The Ministry of Science and Technology (MST) of Vietnam has issued Circular No. 14/2026/TT-BKHCN regarding the conformity assessment for type approval certification, declaration of conformity to national standards and compliance mark. Basically, the Circular No. 14/2026/TT-BKHCN is a general regulation for Type Approval Certification and Declaration of Conformity (DoC) that apply to many product categories in Vietnam.
This new Circular Letter will come into effect on 25 May 2026. By the time the Circular No. 14/2026/TT-BKHCN comes into effect, the previous Circular No. 28/2012/TT-BKHCN is revoked. Therefore, in this article we will discuss all important notes from the new Circular No. 14/2026/TT-BKHCN for update on type approval certification and declaration of conformity procedures in Vietnam.
Key Notes of New Circular No. 14/2026/TT-BKHCN
- Type approval certification must be carried out based on one of the eight methods specified in this Circular Letter No. 14/2026/TT-BKHCN.
- The type approval certification for telecommunications equipment will applicable to Method 1, 5 and 7 of the Circular No. 14/2026/TT-BKHCN, as follows:
- Method 1: Certification through testing of representative samples of the type (model name) of product.
- Method 5: Certification through testing of representative samples of the type (model name) or category of product and evaluation of the production process or management system. Samples for monitoring may be taken at the production site or in the market, or both at the production site and in the market.
- Method 7: Certification through testing and evaluation of product shipment batches.
- Methods 1 and 6 in this Circular Letter do not apply to products and goods with a high risk level. Method 1 and 5 in this Circular Letter apply for medium risk level.
- In the case that quality management system certificate (ISO 9001, HACCP, GMP) is required, the certification body must be accredited by MRA/MLA, ILAC, IAF, APAC.
- The validity of type approval certificate for Method 5 can be valid up to 5 years, but periodic evaluation is required to maintain the certificate validity.
- Declaration of Conformity (DoC) is a mandatory activity. The subjects of DoC are products and goods as stipulated in national technical standards.
- Based on the risk level of the products, the DoC activity is carried out based on the results of type approval certification or self-assessment based on test results from accredited or designated testing organizations.
- The e-label of CR Mark is allowed based on the Circular No. 14/2026/TT-BKHCN.
- This Circular shall take effect from 25 May 2026. The Circular No. 28/2012/TT-BKHCN is no longer valid from the date of this Circular take effect.
- Organizations that have undergone type approval certification and DoC before the effective date of this Circular may continue to use their type approval certificates and conformity marks until the expiration date, not required to re-register.
Impact on Vietnam Type Approval
Implementation of Circular No. 14/2026/TT-BKHCN may change the type approval framework in Vietnam. Manufacturers, suppliers and importers of telecommunications equipment may need to adjust their type approval strategy for Vietnam by the time this Circular take effect.
Since this new Circular No. 14/2026/TT-BKHCN applies to many product categories, MST will issue a separate Circular Letter focus on the type approval certification and DoC for telecommunications and wireless products. All type approval certificates were issued under the current Circular Letter will keep valid until the expiry date.
Conclusion
The implementation of the Circular No. 14/2026/TT-BKHCN on the type approval certification and Declaration of Conformity (DoC) may affect to the ongoing type approval process in Vietnam. Therefore, doing early mitigation for adjustment and preparation to new type approval framework may be required. Feel free to send an email to info@narmadi.com if you have any questions and assistance about this Circular Letter.
