Decree No. 37/2026/ND-CP, issued by the Government, aims to concretize and guide the implementation of the Law on Product and Goods Quality of 2007, as amended and supplemented by Law No. 78/2025/QH15. Effective from January 23, 2026, this decree ushers in a new phase in goods quality management, focusing strongly on digital transformation and modern management methods in line with international practices.
Fundamental changes in management methods.
One of the most significant reforms of Decree 37/2026/ND-CP is the termination of the classification of goods into Group 1 and Group 2. Instead, a new management mechanism is built on risk assessment, comprising three levels: high risk, medium risk, and low risk, as stipulated in Articles 4 and 5 of the Decree.
According to the roadmap, ministries and specialized management agencies must issue a list of products in the medium and high-risk groups, along with their corresponding HS codes, no later than July 1, 2026. For new products appearing on the Vietnamese market for the first time and belonging to this risk group, businesses are only allowed to circulate goods after completing safety assessments and obtaining approval from the specialized management agency.
Key changes compared to previous regulations
Compared to the old legal system, Decree 37/2026/ND-CP introduces many groundbreaking adjustments:
- The legal basis has been updated according to the 2025 Amendment Law, which replaces the 2007 Law on Product and Goods Quality.
- Goods are managed based on risk levels rather than rigid administrative classifications.
- All administrative procedures related to quality management are carried out online through the National Public Service Portal.
- The regulations standardize the method of indicating the origin of goods according to the abbreviation of the country/territory name in TCVN 7217-1.
- Officially recognizing and permitting the use of electronic labels, including in cases where they completely replace physical labels, unless otherwise mandated by specific industry regulations.
- Mandatory traceability mechanisms should be applied to high-risk products.
Promote the application of electronic labels and digital product passports.
Decree 37/2026/ND-CP creates a clear legal framework for the transition from traditional labels to electronic labels. Accordingly, businesses are allowed to display all mandatory information electronically, except in certain specific cases where physical labels must be maintained according to separate regulations.
Simultaneously, the digital product passport is defined as a digital identification tool, storing all data related to origin, production process, and quality standards. This mechanism not only enhances consumer accessibility but also places clear legal responsibility on e-commerce platforms to ensure that product information is publicly available, complete, and accurate.
Establish a national-level product traceability system.
Under the new regulations, traceability activities must adhere to four overarching principles: data shareability, availability of core data, information transparency, and full participation of stakeholders in the supply chain.
For high-risk products, traceability data must be connected and synchronized with the National Product and Goods Traceability Portal. This helps regulatory agencies quickly detect, warn, and address quality risks in the market.
Improve the mechanism for inspecting the quality of products and goods.
Decree 37/2026/ND-CP also significantly adjusts the methods of state inspection towards greater efficiency and reduced compliance burden for businesses:
- The inspection agency has the right to invite independent experts or conformity assessment organizations to participate, but must ensure objectivity and avoid conflicts of interest.
- Monitoring activities are enhanced through the utilization of the National Database on Standards, Measurement and Quality, limiting duplicate inspections for businesses that comply well.
- Article 92 clearly stipulates the establishment of survey teams to assess the quality of goods on the market and provide early warnings.
Policies to support businesses in improving productivity and quality.
The government continues to maintain policies that provide annual budgetary support for the development of high-quality national infrastructure and the enhancement of business competitiveness.
- Small and medium-sized enterprises participating in the National Program on Productivity and Quality receive support of up to 80% for implementation costs.
- Businesses producing key export items will receive support of up to 30% contract value during the testing and certification phase to meet international standards.
- Organizations and businesses that win the National Quality Award are given priority access to funding from the National Science and Technology Development Fund and other technology innovation funds.
The effectiveness and implementation schedule require special attention.
Businesses need to closely monitor key timelines to avoid legal risks:
- From January 23, 2026, Decree 37/2026/ND-CP officially comes into effect; simultaneously, the labeling regulations in Decree 43/2017/ND-CP and Decree 111/2021/ND-CP cease to be in effect.
- From July 1st, 2026, all old regulations related to quality control and barcode numbering in decrees issued between 2008 and 2022 will be completely repealed.
Proactively reviewing and upgrading labeling systems, traceability data, and compliance procedures before these deadlines is a key factor in ensuring stable operations and compliance with the new legal framework.
Conclude
Decree 37/2026/ND-CP is not merely a document guiding the implementation of a law, but also reflects a clear shift in the thinking regarding product and goods quality management in Vietnam – from an administrative control model to a risk-based and data-driven management model. The application of risk-based classification, the expanded use of electronic labels, digital passports, and a national traceability system has created new requirements while simultaneously providing opportunities for businesses to standardize processes, enhance transparency, and improve competitiveness.
With the old regulations set to expire in 2026, businesses need to proactively review their product portfolios, update their labeling and data traceability systems, and prepare resources to comply with the new legal framework. Early adaptation not only minimizes legal risks but also lays the groundwork for businesses to participate more deeply in modern supply chains and the digital market in the coming period.
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Content production by: Mr. Le Hoang Tuyen – Founder & CEO MAN – Master Accountant Network, Vietnamese CPA Auditor with over 30 years of experience in Accounting, Auditing and Financial Consulting.
MAN Editorial Board – Master Accountant Network
