From January 1, 2026, Vietnam will implement a revised law on product quality and standards that marks a significant shift from administrative oversight to risk-based management, laying a digital foundation for transparent and safe commerce.

Under the updated Law on Product and Goods Quality and the Law on Standards and Technical Regulations, products will no longer be divided into two traditional groups. Instead, they will be classified into three risk levels: low, medium, and high - each subject to corresponding supervision mechanisms.

For example, low-risk goods may be self-declared by businesses. Medium-risk items require self-assessment or certification by accredited bodies. High-risk products must undergo evaluation by officially designated organizations to ensure safety and compliance.

Ha Minh Hiep, Chair of the National Standards and Quality Measurement Committee, stated that the transition to risk-based management emphasizes post-market supervision instead of pre-market checks, aligning with practices already adopted in ASEAN and globally.

A key highlight of the new law is the mandatory traceability requirement for all high-risk goods. The reform also prioritizes the use of digital technology, artificial intelligence (AI), and big data to modernize quality control systems and enhance regulatory enforcement.

Speaking at a Ministry of Science and Technology meeting on July 7, Ha Minh Hiep revealed that, for the first time, the law will legally establish Vietnam’s National Quality Infrastructure (NQI). This ecosystem integrates standards, measurement, conformity assessments, inspections, and policymaking on a unified digital platform.

The government will invest in building this infrastructure using AI and digital technology, enabling seamless data sharing across quality inspection agencies, customs, consumer feedback channels, and international alert systems. A national database on standards, measurements, and quality will be established, connecting ministries, local governments, industry associations, and consumers.

To support cross-agency data integration and early risk warning systems, a national-level product quality monitoring system is also being planned.

According to the National Center for Barcodes, there are currently three types of counterfeit goods in the market: counterfeit branding, counterfeit quality, and counterfeit origin. From 2026, products sold on e-commerce platforms must publicly disclose certified quality standards.

For effective enforcement, the government stresses the need for targeted investments in digital infrastructure, workforce training, and cross-sector collaboration.

Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Le Xuan Dinh emphasized that the revised law marks a comprehensive shift in managing standards, measurement, and product quality - from administrative control to data-driven, risk-based regulation, backed by enforcement mechanisms and accountability.

He added that real transformation will require coordinated implementation by ministries, localities, and businesses to ensure the legal reform becomes practical progress - not just policy on paper.

PV