RESTRICTEDWORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONWT/ACC/VNM/24/Rev.1
4 November 2003
(03-5886)
Working Party on the
Accession of Viet NamOriginal:  English
ACCESSION OF VIET NAM
Action Plan for the Implementation of the
WTO Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT)
Revision
The Government of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam has submitted the following revised
Action Plan for the Implementation of the WTO Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT)
with the request that it be circulated to the members of the Working Party.
_______________WT/ACC/VNM/24/Rev.1
Page 2Action Plan for the Implementation of the WTO Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT)
No. Major Obligations Description of obligations Responsible Body Related Bodies Time frame
1. Standstill: The enforcement of
new standards, technical
regulations and conformityassessment procedures should befully compatible with the TBTAgreement.(Article 1 - General Provisions)Viet Nam has not committed to
the TBT Agreement yet.Review and amendment of
regulations/ laws on standards,
technical regulations andconformity assessmentprocedures to conform to theprovisions of the TBTAgreement.
Promulgation and application of
these regulations/ laws toconcerning bodies/ individuals.Ministry of Science and
Technology is the focal point, in
cooperation with Ministry ofTrade & concerning ministries.Upon Accession
2. Submission of Statement on
Implementation of the TBTAgreement(Article 15.2/ TBT Agreement)Viet Nam has not submitted the
implementation of theAgreement to WTO yet.Viet Nam will notify the
implementation of the TBTAgreement when it becomes afull member of the WTO.Government appoints ministries/
bodies in chargeUpon 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 6087Fax: 84  4 942 6087
E-mail:
tdctbt@fpt.vn
Website:
            www.tcvn.gov.vn/wtovn/Administrative establishment and
build-up of technical facilities;
Build-up of branch networks of
enquiry points at concerningministries/ provinces, in order tosupport the operation of theNational Enquiry Point;
Operation of the National
Enquiry Point as required by theTBT Agreement.Ministry of Science and
Technology (STAMEQ) in
coordination with relating
ministries/ provinces2003-2005
2003-2005
4
th  Quarter/ 2005WT/ACC/VNM/24/Rev.1
Page 3No. Major Obligations Description of obligations Responsible Body Related Bodies Time frame
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 NamTel:    84  4  942 6087Fax:    84  4 942 6087
E-mail:    tdctbt@fpt.vn
Website:
www.tcvn.gov.vn/wtovn/Administrative establishment and
build-up of technical facilities for
the National Notification
Authority;Build-up of supporting branchesat ministries/ bodies;Operation of the NationalNotification Authority as
required by the TBT Agreement.Ministry of Science and
Technology (and STAMEQ) in
coordination with relating
ministries/ bodies2003-2005
2003-2005
4
th  Quarter/ 2005
A. Identification of the places
to issue the notices ofproposed technicalregulations and conformity
assessment procedures;
(Article 2.9.1; 3.1;5.6.1;7.1/ TBT Agreement)
B. Identification of the
authority responsible formaking notifications to theWTO;(Article 10.10/ TBTAgreement)
C. Guidance/legal documents
to ensure authorized bodiesnot 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)A. Through the website of the
Viet Nam WTO/ TBTOffice, the monthlyBulletin of Standards,
Metrology and Quality, and
publications of ministries/branches.
B. The National Notification
Authority has beenestablished under theSTAMEQ/ Ministry ofScience & Technology
C. The current Viet Nam
regulations/ laws are incompliance with theseprovisions of the
Agreement. These
regulations/ laws andrelating guidances havestipulated the relevantprovisions in compliancewith the principles of the
Agreement.A. To carry out the preparation
to promulgate regularly theproposed technicalregulations and conformity
assessment procedures.
Completion works of thewebsite on Viet Nam WTO/TBT (Vietnamese/ Englishlanguages)
B. Administrative
improvement, build-up oftechnical facilities andhuman resources of theNational NotificationAuthority
C. Review of the regulations/
laws on standards,metrology and quality toensure the compliance to
these relevant WTO
provisions.Ministry of Science and
Technology (STAMEQ)
Ministry of Science and
Technology is the host incooperation with concerningministries.
