Guidance on Energy Efficiency Testing for Commercial Refrigerated Cabinets in Vietnam

Commercial Refrigerated Cabinets are mandatory to undergo Energy Efficiency Testing for Commercial Refrigerated Cabinets in Vietnam before the product is released to the market. Consequently, enterprises importing, manufacturing, and trading this item must thoroughly understand the scope of application, timing, and implementation methods of this testing activity. Let Phuc Gia guide you through information on Energy Efficiency Testing in the article below.

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The increasing focus on sustainable operations and energy conservation in Vietnam’s rapidly growing commercial sector makes regulatory compliance a top priority for businesses. Commercial refrigerated cabinets, essential for supermarkets and food service, are major energy consumers, driving the need for strict efficiency standards. This article serves as a crucial resource, offering detailed Guidance on Energy Efficiency Testing for Commercial Refrigerated Cabinets in Vietnam. It will demystify the complex regulatory landscape, outline the mandatory testing procedures, and clarify the specific technical requirements that manufacturers, importers, and testing bodies must follow to ensure their equipment meets national performance benchmarks and contributes to a greener cold chain infrastructure.

Table of contents

1. When must enterprises perform Energy Efficiency Testing for Commercial Refrigerated Cabinets in Vietnam and Declaration of Energy Labeling?

a) Energy Efficiency Testing

According to Decision No. 14/2023/QĐ-TTg, issued on May 24, 2023, concerning the “Decision promulgating the List and roadmap for energy-using equipment to be eliminated and low-efficiency generating sets not permitted for new construction” (replacing Decision No. 24/2018/QĐ-TTg), the Commercial Refrigerated Cabinet product is regulated as follows:

Appendix I explicitly states that the import, manufacture, and trade of Commercial Refrigerators with energy efficiency that fails to meet the minimum energy efficiency level stipulated in National Standard (TCVN) 10289:2014 is prohibited from the effective date of this Decision;
Accordingly, starting from July 15, 2023, enterprises importing, manufacturing, and trading this item are mandatory to perform Energy Efficiency Testing for Commercial Refrigerated Cabinets in Vietnam according to TCVN 10289:2014 and must achieve the Minimum Energy Performance Standard.

b) Declaration of Energy Labeling

Pursuant to Decision No. 04/2017/QĐ-TTG – “Decision stipulating the list of vehicles and equipment required to have an Energy Label, applying the Minimum Energy Performance Standard and implementation roadmap,” the Commercial Refrigerated product is regulated as follows:

Clause 2, Article 1 stipulates that products belonging to the group of office and commercial equipment must have an energy label and apply the minimum energy performance standard, including: Photocopy machines, computer monitors, printers, commercial refrigerated cabinets, and laptop computers.
Point a, Clause 2, Article 2 on the Roadmap for energy labeling implementation requires Mandatory energy labeling for commercial refrigerated cabinets. Accordingly, starting from July 15, 2023, enterprises importing, manufacturing, and trading this item are mandatory to perform the Declaration of Energy Labeling for Commercial Refrigerators.

2. Which standard governs Energy Efficiency Testing for Commercial Refrigerated Cabinets in Vietnam?

Appendix I of Decision No. 14/2023/QĐ-TTg stipulates that Energy Efficiency Testing for Commercial Refrigerated Cabinets in Vietnam must follow standard TCVN 10289:2014 from the effective date of this Decision (July 15, 2023). This standard was compiled by the National Standard Technical Subcommittee TCVN/TC/E1/SC5 “Energy efficiency of refrigerating appliances,” proposed by the Directorate for Standards, Metrology and Quality, and announced by the Ministry of Science and Technology.

3. Which specific types of Commercial Refrigerated products are mandatory to undergo Energy Efficiency Testing for Commercial Refrigerated Cabinets in Vietnam?

Appendix 1, Decision No. 14/2023/QĐ-TTg stipulates Energy Efficiency Testing for Commercial Refrigerated Cabinets in Vietnam according to TCVN 10289:2014 – Commercial refrigerated cabinets – Energy efficiency. Accordingly, the scope of application stipulated in Section 1 clearly states: “This standard specifies the energy efficiency levels for commercial refrigerated cabinets used for the sale and display of foodstuffs (hereinafter referred to as refrigerating appliances).”

The standard also clarifies that Commercial Refrigerated Cabinet is a type of “Cabinet cooled by a refrigerating system which allows the storage and display of chilled and frozen foodstuffs within specified temperature limits.” This includes refrigerating appliances with a remote condensing unit and refrigerating appliances with a built-in condensing unit (See details on Symbols for families of refrigerating appliances in Appendix A, TCVN 10289:2014).

