RESTRICTED  WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  WT/ACC/VNM/24/Rev.2 
23 April 2004 
 (04-1839) 
Working Party on the  
Accession of Viet Nam Original:   English 
 
 
 
ACCESSION OF VIET NAM 
  
Action Plan for the Implementation of  the WTO Agreement
 
on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT)  
 
Revision  
 
 The following revised Action Plan is being circul ated at the request of the Delegation of the 
Socialist Republic of Viet Nam. 
 
 
_______________ 
 
 
 
   
 WT/ACC/VNM/24/Rev.2 
Page 2 No. Requirements of the 
TBT Agreement Present status Actions Agencies in charge Estimated 
Schedule 
1 Standstill: The 
enforcement of new 
standards, technical regulations and 
conformity assessment 
procedures should be fully compatible with the 
TBT Agreement. 
(Article 1 - General Provisions) Viet Nam has not committed to the 
TBT Agreement yet. (a) To review and amend  
regulations/laws on standards, 
technical regulations and conformity assessment procedures to conform to 
the provisions of the TBT Agreement. 
 (b) To promulgate and apply these 
regulations/laws to concerned 
bodies/individuals. The Ministry of Science and 
Technology as the focal point, 
The Ministry of Trade and other concerned ministries to 
coordinate. 
  Upon Accession 
2 Submission of Statement 
on Implementation of the 
TBT Agreement (Article 15.2/ TBT 
Agreement) Viet Nam has not submitted the 
statement on implementation of the 
Agreement to WTO yet. Viet Nam shall submit the statement on 
implementation of the TBT Agreement 
when it becomes a full member of the WTO. Concerned ministries/bodies (to 
be appointed and guided by the 
Government). Upon Accession 
3 Establishment and 
operation of an 
independent Enquiry 
Point (Article 10/ TBT 
Agreement) The National Enquiry Point (The 
TBT Viet Nam Office) has been 
established. 
Contact: Viet Nam WTO/TBT Office 
Address: 70 Tran Hung Dao St., 
Hanoi, Viet Nam Tel: 84  4  942 6087 
Fax: 84  4 942 6087 
E-mail: tdctbt@fpt.vn
 
Website: www.tcvn.gov.vn/wtovn / - To establish organizational structure  
and  technical facilities; 
- To develop branch networks at the 
concerned ministries/ provinces in order to support the operation of the 
National Enquiry Point; 
- To officially operate the National 
Enquiry Point as required by the TBT 
Agreement. The Ministry of Science and 
Technology (STAMEQ) as the 
focal point and other concerned 
ministries/ localities to coordinate. 
 2003-2005 
 
2003-2005 
  
 
2005  
4 Establishment and 
operation a national 
notification authority  (Article 10/ TBT 
Agreement) The National Notification Authority 
has been established. 
Contact:  
Viet Nam WTO/TBT Office 
Address: 70 Tran Hung Dao St., Hanoi, Viet Nam 
Tel: 84  4  942 6087 
Fax: 84  4 942 6087 E-mail: tdctbt@fpt.vn
 
Website:  www.tcvn.gov.vn/wtovn/ - To establish organizational structure  
and technical facilities for the 
National Notification Authority; 
- To establish supporting branches at 
concerned ministries/ bodies; 
- To officially operatethe National 
Notification Authority as required by 
the TBT Agreement. The Ministry of Science and 
Technology (and STAMEQ) as 
the focal point, and other concerned ministries/ bodies to 
coordinate. 
 2003-2005 
 
  
2003-2005 
 2005  
  WT/ACC/VNM/24/Rev.2
 Page 3No. Requirements of the 
TBT Agreement Present status Actions Agencies in charge Estimated 
Schedule 
 A. Identification of the 
places to issue the 
notices of proposed technical regulations 
and conformity 
assessment procedures; 
 (Article 2.9.1; 
3.1;5.6.1; 7.1/ TBT Agreement) 
 
 B. Identification of the 
authority responsible 
for making notifications to the 
WTO; 
 (Article 10.10/ TBT 
Agreement) 
  
 
C. Guidance/legal 
documents to ensure 
authorized bodies not 
to afford non - discriminatory 
comments in the 
preparation of regulations (Article 
2.9.4; 2.10.3; 3.1; 3.3; 
5.6.4;5.7.3;7.1; 7.3/ TBT Agreement) 
 
D Guidance/legal 
documents to ensure 
authorized bodies A. Through the monthly Bulletin 
of Standards, Metrology and 
Quality, and publications of ministries/ branches, but is not 
on a regular basis. 
  