Ministry of Science and
Technology is the host3
rd Quarter/ 2003
3rd Quarter/ 2003
Regularly
Compliance upon
accessionWT/ACC/VNM/24/Rev.1
Page 4No. Major Obligations Description of obligations Responsible Body Related Bodies Time frame
D. Guidance/legal documents
to ensure authorized bodies
allowing a reasonable
period of time from the dateof promulgation oftechnical regulations/conformity assessmentprocedures to date of their
enforcement, so that
suppliers can adjust andadapt the new regulationsand procedures;(Article 2.11; 2,12; 3.1; 5.8;5.9; 7.1/ TBT Agreement)
E. Publication and notification
of conformity assessmentprocedures, workingprograms for establishment
of standards, including
publication of summaries ofproposed standards andconvenient conditions forpublic comment.(Article 4; Annex 3 (J, K,
L, N, O)/ TBT Agreement)D. ditto
E. The Viet Nam National
Standardization Authorityhas notified the agenda forpreparation of the National
Standards (TCVN), and
procedures of certification,adoption on its website, aswell as on its specificpublications.D. Review of the regulations/
laws on standards,
metrology and quality to
ensure the compliance tothese relevant WTOprovisions.
E. To continue improvement
and expanding introductionof its website andpublications.Ministry of Science and
Technology is the host
Ministry of Science and
TechnologyRegularly
(Compliance upon
accession)
Regularly
(Compliance uponaccession)
5. Issuance of legalized measures/
suitable administration to ensure
the establishment and adoptionof technical regulations andconformity assessmentprocedures in compliance with
the provisions of TBT
Agreement, especially the Article2,3, 5, 6, 7.
A. Non-discrimination in
respect with products;
(Article 2.1; 3.1; 5.1; 5.2;
7.1/ TBT Agreement)A. Technical regulations and
conformity assessment
procedures of Viet Nam are
in compliance with theprinciple, and there are noA. Review of the regulations/
laws on standards,
metrology and quality to
ensure the compliance tothese relevant principlesMinistry of Science and
Technology is the host in
cooperation with concerning
ministries.Regularly
(Compliance upon
accession)WT/ACC/VNM/24/Rev.1
Page 5No. Major Obligations Description of obligations Responsible Body Related Bodies Time frame
B. Prohibition of unnecessary
obstacles to internationaltrade and the considerationof less trade-restrictivealternatives to fulfilling
legitimate objectives;
(Article 2.2; 3.1; 5.1; 5.2;7.1/ TBT Agreement)
C. Ongoing review of
technical regulations to
ensure appropriate
achievement of the desiredlegitimate objectives;(Article 2.3; 3.1; 7.1/ TBTAgreement)
D. Consideration of
appropriate internationalstandards/ guides andrecommendations as thebasis for technicalregulations and conformity
assessment procedures;
(Article 2.4; 3.1; 5.4; 7.1/TBT Agreement)discriminative provisions to
the domestic and imported
goods.
B. Viet Nam is in effort to
review existing regulationsto be in compliance withthis principle of the WTO:
C. Viet Nam is in effort to
review existing regulations
to be in compliance with
this principle of the WTO.
D. At present, technical
regulations and conformityassessment procedures ofViet Nam are prepared onbasis of reference tostandards/ guides and
recommendations of
international standardorganizations such as ISO,IEC, Codex .during its operation,
especially in quality
certification and inspection;
In other hand, to strengthen
applying measures forsuppliers’ notifications onproduct conformity in
respect to technical
regulations and guidesissued by the InternationalStandardizationOrganization (ISO).
B. Regular review of
regulations/ laws ontechnical regulations andconformity assessmentprocedures to ensure this
relevant principle of the
WTO.
C. Regular review of technical
regulations to ensure this
relevant principle.
D. Viet Nam commits to
continuously refer to everystandard, guidance issuedby internationalstandardization bodies, inorder to prepare its
technical regulations and
conformity assessmentprocedures in the years tocome.Ministry of Science and
Technology coordinates withconcerning ministries/ bodies.
Ditto
DittoRegularly
(Compliance uponaccession)
Regularly
(Compliance upon
accession)
Regularly
(Compliance uponaccession)WT/ACC/VNM/24/Rev.1
Page 6No. Major Obligations Description of obligations Responsible Body Related Bodies Time frame
E. Consideration of equivalent
technical regulations of
other members;
(Article 2.7; 3.1; 7.1/ TBTAgreement)
F. The acceptance of the
results of conformityassessment proceduresconducted by bodies fromWTO exporting member
countries;
(Article 6; 7.1/ TBTAgreement)
G. Framework of testing and
inspection cost based on
practical expenses and non-
discriminatory.E. Up to date, some technical
regulations of Viet Nam
have been prepared with
consideration of relevanttechnical regulations ofsome WTO members suchas the United States,Australia, Singapore,...