Energy Efficiency Testing for automatic vending machines is not applied according to this standard.

4. What technical requirements must be ensured during Energy Efficiency Testing for Commercial Refrigerated Cabinets in Vietnam?

TCVN 10289:2014 specifies the energy efficiency criteria—the electricity consumption level of refrigerating appliances, which is calculated as the Total Energy Consumption (TEC) over 24 hours per Total Display Area (TDA). The unit is kWh/(day x m²), and the results are categorized into two levels: minimum performance and high performance. When conducting Energy Efficiency Testing for Commercial Refrigerated Cabinets in Vietnam according to this standard, compliance with the 2 tables below is required, depending on the specific circumstances (See details in Appendix A, TCVN 10289:2014).

Table 1: Energy efficiency of refrigerating appliances with remote condensing units

Description	Type	Total Energy Consumption/ Total Display Area (TEC/TDA) ⁽¹⁾ kWh/(day x m²)
Description	Type	Minimum Level	High Level
Multi-deck appliance (medium temp.), air curtain length 1.5 – 1.9m; Height 2.2 – 2.5m, Depth 0.6 – 1.2m	RS1 with unlit shelves	13,81	9,21
	RS1 with lit shelves	19,54	11,73
Multi-deck appliance (medium temp.), air curtain length 1.0 – 1.5m; Height 1.8 – 2.19m, Depth 0.6 – 1.2m	RS2 with unlit shelves	14,00	9,34
	RS2 with lit shelves	18,68	12,45
Multi-deck appliance (medium temp.), air curtain length 1.0 – 1.5m; Height 0 – 1.79m, Depth 0.6 – 1.2m	RS3 with unlit shelves	16,32	11,35
	RS3 with lit shelves	16,32	13,49
Enclosed Self-Service Refrigerating Appliance	RS4	N/A	N/A
Enclosed Self-Service Under-Counter Refrigerating Appliance	RS5	N/A	N/A
Single Medium-Temp Regime Appliance: Flat glass front, rear sliding door. Height 1.25 – 1.4m, Depth 0.8 – 1.2m	RS6	N/A	N/A
Medium-Temp Appliance: Flat front door, sliding rear access. Height 1.25 – 1.4m, Depth 0.8 – 1.2m	RS7	16,27	10,87
Medium-Temp Appliance: Curved front door, sliding rear access. Height 1.25 – 1.4m, Depth 0.8 – 1.2m	RS8	14,51	14,51
Multi-Regime Medium-Temp Appliance: Curved glass front, rear sliding door. Height 1.25 – 1.4m, Depth 0.8 – 1.2m	RS9	N/A	N/A
Island Cabinet Type	RS10	20,54	14,29
Multi-deck appliance (low temp.), air curtain length 1.0 – 1.5m; Height 1.8 – 2.19m, Depth 0.6 – 1.2m	RS11	41,94	29,17
Multi-deck appliance (low temp.), air curtain length 1.0 – 1.5m; Height 1.0 – 1.79m, Depth 0.6 – 1.2m	RS12	72,96	50,75
Low-Temp Open Self-Service Appliance: Horizontal air curtain 0.75 – 0.85m	RS13	N/A	N/A
Self-Service Low-Temp Open Appliance: Horizontal air curtain 0.75 – 0.85m	RS14	23,83	14,15
Tall Self-Service Appliance: Height 2.2 – 2.8m, Depth 0.6 – 1.2m	RS15	37,72	30,15
Medium-Height Self-Service Appliance: Height 1.8 – 2.1m, Depth 0.6 – 1.2m	RS16	44,62	30,15
Medium-Height Self-Service Appliance: Height 1.8 – 2.1m, Depth 0.6 – 1.2m	RS17	N/A	N/A
Low-Temp Appliance: Height 0 – 1.79m, Depth 0.6 – 1.2m	RS18	N/A	N/A
Combined Appliance: Glass door top, solid wall bottom	RS19	39,75	32,53
Island Cabinet, Self-Service with Doors: Height 2.2 – 2.8m, Depth 1.9 – 2.1m	RS20	N/A	N/A
(1) In the case where a refrigerating appliance is designed to operate at more than one M-test package temperature value, that refrigerating appliance must be tested at the lowest test package temperature range. N/A: Not Applicable.

