Based on current regulations, various types of telecommunications and ICT devices are required to obtain type approval certification before entering and being marketed in Vietnam. Therefore, it is important for manufacturers to understand the type approval certification process for telecommunications and ICT devices in Vietnam. The Vietnam Telecommunications Authority or VNTA is a regulatory body for telecommunications and ICT devices in Vietnam. Therefore, the type approval certification for telecommunications and ICT devices in Vietnam is also known as VNTA certification.
In this article we will discuss all about Vietnam VNTA certification process especially for telecommunication devices need to be marketed in Vietnam.
Type approval certification in Vietnam
Before manufacturers importing their telecommunication devices to Vietnam, they need to prepare type approval certification of their telecommunication devices first. In Vietnam, the conformity certification for telecommunications and ICT devices is managed by Vietnam Telecommunications Authority (VNTA).
VNTA is an agency under the Ministry of Science and Technology (MST) performing the regulatory functions over the telecommunications sectors in Vietnam. Therefore, type approval certification for telecommunications and ICT devices in Vietnam is also known as VNTA certification.
After local Vietnam importers obtain VNTA certificates for their telecommunication devices, then they can use the existing valid VNTA certificate to complete SDoC’s requirements. Supplier’s Declaration of Conformity (SDoC) applies to telecommunications and ICT devices regulated by the Ministry of Science and Technology (formerly MIC Vietnam).
Requirements of VNTA certification
The most common method for processing Vietnam VNTA certification is local testing method. Here are list of the required documents for VNTA certification under local testing method:
- Application form specified by VNTA Office
- Technical specification of the products
- Information on the samples
- Valid factory ISO 9001:2015 certificates
- Manufacturer’s declaration letter
- Declaration of sample shipment
- Business license of the applicants
Test samples will be required if manufacturers want to do a local testing in Vietnam. The test sample configuration usually must attach with RF/SMA connector. In some products such as access point, router, or gateway, they usually already have built-in RF/SMA connectors. The number of test sample (01 sample or 02 samples) could be different from product to product.
Please also note that the list of required documents above are applicable for local testing method only. Manufacturers can use a paperwork method as long as the test reports are issued by labs that have MRA with MST Vietnam. Besides, there will be slightly different for the required documents of paperwork method.
Applicants of VNTA certification
The Vietnam VNTA certificate must be applied by local Vietnam companies. However, VNTA Office provides two types of certification schemes that manufacturers can choose when processing Vietnam VNTA certification. These two certification schemes are known as scheme 1 and scheme 7.
VNTA certification under scheme 1 has a certificate validity period of 3 years and there are still two options that can be chosen by the manufacturers, which are:
- Option 1: Manufacturer already had an authorized local representative in Vietnam. This option allows manufacturers to become a certificate holder and issue an authorization letter to each of their importers.
- Option 2: Manufacturer and factory are in the same group. This option requires the certificate holder to be a local company in Vietnam, either a local representative or local importer.
Meanwhile, VTNA certification under scheme 7 is applicable for per shipment batch only and it must be submitted by a local importer appointed by the manufacturers.
Lead time of VNTA certification
Lead time of Vietnam VNTA certification will depend on the certification route that manufacturers choose. For comparison, the lead time for local testing process is relatively shorter than paperwork method.
Lead time for local testing method will be divided into testing and approval process. Lead time of testing will be around 3 weeks, meanwhile for obtaining VNTA certificate will be around 2 weeks. So, the total lead time for Vietnam VTNA certification under local testing method is around 5 weeks.
Lead time for paperwork method will depend on the condition of testing parameters on the test reports and confirmation from VNTA Office for test result of the test reports. The content of test reports must be in accordance with the provisions provided by VNTA Office. If any parameters are not tested on test reports, then VNTA Office will ask for it, and make the total lead time will longer than local testing.
Label requirements of VNTA certification
Labelling requirements are applicable for product subjected to both VNTA certification and Supplier’s Declaration of Conformity (SDoC). So, telecommunications devices to be marketed in Vietnam are required to put a conformity marking (ICT mark) before selling them to the end-users or third parties.
Shape of ICT mark
Below is the ICT mark with code for radio features. The “NAME” will be the name of the local distributor and the “CODE” will be the code granted by VNTA to that local distributor when they register the ICT label with VNTA.
Contents of ICT mark
- ICT: Abrreviated name in English of Information and Communications Technology.
- CODE: Management code provided by the Vietnam Telecommunications Authority (VNTA).
- NAME: The management information registered to VNTA by organization and individual.
Standard dimensions for ICT mark
The standard dimensions for design of ICT mark with code for radio features is provided below.
Notes: H = 1.5a; h = 0.75a; C = 10a
Validity of VNTA certificates
As we already explained before, the validity of Vietnam VNTA certificates will depend on the certification schemes chosen. For VNTA certificates under scheme 1, the certificate validity is 3 years by doing sample testing process. Meanwhile, the validity period of VNTA certificates under scheme 7 is applicable for per shipment batch only.
However, the VNTA Office also announced that the VNTA certificate will lose its validity if the corresponding ISO factory certificate are expired. So, it is important for manufacturers to keep updating their ISO factory certificates in order to maintain the validity of their VNTA certificate.
Example of VTNA certificates
In the VNTA certificates, several information related to the telecommunication device, manufacturer, and applicant will be mentioned. Below is an example of Vietnam VNTA certificates for telecommunications devices.
Conclusion
Navigating Vietnam type approval certification is not easy, there are many things we need to know and prepare before starting the whole process. Usually, some manufacturers also face difficulty to navigate Vietnam type approval especially because they have limited knowledge and language barriers to the whole process.
To avoid these issues happening, the existence of a type approval service partner is important for manufacturers. You can consult with our expert team about Vietnam VNTA certification by drop an email to info@narmadi.com for further assistance.
