Vietnam has emerged as a global hub for electronics manufacturing with its rapid digital transformation. This has made it one of the most dynamic and rapidly growing telecommunications markets in Southeast Asia.
Therefore, before marketing their products in this country, manufacturers, importers, or distributors must understand RF certification in Vietnam. By obtaining this certification, you can be sure that your telecommunications products are safe and comply with applicable regulations.
By understanding the comprehensive guide to RF certification in Vietnam, your products will be easier to market and use in this country.
What is RF Certification in Vietnam?
There are two authorities involved in RF certification in Vietnam. The first is the Vietnam Telecommunications Authority (VNTA). This authority oversees the issuance of conformity certificates.
The second is the Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST). This authority oversees the entire telecommunications sector, including the VNTA, in matters related to the issuance of MoST certificates.
Essentially, a MoST certificate is the key to legally entering the Vietnamese market. Possessing this certificate means your telecommunications product is guaranteed to be secure, compatible, and free from interference with other devices.
Products Requiring Certification
Secara singkat, setiap produk yang terhubung secara nirkabel membutuhkan MoST certification. Hal ini artinya tidak terbatas hanya pada perangkat telekomunikasi saja, melainkan produk apapun yang memiliki fitur nirkabel atau frekuensi radio.
RF certification in Vietnam mencakup berbagai jenis perangkat. Contohnya mencakup telecommunication products, home appliances, automotive, audio-video devices, wearable, and medical or healthcare products.
Who Can Apply for Certification?
Before submitting an application for RF certification in Vietnam, you need to know who is eligible to apply for this certification. MoST restricts certification applications to local companies that are officially registered in Vietnam.
These local companies can be local importers, distributors, or representative agents. In Vietnam, importers and distributors play a very important role. This is because if you only partner with a local representative agent, the certificate can only be used for marketing purposes.
For importing goods and selling products, you must partner directly with an importer or distributor. Therefore, it is recommended to partner with an importer or distributor from the start.
Alternatively, if partnering with a local representative agent, ensure they have that role. Otherwise, you will need to partner with an importer and distributor as well.
MoST Certification Process
In general, the process for applying for RF certification in Vietnam is the same as in other countries, with two pathways: paperwork and local testing. What sets Vietnam apart is that it has two specific schemes for certification applications.
Local testing itself is mandatory in this process. The paperwork route is only permitted when the test results come from a laboratory that has a Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) with Vietnam.
Certification scheme
There are two certification schemes commonly used in Vietnam: Scheme 1 and Scheme 7. Scheme 1 is intended for manufacturers with an official local representative in Vietnam. The manufacturer will be listed as the holder of the test report and certificate.
The certificate can then be used by multiple importers who hold a power of attorney from the manufacturer. Additionally, this scheme offers an option for manufacturers and factories that are part of the same corporate group.
On the other hand, Scheme 7 applies only to each batch of imported goods. The manufacturer will designate a local importer to be the named holder of the test report and certificate.
Document requirements
To apply for RF certification in Vietnam, there are several documents that need to be submitted. The required documents include:
- Application form
- Product specifications
- Photo of the product label
- ISO 9001 certificate from the manufacturing plant
- SOPs and testing software
- Manufacturer’s declaration
- Sample shipment declaration
- The certificate holder’s business license
Local testing
The requirement for local testing for RF certification in Vietnam means you must not only prepare the documents but also provide samples for testing.
Generally, we require two samples: one for Radio Frequency (RF) testing and the other for Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) testing.
Submitting document and evaluation
After local testing is completed and the evaluation results are accepted, the next step is to submit all documents. MoST will evaluate all the documents you submit.
Once all documents have passed evaluation, you must make a payment for the issuance of the certificate. After payment is completed, the MoST certificate will be issued automatically.
SDoC
The issuance of the certificate does not mean the process is complete. MoST requires an additional requirement, namely the Statement of Conformity, or SDoC. This is a document that the importer must submit for each import batch.
The documents required for the SDoC include:
- MoST Certificate
- EMC Test Report
- Safety Test Report
- SDoC Form
- Letter of Acceptance (LoA) to the Local Importer (if the certificate holder is a Foreign Manufacturer)
Lead Time and Certificate Validity
The lead time for RF certification in Vietnam is divided into two parts: local testing and document evaluation. Local testing takes approximately five weeks, and document evaluation takes approximately three weeks. Therefore, the entire MoST certification process takes approximately eight weeks.
The MoST certificate is valid for three years. If the product continues to be sold or imported into Vietnam after three years, a certification renewal will be required.
Label Requirements
After obtaining RF certification in Vietnam, telecommunications products must meet the official labeling requirements set by MoST. The label consists of three components: the letters “ICT,” the name of the certificate holder, and the certificate holder’s code.
This label must be clearly visible, easy to read, and not easily removable or confused with other markings. Before the product is sold, the label must be permanently affixed to the product, packaging, or technical documentation.