Efforts to align the national standards system with international practices

Notably, for the first time, the concept of a national standards development strategy has been incorporated into the law, setting a long-term direction for the entire process of developing and applying standards.

According to Ha Minh Hiep, Chairman of the National Council for Standards, Metrology and Quality, Viet Nam previously issued short-term standardisation plans either annually or in five-year cycles. The newly introduced strategy is expected to align better with the development goals of various sectors, international integration commitments, and will be closely connected with science and technology planning, the national quality infrastructure (NQI), and innovation policies.

To date, Viet Nam has issued over 13,000 national standards, the highest number in ASEAN, 60% of which are harmonised with international and regional standards. This marks a significant step forward in narrowing the gap in quality and regulatory management between Viet Nam and more developed economies.

Regarding national technical regulations, over 800 have been promulgated, serving as key tools in environmental protection, public health, and risk control for goods and services that may impact national interests, businesses, and consumers.

Experts have emphasised that international standards are increasingly becoming foundational to national development policymaking. The development of a strategic vision for a standards system not only helps to foster competitiveness and innovation but also enhances public health and safety while facilitating global trade. Active participation in shaping international standards also helps countries assert their position in the global value chain.

The amended law also facilitates greater involvement of non-state actors in the standard-setting process. Enterprises, associations, research institutes, and science and technology organisations now have the right to propose, contribute to, and participate in the development of national standards.

This approach aligns with international trends. In countries such as Germany, the US and Japan, over 80% of standards originate from the private sector. In practice, standards are only truly effective when they reflect real-world needs, especially those of businesses which are directly involved in operations, production, and technology application.

Another key highlight of the revised law is the introduction of the "one product–one regulation" principle. This is aimed at eliminating the overlap whereby a single product must comply with multiple regulations issued by different authorities.

According to Hiep, standards serve as a bridge between scientific research and production, and between domestic and international markets. When developed in a timely manner, harmonised with international norms, and aligned with business realities, standards can shorten the time to market for new technologies, accelerate technology transfer, and enhance the competitiveness of Vietnamese products.

The amended Law on Standards and Technical Regulations, which will take effect on January 1, 2026, will provide a new legal foundation for aligning the national standards system with international practices, paving the way for sustainable business development.

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