HCMC – Vietnam now requires food products to have standards declared before being placed on store shelves, according to a Government resolution effective from January 27.
The rule is set out in Resolution No. 66.13/2026/NQ-CP, which regulates the declaration of applied standards and the registration of food products.
The resolution applies to processed and pre-packaged foods, food additives, processing aids, and food-contact packaging and containers when no national technical standards exist or when conformity certification bodies have not been designated.
It also covers micronutrients, health supplements, medical nutrition foods, foods for special dietary uses, supplementary foods, and nutritional products for children under 36 months.
Micronutrients and dietary supplements containing only vitamins and minerals, without health claims, must also declare the applicable standards.
Products and raw materials produced domestically or imported solely for export processing are exempt from the declaration requirement.
Raw materials and semi-finished products used only for internal production and not sold in the domestic market are also excluded.
Imports for aid, product testing for disclosure purposes, or scientific research do not require declaration.
Organizations and individuals responsible for bringing products to market must submit a declaration dossier, either online through national or provincial public service portals, by post, or directly to a competent authority designated by provincial governments.
If no written response is issued within 15 days, the authority will publish the declaration on its website or online public service system.
Only after publication may products be manufactured and sold. Businesses bear full responsibility for the legal validity and accuracy of the dossier, as well as product quality and safety.
For companies with multiple production sites making the same product, filings are made with a single selected authority, which will handle all subsequent declarations.
All documents must be in Vietnamese. English-language materials must be translated, with businesses responsible for translation accuracy.
Changes to product name, origin, or main ingredients require a new declaration. Other changes only need written notification.
The resolution also requires public disclosure of applied standard declarations when food products are sold on e-commerce platforms in Vietnam.
The regulation remains in effect until it is replaced by a revised Food Safety Law, but no later than February 28, 2027.
New GMP requirements for health supplement producers
Separately, Government Decree No. 46/2026/NĐ-CP requires health supplement manufacturers to meet food safety conditions under the Food Safety Law and comply with Good Manufacturing Practice standards.
Manufacturers must establish GMP-based quality management systems covering production and distribution to ensure products meet declared standards throughout their shelf life.
Production facilities must employ staff trained in GMP and food safety. Heads of production and quality control must work full-time and operate independently.
The person in charge of professional operations must hold a university degree or higher in medicine, pharmacy, nutrition, food safety, or food technology, and have at least three years of relevant experience.
Factories and equipment must follow one-way production principles, be easy to clean, and minimize contamination risks. Daily sanitation is required.
Facilities must keep complete records of production, quality control, and distribution to ensure batch traceability.
Substandard raw materials may not be used, and products that fail quality checks may not leave the factory. Product stability must be monitored throughout the product lifecycle.
An independent quality control unit is mandatory. Contract manufacturers and testing service providers must meet all agreed facility and personnel requirements.
Manufacturers must also maintain procedures for complaints, product recalls, and internal audits, with full documentation.
The Ministry of Health is responsible for issuing GMP guidelines for health supplements, which manufacturers are required to apply.
