Vietnam Strengthens Oversight of Cosmetics and Sunscreen Products

On May 16, 2025, the Drug Administration of Vietnam (DAV) sent a letter to provincial and municipal health departments, urging enhanced surveillance and enforcement measures to combat the increasing circulation of counterfeit, smuggled, and substandard cosmetics. On May 20, 2025, DAV sent another letter, specifically focusing on sunscreen products, calling for immediate and stricter regulatory compliance.

Background

Recent post-market inspections and consumer feedback have revealed a surge in the sale of cosmetics with unclear origins, false labeling, and non-compliant advertising, particularly on e-commerce platforms and social media. These practices pose risks to public health, consumer rights, and credibility of Vietnam’s cosmetics sector.

The Ministry of Health’s actions are aligned with government directives to combat the trade in counterfeit, smuggled, and substandard goods across various sectors, including cosmetics, medicines, and health supplements. Key guiding documents include:

• Prime Minister Telegram 55/CD-TTg on Strengthening Coordination and Strictly Handling Organizations and Individuals Involved in the Production and Sale of Fake Medicines, Fake Milk, and Counterfeit Health Supplements

• Prime Minister Telegram Telegram 65/CD-TTg on Launching a Peak Campaign to Prevent and Combat Smuggling, Trade Fraud, Counterfeit Goods, and Intellectual Property Infringement

• Prime Minister Directive 13/CT-TTg On Strengthening the Fight Against Smuggling, Trade Fraud, and Counterfeit Goods in the New Situation

DAV’s Requirements

1. General Measures

DAV requests provincial and municipal health departments to implement the following key tasks.

1. Strengthen inspections and supervision of cosmetic production and business activities, focusing on products of unknown origin or those not properly notified as required.

• Cosmetics with false advertising or non-compliant labeling.

• Online business activities, especially on social media and e-commerce platforms.

2. Conducting regular post-market surveillance through product sampling and testing, and strictly penalizing violations, including the recall and destruction of counterfeit products, those of unknown origin, substandard, or unsafe for consumers.

3. Strengthening coordination between health departments and other agencies, such as police, market surveillance, customs, and tax authorities, to:

• Promptly detect and prevent the production, storage, and sale of counterfeit or substandard cosmetics.

• Strictly handle violations committed by organizations and individuals in accordance with the law.

4. Promoting public awareness of cosmetic regulations and encouraging the reporting of violations.

5. Review existing regulations to improve the responsibility and management effectiveness of related agencies and local authorities over cosmetic production and business activities. Any challenges or inadequacies should be promptly reported to relevant authorities for timely review and amendment.

6. Submit periodic or ad-hoc reports on the implementation results to the DAV for consolidation and reporting to the Prime Minister as required.

2. Requirement on Sunscreen Products

Provincial and municipal health departments are required to promptly implement the measures outlined in the above documents and strengthen the management of sunscreens, specifically as follows.

1. Review product notification dossiers for cosmetics that claim sun protection functions and uses, ensuring full compliance with current cosmetic regulations. Revoke notification receipt numbers of products that do not meet regulatory requirements.

2. Direct relevant functional units to inspect the labeling and advertising of sunscreen products within their jurisdictions.

3. Instruct testing centers to increase sampling of sunscreen for Sun Protection Factor (SPF) verification.

4. Promptly report any non-compliant sunscreen samples to DAV for recall, disposal, and strict handling or penalties following relevant regulations.

Cosmetic companies are required to strictly comply with cosmetic management regulations and carry out the following tasks.

1. Review their Product Information Files (PIFs), methods used to determine the product’s SPF, ensuring completeness, accuracy, and readiness for inspection upon request by regulatory authorities.

2. Ensure that product claims related to sun protection are compliant with current regulations.

3. Review product labels that display sun protection claims and SPF values, ensuring they are accurate, consistent with notification information, and compliant with ASEAN Sunscreen Labeling Guidelines.