers (VNTA) announced a new Guideline on Type Approval certification under Scheme 1, which is to obtain the 3-year certificate by sample testing process, and it took effect from 13th June 2023. Key points are as following:

1.     For foreign manufacturer hiring OEM factory with a valid ISO certificate:

Ø   Case 1: when a foreign manufacturer has a local presence in Vietnam, such as a local representative office, subsidiary, or branch, the TA process is the same as before.

TA certificate can be granted to the manufacturer’s local presence as long as the OEM factory declaration can be signed by the manufacturer and stamped by its local office, together with a commitment letter from the local presence for endorsement purposes.

Ø   Case 2: when a foreign manufacturer has no local presence in Vietnam, but the manufacturing factory and the manufacturer belong to the same group:

-       The manufacturer must send a verification email with the signed OEM factory declaration to VNTA.

-       Evidence about OEM factory and manufacturer being in the same group is required for submission.

-       A commitment letter from the local importer on the accuracy of the OEM declaration is still required.

Ø   Case 3: when a foreign manufacturer has no local presence in Vietnam, and the manufacturing factory is not in the same group as the manufacturer:

-       TA certificate can only be granted after on-site or live-stream assessment of the actual production process.

A face-to-face online assessment among the factory, in-charged officials of Certification Centers, and other related parties can be arranged. During the meeting, the factory needs to present the required documents as well as evidence on the actual production of the product to be certified.

-       The manufacturer must send a verification email with the signed OEM factory declaration to VNTA.

-       A commitment letter from the local importer on the accuracy of the OEM declaration is still required.

2.     Manufacturers’ local presence can directly use the local test reports under the name of foreign manufacturers for submission. However, for real importers to use the reports under foreign manufacturers forTA certification:

1)     LoA must be stamped for endorsement by the manufacturer’s local presence in Vietnam, or;

2)     LoA must be notarized and consular legalized by the Vietnamese Embassy in the country of manufacturer.

3.     The TA certificate will show the factory name and address. And only one factory can be listed in one certificate.

Besides, Alphabet regulatory team heard that the MIC Authority is considering additionally giving the power of granting TA certificates to its another entity(Frequency Bureau) by the end of this year.

Alphabet regulatory team is closely monitoring the implementation of the new Guidelines and other developments in Vietnam. Further Newsletters will be issued once there is more information about the type approval requirement published.