Notebook computers (laptops) have steadily become an essential technology product in today’s modern life. They are continuously being refined and developed with enhanced functions like Internet access and wireless connectivity, allowing users to operate them anywhere and carry them with ease. Renowned brands such as Microsoft Surface, Apple MacBook, HP, and Dell… are seeing increased import volumes into Vietnam.
The widespread use of notebook computers in daily life and work imposes increasingly stringent requirements for quality management and technical regulation compliance before these products can be circulated on the market. A thorough understanding of the requirements for testing, certification, declaration of regulation conformity, and energy labeling… empowers enterprises to be more proactive during the import, production, and product distribution processes.
In this article, Phuc Gia® compiles essential information regarding the current Legal Regulations for Notebook Computers (laptops), assisting enterprises to clearly understand and correctly execute the procedures for importing, manufacturing, and circulating products in full compliance with the law.
See more: Capacity Profile Of Phuc Gia Laboratory Corporation
I. WHAT IS A NOTEBOOK COMPUTER (LAPTOP)?
Clause 4.1.2 of TCVN 11847:2017 defines a Notebook Computer as follows:
“A notebook computer (Laptop) is a computer specifically designed with the capability to be portable and can operate for extended periods, with or without a direct connection to a mains power source. A notebook computer (Laptop) uses an integrated display and is capable of operating from an integrated battery. A notebook computer (Laptop) is typically designed to provide functions similar to those of a desktop computer, including the operation of software with similar functionality as that used on a desktop computer.”
Notebook computers are often classified into the following groups:
- Mobile workstation
- Gaming laptop
- Standard notebook computer (Laptop)
- 2-in-1 computer
- Notebook
- Ultrabook
- Netbook
II. LEGAL REGULATIONS FOR NOTEBOOK COMPUTERS (LAPTOPS)
1. Legal Regulations for Notebook Computers (Laptops)
1.1. For Imported Notebook Computers (Laptops)
| MANAGING MINISTRY | FOR IMPORTED NOTEBOOK COMPUTERS (LAPTOPS) | |
| Implementation Steps | Authorizing/Implementing Body | |
| Ministry of Industry and Trade | Step 1: Registration for energy efficiency testing (To retrieve the 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 the energy label (Before circulation on the market) | Enterprise self-implements after submitting the energy labeling declaration dossier | |
| Ministry of Science and Technology | Step 1: State control registration (SCR) | Vietnam Telecommunications Authority (*) |
| Step 2: Regulation conformity testing | Phuc Gia® | |
| Step 3: Regulation conformity certification (**) | Telecom Metrology and Quality Center – Vietnam Telecommunications Authority(***) | |
| Step 3+: Issuance of code and registration of mark sample (Applicable to enterprises importing telecommunications products for the first time) | Telecom Metrology and Quality Center – Vietnam Telecommunications Authority | |
| Step 4: Self-assessment of conformity to complete the SCR registration dossier | Vietnam Telecommunications Authority | |
| Step 5: Affix the ICT conformity mark
(before circulation on the market) |
Enterprise self-implements after being licensed | |
Notes:
HSNL: Energy efficiency; NNL: Energy label; Phuc Gia®: Phuc Gia Laboratory Corporation.
(*) Submit online via dichvucong.gov.vn with 1 hard copy sent to the Vietnam Telecommunications Authority;
(**) Applicable to the “”Technical requirements for radio frequency RF”” regulations, such as: QCVN 54, 65, 117, 127, 129, 134…
(***) Certification according to Method 1: For products where the manufacturer/factory has ISO 9001; Certification according to Method 7 (certification by batch): The manufacturer/factory does not have ISO 9001.
(****) Certification according to Method 1: For products where the manufacturer/factory has ISO 9001; Certification according to Method 5 (assessment of the production line combined with typical sampling): The manufacturer/factory does not have ISO 9001.
1.2. For Domesticallly Manufactured Notebook Computers (Laptops)
| MANAGING MINISTRY | FOR DOMESTICALLY MANUFACTURED NOTEBOOK COMPUTERS (LAPTOPS) | |
| Implementation Steps | Authorizing/Implementing Body | |
| Ministry of Industry and Trade | Step 1: Energy efficiency testing | Phuc Gia® |
| Step 2: Declaration (registration) of energy labeling | Ministry of Industry and Trade | |
| Step 3: Affix the energy label (Before circulation on the market) | Enterprise self-implements after submitting the energy labeling declaration dossier | |
| Ministry of Science and Technology | Step 1: Regulation conformity testing | Phuc Gia® |
| Step 2: Regulation conformity certification (**) | Telecommunications Quality Measurement Center – Vietnam Telecommunications Authority(****) | |
| Step 2+: Issuance of code and registration of mark sample (Applicable to enterprises producing telecommunications products for the first time) | Telecom Metrology and Quality Center – Vietnam Telecommunications Authority | |
| Step 3: Declaration of regulation conformity | Department of Science and Technology (Place of activity registration) | |
| Step 4: Affix the ICT conformity mark
(Before circulation on the market) |
Enterprise self-implements after being licensed | |
Notes:
HSNL: Energy efficiency; NNL: Energy label; Phuc Gia®: Phuc Gia Laboratory Corporation.
