Under Vietnamese regulations, introducing cosmetics to the market requires prior notification to the authorities, which must be fulfilled for imported cosmetic products before the products cross the Customs Gate. Consequently, to allow sufficient time for the requisite cosmetic notification procedure, thorough preplanning is imperative for enterprises intending to launch new products.
Furthermore, cosmetic notification in Vietnam is valid for five years from the date of issuance. Noteworthy alterations to the products may mandate a fresh cosmetic notification. Therefore, importers must ensure the utilization of accurate and valid cosmetic notifications for their imported cosmetic products.
1. Competent Authority
The competent authority for cosmetics in Vietnam is the Ministry of Health (MoH), which drafts and releases regulations and guidelines for cosmetic management. Under the MoH, the Drug Administration of Vietnam (DAV) is responsible for accepting and processing the applications, issuing notification receipt numbers, as well as conducting post-marketing surveillance.
2. Legal Framework
The following are the critical legal documents that provide the foundation for cosmetic notification regulations in Vietnam.
Document Name | Implementation Date | Status | Introduction |
ASEAN Cosmetic Directive (ACD) | 1 January 2008 | In force | This document is of great significance as it serves as the foundation for all legal regulations concerning cosmetics in Vietnam. Legal regulations within Vietnam must be in line with the provisions laid out in this document. |
16 March 2021 | In force | This regulation holds the highest significance in Vietnam, as it establishes comprehensive requirements for cosmetics, encompassing areas such as notification, sub-labeling, and product information files. | |
10 February 2012 | In force | This is the DAV’s guidelines on cosmetic classification and characteristics/intended uses that companies should pay attention to when proceeding for cosmetic notification. | |
Decree No. 69/2018/NĐ-CP on guidelines for the law on foreign trade management | 15 May 2018 | In force | This document provides details of requirements for the certificate of free sale (CFS). |
12 November 2018 | In force | This document removes the requirement of providing business registration certificate when submitting cosmetic notification in Vietnam. |
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