Comprehensive Compilation of Legal Regulations for Microwaves in Vietnam

Microwaves are familiar appliances in most households, offices, and supermarkets due to their ability to heat and defrost food quickly. With the constant development of the market, microwaves are increasingly diverse in design, features, and technology, meeting the rising demands of consumers. However, this also poses requirements for quality management and compliance with the Legal Regulations for Microwaves in Vietnam before products can be circulated on the market.

Table 1: Testing Requirements for Microwaves

Table of contents

Testing Requirements for Microwaves

A clear understanding of the requirements for testing, certification, declaration of conformity, and energy labeling helps enterprises be more proactive in the process of importing, manufacturing, and distributing products. In this article, Phuc Gia® summarizes essential information regarding the Legal Regulations for Microwaves in Vietnam, supporting enterprises in clearly understanding and correctly implementing the procedures related to the import, production, and circulation of products according to current regulations.

Table 2: Procedures for Implementing Licenses for Microwaves

Procedures for Implementing Licenses for Microwaves

See more: Capacity Profile Of Phuc Gia Laboratory Corporation

I. WHAT IS A MICROWAVE OVEN?

Pursuant to TCVN 13663:2023, a Microwave Oven is defined as: “An appliance using electromagnetic energy in one or more ISM frequency bands between 300 MHz and 30 GHz for heating food and beverages.” It can be understood that a microwave oven (microwave) is a household electrical appliance that utilizes microwaves (high-frequency electromagnetic waves) to heat and defrost food safely while preserving nutrients.

Currently, microwave ovens are increasingly diverse in function; they are used not only for quick and safe heating and defrosting but also for cooking or steaming simple dishes like vegetables while maintaining nutritional content. Some product lines are integrated with a grilling function, providing users with greater flexibility during food preparation.

According to Decision No. 2711/QĐ-BKHCN regarding the announcement of Group 2 products and goods under the management of the Ministry of Science and Technology (issued on December 30, 2022), the HS codes for microwaves under the Legal Regulations for Microwaves in Vietnam include:

HS Code for Microwave ovens: 8516.50.00
HS Code for Combination microwave ovens: 8516.60.90
HS Code for Other ovens; cookers, cooking plates, boiling rings, grillers, and roasters: 8516.60

lo-vi-song

II. LEGAL REGULATIONS FOR MICROWAVES IN VIETNAM

Detailed contents regarding regulations, procedures, and dossiers related to testing, conformity certification, declaration of conformity, and energy labeling are summarized by Phuc Gia® below, specifically applied to the microwave oven product group.

1. Procedures for Implementing Licenses for Microwaves

1.1. For Imported Microwaves

MANAGING MINISTRY	FOR IMPORTED MICROWAVES
MANAGING MINISTRY	Implementing Steps	Authorizing/Implementing Body
MINISTRY OF INDUSTRY AND TRADE	– Step 1: Register for Energy Efficiency (EE) testing (To collect goods for testing)	Phuc Gia®
	– Step 2: Energy Efficiency testing	Phuc Gia®
	– Step 3: Declaration (registration) of Energy Labeling	Ministry of Industry and Trade
	– Step 4: Affix Energy Label (before circulating on the market)	The enterprise self-implements after submitting the declaration dossier for Energy Labeling
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	Local Department of Standards, Metrology and Quality / Local Department of Science and Technology where the declaration is opened
	– Step 5: Affix the conformity stamp (before circulating on the market)	The enterprise self-implements after being licensed

Notes:

EE: Energy Efficiency;

EL: Energy Labeling;

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.

1.2. For Domestically Manufactured Microwaves

MANAGING MINISTRY	FOR DOMESTICALLY MANUFACTURED MICROWAVES
MANAGING MINISTRY	Implementing Steps	Authorizing/Implementing Body
MINISTRY OF INDUSTRY AND TRADE	– Step 1: Energy Efficiency (EE) testing	Phuc Gia®
	– Step 2: Declaration (registration) of Energy Labeling	Ministry of Industry and Trade
	– Step 3: Affix Energy Label (before circulating on the market)	The enterprise self-implements after submitting the declaration dossier for Energy Labeling
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:

EE: Energy Efficiency;

EL: Energy Labeling;

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.

2. Legal Regulatory Documents

MINISTRY OF INDUSTRY AND TRADE

MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

– Decision No. 14/2023/QĐ-TTg – “Decision on the promulgation of the List and roadmap of energy-using vehicles and equipment to be discarded and low-efficiency power generating sets not to be newly built” issued on May 24, 2023.