 
  
 
 B. The National Notification 
Authority has been established 
under the STAMEQ/ Ministry of Science & Technology. 
 
 
 
  
 
C. In general, the current system of 
technical regulations in Viet 
Nam complies with these 
provisions of the Agreement.  
 
 
  
 
  
 
D.     ditto  
 A. To prepare for regular promulgation 
of the proposed technical regulations 
and conformity assessment procedures. 
 
To complete the website on Viet Nam WTO/ TBT (in Vietnamese/ English 
languages). 
  
 
 B. To strengthen organizational 
structure, technical facilities and 
human resources of the National Notification Authority. 
 
 
 
  
 
C. To review the legal system on 
standards, metrology and quality to 
ensure the compliance with  relevant 
WTO/TBT provisions. 
 
 
  
 
  
 
D. To review the regulations/ laws on 
standards, metrology and quality to 
ensure the compliance with relevant The Ministry of Science and 
Technology (STAMEQ) and 
concerned ministries/bodies.  
 
  
 
  
 
 The Ministry of Science and 
Technology as the focal point, 
other concerned ministries/bodies to coordinate. 
 
 
 
  
 
The Ministry of Science and 
Technology as the focal point, 
other concerned ministries/bodies 
to coordinate.  
 
  
 
  
 
The Ministry of Science and Technology as the focal point. 
 2004 
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
 2003 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
Regularly  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
Regularly  
  
 WT/ACC/VNM/24/Rev.2 
Page 4 No. Requirements of the 
TBT Agreement Present status Actions Agencies in charge Estimated 
Schedule 
allowing a reasonable 
period of time from 
the date of promulgation of 
technical regulations/ 
conformity assessment 
procedures to date of 
their enforcement, so that suppliers can 
adjust and adapt the 
new regulations and procedures; 
(Article 2.11; 2,12; 
3.1; 5.8; 5.9; 7.1/ TBT Agreement) 
 
E. Publication and 
notification of 
conformity assessment 
procedures, working 
programs for establishment of 
standards, including 
publication of summaries of 
proposed standards 
and convenient conditions for public 
comment. 
(Article 4; Annex 3 (J, K, L, N, O)/ TBT 
Agreement)   
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
E. Viet Nam’s National 
Standardization Authority has 
notified the agenda for preparation of the National 
Standards (TCVN), and 
procedures for certification, adoption on its website, as well 
as on its specialized 
publications. 
 WTO provisions. 
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
E. The National Standards Body to 
continue to improve and introducing 
its website and publications on a larger scale.  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
The Ministry of Science and 
Technology (STAMEQ) . 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
Regularly 
 
  
 
  
 
   
  WT/ACC/VNM/24/Rev.2
 Page 5No. Requirements of the 
TBT Agreement Present status Actions Agencies in charge Estimated 
Schedule 
5 Issuance of legalized 
measures/ suitable 
administration to ensure the establishment and 
adoption of technical 
regulations and conformity assessment 
procedures in compliance 
with the provisions of TBT Agreement, 
especially the Article 2,3, 
5, 6, 7.  
A. Non-discrimination in 
respect with products; 
 (Article 2.1; 3.1; 5.1; 
5.2; 7.1/ TBT 
Agreement) 
 
  
 
  
 
  
B. Prohibition of 
unnecessary obstacles to international trade 
and the consideration 
of less trade-restrictive alternatives 
to fulfilling legitimate 
objectives; 
 (Article 2.2; 3.1; 5.1; 
5.2; 7.1/ TBT  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
A. Technical regulations and 
conformity assessment procedures of Viet Nam are in 
compliance with the principle, 
and there are no provisions that 
discriminate domestic and 
imported goods. 
 
