This regulation, issued by the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) of Vietnam, establishes the framework for declaring conformity to standards (standard-conformity) and national technical regulations (regulation-conformity). It defines the methods for conformity assessment, the responsibilities of organizations and individuals, and the procedures for registering declarations. This Circular significantly impacts manufacturers and importers of radio devices by standardizing the certification paths required to demonstrate compliance with Vietnamese technical requirements.

While this Circular provides the administrative and procedural framework for certification, specific technical parameters—including permitted frequency ranges, maximum output power, bandwidth, and designated uses—are determined by the specific National Technical Regulations (QCVNs) applicable to the device type. Manufacturers must identify the relevant QCVN for their specific radio equipment as part of the declaration process.

The regulation outlines eight primary methods for assessing conformity, which are applied based on the risk level of the product and specific requirements of the relevant technical regulations:

Method 1: Testing of representative samples of the product type.

Method 2: Type testing combined with market surveillance through sample testing.

Method 3: Type testing and evaluation of the production process, with surveillance through sampling at the factory and production process assessment.

Method 4: Type testing and evaluation of the production process, with surveillance through sampling at the factory and/or on the market.

Method 5: Type testing and evaluation of the production process or quality management system (QMS), with surveillance through sampling (at factory or market) and QMS/production process assessment.

Method 6: Assessment and surveillance of the quality management system.

Method 7: Testing and evaluation of a specific lot or batch of products.

Method 8: Testing or inspection of the entire product unit.

For high-risk products, Methods 1 and 6 are generally not applicable. Organizations may be eligible for reduced testing frequency if they maintain certified quality management systems (e.g., ISO 9001) from accredited certification bodies.

The declaration of conformity must be based on testing results from designated or accredited testing laboratories. For mandatory regulation-conformity (typically required for radio devices), the assessment must be conducted by a certification body registered or designated by the relevant Ministry. The registration process is conducted via the National Database on Standards, Metrology, and Quality. If the national database is unavailable, dossiers may be submitted directly or via postal service to the local specialized agency.

Devices that have successfully completed the declaration of conformity must bear the appropriate conformity mark before being placed on the market:

Standard Conformity Mark: Use is governed by the certification body and TCVN ISO/IEC 17030. It is prohibited for self-assessed standard-conformity declarations.

Regulation Conformity Mark (CR Mark): Must follow the specific design, shape, and size ratios specified in Appendix I of this Circular.

Mark Placement: The mark must be placed directly on the product, its packaging, or included in technical documentation and labels. It must be visible, legible, indelible, and non-removable.

Electronic Labeling: The regulation permits the use of electronic labels (e-labels) for devices with displays. In such cases, the physical placement requirements for the CR mark on the product or packaging are exempted.

Certain products may be exempt from the declaration of conformity as specified under Article 48 of the Law on Standards and Technical Regulations, though they must still comply with relevant quality management and safety requirements. The regulation also stipulates that if a product is governed by multiple technical regulations, the conformity mark can only be applied once all relevant regulations are satisfied.

This Circular (effective from May 25, 2026) replaces and abrogates several previous regulations, including:

Replaces: Circular No. 28/2012/TT-BKHCN (December 12, 2012) on declaration of standard-conformity and regulation-conformity.

Replaces: Circular No. 02/2017/TT-BKHCN (March 31, 2017), which amended Circular 28/2012/TT-BKHCN.

Replaces: Circular No. 04/2025/TT-BKHCN (May 31, 2025), which amended Circular 28/2012/TT-BKHCN.

Repeals: Specific clauses within Circular No. 06/2020/TT-BKHCN and Circular No. 07/2024/TT-BKHCN related to the implementation of Decree 132/2008/NĐ-CP and its amendments.