Storage water heaters are widely adopted for water heating in residential settings, hotels, and serviced apartments, owing to their core function of heating and storing water in a tank to ensure a continuous supply for domestic use. Concurrently with market growth and product diversification, the Legal Regulations for Storage Water Heaters in Vietnam are becoming progressively stringent, particularly for manufacturing and importation activities.
See more: Capacity Profile Of Phuc Gia Laboratory Corporation
Table 1: Testing Requirements for Storage Water Heaters
Table 2: Procedures for Implementing Licenses for Storage Water Heaters
I. Defining the Storage Water Heater
The storage water heater is a vital appliance engineered to heat water via an electrical heating element and maintain it within a specified capacity tank, ensuring a continuous and stable supply of hot water. The typical unit comprises the heating component, the storage vessel (often enameled steel or similar), a temperature sensor, a controller, and essential safety mechanisms to prevent overheating or overpressure during operation.
The market currently features a wide array of storage water heaters varying by tank capacity, heat retention efficiency, insulation quality, and safety features like shock protection technology. Advanced models often include precise temperature control modes to cater flexibly to the high-demand usage patterns of homes, hotels, serviced apartments, and other facilities. Compliance with the Legal Regulations for Storage Water Heaters in Vietnam is mandatory for all brands, including popular names such as Ariston, Ferroli, Panasonic, Rossi, Kangaroo, and Electrolux.
While this diversity offers tailored choices for consumers, it simultaneously necessitates strict regulations—including mandated technical requirements, essential licensing, and other related provisions—all governed by the overarching Legal Regulations for Storage Water Heaters in Vietnam.
II. Legal Regulations for Storage Water Heaters in Vietnam
1. Procedures for Implementing Licenses for Storage Water Heaters
a) Imported Storage Water Heaters
| MANAGING MINISTRY | IMPORTED STORAGE WATER HEATERS | |
| Implementing Steps | Authorizing/Implementing Body | |
| Ministry of Industry and Trade |
Step 1: Register for Energy Efficiency (EE) testing (To collect products 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 (EL) (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 | 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/ (Vietnam National Single Window).
(**) 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) Domestically Manufactured Storage Water Heaters
| MANAGING MINISTRY | DOMESTICALLY MANUFACTURED STORAGE WATER HEATERS | |
| 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 (EL) (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 | |
Note: EE: Energy Efficiency; EL: Energy Label; Phuc Gia®: Phuc Gia Laboratory Corporation.
(*) 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 Regulation Documents
| Ministry of Industry and Trade | Ministry of Science and Technology |
|
– Decision 1725/QD-BCT (01/07/2024) of the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT) promulgating the list of items subject to energy efficiency inspection and energy labeling. – Decision 14/2023/QD-TTg (24/05/2023) of the Prime Minister promulgating the list and roadmap for energy-consuming vehicles and equipment to be phased out and low-efficiency power generating sets prohibited from new construction. – Consolidated Document 16/VBHN-BCT (2014) by MOIT consolidating the Circular temporarily regulating the permissible limits of hazardous chemical content in electrical and electronic products. – Vietnamese National Standard TCVN 7898:2018 (2018) on Energy Efficiency of Storage Water Heaters. – Decision 04/2017/QD-TTg (09/03/2017) of the Prime Minister regulating the list of products subject to energy efficiency inspection and mandatory energy labeling. – Circular 36/2016/TT-BCT (28/12/2016) of MOIT regulating energy labeling. – Circular 30/2011/TT-BCT (10/08/2011) of MOIT temporarily regulating the permissible limits of hazardous chemical content in certain electrical and electronic products. |
– Decision 2711/QD-BKHCN (30/12/2022) of the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) on announcing Group 2 products and goods (mandatory quality inspection).