 
  
 
  
B. Viet Nam is in effort to review 
existing regulations to be in compliance with this principle of 
the WTO: 
  
 
  
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
A. To review the regulations on 
standards, metrology and quality in order to ensure the compliance with 
relevant principles, especially with 
regard to quality certification and 
inspection; 
 
On the other hand, to promote wide 
application of suppliers’ declaration  
on product conformity  to standards and technical regulations under the 
guides  issued by the International 
Standardization Organization (ISO).  
 
B. To regularly review technical 
regulations and conformity assessment procedures to ensure the 
compliance with this principle. 
  
 
  
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
Ministry of Science and 
Technology as the focal point, other concerned ministries/bodies 
to coordinate. 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
The Ministry of Science and 
Technology as the focal point, other concerned ministries/ 
bodies to coordinate. 
  
 
  
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
Regularly 
  
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
  
Regularly 
  
 
  
 
  
  
 WT/ACC/VNM/24/Rev.2 
Page 6 No. Requirements of the 
TBT Agreement Present status Actions Agencies in charge Estimated 
Schedule 
Agreement) 
 
C. Ongoing review of 
technical regulations 
to ensure appropriate 
achievement of the desired legitimate 
objectives; 
 (Article 2.3; 3.1; 7.1/ 
TBT Agreement) 
 
D. Consideration of 
appropriate 
international 
standards/ guides and recommendations as 
the basis for technical 
regulations and 
conformity 
assessment procedures; 
 (Article 2.4; 3.1; 5.4; 
7.1/ TBT Agreement) 
 
E. Consideration of 
equivalent technical regulations of other 
members; 
 (Article 2.7; 3.1; 7.1/ 
TBT Agreement)  
 
 F. The acceptance of the 
results of conformity 
assessment procedures conducted 
by bodies from WTO  
 
C. Viet Nam is making effort to 
review existing regulations to be 
in compliance with this principle 
of the WTO.  
 
 
  
 
D. At present, technical regulations 
and conformity assessment 
procedures of Viet Nam are 
prepared on basis of reference to standards/guides and 
recommendations of 
international standard 
organizations such as ISO, IEC, 
Codex etc.  
 
 
  
E. Up to date, some technical 
regulations of Viet Nam have been prepared with consideration 
of relevant technical regulations 
of some WTO members such as the United States, EU, Australia, 
etc.  
 F. Viet Nam has participated in the 
activities relating to the adoption 
of conformity results, including: 
 
- Participation in Part 1 of MRA  
 
C. Regular review  of technical 
regulations to ensure the compliance 
with this principle. 
  
 
  
 
D. Viet Nam commits to continue to 
refer to standards, guides issued by 
international standardization bodies, 
when preparing its own technical regulations and conformity 
assessment procedures in the years to 
come. 
 
  
 
  
E. Viet Nam commits to continue to 
comply with this principle during the preparation and promulgation of its 
technical regulations in the years to 
come. 
 
 
 F. Viet Nam considers participating in 
the remaining and new MRAs under 
APEC, ASEAN, and ASEM. 
 
- At the same time, to consider  
 
Ditto  
 
  
 
  
 
Ditto 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
  
Ditto 
  
 
  
 
 Ditto 
 
  
  
 
Regularly  
 
  
 
  
 
Regularly  
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
  
Regularly 
  
 
  
 
 Regularly 
 
  
  
  WT/ACC/VNM/24/Rev.2
 Page 7No. Requirements of the 
TBT Agreement Present status Actions Agencies in charge Estimated 
Schedule 
exporting member 
countries; 
 (Article 6; 7.1/ TBT 
Agreement) 
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
G. Framework of testing 
and inspection cost 
based on practical expenses and non-
discriminatory. 
 on Electricity and Electronics 
under APEC; 
- Participation in Part 1 of MRA 
on Telecom Equipment under 
APEC; 
- Participation in Part 1 of MRA 
on Electricity and Electronics 
under ASEAN; 
 Participation in the 
Harmonization Agreement on 
Technical Regulations for 
cosmetic and pharmaceutical products under ASEAN. 
 
