Vietnam: Gov't updates energy testing law

Vietnam: Gov't updates energy testing law

They will also be able to use the results of pilot testing for all
locally-made and imported energy products with the same model and
manufacturer.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade has recently issued Circular No
36/2016/TT-BCT to replace Circular 07/2012/TT-BCT on energy labeling for
vehicles and equipment. The new circular aims to remove regulations and
terms which caused difficulties to businesses.

Accordingly, businesses will take responsibilities for their announcements
and energy self-labeling products' quality.

The circular also allows pilot testing for energy self-labeling by
independent testing organisations and laboratories of both domestic and
foreign producers; not limited to testing on energy labeling in independent
testing organisations.

The move aims to abolish regulations stipulating pilot testing of energy
self-labeling are required to be implemented at laboratories assigned by the
ministry.

Companies asking for energy self-labeling will be able to send their
applications and documents to prove that their chosen laboratories meet the
ministry's conditions.

Enterprises which register energy self-labeling have the right to submit
records online, with public services at the level 4 through the online
service portal "online.moit.gov.vn" or to submit their records by mail..

The circular also provides additional provisions on electronic energy
labeling. Accordingly, enterprises have the right to choose electronic
energy labels for vehicles and equipment in accordance with the purpose of
the electronic energy label.

However, the ministry said that State authorities should strengthen
post-check-ups after enterprises conduct energy self-labeling for market
consumption.

The old circular was said to cause difficulties and troubles for businesses.
Enterprises complained that they had to test several times for the same
product to meet the requirements for certification of energy self-labeling,
because the labeling validity only lasted six months. Besides, the
infrastructure for energy testing laboratories in Viet Nam is still limited.

Nguyen Minh Thao, head of the Business Environment and Competitiveness
Ability Division under the Central Institute for Economic Management, said
the new regulations changed thoughts and process of labeling.

Businesses had to wait for more than 10 days with the old circular and
wasted costs on travel and transport goods samples to apply for energy
labeling.

Thao said the long waiting time caused warehouse costs to increase as the
energy labeling was one of the required documents for customs clearance.

Implementation of energy labeling for electronics products was an obsession
for businesses. It was also one of the barriers on special check-ups in
import-export activities.

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Link to Original Article:
http://www.vir.com.vn/govt-updates-energy-testing-law.html

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John Diecker
APT Consulting Group Co., Ltd.

www.aptthailand.com