– Decision No. 04/2017/QĐ-TTg – “Decision providing the list of vehicles and equipment subject to mandatory Energy Labeling, application of Minimum Energy Performance Standards, and the implementation roadmap.”

– Circular No. 36/2016/TT-BCT – “Regulations on energy labeling for energy-using vehicles and equipment under the management of the Ministry of Industry and Trade” issued on December 28, 2016 (along with Consolidated Document No. 23/VBHN-BCT dated March 24, 2020).

– Decision No. 1725/QĐ-BCT (2024) on the List of items subject to energy performance inspection and energy labeling under the management responsibility of the Ministry of Industry and Trade issued on July 01, 2024.

– Draft Circular Providing the List of Vehicles and Equipment Subject to Mandatory Energy Labeling and the Implementation Roadmap under the Management Scope of the Ministry of Industry and Trade issued on September 10, 2025.

– Decision No. 2711/QĐ-BKHCN dated December 30, 2022, of the Ministry of Science and Technology on the announcement of Group 2 products and goods.

– Decision No. 1983/QĐ-TĐC dated October 15, 2014, of the Ministry of Science and Technology on the issuance of guidelines for conformity certification with national technical regulation QCVN 9:2012/BKHCN regarding electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) for household electrical and electronic appliances and similar purposes.

– Circular No. 11/2012/TT-BKHCN dated April 12, 2012, of the Ministry of Science and Technology on the promulgation of QCVN 9:2012/BKHCN. List of items subject to testing according to QCVN 9:2012/BKHCN.

– Circular No. 13/2013/TT-BKHCN dated April 12, 2013, of the Ministry of Science and Technology on amending and supplementing a number of articles of Circular 21/2011/TT-BKHCN, Circular 10/2012/TT-BKHCN, and Circular No. 11/2012/TT-BKHCN.

– Circular No. 07/2018/TT-BKHCN dated June 06, 2018, of the Ministry of Science and Technology on Amendment 1:2018 QCVN 9:2012/BKHCN – National technical regulation on electromagnetic compatibility for household electrical and electronic appliances and similar purposes.

– Circular No. 01/2022/TT-BKHCN amending Circular No. 07/2018/TT-BKHCN and Circular No. 08/2019/TT-BKHCN issued by the Minister of Science and Technology on February 16, 2022.

– Circular No. 21/2009/TT-BKHCN dated September 30, 2009, of the Ministry of Science and Technology on the promulgation and implementation of the “National technical regulation on safety for electrical and electronic equipment.”

– Circular No. 28/2012/TT-BKHCN dated September 30, 2012 (issued pursuant to 2009 regulations), of the Ministry of Science and Technology on Regulations on declaration of standard conformity, declaration of technical regulation conformity, and methods for evaluating conformity with standards and technical regulations (QCVN 4:2009/BKHCN).

– Circular No. 21/2016/TT-BKHCN dated December 15, 2016, of the Ministry of Science and Technology on the promulgation of Amendment 1:2016 QCVN 4:2009/BKHCN National technical regulation on the Safety of electrical and electronic equipment.

– Circular No. 02/2017/TT-BKHCN dated March 31, 2017, of the Ministry of Science and Technology on regulations for declaration of standard conformity, declaration of technical regulation conformity, and methods for evaluating conformity with standards and technical regulations.

– Circular No. 06/2020/TT-BKHCN dated December 10, 2020, of the Ministry of Science and Technology on instructions and measures for the implementation of Decree No. 132/2008/NĐ-CP, No. 74/2018/NĐ-CP, No. 154/2018/NĐ-CP, and No. 119/2017/NĐ-CP.

=> Microwave oven products are categorized under the list subject to quality inspection according to:

3. Types of Licenses for Implementation

MINISTRY OF INDUSTRY AND TRADE

MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

– Register for Energy Efficiency testing (To release goods for testing);

– Conduct Energy Efficiency testing;

– Declare Energy Efficiency labeling.

=> Affix the energy label before circulating on the market.

– Register for State Quality Inspection of goods.

– Test products according to QCVN 9:2012/BKHCN & Amendment 1:2018 QCVN 9:2012/BKHCN; QCVN 4:2009/BKHCN & Amendment 1:2016 QCVN 4:2009/BKHCN.

– Obtain Conformity Certification.

– Execute Declaration of Conformity.

– Affix the Conformity Mark (CR Mark).

=> Registering for state quality inspection, conformity certification, declaration of conformity, and affixing the conformity mark are mandatory requirements under the Legal Regulations for Microwaves in Vietnam before products are circulated on the market.

