Vietnam: Law amending and supplementing the Law on Technical Standards and Regulations (Law No. 70/2025/QH15) enters into force

On 1 January 2026, Law No. 70/2025/QH15 amending and supplementing the Law on Technical Standards and Regulations enters into force. The Law revises definitions relating to standards, technical regulations, conformity assessment, testing, inspection, certification, and accreditation. It sets out principles for standardisation and technical regulation activities; defines state policies and management responsibilities, including those of the Government, the Ministry of Science and Technology, line ministries, and local authorities; and regulates activities involving state secrets. The Law provides for international cooperation, including mutual recognition arrangements, and establishes a National Standards Strategy. It includes provisions on transparency, notification, and enquiry concerning technical barriers to trade, and establishes a National Database on standards, measurement, and quality. The Law further regulates the development, application, and publication of standards and technical regulations, including the structure and operation of national technical committees and procedures for adoption, review, amendment, and repeal. The Law also sets out rules on funding; conformity assessment activities and forms; certification and declarations of conformity with standards and technical regulations, including conformity marking and database registration; the rights and obligations of conformity assessment bodies; accreditation arrangements; and the recognition of conformity assessment results. Transitional provisions apply to technical standards and regulations developed or appraised before the effective date but not yet promulgated or issued.