I. PRODUCT CERTIFICATION SERVICE
Product certification for conformity with standards (product conformity certification) is a third-party conformity assessment activity that confirms whether products or goods meet the requirements of the standard selected as the basis for certification. Depending on the certification method applied, certification activities may include technical documentation review, sampling, testing, assessment of the production process or management system, review of results, and post-certification surveillance.
The standard used as the basis for certification may be TCVN, international standards (ISO, IEC, etc.), regional standards, foreign standards, or other accepted standards, provided that they are appropriate for the product and fall within the certification body's competence. The certification scope should clearly identify the product or product group, product type/model, manufacturing site, applicable standard, and certification method.
Product conformity certification is, in principle, a voluntary activity that provides objective evidence of product quality and characteristics. However, a standard may become mandatory when referenced in legislation, technical regulations, contracts, tender documents, or customer/market requirements. For products subject to technical regulations, product conformity certification does not replace technical regulation conformity certification, declaration of conformity with technical regulations, or other relevant sector-specific legal obligations.
Risk-based management of products and goods from 2026
Law No. 78/2025/QH15 amending the Law on Product and Goods Quality establishes a risk-based management approach. Products and goods are classified into three risk levels. Decree No. 37/2026/ND-CP sets out the principles and methods for determining risk and requires ministries responsible for sectors and fields to issue lists of medium-risk and high-risk products and goods together with the corresponding quality management requirements; the lists under the new mechanism are established for implementation from 01 July 2026.
The level of hazard or likelihood of risk is low and is generally unlikely to cause significant impact under normal control or use conditions.
Basic requirement:Organizations and individuals self-declare the applicable standard and are responsible for the quality of their products and goods.
The level of hazard or likelihood of risk is medium and may cause significant impact if appropriate management measures are not applied.
Management requirement:Self-declare the applicable standard; conformity with the relevant QCVN must be self-assessed or certified by an accredited certification body, as required by the applicable regulations.
The level of hazard and likelihood of risk is high and may result in serious or particularly serious consequences if not properly controlled.
Management requirement: Self-declare the applicable standard and obtain certification of conformity with the relevant QCVN from a designated certification body as prescribed.
Legal note: risk classification provides the basis for determining the corresponding quality management measures and conformity assessment requirements. “Medium-risk/high-risk products” should not be equated with “mandatory product conformity certification.” Mandatory obligations for each product must be determined according to the applicable management lists, QCVN, and sector-specific regulations in force. Certification of conformity with standards remains an important tool for businesses to demonstrate quality and meet contractual, tender, supply-chain, and market requirements.
How is the certification method selected?
Circular No. 14/2026/TT-BKHCN specifies eight conformity certification methods. For product conformity certification, the method must be selected to suit the object of assessment and its risk level so as to ensure the reliability of the result; the applied method must be clearly stated on the certificate.
Testing of a representative sample of the product or goods type.
Testing of a representative sample; surveillance through testing of samples taken from the market.
Sample testing and assessment of the production process; surveillance at the manufacturing site.
Sample testing and production assessment; surveillance through samples taken at the manufacturing site and/or from the market.
Sample testing and assessment of the production process or management system; periodic surveillance combining testing and assessment.
Certification through assessment and surveillance of the management system.
Testing and assessment of a specific batch of products or goods.
Testing or inspection of all products or goods.
No single method is suitable for every product. Selection depends on the applicable standard, risk level, technical characteristics, production model, process stability, sampling feasibility, certification purpose, and the rules of the certification scheme. Method 5 is often suitable for continuously manufactured products where both conformity of the product sample and the ability to maintain consistent quality during production need to be demonstrated. For batches or individual products, Method 7 or Method 8 may be more appropriate.
Product conformity certification, declaration of conformity with standards, and technical regulation conformity certification
Product conformity certification / Declaration of conformity with standards
Product conformity certification is confirmation by an independent certification body that the object conforms to the relevant standard.
Declaration of conformity with standards is the public declaration by an organization or individual that an object conforms to a standard and may be based on certification results or self-assessment results as prescribed. Declaration of conformity with standards is voluntary.
Conformity with standards / Conformity with technical regulations
Conformity with standards uses standards as the basis for assessment and is generally voluntary.
