Vietnam: Procedures for recognition of testing laboratories under mutual recognition agreements

Vietnam: Procedures for recognition of testing laboratories under mutual recognition agreements (Illustrative image)

The procedures for recognition of testing laboratories under mutual recognition agreements in Vietnam are carried out as follows:

1. Testing laboratory standards

According to the provisions of Article 4 of Circular 28/2014/TT-BTTTT, to be recognized under mutual recognition agreements on conformity assessment for telecommunications and information technology products, the testing laboratory in Vietnam must meet the following requirements:

- Be designated by the MRA member and recommended by the Ministry of Information and Communications for recognition.

- Be recognized to comply with the ISO/IEC 17025 standard – "General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories" with a scope consistent with the requested recognition scope. In case of subcontracting, the subcontractor must also be recognized by the Ministry of Information and Communications.

- Have the operation registration scope consistent with the scope of the mutual recognition agreement on conformity assessment that Vietnam (represented by the Ministry of Information and Communications) and the relevant MRA members have agreed upon.

2. Application for for recognition​

The application includes:

- Written request for recognition from the MRA member;

- Information form about the testing laboratory and the requested recognition scope (Appendix I of Circular 28/2014/TT-BTTTT);

- Copy of the accreditation certificate compliant with the ISO/IEC 17025 standard along with the recognition scope consistent with the requested scope;

- Sample test results compliant with the relevant national technical standards of Vietnam;

- Assessment process used for designating the testing laboratory (for each MRA member).

The application is sent directly or via postal service to the Department of Science and Technology under the Ministry of Information and Communications of Vietnam.

3. Implementation time limit

Within 60 days from the date of receipt of a complete and conformable application, the Ministry of Information and Communications in Vietnam will consider and issue a Decision to recognize the testing laboratory.

Where the application is not complete and conformable, the Ministry of Information and Communications of Vietnam will request the completion of the application within 10 working days from the date of receipt of the application.

More details can be found in Circular 28/2014/TT-BTTTT effective from February 16, 2015.

Thuy Tram

>> CLICK HERE TO READ THIS ARTICLE IN VIETNAMESE