List of Commodities Subject to Energy Efficiency Inspection in Vietnam According to Regulations

The list of commodities subject to Energy Efficiency Inspection in Vietnam is increasingly expanding, requiring enterprises and manufacturers to stay fully updated to avoid violations. Let’s join Phuc Gia® to explore the list of products requiring Energy Efficiency Inspection in Vietnam according to the regulations of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, along with important requirements that enterprises need to note in this article!

See more: Capacity Profile Of Phuc Gia Laboratory Corporation

1. What is Energy Efficiency Inspection?

To clearly understand the concept of Energy Efficiency Inspection, enterprises need to grasp the definitions below.

• According to Clause 9, Article 3 of the Law on Economical and Efficient Use of Energy 2010: “Energy efficiency is an indicator for the capability of a machine or a piece of equipment to convert consumed energy into useful energy.”
• An energy label is information attached to a product (which can be pasted, printed, attached, or engraved) providing data on the type of energy used, consumption level, and energy efficiency, helping consumers choose energy-saving equipment.
• According to Clause 10, Article 3 of the Law on Economical and Efficient Use of Energy 2010: “Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) is the lowest energy efficiency level prescribed by a competent state agency for energy-using means and equipment, below which the equipment will be subject to special management.”
• Energy Efficiency Inspection for minimum levels is the process of evaluating whether a device meets the lowest energy efficiency level according to legal regulations. This is a mandatory requirement to eliminate products that consume excessive electricity, helping to protect consumers and save energy.

Energy Efficiency Inspection in Vietnam is the basis for energy labeling, helping consumers easily identify and select energy-saving products. Energy labeling plays an important role in:

• Cost savings: Helping consumers easily choose energy-saving equipment, reducing electricity bills.
• Environmental protection: Reducing electricity consumption helps reduce CO₂ emissions, decreases negative environmental impacts, and contributes to the Net Zero goal.
• Promoting green production: Consumer priority for energy-saving products creates motivation for enterprises to innovate technology and develop more efficient, environmentally friendly equipment. This contributes to building sustainable production chains and a long-term consumer market.
• Regulatory compliance: Energy labeling is a mandatory requirement for many product groups according to legal regulations. Enterprises that do not comply correctly may face administrative penalties, goods recall, or refusal of Customs Clearance.
• Raising awareness: Energy Efficiency Inspection in Vietnam and labeling help consumers access necessary information to clearly understand the electricity consumption and operational performance of products. Thereby, users form energy-saving consumption habits and become more responsible toward the environment and society.

The process of Energy Efficiency Inspection in Vietnam and energy labeling not only helps consumers optimize costs but also helps manufacturing and import-export enterprises enhance their reputation, expand markets, and meet legal requirements in many countries.

2. Regulations on Energy Efficiency Inspection

Vietnam has implemented energy labeling regulations since 2006, under Decision No. 79/2006/QĐ-TTg of the Prime Minister, to promote economical and efficient energy use. Important regulations related to Energy Efficiency Inspection in Vietnam include:

• Decision No. 1427/QĐ-TTg (2012) approving the National Target Program on Economical and Efficient Use of Energy for the 2012 – 2015 period, issued by the Prime Minister on October 2, 2012.
• Decision No. 04/2017/QĐ-TTg (2017) regulating the list of machines and equipment subjecting to energy labeling, applicable Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS), and the implementation roadmap issued by the Prime Minister on April 25, 2017.
• Circular No. 36/2016/TT-BCT (2016) regulating energy labeling for energy-using means and equipment under the management of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, issued by the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT) on December 28, 2016.
• Decision No. 1725/QĐ-BCT (2024) regulating the list of items subject to Energy Efficiency Inspection and energy labeling under the management responsibility of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, issued by the Ministry of Industry and Trade on June 17, 2024.
• Decision No. 14/2023/QĐ-TTg (2023) replacing Decision No. 24/2018/QĐ-TTg, regulating the list and roadmap for phasing out low-efficiency energy equipment issued by the Prime Minister on May 24, 2023.
• Circular No. 31/2022/TT-BTC (2022) regulating the Nomenclature of Vietnam’s exports and imports, related to HS codes cited in specialized inspection documents, effective from June 8, 2022.
• Implementation according to TCVNs (National Standards) on energy efficiency applied to each equipment group (e.g., TCVN 7830:2015/2021 for air conditioners, TCVN 7896:2015 for fluorescent lamps…), issued by the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) and cited in the aforementioned Decisions/Circulars.

In addition to the above documents, there are many other specialized guiding decisions and circulars related to specific equipment groups (such as refrigerators, air conditioners, washing machines, light bulbs…) along with regulations on implementation roadmaps, administrative penalties, import conditions, and obligations for Declaration of Conformity/Standard Conformity, issued by authorities such as the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Ministry of Finance, etc.

Enterprises need to regularly update the latest documents to ensure proper compliance when importing, distributing, or manufacturing energy-using equipment.

3. List of items subject to energy efficiency inspection and energy labeling under the management of the Ministry of Industry and Trade

The Ministry of Industry and Trade issued Decision No. 1725/QĐ-BCT on July 1, 2024, identifying the list of items requiring Energy Efficiency Inspection and energy labeling. This Decision includes the following products:

The Ministry of Industry and Trade issued Decision No. 1725/QĐ-BCT on July 1, 2024, identifying the list of items requiring Energy Efficiency Inspection and energy labeling. This Decision includes the following products:

This list is issued to clearly identify products that must undergo energy efficiency testing, energy labeling, and meet minimum energy efficiency levels in accordance with legal regulations. The announcement of this list helps enterprises accurately determine the types of vehicles and equipment subject to testing, labeling, and related obligations, thereby ensuring regulatory compliance while contributing to energy saving and environmental protection.

