On July 16, 2026, Vietnam's Ministry of Construction (MOC) released for public consultation the draft National Technical Regulation for Building Materials and Products (draft No. QCVN XX:202X/BXD), with the comment period closing on September 16, 2026. The draft is intended to supersede the current Circular No. 04/2023/TT-BXD and QCVN 16:2023/BXD, and to introduce a risk-based conformity assessment mechanism. It is planned to be adopted in October 2026 and to take effect on April 1, 2027, covering 36 categories of building materials, including cement, chrysotile asbestos, coatings, ceramic tiles and wood-based panels. Building material enterprises exporting to Vietnam should pay timely attention and assess the compliance implications.
Background and Consultation Arrangements
Vietnam's current technical regulation on building material products is based on Circular No. 04/2023/TT-BXD and QCVN 16:2023/BXD. To update the risk-based quality management framework, enhance transparency and facilitate trade, MOC has put forward an entirely new draft that comprehensively revises the technical requirements, limit values, test methods and sampling procedures for medium- and high-risk building material products manufactured, imported, placed on the market and used in Vietnam. The draft was developed under the lead of the Department of Science, Technology, Environment and Building Materials of MOC. Comments may be submitted by email (dinh.vibm@gmail.com) or in writing to the Department (address: 80 Tran Hung Dao Street, Hanoi).
Scope Covers 36 Categories of Building Materials
The draft covers a total of 36 categories of medium- and high-risk building material products, mainly including: cement and cement/concrete admixtures (phosphogypsum, granulated blast furnace slag, electric furnace phosphorus slag, fly ash), chrysotile asbestos, architectural glass, natural and artificial stone slabs, ceramic tiles, autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) products and wall panels, roofing materials, sanitary ceramics, latex wall coatings, wood-based panels, water supply and drainage pipes and fittings, gypsum boards, as well as backfill/subgrade materials made from industrial by-products (thermal power plant ash, steel slag, phosphogypsum mixtures), etc. The relevant HS codes include 2520, 2523, 2524, 2618, 2619, 2621, 3209, 3917, 4410–4412, 6801–6811, 6905, 6907, 6910, 7005, 7007–7008, 7303 and 7307, among others.
Main Revisions
According to the draft, the main revisions and new additions include:
1. Reconstruction of the risk classification: The catalogue of applicable products is reclassified and structurally adjusted according to risk levels;
2. Update of limit values and test methods: The technical characteristics, limit values, referenced standards, test methods and sampling procedures are updated, involving restricted substances such as chrysotile asbestos, as well as key indicators such as formaldehyde and heavy metals in products like coatings and wood-based panels;
3. New product categories: Certain new materials and backfill/subgrade materials made from industrial by-products are incorporated;
4. Conformity assessment and declaration of conformity: The principles of conformity assessment and declaration of conformity are clarified, with Method 2, Method 5 or Method 7 applied depending on the product and risk level (high-risk products must adopt Method 2 or Method 5, and may not pass solely by means of Method 7, i.e., batch inspection).
5. Responsibilities and transitional arrangements: The responsibilities of relevant organizations and individuals are defined, and transitional provisions are established for existing certificates, conformity assessment dossiers, products already produced or imported, and conformity assessment bodies.
Conformity Assessment and Self-Declaration Mechanism
Regarding conformity assessment, the draft applies differentiated requirements based on risk levels: the declaration of conformity for high-risk products must be based on certification issued by a certification body designated by MOC; the declaration of conformity for medium-risk products may be based on certification by an accredited/designated certification body, or on a company's self-assessment (i.e., self-declaration) supported by a test report issued by an accredited/designated testing body. This arrangement directly links the stringency of conformity assessment to product risk, providing a more flexible compliance pathway for certain medium-risk products.
Effective Date and Transitional Period
The draft is planned to be adopted in October 2026 and to take effect on April 1, 2027, with transitional arrangements set for existing certificates, conformity assessment dossiers, products already produced or imported, and conformity assessment bodies. The specific transitional arrangements will be specified by the formal Circular promulgating the QCVN and the relevant legal provisions, reserving a window for enterprises to make adjustments and renew their certificates.
ChemRadar Insights
For building material enterprises exporting to Vietnam, the following points warrant particular attention:
1. Verify the scope of application: Cross-check the HS code list attached to the draft and the 36-category product catalogue to confirm whether your products fall within the medium/high-risk scope and the corresponding risk level;
2. Assess the conformity assessment pathway: Determine the applicable conformity assessment method (2/5/7) and the declaration of conformity method (certification or self-declaration) according to the risk level, and arrange certification or testing resources in advance;
3. Track changes in limit values: Pay particular attention to the ban on amphibole asbestos, the limit indicators for controlled products such as chrysotile asbestos, and updates on formaldehyde, heavy metals, etc.; adjust product processes or apply for certificate renewal within the transitional period where necessary;
4. Seize the feedback window: The draft is still at the consultation stage, and the comment period closes 60 days after the formal distribution of the WTO notification (expected around September 16, 2026, subject to the official WTO distribution date). Enterprises wishing to comment may submit them to the Department of Science, Technology, Environment and Building Materials of MOC; the formal text and implementation details shall be subject to MOC's subsequent releases.
