On 19 February 2025, EuroCham Vietnam participated in a consultation meeting hosted by the Vietnam Food Safety Authority (VFA) to discuss proposed amendments to Decree No. 15/2018/NĐ-CP on food safety regulations. This meeting was held following the Office of the Government’s approval for a simplified amendment process and gathered business associations to provide feedback on the decree’s revisions.
EuroCham was represented by Ms. Nguyen Cam Van, Head of Hanoi Office cum External Relations Manager; Mr. Nguyen Hong Uy, Nutritional Foods Group Sector Committee Member; and Ms. Nguyen Hoang Thu Ha, Wine & Spirits Sector Committee Member. Attending from VFA were Dr. Tran Viet Nga, Director; Mr. Do Huu Tuan, Deputy Director; and Mr. Chu Quoc Thinh, Deputy Director.
Key Amendments Discussed
The draft amendment to Decree 15/2018 introduces several reforms, including:
- Administrative Procedure Reform: The Ministry of Health proposes reducing four administrative procedures and simplifying dossier requirements for ten procedures.
- Decentralization: The amendment enhances the role of local authorities in food safety management.
- Post-Inspection Improvements: The revised decree aims to strengthen control over product declarations, ensure product quality, and regulate changes after registration.
- Implementation of Government Directives: The amendments align with Government Inspectorate’s suggestion to implement Inspection Conclusion No. 2555/KL-TTCP (dated 06/12/2024) to enhance food safety oversight.
EuroCham’s Recommendations
At the meeting, EuroCham emphasized the need for further simplification of administrative procedures to create a more business-friendly regulatory environment. Key recommendations included:
- Streamlining label translation requirements to reduce unnecessary administrative burdens.
- Simplifying self-declaration and dossier supplementation processes to enhance business efficiency.
- Adjusting post-inspection regulations to ensure favorable conditions for business operations while maintaining alignment with the Government’s directions.
EuroCham also stressed that new regulatory changes should not introduce additional administrative requirements that could hinder business operations or create new bottlenecks. Instead, the revisions should align with the Vietnamese Government’s commitment to administrative reform, ensuring efficiency while maintaining food safety standards.
EuroCham will continue to engage with the Vietnamese Government to advocate for regulatory improvements that support both food safety and a streamlined, transparent business environment.