Conformity with technical regulations uses technical regulations as the basis for assessment and is mandatory for objects falling within the scope of the applicable QCVN/QCDP or corresponding legal requirements.
Benefits of product certification for businesses
Third-party testing and assessment results help businesses demonstrate that their products meet the technical requirements of the selected standard.
Assessment helps identify critical characteristics, control points, production conditions, and causes that may lead to nonconforming products.
Certification may support supplier qualification, tendering, contracts, distribution, exports, or specific customer requirements where the certification result is accepted by the receiving party.
The certification scope, applicable standard, and certification mark under the scheme help customers clearly identify the basis of assessment and improve transparency of product information.
Information businesses should prepare when applying for certification
- Product name, trademark, type/model, and proposed certification scope.
- Proposed applicable standard and relevant technical requirements.
- Manufacturing site, production flow/process, and key quality-control stages.
- Technical documentation, product specifications, key raw materials, instructions for use, and product identification information.
- Available test results, management system certificates, or other relevant quality-control evidence, if any.
- Information on batches, production volume, production model, and intended market to support selection of the appropriate certification method.
- Law No. 78/2025/QH15 amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on Product and Goods Quality, effective from 01 January 2026.
- Decree No. 37/2026/ND-CP detailing a number of articles and measures for organizing and guiding the implementation of the Law on Product and Goods Quality, effective from 23 January 2026.
- Circular No. 14/2026/TT-BKHCN providing regulations on declaration of conformity with standards, declaration of conformity with technical regulations, and methods for assessing conformity with standards and technical regulations, effective from 25 May 2026.
II. CERTIFICATION PROCESS
The assessment activities may vary depending on the product type, applicable standard, risk level, and conformity assessment method. In general, GIC Vietnam's product conformity certification process is implemented in six steps:
The business provides information on the product/product group, trademark, type or model, proposed certification standard, manufacturing site, and relevant technical documentation. GIC Vietnam reviews the application and determines the certification scope, conformity assessment method, sampling/testing requirements, and other certification conditions.
Based on the agreed scope and method, GIC Vietnam prepares the assessment plan, appoints suitably competent assessors/technical experts, determines the locations, schedule and assessment activities, establishes the sampling and testing plan, and selects or designates an appropriate laboratory.
Assessment is carried out in accordance with the applicable method and may include sampling at the manufacturing site or from the market, testing representative samples, batch assessment, or assessment of all products. Where production process assessment is required, the focus includes control of inputs, key production stages, inspection/testing, measuring equipment, traceability, and control of nonconforming products.
Test results, manufacturing-site assessment results, and relevant evidence are consolidated and evaluated against the requirements of the applicable standard and certification scheme. Where nonconformities are identified, the business implements corrective actions; GIC Vietnam reviews the evidence and may require verification assessment, additional sampling, or retesting where necessary.
The certification file is independently reviewed to confirm that the evidence is complete, consistent, and meets the certification requirements. When the review is satisfactory, GIC Vietnam makes the certification decision and issues the certificate, identifying the product, manufacturing site, applicable standard, certification scope, and corresponding certification method.
For methods requiring surveillance, GIC Vietnam conducts sampling, testing and/or production process assessment during the validity period of the certificate to confirm continued product conformity. Before the end of the certification cycle, recertification is considered in accordance with the applicable certification scheme.
III. WHY CHOOSE GIC VIETNAM?
GIC Vietnam's product certification activities are accredited to ISO/IEC 17065, accreditation number VICAS 005 – PRO. This accreditation falls within the scope of IAF MLA recognition for product certification, enhancing the credibility and acceptance of certification results.
Certification methods, technical experts, sampling plans, and laboratories are selected to suit the product, applicable standard, and risk level. The assessment process covers key stages from testing and production assessment through review and the certification decision.
GIC Vietnam conducts certification in accordance with the principles of independence, impartiality, transparency, and confidentiality. The scope, method, testing requirements, and surveillance arrangements are defined from the outset, helping businesses prepare effectively and make efficient use of time and cost.
CONTACT INFORMATION
GIC VIETNAM
Hanoi: 12F, 14 Lang Ha Building, Giang Vo Ward
Tel: 024 6275 2268 | Hotline: 0984 609 469
Email: tuandm@gicvn.vn
Ho Chi Minh City: R502, 160 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia
Tel: 028 3930 7936
