Instantaneous water heaters are popular household electrical appliances, valued for their quick heating, compact footprint, and ease of installation. However, due to their unique combination of high electricity consumption and direct contact with water, these products fall under strict electrical safety management. Consequently, compliance with the Legal Regulations for Instant Water Heaters in Vietnam is an absolutely essential requirement before these products can be legally introduced and circulated in the Vietnamese market.
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Table 1: Testing Requirements for Instant Water Heaters
In the article below, Phuc Gia® provides a summary of essential information regarding the standards, technical regulations, and required permits for instantaneous water heaters. This compilation is designed to help enterprises fully grasp the mandatory technical standards and procedural steps required under the Legal Regulations for Instant Water Heaters in Vietnam before manufacturing, importing, or circulating the product.
Table 2: Procedures for Implementing Licenses for Instant Water Heaters
1. What is an Instant Water Heaters?
The instantaneous water heater is defined as a device that heats water directly at the moment of use, eliminating the need for large storage tanks and lengthy waiting times. Functionally, cold water is passed through a high-power heating element for immediate heating. Structurally, the appliance includes a heating element, a temperature sensor, a flow control system, and crucial protective mechanisms designed to mitigate risks like overheating or electrical leakage. These critical safety components are the primary focus of the Legal Regulations for Instant Water Heaters in Vietnam.
Prominent instantaneous water heater brands widely available in the Vietnamese market include Ariston, Ferroli, Panasonic, Electrolux, Rossi, Kangaroo, and Centon. Due to this wide market diversity, the critical steps of defining applicable standards/regulations, mandatory product testing and certification, and finalizing related compliance documentation are essential to ensuring adherence to the Legal Regulations for Instant Water Heaters in Vietnam before market circulation.
2. Legal Regulations for Instant Water Heaters in Vietnam
1.1. Procedures for Implementing Licenses for Instant Water Heaters
a) For Imported Instant Water Heaters
| MANAGING MINISTRY | IMPORTED INSTANT WATER HEATERS | |
| Implementing Steps | Authorizing/Implementing Body | |
| Ministry of Science and Technology | Step 1: State control registration (*) | Local Department of Standards, Metrology and Quality/Department of Science and Technology where the declaration is opened |
| Step 2: Regulation conformity testing | Phuc Gia® | |
| Step 3: Regulation conformity certification (**) | Phuc Gia® | |
| Step 4: Submit the certificate of conformity and related documents to the registration authority from Step 1 | The enterprise submits the dossier to the Local Department of Standards, Metrology and Quality/Local Department of Science and Technology where the declaration is opened | |
| Step 5: Affix the CR conformity stamp (Before circulating on the market) |
The enterprise self-implements after being licensed | |
Notes: EE: Energy Efficiency; EL: Energy Label; Phuc Gia®: Phuc Gia Laboratory Corporation.
(*) Online Submission: Submission for State Inspection is conducted online via https://vnsw.gov.vn/.
(**)
QCVN 9:2012/BKHCN – Certification according to Method 1: Typical sample testing, the Certificate (GCN) is valid for 3 years.
QCVN 4:2009/BKHCN – Certification: Certification is conducted according to Method 5 or Method 7.
Method 5: Includes factory assessment, sample sealing, testing of a representative sample, Certificate (GCN) valid for 3 years, with periodic surveillance not exceeding once every 12 months.
Method 7: Includes batch inspection, sample sealing, testing of a batch representative sample, Certificate (GCN) only valid for the specific batch.
b) For Domestically Manufactured Instant Water Heaters
| MANAGING MINISTRY | DOMESTICALLY MANUFACTURED INSTANT WATER HEATERS | |
| Implementing Steps | Authorizing/Implementing Body | |
| Ministry of Science and Technology | Step 1: Regulation conformity testing | Phuc Gia® |
| Step 2: Regulation conformity certification (*) | Phuc Gia® | |
| Step 3: Declaration of conformity | Local Department of Standards, Metrology and Quality / Department of Science and Technology (where the business is registered) | |
| Step 4: Affix the conformity stamp (Before circulating on the market) |
The enterprise self-implements after being licensed | |
Notes: Phuc Gia®: Phuc Gia Laboratory Corporation
(*)
QCVN 9:2012/BKHCN – Certification according to Method 1: Typical sample testing, the Certificate (GCN) is valid for 3 years.