4. Types of Microwaves within the Scope of Application

MINISTRY OF INDUSTRY AND TRADE

MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Pursuant to TCVN 13663:2023: Applicable to household microwave ovens with a capacity of up to and including 30 L

– Pursuant to QCVN 9:2012/BKHCN: Household microwave ovens must satisfy the regulations on electromagnetic interference emission limits

– Pursuant to TCVN 5699-2-25:2007 (IEC 60335-2-25: 2005): Specifying safety requirements for household microwave ovens with a rated voltage not exceeding 250 V

4. Date of Mandatory Application

MINISTRY OF INDUSTRY AND TRADE

MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

According to the Draft Circular providing the list of vehicles and equipment subject to mandatory energy labeling and the implementation roadmap (following the implementation roadmap of Decision No. 04/2017/QĐ-TTg), the expected implementation roadmap is as follows:

Voluntary until the end of December 31, 2026.
Mandatory from January 01, 2027.

– Circular No. 11/2012/TT-BKHCN promulgating QCVN 9:2012/BKHCN, effective from June 01, 2014.

– Circular No. 28/2012/TT-BKHCN promulgating QCVN 4:2009/BKHCN, effective from November 14, 2009.

5. Regulations/Standards for Testing

MINISTRY OF INDUSTRY AND TRADE

MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Application of TCVN 13663:2023 – Household Microwave Ovens – Energy Efficiency

Microwave oven testing must comply with:

– QCVN 9:2012/BKHCN and Amendment 1:2018 QCVN 9:2012/BKHCN, ensuring technical testing requirements for microwave ovens according to TCVN 6988:2006 (CISPR 11:2004).

– QCVN 4:2009/BKHCN and Amendment 1:2016 QCVN 4:2009/BKHCN, ensuring technical testing requirements for microwave ovens according to TCVN 5699-2-25:2007 (IEC 60335-2-25: 2005).

6. Important Notes on Import, Production, and Business Policies

MINISTRY OF INDUSTRY AND TRADE

MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Test results must include at least the following information:

a) Measured microwave output power according to Clause 8 of TCVN 12219 (IEC 60705);

b) Type of appliance, available heating function(s);

c) Whether a turntable or a traverse tray is installed;

d) Position of the load;

e) Supply voltage at which the measurements were performed;

f) Energy consumption in Wh, rounded to one decimal place according to Clause 14.6 of TCVN 12219 (IEC 60705) for each load;

g) Final result for each cooking cycle, W_final, in Wh, rounded to one decimal place according to Clause 14.7 of TCVN 12219 (IEC 60705).

– Microwave ovens with a maximum voltage exceeding 250V are excluded and exempt from inspection.

– According to Vietnam Standard TCVN 5699-2-25:2007 (IEC 60335-2-25:2005), this standard does not apply to commercial microwave ovens (IEC 60335-2-90), industrial microwave heating equipment (IEC 60519-6), or appliances designed for use in special conditions, such as corrosive or explosive atmospheres (dust, vapor, or gas).

Understanding and complying with the Legal Regulations for Microwaves in Vietnam is not only a mandatory requirement for products to be permitted for circulation on the Vietnamese market but also a key factor in helping enterprises protect their reputation, minimize legal risks, and enhance competitiveness. Therefore, enterprises must fully comply with current regulations and regularly update themselves on changes within the legal system to ensure their products operate safely and meet all management requirements.

III. PHUC GIA®: COMPREHENSIVE SERVICES FOR MICROWAVES IN VIETNAM

ORD	PHUC GIA® CAPACITY	MINISTRY OF INDUSTRY AND TRADE	MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1	Certification/ Designation	Phuc Gia®’s official designation is currently active and remains in full effect (Detail)	Phuc Gia®’s official designation for EMC Testing is currently active and remains in full effect (Detail)
2	Quotation and Duration for Tests	As listed here: QUOTATION – Testing and Other Certification Services [2026]
3	Support	– Free 24/7 consultation service; – Consultancy on product quality improvement.
6	Contact for Testing Services	For assistance with testing/certification services, please contact: Phone: 0981 996 996/ 0982 996 696/ 024 7779 6696 E-mail: lab@phucgia.com.vn Website: phucgia.com.vn Address: ICD Long Bien, No. 01 Huynh Tan Phat, Sai Dong B Industrial Park, Long Bien Ward, Hanoi
Note: Phuc Gia Testing and Inspection Center directly performs conformity testing for microwave products in accordance with the regulations of the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Ministry of Science and Technology. Services such as Energy Labeling Declaration… can be supported by Phuc Gia upon your request.