Vietnam: 08 responsibilities of organizations named to conduct inspections of the quality, hygiene, and safety of imported food

Vietnam: 08 responsibilities of organizations named to conduct inspections of the quality, hygiene, and safety of imported food (Illustrative image)

Circular 05/2007/TT-BYT stipulates the responsibilities of organizations named to conduct inspections of the quality, hygiene, and safety of imported food in Vietnam as follows:

1. Conduct inspections of the quality, hygiene, and safety of imported food in the designated field and scope;
2. Conduct inspections based on inspection procedures, Vietnamese standards, international standards, and other regulations on food quality, hygiene, and safety as issued by competent state agencies;
3. Send reports and propose treatment measures to the Department of Food Safety and Hygiene under the Ministry of Health of Vietnam for imported food batches that do not meet quality standards;
4. Be liable before the law for the results of the quality and food safety inspections of imported foods conducted by themselves;
5. Mobilize all resources to perform quality and food safety inspections of imported goods within the designated scope according to the correct progress when there is an urgent request from competent state agencies;
6. Maintain the egilibility for the named organization, carry out calibration, and standardize their measuring and testing equipment under the regulations of the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Ministry of Health;
7. Store inspection, testing records, and relevant documentation as prescribed by the State and present them when requested by responsible agencies.
8. Implement reporting policies as stipulated.

In addition, this Circular stipulates the rights of organizations named to conduct inspections of the quality, hygiene, and safety of imported food in Vietnam as follows:

- Request organizations and individuals importing food to provide related documentation and information;

- Conduct inspections of the quality, hygiene, and safety of imported food according to the contents specified in inspection procedures and technical regulations;

- Issue certificates for qualified imported food or notify non-qualified imported goods batches according to the standard form issued by the Ministry of Health;

- Collect and manage quality inspection fees according to legal regulations and guidance of the Ministry of Finance.

Detailed information can be found at Circular 05/2007/TT-BYT effective on September 06, 2008.

Ty Na

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