Declaration of Food Applicable Standards in Vietnam: 2026 Regulations

In the food production and business sector, ensuring product quality and safety is a mandatory legal requirement. One of the most critical procedures an enterprise must perform before bringing a product to market is the declaration of food applicable standards in Vietnam. Understanding these regulations helps businesses mitigate legal risks and ensures that commercial operations proceed smoothly under the new Vietnam 2026 regulatory framework.

Update on legal basis for product declaration in Vietnam

The legal landscape for food safety in Vietnam is undergoing a transition. Businesses should note the following key instruments from the year 2026:

• Decree No. 15/2018/ND-CP (effective until the end of April 15, 2026).
• Decree No. 46/2026/ND-CP (effective from April 16, 2026).
• Resolution No. 66.13/2026/NQ-CP (effective from April 16, 2026).
• Decree No. 37/2026/ND-CP dated January 23, 2026.
• Circular No. 29/2023/TT-BYT dated December 30, 2023.
• Circulars issuing National Technical Regulations (QCVN) regarding food safety.

3 groups of food requiring declaration of applicable standards before market entry in Vietnam

On January 27, 2026, the Government issued Resolution No. 66.13/2026/NQ-CP providing detailed regulations on the declaration of food applicable standards and the registration of food product declarations. The scope of this Resolution covers most common food groups circulating in the market.

Pursuant to Clause 1, Article 5 of Resolution No. 66.13/2026/NQ-CP, products requiring declaration include:

• Pre-packaged processed foods, food additives, food processing aids, packaging and instruments having direct contact with foods (hereinafter referred to as “primary packaging of foods”) without technical regulations on quality criteria, safety criteria, or without organizations certifying conformity with National Technical Regulation as prescribed by regulations of law on technical regulations and standards, or without conformity assessment methods.
• Micronutrients.
• Supplemented foods that only contain vitamins, minerals and do not have health claims.

The Resolution also clearly lists cases exempt from declaration procedures, such as raw materials used solely for export production, materials not consumed domestically, and imported products for aid, scientific research, or testing purposes.

3 types of documents required for the food standard declaration dossier

Mandatory dossier components

According to Clause 1, Article 6 of Resolution No. 66.13/2026/NQ-CP, the dossier for the declaration of food applicable standards must include:

• The Declaration of applicable standards form;
• The Product testing result certificate;
• A Power of Attorney (if applicable).

Notes on dossier preparation

• The dossier must follow the templates prescribed in Resolution No. 66.13/2026/NQ-CP.
• All documents must be in Vietnamese. If original documents are in English, the entity must translate them into Vietnamese and take responsibility for the accuracy of the translation. Documents in foreign languages other than English must be translated into Vietnamese and have the translator’s signature notarized.
• The Product testing result certificate must be issued within 12 months prior to the submission date by a testing organization accredited to ISO/IEC 17025 standards, covering all required quality and safety criteria.
• The Power of Attorney authorizing an entity to stand in the name of the declaration must include the name and address of the manufacturer or product owner, the name and address of the authorized party, the scope of authorization (including joint responsibility for all product-related issues), and the specific product name.

Declarations of applicable standards are primarily performed online

Entities shall submit the declaration dossier through the following methods:

• Online submission (via the National Public Service Portal, the National Single Window, or the administrative procedure information systems at the ministerial or provincial levels);
• Postal service;
• Direct submission to the competent state authority designated by the Provincial People’s Committee.

Processing timeframe for declaration procedures is 15 working days

According to Point b, Clause 2, Article 6 of Resolution No. 66.13/2026/NQ-CP, the processing timeframe for the declaration of food applicable standards is 15 working days from the date of receipt.

If no written feedback is provided by the authority within this period, the competent state agency shall upload the declaration dossier to their website or online public service system.

Enterprises may only trade products once the declaration is public

Organizations and individuals are permitted to disclose declaration information on labels, packaging, accompanying documents, and mass media or their own websites. They are entitled to produce and trade the product only after the dossier is officially published on the receiving authority’s electronic portal.

Entities bear full legal responsibility for the accuracy of the dossier and the quality and safety of the declared products. Furthermore, they must disclose the declaration dossier when trading products on e-commerce platforms in Vietnam. This serves as a vital legal basis for post-market inspection and protects consumers from false or exaggerated advertising.

Note on the timing of new regulations under Resolution No. 66.13/2026/NQ-CP

While Resolution No. 66.13/2026/NQ-CP was initially set to take effect from its signing date (January 27, 2026), the Government subsequently issued Resolution No. 09/2026/NQ-CP on February 4, 2026, to suspend its implementation.

Consequently, the application of Resolution No. 66.13/2026/NQ-CP is suspended until the end of April 15, 2026.

During this period, Decree No. 15/2018/ND-CP remains in effect. The new regulations on the declaration of food applicable standards under Resolution 66.13 will officially take effect on April 16, 2026.

What should businesses prepare for the new declaration regulations?

To ensure food safety compliance in Vietnam, businesses should proactively review their production processes and update their quality management systems.

Review food product categories

Enterprises must check their entire product portfolio to determine which items fall under the mandatory declaration category, focusing on the food type, ingredients (vitamins, minerals), and the status of applicable national technical regulations.

Prepare the declaration dossier

Gather all mandatory documents, including the self-established basic standards, product specifications, ingredient information, and draft labels to facilitate explanations to authorities if required.

Conduct product testing at accredited laboratories

Ensure products are tested at organizations accredited to ISO/IEC 17025. Testing must cover all safety and quality indicators, and the certificate must be valid within the 12-month window.

Prepare online submission systems

Businesses should ensure they have active accounts on the National Public Service Portal and valid digital signatures to perform electronic administrative procedures efficiently.

Update declaration information on labels and e-commerce platforms

Once the declaration of food applicable standards is complete, businesses must ensure transparency by reflecting the declaration info on physical labels and digital storefronts to build consumer trust and comply with the law.

Retention and modification of declarations

Entities must retain all records related to product quality for at least 03 years from the date the goods are circulated (or longer if the shelf life exceeds 3 years). If there are changes to the product name, origin, or ingredients (excluding excipients), a new declaration must be filed. For other minor changes, a written notice to the competent authority is sufficient to continue business.

The information provided above outlines the current requirements for the declaration of food applicable standards in Vietnam. For specific legal advice or support in navigating these 2026 updates, please contact Viet An Law for the most dedicated assistance.