4. Energy Efficiency Inspection Process

Compliance with the energy efficiency inspection process not only helps enterprises minimize operating costs but also ensures adherence to environmental and energy regulations. Within this, “energy efficiency inspection” is an activity for testing the energy efficiency of products to determine energy consumption levels and energy efficiency levels compared to current standards.

Below are the basic steps in the energy efficiency inspection process.

Step 1: Registration for quality and energy efficiency inspection

Before completing customs procedures, enterprises need to submit an application for product quality and energy efficiency inspection at the Department of Standards, Metrology, and Quality where the declaration is opened. Simultaneously, register for energy efficiency testing at a laboratory designated by the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

After registration, the enterprise will receive a registration confirmation, which is a necessary document to proceed with opening the import declaration.

Step 2: Opening the customs declaration

When opening the declaration, enterprises must attach the confirmation of having registered for quality and energy efficiency inspection. During the routing process, if the declaration is assigned to a specialized inspection channel (usually yellow or red), the customs authority will request additional documents or test results before clearance.

Step 3: Sending product samples for testing

Product samples will be sent to a qualified laboratory designated by the Ministry of Industry and Trade. The equipment will be evaluated for energy efficiency based on National Standards (TCVN) or international standards corresponding to each type of goods.

Step 4: Receiving test report

After testing, if the product meets the minimum energy efficiency levels as prescribed, the enterprise will be issued a test result report or a certificate of energy efficiency conformity. In case the product does not pass, the enterprise must handle it according to the instructions of the specialized agency.

Testing time and costs will vary depending on the type of product and the performing unit.

Step 5: Submitting results and completing customs clearance

The test results are additionally submitted to the customs authority to complete official customs clearance procedures. Customs clearance is only accepted when the product meets energy efficiency requirements and has sufficient valid documents.

Step 6: Declaration of efficiency and energy labeling

After customs clearance, enterprises need to proceed with declaring the energy efficiency level to the Ministry of Industry and Trade (via the online system or according to the instructions in Circular 36/2016/TT-BCT issued on December 28, 2016).

Finally, the energy label will be attached directly to the product or packaging as regulated, in order to provide clear information to consumers about the energy-saving level of the equipment.

5. Phuc Gia – A Prestigious Energy Efficiency Testing Unit

When choosing an energy efficiency testing unit, enterprises need a reliable partner with high expertise and a strict inspection process. Phuc Gia is proud to be a prestigious energy efficiency testing unit, fully meeting inspection standards, helping enterprises ensure regulatory compliance and enhance product value in the market.

5.1. Why should you choose Phuc Gia for energy efficiency testing?

Phuc Gia Inspection and Testing Center, under Phuc Gia Laboratory Corporation (since July 15, 2016), is an Energy Efficiency testing unit designated by the Ministry of Industry and Trade according to the decision dated July 22, 2019. Phuc Gia has become a reliable inspection and testing unit for leading brands such as Ariston, Samsung, Daikin, Panasonic, Apple, LG…

Below are the reasons why enterprises and manufacturers of electrical and electronic equipment should choose Phuc Gia for energy efficiency testing:

• Ministry of Industry and Trade: Energy efficiency testing for 21 groups of electrical – electronic products (General LED lamps, Street LED lamps, Televisions, Refrigerators, Air conditioners, Computers, Induction cookers, Infrared cookers…)
• Recognized according to international standards: Phuc Gia® is currently simultaneously applying two quality management systems according to ISO/IEC 17025 for testing activities and ISO/IEC 17065 for certification activities. In particular, Phuc Gia is the first unit in Vietnam to be recognized by all three conformity assessment accreditation organizations, including the Vietnam Bureau of Accreditation (BoA – code VILAS 1212), the AOSC Accreditation Office (code VLAT 1.0388), and the Vietnam Accreditation Institute (VACI – code VALAS 09) as meeting ISO/IEC 17025:2017 standards. This achievement confirms the professional capacity, transparency, and reliability of Phuc Gia in the field of testing and certification.
• Modern equipment: With a facility area of over 4,000m², the laboratories are arranged close to each other, creating convenience when performing multiple tests. Phuc Gia is also the first private unit to invest in an air conditioner energy efficiency test chamber with a capacity of up to 60,000 BTU/h – the largest in Vietnam today, along with a refrigerator testing system that can test 4 samples simultaneously, quickly and flexibly meeting enterprise needs.
• Leading team of experts: Nearly 100 experienced engineers and experts, selected from prestigious universities such as Bach Khoa, National University,….

5.2. List of Goods for Energy Efficiency Testing at Phuc Gia

Phuc Gia Laboratory Corporation provides energy efficiency assessment services for many product groups, ranging from household and office equipment to industrial equipment. Below is the list of goods for energy efficiency testing at Phuc Gia:

The above is the list of goods subject to energy efficiency inspection that enterprises need to clearly understand to comply with regulations and ensure product quality before bringing them to market. It is hoped that the above article by Phuc Gia will help your enterprise easily update information and perform inspections in a timely manner, contributing to improving product quality and saving energy.

For more details, please contact us at:

PHUC GIA LABORATORY CORPORATION

PHUC GIA CERTIFICATION CENTER

PHUC GIA INSPECTION TESTING CENTER

Address:

• Hanoi: ICD Long Bien, No. 01 Huynh Tan Phat, Sai Dong B Industrial Park, Long Bien Ward
• Ho Chi Minh City: No. 180, D2 Street, Long Truong Ward

Hotline: 0965996696 / 0982996696 / 02477796696

E-mail: lab@phucgia.com.vn/cert@phucgia.com.vn/info@phucgia.com.vn

Website: phucgia.com.vn

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