Vietnam Proposes Amendments to Decree 15/2018/ND-CP on Food Safety

 On 4 March 2025, the Vietnam Food Administration (VFA) published a summary of urgent issues to be addressed in a forthcoming amendment to Decree 15/2018/ND-CP. The proposed amendments aim to streamline administrative procedures, delegate responsibilities, and strengthen post-market food safety supervision.

Decree 15/2018/ND-CP outlines the implementation of the Law on Food Safety in Vietnam. This decree has been amended and supplemented by several documents, ensuring enhanced food safety and efficient regulatory procedures for food production, trade, and imports.

Key Provisions of Decree 15/2018/ND-CP:

These are the key provisions of Decree 15/2018/ND-CP:

• Self-Declaration and Registration of Products: Procedures for self-declaration and registration of food products for safety compliance. 

• Genetically Modified Foods: Regulations to ensure the safety of genetically modified foods. 

• Food Safety Certificates: Issuance of certificates for establishments that meet food safety standards. 

• Imported and Exported Foods: State inspection on food safety for both imports and exports. 

• Food Labelling and Advertising: Guidelines on food labelling and advertising practices to ensure transparency and consumer safety. 

• Health-Protective Foods: Conditions ensuring safety in the production of health-protective foods. 

• Food Additives: Standards for the production, trade, and use of food additives. 

• Traceability: Ensuring the traceability of food origins to enhance safety. 

• State Management Responsibility: Clear allocation of state management responsibilities for food safety. 

State Inspection Authority for Imported Foods: 

Article 15 of Decree 15/2018/ND-CP designates the State Inspection Authority for Imported Foods as the relevant agency from the Ministries of Health, Agriculture and Rural Development, or Industry and Trade. The authority is responsible for: 

• Deciding inspection methods based on past successful inspections. 

• Ensuring food safety compliance during inspections. 

• Collecting and managing inspection-related fees. 

• Providing transparent and accurate inspection results. 

Recent Amendments and Supplementary Documents: 

• Decree 155/2018/ND-CP: Amends investment and business conditions within the scope of the Ministry of Health

• Decree 85/2019/ND-CP: Addresses the implementation procedures for administrative tasks under the national single-window mechanism. 

• Official Dispatch 2129/BCT-KHCN (2018): Guides the implementation of food safety regulations. 

Key Proposals in the 2025 Draft Amendment:

• Simplified Administrative Procedures: Acceptance of electronic copies of legal documents and removal of notarization requirements for consularized English documents.

• Acceptance of Manufacturer Test Results: Acceptance of product test results from Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP).

• Decentralization of Issuing Functions: Local authorities may be authorized to issue Certificates of Free Sale to reduce administrative burden.

• Strengthened Post-Market Surveillance: Increased emphasis on monitoring product quality after market entry to ensure compliance with food safety regulations.