G. At present, testing costs for 
product quality are carried out in 
compliance with Circulars issued 
by the Ministry of Finance; these 
regulations are based on the 
practical expenses and non-discriminatory among economic 
sectors, as well as among 
domestic and imported goods. concluding the similar MRAs with 
other WTO members. 
   
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
G. To continue to implement Circulars 
issued by the Ministry of Finance on 
fee collections of testing process. 
 
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
The Ministry of Finance as the 
focal point, The Ministry of 
Science and Technology and concerned ministries/ bodies to 
cooperate. 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
2003 
6 Issuance of legalized 
measures and suitable 
administration to ensure 
the preparation and application of standards 
and conformity 
assessment procedures in compliance with the 
Agreement provisions, 
especially relating with: (Article 4, Annex 3; 
Article 8/ TBT 
Agreement)   Standardization matters are 
stipulated in the sub-law regulations 
(decrees, decisions).  
  
 
  
 
  
 
  To develop the Ordinance of 
Standardization which has been placed in 
the National Legislation Agenda of the 
Standing Committee of the National Assembly in the period of 2002-2007. 
 
  
 
  
 
  The Standing Committee of the 
National Assembly to approve 
the Ordinance in 2006 or 2007. 
  
 
  
 
  
 
   
 
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
   
 WT/ACC/VNM/24/Rev.2 
Page 8 No. Requirements of the 
TBT Agreement Present status Actions Agencies in charge Estimated 
Schedule 
A. Non-discrimination in 
respect to products; 
 (Annex 3 (D); Article 
8.1/ TBT Agreement)  
 
  
B. Prohibition of 
unnecessary obstacles to international trade; 
 (Annex 3 (E); Article 
8.1/ TBT Agreement) 
 
 
C. Review of appropriate 
international 
standards/ guides and 
recommendations as 
the basis for its 
standards. 
 (Annex 3 (F); Article 
8.1/ TBT Agreement) 
   
D. Framework to cost for 
enforcing standards based on practical 
expenses and non-
discriminatory. 
 (Annex 3 (M); Annex 
3 (P);  Article 8.1; 
10.4/ TBT Agreement) A. At present, the standards and 
conformity assessment 
procedures do not include any discriminatory provisions 
between domestic and imported 
products. 
 
B The current standards and 
conformity assessment procedures of Viet Nam do not 
include any provisions against to 
the export-import process within Viet Nam. 
 
C. At present, Viet Nam has 5,600 
sets of current national standards 
(TCVN), in which there are 
1,300 sets in full compliance 
with to international, regional 
and foreign ones. 
 
 
  
D. Distribution fees for Viet Nam 
Standards are still low, due to mainly funding from State 
budget, and non-discriminatory 
 A. To continue to implement this 
principle. 
  
 
  
B. To continue to implement this 
principle of the WTO. 
 
 
  
 
C. To continue the programs to 
harmonize national standards with 
international standards within the 
framework of APEC, ASEM, and 
ASEAN. 
 - To continue to refer to this principle 
during the development of the 
national standards. 
 
D. To continue to follow this principle in 
the coming years. However, these fees may be considered to be adjusted 
when the government to limit funding  
 The Ministry of Science and 
Technology (STAMEQ) to 
coordinate with concerned ministries/ bodies. 
 
  
The Ministry of Science and 
Technology (STAMEQ) to coordinate with concerned 
ministries/ bodies. 
  
 
The Ministry of Science and Technology (STAMEQ) to 
coordinate with concerned 
ministries/ bodies. 
 
