How are the OCOP criteria set regulated in the 2021-2025 period?

In the period 2021-2025, how are the OCOP criteria set regulated? Nguyen Ngoc Anh (Vu Thu district, Thai Binh province)

On February 24, 2023, the Prime Minister issued Decision No. 148/QD-TTg promulgating the set of criteria and procedures for evaluating and classifying products of the One Commune One Product Program (OCOP Program).

Accordingly, the set of criteria and process for evaluating and classifying products of the OCOP Program (hereinafter referred to as the set of OCOP criteria) is the basis for evaluating and classifying products participating in the OCOP Program.

Specifically, the products participating in the OCOP Program include 6 product groups: Food; beverages; medicinal herbs and medicinal products; handicrafts; ornamental plants; and community tourism services, eco-tourism and tourist attractions.

The product criteria set includes 3 parts:

Part A: Evaluation criteria on products and community strength (40 points), including: Production organization; product development; community strength.

Part B: Evaluation criteria for marketing ability (25 points), including: Marketing; product story.

Part C: Evaluation criteria for product quality (35 points), including: Sensory and nutritional indicators, product uniqueness; product standards; export and distribution capabilities in international markets.

In addition, the OCOP Program product classification is based on the product evaluation results according to the OCOP Criteria. The total evaluation score for each product is a maximum of 100 points and is divided into 5 categories from 1 star to 5 stars.

The process of evaluating and classifying OCOP products includes: The work of evaluating and classifying OCOP products is divided into 3 levels: district level, provincial level and central level; Certificates for OCOP products with 3 to 5 stars are valid for 36 months from the date of issuance by the competent authority.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, 63/63 provinces and cities nationwide have evaluated and classified OCOP products.

By July 2023, there were 9,852 OCOP products with 3 stars or more; of which 66.9% were 3-star products, 32.2% were 4-star products, 0.6% were potential 5-star products and 42 were 5-star products (recognized by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development).

The country has 5,069 OCOP entities, of which 38.5% are cooperatives, 24.4% are enterprises, 34.1% are production establishments/business households, and the rest are cooperative groups. OCOP products are gradually affirming their value and quality in the market and gaining the trust of the people.