Addressing overlaps and raising national standards.

(PLVN) - The National Assembly has recently passed the Law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on Standards and Technical Regulations in 2025 (the Amended Law) - a document expected to become a new "soft infrastructure," improving national quality, reducing compliance costs for businesses, and promoting innovation.

Strengthening the role of the State and socializing standardization.

With strong consensus from the National Assembly , the amended law creates a bold turning point in decentralization, granting extensive power to localities, promoting digital transformation and international integration. One of the fundamental changes is the systematization and clarification of the concept, scope, application principles, and methods of publishing technical standards and regulations.

The law systematizes 23 concepts; affirming that standards are voluntary, regulations are mandatory, and a product should only have one national regulation, except in specific cases. The "one-stop shop" regulation ends the situation where each ministry and locality issues its own regulations, reducing the cost of repeated testing. For the first time, the concept of "technical barriers to trade" is legalized, requiring standards and regulations to be transparent, scientific , and harmonized with international practices.

Article 6 affirms the model of "State-directed - market-dominated - enterprise-centric". Articles 7 and 7a supplement policies on investment in testing infrastructure, research support funds, expert training programs, and public-private partnership mechanisms. The law encourages associations, research institutes, overseas Vietnamese, and the private sector to participate in developing and disseminating standards.

First national standards strategy

Article 8a requires the development of a National Standards Strategy for the period 2026-2035, prioritizing strategic technologies, digital transformation, and green standards. Article 8c establishes a national database on standards, measurement, and quality, connecting it to the government's data system and supporting businesses in online searching. Articles 14, 19, 29, and 35 stipulate the plan for developing and reviewing standards, linking them to socio-economic goals; Articles 17 and 32 allow for simplified procedures in emergency situations.

Delegates cast their votes in the Assembly Hall (Photo: Ministry of Science and Technology)

Democratizing the construction process

Two new provisions (11a, 27a) empower businesses, associations, experts, and consumers to participate from the proposal stage to the evaluation of drafts. Drafts must be publicly posted for at least 60 days; comments are received and feedback is provided transparently. Organizations and individuals with outstanding contributions are given priority consideration for science and technology awards.

Transparent conformity assessment, promoting mutual recognition.

Chapter IV has been comprehensively revised: businesses can conduct assessments themselves or hire domestic or foreign organizations; results must be publicly disclosed, regardless of whether the goods are domestic or foreign. Article 57 expands the Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) mechanism or unilateral recognition of results from reputable international organizations, helping to reduce testing costs and shorten customs clearance time.

Streamlining and standardizing the legal framework.

The law repeals 12 articles and the entirety of Chapter VI, while replacing several terms such as removing "calibration" and changing "certification" to "assessment". The document standardizes electronic document templates, applies digital signatures, simplifies paperwork, and facilitates business and regulatory agencies.

Impact on businesses and the economy

The law places businesses at the center: supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in developing standards, standardizing production lines, and training experts; encouraging the use of conformity marks to ensure quality transparency; and requiring conformity assessment organizations to meet stringent conditions and be held liable for compensation in case of damage. The "one product, one standard" principle and the MRA mechanism are projected to reduce testing costs by approximately 30%, expanding export opportunities.

Affirming Vietnam's position in the digital age

In the context of the digital economy, green transformation, and deep integration, the 2025 amended Law helps Vietnam proactively participate in building international standards, promoting R&D of new technologies (AI, IoT, hydrogen, renewable energy), enhancing competitiveness, and protecting consumers. An advanced standards system is also a prerequisite for attracting investment in high-end supply chains that meet ESG requirements.

The law will take effect from July 1, 2026. To translate regulations into tangible benefits, the following are needed: Completing the National Standards Strategy and the roadmap for digitizing the database by 2025; reviewing over 600 industry and local standards to ensure "one product, one standard"; strengthening communication and training; increasing resources for testing infrastructure in remote areas; and encouraging private laboratories to achieve international standards and share testing data.

The Law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on Standards and Technical Regulations in 2025 is not only a legal document but also a new competitive leverage for Vietnamese businesses. By placing businesses at the center, expanding social participation, prioritizing digitalization and international harmonization, this document opens opportunities for Vietnam to narrow the quality gap, proactively integrate, and assert its position in the global market.

Moonlight

Source: https://baophapluat.vn/khac-phuc-chong-cheo-nang-tam-tieu-chuan-quoc-gia-post551833.html