QCVN 4:2009/BKHCN – Certification: Certification is conducted according to Method 5 or Method 7.
Method 5: Includes factory assessment, sample sealing, testing of a representative sample, Certificate (GCN) valid for 3 years, with periodic surveillance not exceeding once every 12 months.
Method 7: Includes batch inspection, sample sealing, testing of a batch representative sample, Certificate (GCN) only valid for the specific batch.
1.2. Legal Regulation Documents
| Ministry of Science and Technology | |
| Legal Regulation Documents | – Decision No. 2711/QĐ-BKHCN (30/12/2022) of the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) on announcing the list of Group 2 products and goods (mandatory quality inspection).
– Circular No. 01/2022/TT-BKHCN (16/02/2022) of MOST on amending Circular 07/2018/TT-BKHCN and Circular 08/2019/TT-BKHCN. – Circular 06/2020/TT-BKHCN (10/12/2020) of MOST guiding and implementing Decrees 132/2008/NĐ-CP, 74/2018/NĐ-CP, 154/2018/NĐ-CP, and 119/2017/NĐ-CP. – Circular 07/2018/TT-BKHCN (06/06/2018) of MOST promulgating Amendment 1:2018 to QCVN 9:2012/BKHCN – National Technical Regulation on Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC). – Vietnamese National Standard TCVN 7492-1:2018 (CISPR 14-1:2016) (2018) of MOST regulating Electromagnetic compatibility – Requirements for household electrical appliances – Part 1: Emission. – Circular No. 02/2017/TT-BKHCN (31/03/2017) of MOST promulgating regulations on standard conformity declaration, regulation conformity declaration, and conformity assessment methods. – Circular No. 21/2016/TT-BKHCN (15/12/2016) of MOST promulgating Amendment 1:2016 to QCVN 4:2009/BKHCN – National Technical Regulation on Safety for Electrical and Electronic Equipment. – Decision No. 1983/QĐ-TĐC (15/10/2014) of MOST on issuing guidance for certifying conformity to the National Technical Regulation QCVN 9:2012/BKHCN (EMC). – Circular No. 13/2013/TT-BKHCN (12/4/2013) of MOST on amending and supplementing a number of articles of related Circulars. – Vietnamese National Standard TCVN 5699-2-35:2013 (IEC 60335-2-35:2012) (2013) of MOST regulating Household and similar electrical appliances – Safety – Part 2-35: Particular requirements for instantaneous water heaters. – Circular No. 11/2012/TT-BKHCN (12/4/2012) of MOST promulgating QCVN 9:2012/BKHCN and the list of goods subject to testing under this regulation. – Circular No. 28/2012/TT-BKHCN (30/09/2009) of MOST promulgating regulations on standard conformity declaration, regulation conformity declaration, and conformity assessment methods. – Circular No. 21/2009/TT-BKHCN (30/9/2009) of MOST promulgating and implementing the National Technical Regulation on Safety for Electrical and Electronic Equipment (QCVN 4:2009/BKHCN). |
1.3. Types of Instant Water Heaters within the Scope of Application
| Ministry of Science and Technology | |
| Types of Instant Water Heaters within the Scope of Application | Based on Decision No. 2711/QĐ-BKHCN, the scope of application for instantaneous water heaters is regulated as follows:
(1) For QCVN 4:2009/BKHCN and Amendment 1:2016 QCVN 4:2009/BKHCN (Electrical Safety): Instantaneous electric water heating appliances (Quick Water Heaters) for household and similar purposes, designed to heat water to a temperature lower than boiling point, with a rated voltage not exceeding 250V for single-phase appliances and 480V for other appliances. Includes: a) Household quick water heaters (Instantaneous electric water heating appliances) – HS Code: 8516.10.19. b) Other instantaneous water heating appliances and devices for household and similar purposes (such as taps/faucets with quick water heating elements) – HS Code: 8516.10.19. (2) For QCVN 9:2012/BKHCN and Amendment 1:2018 QCVN 9:2012/BKHCN (EMC): Instantaneous electric water heating appliances (including quick water heaters used for bathing/showering purposes, and taps/faucets with quick water heating elements. Excluding hot/cold water dispensers or other water heaters. Excluding products using 3-phase electricity). Includes: a) Household instantaneous electric water heating appliances – HS Code: 8516.10.11. b) Other instantaneous water heating appliances and devices for household and similar purposes (such as taps/faucets with quick water heating elements) – HS Code: 8516.10.19. |