(*) Submit online via dichvucong.gov.vn with 1 hard copy sent to the Vietnam Telecommunications Authority;
(**) Applicable to the “”Technical requirements for radio frequency RF”” regulations, such as: QCVN 54, 65, 117, 127, 129, 134…
(***) Certification according to Method 1: For products where the manufacturer/factory has ISO 9001; Certification according to Method 7 (certification by batch): The manufacturer/factory does not have ISO 9001.
(****) Certification according to Method 1: For products where the manufacturer/factory has ISO 9001; Certification according to Method 5 (assessment of the production line combined with typical sampling): The manufacturer/factory does not have ISO 9001.
2. Legal Regulations for Notebook Computers (Laptops)
| Ministry of Industry and Trade | Ministry of Science and Technology |
| – Decision No. 04/2017/QD-TTg dated March 09, 2017, of the Prime Minister stipulating the list of products subject to Energy Efficiency testing and energy labeling declaration for Notebook Computers;
– Decision No. 14/2023/QD-TTg dated May 24, 2023, of the Prime Minister promulgating the list and roadmap for energy-using vehicles and equipment to be eliminated and low-efficiency power generation units not to be newly built; – Circular No. 36/2016/TT-BCT dated December 28, 2016, of the Ministry of Industry and Trade regulating energy labeling; – Circular No. 30/2011/TT-BCT dated August 10, 2011, of the Ministry of Industry and Trade temporarily regulating the permissible content limits of certain toxic chemicals in electrical and electronic products. – Consolidated Document 16/VBHN-BCT in 2014 consolidating the Circular that temporarily regulates the permissible content limits of toxic chemicals in electrical and electronic products, issued by the Ministry of Industry and Trade – Decision No. 1725/QD-BCT dated July 01, 2024, of the Ministry of Industry and Trade on promulgating the list of items subject to Energy Efficiency testing and energy labeling. |
– Decree No. 74/2018/ND-CP dated May 15, 2018, of the Prime Minister amending and supplementing Decree 132/2018/ND-CP on product quality;
– Circular No. 02/2024/TT-BTTTT dated March 29, 2024, of the Ministry of Information and Communications stipulating the list of products and goods subject to conformity certification and/or conformity declaration under the responsibility of the Ministry of Information and Communications; – Circular No. 08/2021/TT-BTTTT dated October 14, 2021, of the Ministry of Information and Communications stipulating the operating frequencies and transmission power of short-range radio transceiver features integrated into Notebook Computers; – Circular No. 10/2020/TT-BTTTT dated July 01, 2020, of the Ministry of Information and Communications regulating the methods for conformity certification and conformity declaration for products managed by the Ministry of Information and Communications; – Circular No. 15/2018/TT-BTTTT dated November 15, 2018, of the Ministry of Information and Communications amending and supplementing Circular 30/2011/TT-BTTTT. – Circular 19/2024/TT-BTTTT promulgating the National Technical Regulation on Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) for handheld and body-worn radio equipment, issued by the Minister of Information and Communications on December 31, 2024. |
3. Required Permits and Procedures
| Ministry of Industry and Trade | Ministry of Science and Technology |
| – Test for energy efficiency;
– Energy labeling registration. ⇒ Affix the energy label before circulating on the market. – Test for the content of hazardous substances in the product. |
– Imported Notebook Computers
⇒ Mandatory to complete State control registration (on quality of products), Certificate Regulation, Declaration of Regulation Conformity, and the ICT conformity label (the type with a management code – CODE) before circulating on the market. – Domestically produced Notebook Computers
|
4. Types of Notebook Computers within the Scope of Application
| Ministry of Industry and Trade | Ministry of Science and Technology |
| – TCVN 11848:2017 applies to Notebook Computers and tablet computers;
– TCVN 11848:2021 applies to:
*Note: Does not apply to Thin clients and Tablet computers used for POS cash registers. |
– Portable automatic data processing machines, weighing not more than 10 kg, consisting of at least one central processing unit, a keyboard and a display, with or without integrating one or more functions:
– Broadband data transmission operating in the 2.4 GHz band;
– HS Code: 8471.30.20 |
5. Mandatory Implementation Date of Legal Regulations for Notebook Computers
| Ministry of Industry and Trade | Ministry of Science and Technology |
This version provides a precise, professional translation suitable for official documents, compliance checklists, and technical standards, strictly adhering to your glossary.