– Circular 01/2022/TT-BKHCN (16/02/2022) of the MOST Minister 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 related to quality management. – Circular 02/2017/TT-BKHCN (31/03/2017) of MOST promulgating regulations on standard conformity declaration, regulation conformity declaration, and conformity assessment methods. – Circular 21/2016/TT-BKHCN (15/12/2016) of MOST promulgating Amendment 1:2016 to QCVN 4:2009/BKHCN National Technical Regulation on Safety of Electrical and Electronic Equipment. – Vietnamese National Standard TCVN 5699-2-21:2013 (IEC 60335-2-21:2012) (2013) regulating Household and similar electrical appliances – Safety – Part 2-21: Particular requirements for storage water heaters. – Circular 28/2012/TT-BKHCN (30/09/2009) of MOST promulgating regulations on standard conformity declaration, regulation conformity declaration, and conformity assessment methods. – Circular 21/2009/TT-BKHCN (30/09/2009) of MOST promulgating and implementing the National Technical Regulation on Safety for Electrical and Electronic Equipment (QCVN 4:2009/BKHCN). |
3. Types of Storage Water Heaters within the Scope of Application
| Ministry of Industry and Trade | Ministry of Science and Technology |
| Electric storage water heaters for household and similar purposes with a capacity up to 50 liters. | Domestic storage water heaters designed to heat water to a temperature below boiling, with a rated voltage not exceeding 250V for single-phase devices and 480V for other devices.
(HS Code: 8516.10.19) |
4. Currently Effective Regulations/Standards
| Ministry of Industry and Trade | Ministry of Science and Technology |
| Energy Efficiency (EE) Standard: TCVN 7898:2018 on Energy Efficiency of Storage Water Heaters. | Safety Standard: QCVN 4:2009/BKHCN and Amendment 1:2016 QCVN 4:2009/BKHCN (specifically applying the requirements in TCVN 5699-2-21:2013) |
5. Important Notes in Importation, Manufacturing, and Business Policies under the Legal Regulations for Storage Water Heaters in Vietnam
| Ministry of Industry and Trade | Ministry of Science and Technology |
| – Energy efficiency testing for electric storage water heaters must be performed by a testing organization designated, registered, or recognized by the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT).
– Water heaters utilizing other energy sources (e.g., solar energy); those with multiple heating volumes; non-insulated water heaters; heat pump type water heaters; and appliances for heating drinking water are excluded from TCVN 7898:2018. – Water heaters are classified into 5 energy efficiency classes defined by the standard; Class 1 is the lowest, corresponding to minimum energy efficiency, and Class 5 is the highest. |
– Testing and certification (for safety/CR) must be performed by a testing/certification organization designated, registered, or recognized by the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST).
– Enterprises manufacturing or importing domestic storage water heaters, after obtaining conformity certification, must register the conformity declaration at the Sub-Department of Standards, Metrology, and Quality (STAMEQ) where the business is registered before placing the product on the market. – The Conformity Certificate is valid for a maximum of 3 years, and the enterprise must archive records for no less than 10 years from the date the last registered model/type product is shipped. – Electric storage water heaters designed for use in vehicles, ships, or aircraft may be subject to supplementary requirements. |
Notes:
- Used electric storage water heaters are subject to a prohibition on import.
- Import tax is a mandatory obligation that must be fulfilled when carrying out import procedures for storage water heaters. Enterprises are advised to obtain a Certificate of Origin (C/O) from the exporter to qualify for special preferential import tax rates.
Understanding and strictly complying with the Legal Regulations for Storage Water Heaters in Vietnam is more than just a mandatory prerequisite for market access; it is a critical factor that helps enterprises protect their brand reputation, mitigate legal risks, and significantly boost competitive capability. Consequently, businesses must maintain full adherence to all current regulations and proactively monitor legal system updates to ensure products operate safely and successfully meet all regulatory management requirements.
III. PHUC GIA LABORATORY CORPORATION: COMPREHENSIVE SERVICES FOR STORAGE WATER HEATERS
| ORD | PHUC GIA® CAPABILITIES | Ministry of Industry and Trade | Ministry of Science and Technology |
| 1 | Testing Capabilities (Certification/ Designation) |
Phuc Gia® has been designated and remains effective/valid (Detail) | 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 certification for storage water heaters according to the regulations of the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST). | |||
RELATED POSTS:
- A Very Thorough Guidance on Energy Efficiency Testing for Storage Water Heaters
- Energy Efficiency Test Report for Storage Water Heaters
- Declaration of Energy Labeling for Storage Water Heaters
- Guidance on Electrical Safety Testing for Storage Water Heaters according to QCVN 4:2009/BKHCN
- Conformity Certification for Storage Water Heaters
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
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