Vietnam has notified the WTO of draft amendments to national technical regulations covering ammonium nitrate for ANFO explosives, ammonium nitrate for emulsion explosives, and explosive precursors used for industrial explosive materials. The draft package covers amendments to QCVN 03:2012/BCT, QCVN 05:2015/BCT, and QCVN 04A:2020/BCT. The proposed adoption and entry into force date is 1 July 2026, with comments open until 27 June 2026.

Key regulatory changes

The draft amendments would update Vietnam’s quality management framework for explosive precursors by introducing stronger digital compliance and traceability requirements. The main changes include:

• electronic labels and digital product passports;
• QR codes connected to the National Quality Data System;
• updated conformity declaration and conformity assessment procedures;
• electronic reporting and digital data updates by enterprises;
• risk-based inspection and reduced inspection procedures for compliant enterprises;
• data sharing between competent authorities on compliance information and quality risk warnings;
• updated requirements on packaging, labeling, storage, transport and quality management.

Scope of affected parties

The draft technical regulation applies to organizations and individuals involved in the manufacture, import, trading, storage and other related activities concerning ammonium nitrate and explosive precursors used for industrial explosives.

The uploaded QCVN 04A amendment also expands application to enterprises trading through digital platforms and specialized e-commerce channels, as well as other related organizations handling explosive precursors.

Digital labeling and product traceability

The draft amendment to QCVN 04A introduces definitions for electronic labels, digital product passports, and traceability. It also requires conformity declaration dossiers to be submitted and updated through the Ministry of Industry and Trade’s National Quality Data System.

For explosive precursors, electronic labeling through QR codes would become mandatory alongside the physical conformity mark. The QR code must connect directly to the National Quality Data System.

Conformity assessment and import quality inspection

The draft revises conformity declaration requirements so that conformity may be based on first-party self-assessment or certification by a registered conformity assessment body.

Imported explosive precursors must undergo state quality inspection under Decree No. 37/2026/ND-CP. However, enterprises with good compliance history and advanced management systems, such as ISO 9001 or ISO 14001, may benefit from reduced or exempted inspection, with authorities shifting toward risk-based post-market inspection.

Industry impact

The draft signals Vietnam’s continued shift toward digital, traceable and risk-based chemical quality management. Importers and manufacturers of ammonium nitrate and explosive precursors should prepare to update labels, QR code systems, conformity declaration processes, and internal product traceability systems.

Companies should also review whether each packaging unit, such as 25 kg or 50 kg units, can be traced through a digital identifier, as the QCVN 04A amendment specifically refers to traceability down to each packaging unit.