|
Effective from August 15, 2011 (According to Circular 20/2011/TT-BTTTT). |
6. Regulations/Standards for Testing
| Ministry of Industry and Trade | Ministry of Science and Technology |
a. Energy Efficiency according to the following standards:
b. Permissible content limits for some hazardous chemicals in electrical and electronic products:
|
Notebook Computers must be tested and inspected according to the National Technical Regulations issued by the Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC) listed below:
a. Radio Frequency (RF) Emission (Device with integrated Wi-Fi – Item 2.3 – Appendix I – Circular No. 02/2024/TT-BTTTT)
b. Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) (Device with integrated Wi-Fi)
(Electromagnetic compatible equipment)
c. Safety for Lithium Batteries (Safety) d. Electrical safety for telecommunications and ICT terminal equipment
*If the Notebook Computer integrates a SIM or NFC, it must be tested for the following corresponding technical regulations: e. Radio Frequency (RF) Emission (Device using SIM – Item 1.1.1, 1.1.2 – Appendix I – Circular No. 02/2024/TT-BTTTT)
(Short-range wireless connection device – NFC – Item 2.2 – Appendix I – Circular No. 02/2024/TT-BTTTT)
f. Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) (Device using SIM)
(Short-range wireless connection device)
g. Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) regulations |
7. Important Notes in Import, Manufacturing, and Business Policies
| Ministry of Industry and Trade | Ministry of Science and Technology |
| Energy Efficiency Compliance (Mandatory from April 1, 2025): Businesses must closely follow the procedures for energy efficiency testing and energy labeling for Notebook Computers in accordance with TCVN 11848:2021, which becomes mandatory on April 1, 2025.
RoHS Compliance (Circular 30/2011/TT-BTTTT): In accordance with Circular No. 30/2011/TT-BTTTT, Notebook Computers are classified as electronic products that must comply with the permissible content limits for some hazardous chemicals. This is verified by applying the current IEC 62321 standard. |
– According to Article 5 of Circular No. 02/2024/TT-BTTTT, Notebook Computers that integrate a Short Range Device/Equipment (under section 2, Appendix I or section 4, Appendix II) and do not integrate other Radio-Frequency Transmitting Devices, and simultaneously meet the following requirements:
⇒ Are exempted from Certificate Regulation and Declaration of Regulation Conformity. – According to Article 5 of Circular No. 02/2024/TT-BTTTT, imported Notebook Computers that simultaneously meet the following requirements:
⇒ Are exempted from Certificate Regulation and Declaration of Regulation Conformity for QCVN 101:2020/BTTTT, QCVN 132:2022/BTTTT, and the content portions of technical regulations that require destructive sample testing. – According to Article 3, Circular 19/2024/TT-BTTTT, Notebook Computers (laptops) must meet the following requirements:
|
III. PHUC GIA LABORATORY CORPORATION: COMPREHENSIVE SERVICES FOR NOTEBOOK COMPUTERS (LAPTOPS)
| ORD | Phuc Gia® Capabilities | Ministry of Industry and Trade | Ministry of Science and Technology |
| 1 | Certification/ Designation | Phuc Gia’s official designation for testing services is currently active and remains in full effect. (Detail) | Phuc Gia’s official designation for testing services is currently active and remains in full effect. (Detail) |
| 2 | Quotation and Duration for Tests | The official listed quotation is available. | |
| 3 | Support | – Free 24/7 consultation service;
– Consultancy on product quality improvement. |
|
| 4 | Contact for Testing Services | For assistance with testing/certification services, 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 Regulation Conformity testing for Notebook Computer (Laptop) products according to the regulations of the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Ministry of Science and Technology. | |||
RELATED ARTICLES:
- Guide to Testing Notebook Computers (Laptops) According to QCVN 132:2022/BTTTT
- A Very Thorough Guide to Energy Efficiency Testing for Notebook Computers/Laptops
- Test Report for Notebook Computers (Laptops) According to QCVN 132:2022/BTTTT
- Energy Efficiency Test Report for Laptops/Notebook Computers
- Summary of Legal Regulations for the Production and Import of Lithium Batteries
- Import procedures for Notebook Computers | 5 Simple Steps
- Energy Labeling Declaration for Laptops/ Notebook Computers
For more details, please contact us at:
PHUC GIA LABORATORY CORPORATION
PHUC GIA CERTIFICATION CENTER
PHUC GIA INSPECTION TESTING CENTER
Address: ICD Long Bien, No. 01 Huynh Tan Phat, Sai Dong B Industrial Park, Long Bien Ward, Hanoi City, Vietnam.
Hotline: 0981 996 996/ 0982 996 696/ 024 7779 6696
E-mail: lab@phucgia.com.vn/cert@phucgia.com.vn/info@phucgia.com.vn
Website: phucgia.com.vn
Working time: Monday to Friday 8:00 – 18:30; Saturday 8:00 – 12:00
Phuc Gia – Comprehensive Testing laboratory and Certification for Electrical – Electronic equipment.
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