Table 2: Energy efficiency of refrigerating appliances with built-in condensing units

Description		Type	Total Energy Consumption/ Total Display Area (TEC/TDA) ⁽¹⁾ kWh/(day x m²) (2)
Description		Type	Minimum Level	High Level
Positive temperature (Chilled food)	Horizontal cabinet	HC1	12,65	9,35
	Horizontal cabinet	HC4	9,35	12,54
	Vertical cabinet	VC1	41,25	30,36
		VC2	29,70	21,89
		VC4	19,25	21,89
Negative temperature (Frozen food and ice cream)	Horizontal cabinet	HF4	29,15	21,45
		HF6	8,80	6,49
		HFC	6,25	4,50
	Vertical cabinet	VF4	48,40	48,40
1. Not applicable to refrigerating appliance types not mentioned in this table. 2. In the case where a refrigerating appliance is designed to operate at more than one M-test package temperature value, that refrigerating appliance must be tested at the lowest test package temperature range. Where: H (Horizontal), V (Vertical), C (Chilling), F (Freezing) The following general classification can be used: HC1, VF1, YM5. When necessary, a more precise classification can be used, for example, RHC1A, IVF1S (See more in Appendix A.2 Refrigerating appliances with built-in condensing units). NOTE: Serve-over refrigerating appliances are primarily served, but can be self-service. Multi-deck refrigerating appliances are primarily self-service, but can be served.

5) Which Designated Testing Laboratories are authorized by the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT) to conduct Energy Efficiency Testing for Commercial Refrigerated Cabinets in Vietnam?

To confirm if the Accredited Testing Laboratory where you intend to conduct testing holds the requisite official designation, clients should directly contact the testing organization to obtain the official Designation Decision issued by the Ministry of Industry and Trade to that specific entity. Alternatively, verification can be performed on the official government portal of the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

Furthermore, Phuc Gia Laboratory Corporation is one of the officially designated organizations by the Ministry of Industry and Trade for Energy Efficiency Testing for Commercial Refrigerated Cabinets in Vietnam, operating under Registration Certificate for Energy Efficiency Testing Operations No. 986/GCN-BCT.

6) What is the required sample quantity for Energy Efficiency Testing for Commercial Refrigerated Cabinets in Vietnam?

Currently, enterprises involved in the importing, manufacturing, or trading of Commercial Refrigerated Display Cabinets are required to submit only a minimum of 1 sample/ model to the testing units to complete the mandatory Energy Efficiency Testing for Commercial Refrigerated Cabinets in Vietnam.

7) What are the official testing fees and duration for Energy Efficiency Testing for Commercial Refrigerated Cabinets in Vietnam?

The testing cost is subject to variance based on the official published rates of individual testing organizations. The Energy Efficiency Testing Fee for Commercial Refrigeration Units and the fee of Energy Efficiency Testing for Commercial Refrigerated Cabinets in Vietnam at Phuc Gia Laboratory Corporation is officially published in our: QUOTATION – Testing and other Certification Services [2025].

The testing duration is determined by the chosen testing unit and typically ranges from 3 to 10 working days/ model. Crucially, Phuc Gia Laboratory Corporation makes a strong commitment to optimizing testing lead times for clients. At our facility, the complete Energy Efficiency Testing for Commercial Refrigerated Cabinets in Vietnam is efficiently processed in just 3-5 days/ model.

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The successful navigation of the Guidance on Energy Efficiency Testing for Commercial Refrigerated Cabinets in Vietnam is not merely a bureaucratic requirement, but a crucial step towards fostering a sustainable and economically responsible cold chain. The rigorous, outlined testing procedures are designed to ensure that commercial refrigeration units deployed across the Vietnamese market meet the nation’s increasingly strict standards for power consumption. For manufacturers and distributors, achieving compliance through a clear understanding of these protocols is essential for securing swift market access and, more importantly, establishing consumer confidence through certified, proven performance. Adherence to this framework offers long-term operational savings and significantly reduces the overall environmental footprint of the sector.

The widespread adoption and enforcement of Energy Efficiency Testing for Commercial Refrigerated Cabinets in Vietnam will inevitably have a transformative ripple effect across the entire industry. By establishing high benchmarks and gradually filtering out outdated, high-consumption models, the regulations inherently drive market competition and technological innovation toward greener, more advanced refrigeration solutions. This paradigm shift not only benefits businesses through dramatically lower operating and electricity costs but also provides assurance to Vietnamese consumers that their purchased goods are stored in a manner aligned with national sustainability goals. Ultimately, these meticulously crafted guidelines serve as a foundational pillar in Vietnam’s strategic push to meet its national energy security targets and secure a high-efficiency future.

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