  
 
  
The Ministry of Finance and 
concerning ministries.  Regularly 
 
  
 
  
Regularly 
 
 
 
  
 
Regularly  
 
 
 
  
 
  
Regularly 
  
 
   
  WT/ACC/VNM/24/Rev.2
 Page 9List of relevant legal documents 
1. Existing documents 
 
- The Ordinance on Metrology, Order No. 16/1999/PL-UBTVQH10 dated 6 October 1999; 
- The Ordinance on Goods Quality, Order No. 18/1999/PL-UBTVQH10 dated 24 December 1999; 
- The Ordinance on the  Consumers Rights Protection,  Order No. 04/1999/PL-UBTVQH10 dated 27 April 1999; 
- The Ordinance on Food Hygiene and Safety , Order No. 20/2003/L-CTN dated 7 August 2003; 
- Governmental Decree 65/2001/ND-CP dated 28 September 2001 issuing the system of legal measuring units of Socialist Republic of Vietnam; 
- Governmental Decree No. 06/2002/ND-CP  dated 14 January 2002 on the implemen tation of The Ordinance on Metrology. 
 
2. To be issued 
 
- Governmental Decree on the implementation of The Ordinance on Goods Quality (2004); 
- The Ordinance on Standardization. (2006-2007).  
 WT/ACC/VNM/24/Rev.2 
Page 10 Annex to the TBT Action Plan  
Proposal for Technical Assistance during the Impl ementation of the TBT Agreement in Viet Nam 
 
No. Description Sponsor’s member/body Period 
1 The establishment project of two (02) computerised Reference Centres in Hanoi & Ho Chi Minh City. 
Application of e-comm erce to allow local users receivi ng any on-line technical notes, 
Establishment of practical facilities, in cluding hardware/ software/ LAN/ etc. WTO Technical Assistance Programme 
 2003 - 2004 
2 The Enhancement Project for Vi et Nam TBT Office (Viet Nam WTO/TBT Notification Authority and 
Enquiry Point) 
In support of experience exchange, funding assist ance for the establishment, effective management & 
operation of the Notification Authority and Enquiry Point in Standards, metrology and quality 
(through Viet Nam WTO/TBT Office), including: 
 - To provide funding support for visits/ surveys to the WTO's members in  Notification 
 Authority and Enquiry Point, such as the United States, Australia, Japan, EU, etc; 
- To complete designing and operation of the website of Viet Nam WTO/TBT Office; - To train Viet Nam WTO/TBT Office’s staffs on any necessary skills for the implementation of 
 the TBT Agreement in Viet Nam; 
- To participate in any discussions of technical cooperation programs with the developing  members; and 
- To assist the agenda for expanding of speci fic Notification Authority and Enquiry Point at 
 ministries/ economic branches within the nationwide. By WTO members, such as USA, 
Australia, Japan and other to-be-interest 
members  
 
 2003-2004 
3 The Survey/ Investigation Project of the capabilitie s of state-run and private bodies & enterprises 
during the implementation of the TBT Agreement in Viet Nam. Mutrap – EC 
  
4 The Project of Comprehensive En hancement in the Implementation of TBT Agreement in Viet Nam 
To support funding and specialists to organi ze conferences/ seminars on the comprehensive 
enhancement/ knowledge dissemination and im plementation of the TBT Agreement to the 
governmental bodies/ industrial branches/ organizations and individuals in Viet Nam, especially in the 
Rules of Good Practice of th e standards’ preparation, adoption and application.  EC/The United Stated/Denmark and 
other to-be-interest members 2003-2004 
5 The Project of Upgrading of Information Facilities 
To assist building up the database, to provide specific technical regulations, standards, conformity 
assessment process to the import-export activities in Viet Nam. Also, to consult difficulties which 
domestic exporter/ importer may face during business op eration. To establish and support the database 
to be linked with the relevant abroad bodies.   WTO Technical Assistance 
Programme/EC/the United 
States/Germany/France/Swiss/ and other 
to-be-interest members  From 2004 
6 The Establishment Project of the Ordinance of Standardization Australia & other to-be-interest members From 2004 
7 The Assistance Project in Participation to multilateral MRA in standards, metrology and quality Germany & other to-be-interes t members From 2004 
 
__________