1.4. Currently Effective Regulations/Standards
| Ministry of Science and Technology | |
| Currently Effective Regulations/Standards |
– Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC): QCVN 9:2012/BKHCN and Amendment 1:2018 QCVN 9:2012/BKHCN (specifically applying the requirements in TCVN 7492-1:2018). – Electrical Safety: QCVN 4:2009/BKHCN and Amendment 1:2016 QCVN 4:2009/BKHCN (specifically applying the requirements in TCVN 5699-2-35:2013). |
1.5. Important Notes in Importation, Manufacturing, and Business Policies under the Legal Regulations for Instant Water Heaters in Vietnam
| Ministry of Science and Technology | |
| Important Notes | – Testing and certification must be carried out by a testing and certification organization designated, registered, or recognized by the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST).
– Domestic enterprises manufacturing or importing instantaneous water heaters in Vietnam, after obtaining conformity certification, must register the declaration of conformity at the local Sub-Department of Standards, Metrology, and Quality (STAMEQ) where the enterprise is registered, before circulating the product in the market. Specifically:
– The Certificate of Conformity is valid for no more than 3 years. The enterprise must retain records for no less than 10 years from the date the last product of the registered type/model was shipped. – Additional requirements may apply to electric instantaneous water heaters designed for use in vehicles, ships, or aircraft. – Used electric instantaneous water heaters are prohibited from import. – Electric instantaneous water heaters must comply with other requirements regarding food safety. – Import tax must be fulfilled when completing instantaneous water heater import procedures. Enterprises should request a Certificate of Origin (C/O) from the exporter to benefit from special preferential import tax rates. |
Thorough understanding and compliance with the Legal Regulations for Instant Water Heaters in Vietnam is not merely a legal prerequisite for market circulation; it is a critical factor for enterprises seeking to safeguard their reputation, significantly minimize legal risks, and boost competitiveness. Therefore, businesses must ensure complete adherence to all current regulations and maintain a proactive approach by regularly updating their knowledge of changes in the legal framework, thereby ensuring product safety and meeting all quality management demands.
3. PHUC GIA LABORATORY CORPORATION: COMPREHENSIVE SERVICES FOR INSTANT WATER HEATERS
| ORD | PHUC GIA® CAPABILITIES | MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY |
| 1 | Testing Capabilities (Certification/ Designation) |
Phuc Gia® has been designated for testing and certification of electrical safety and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) and remains effective/valid. (Detail) |
| 2 | Quotation and Duration for Tests | The official listed quotation is available here. |
| 3 | Support | – Consultancy on product quality improvement;
– Free 24/7 consultation service; – Consultancy on product quality improvement. |
| 6 | Contact for Services | For assistance with testing/certification, please contact:
Address: ICD Long Bien, No. 01 Huynh Tan Phat, Sai Dong B Industrial Park, Long Bien Ward, Hanoi |
| Note: Phuc Gia Laboratory Corporation directly performs testing and conformity certification for instant water heaters according to the regulations of the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST). | ||
RELATED POSTS:
- Guidance on Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Testing for Direct Hot/Cold Water Heaters (Instant Electric Water Heating Appliances) under QCVN 9:2012/BKHCN
- Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Testing Results for Instant Water Heaters under QCVN 9:2012/BKHCN
- Guidance on Safety Testing for Instant Electric Water Heating Appliances under QCVN 4:2009/BKHCN
- Conformity Certification for Instant Water Heaters
- Import Procedures for Direct Hot/Cold Water Heaters [Instant Water Heaters]
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