F. Viet Nam has participated
in the adoption ofconformity outcomes,including:
- Participation in Part 1
of MRA on Electricityand Electronics underAPEC;
- Participation in Part 1
of MRA on Telecom
Equipment underAPEC;
- Participation in Part 1
of MRA on Electricityand Electronics under
ASEAN;
- Participation in the
HarmonizationAgreement onTechnical Regulationsfor cosmetic &
pharmaceutical
products underASEAN.
G. At present, testing costs for
product quality are carried
out in compliance with
Circulars issued by theMinistry of Finance; theseregulations are based on theE. Viet Nam commits to
continuously comply with
this principle during the
preparation andpromulgation of itstechnical regulations in theyears to come.
F. Viet Nam considers
participating in theremaining and future MRAsunder APEC, ASEAN, andASEM.
- At once, to continue to
conclude the sameMRAs with otherWTO members
G. To continue implementing
Circulars issued by the
Ministry of Finance on fee
collections of testingprocess.Ditto
Ditto
Ministry of Finance is the host in
cooperation with Ministry of
Science & Technology and
concerning ministries/ bodies.Regularly
(Compliance upon
accession)
Regularly
(Compliance uponaccession)
2003WT/ACC/VNM/24/Rev.1
Page 7No. Major Obligations Description of obligations Responsible Body Related Bodies Time frame
practical expenses and non-
discriminatory among
economic sectors, as well as
among domestic andimported goods.
6. Issuance of legalized measures
and suitable administration toensure the preparation andapplication of standards and
conformity assessment
procedures in compliance withthe Agreement provisions,especially relating with:(Article 4, Annex 3; Article 8/TBT Agreement)
A. Non-discrimination in
respect to products;(Annex 3 (D); Article 8.1/TBT Agreement)
B. Prohibition of unnecessary
obstacles to internationaltrade;(Annex 3 (E); Article 8.1/
TBT Agreement)
C. Review of appropriate
international standards/
guides and
recommendations as thebasis for its standards.(Annex 3 (F); Article 8.1/TBT Agreement)Standardization matters are
systematically stipulated in theunder-law guidances (decrees,decisions)
A. At present, the standards
and conformity assessmentprocedures do not includeany discriminatoryprovisions on products
(domestic or imported)
B. The current standards and
conformity assessmentprocedures of Viet Nam donot 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 1,200sets in full compliance withto international, regionaland foreign ones.Viet Nam plans to establish the
Ordinance of Standardization inthe National Legislation Agendacarried out by the Standing
Committee of the National
Assembly in the period of 2002-2007.
A. To continue implementing
this principle of the WTO.
B. To continue implementing
this principle of the WTO.
C. To continue the
harmonization programme
of national and international
standardization withinAPEC, ASEM, ASEAN.
- To continue referring
this principle during
the establishment of
the national standards.Standing Committee of the
National Assembly to  approveby 2006/ 2007
Ministry of Science &
Technology (STAMEQ)coordinates with concerningministries/ bodies.
Ministry of Science &
Technology (STAMEQ)coordinates with concerningministries/ bodies.
Ministry of Science &
Technology (STAMEQ)
coordinates with concerning
ministries/ bodies.Regularly
(Compliance uponaccession)
Regularly
(Compliance uponaccession)
Regularly
(Compliance uponaccession)
Regularly
(Compliance uponaccession)WT/ACC/VNM/24/Rev.1
Page 8No. Major Obligations Description of obligations Responsible Body Related Bodies Time frame
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/ TBTAgreement)D. Introduction fees for Viet
Nam Standards are still
low, due to funding
governmental assistanceand non-discriminatoryD. Viet Nam continues
maintaining this principle in
the coming years. However,
these fees will beconsidered to be adjustedwhen the government toclear its funding assistance.Ministry of Finance and
concerning ministries
List of Legal Documents in the field of Standardization and Conformity
Current legal documents:
- Ordinance on Metrology (No. 16/1999/PL-UBTVQH10 dated 06 Oct 1999)
- Ordinance on Goods Quality (Order No . 18/1999/PL-UBTVQH10 dated 24 Dec 1999)
- Ordinance on the  Consumers Rights Protection (Order No. 04/1999/PL-UBTVQH10 dated 27april,  1999)
- Decree No 65/2001/ND-CP dated 28 Sept 2001, issuing the system of legal measuring units of Socialist Republic of Viet Nam.
Legal documents to be prepared:
- The Ordinance on Food Safety and Hygiene (2004)
- The Ordinance on Standardization (2007)
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