The Law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on Product and Goods Quality was voted on, including provisions prohibiting acts of providing false information and advertising.
On the afternoon of June 18, the National Assembly conducted the voting process to pass the Law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on Product and Goods Quality. The Law consists of 3 Articles, 27 clauses; amending 29 Articles, adding 14 new Articles, removing 34 Articles, 3 clauses of 2 Articles.
The voting results showed that 408/420 National Assembly deputies present voted in favor (accounting for 85.36%). The National Assembly officially passed this Law and it will take effect from January 1, 2026.
National Assembly deputies vote to pass the Law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on Product and Goods Quality. Photo: National Assembly.
Amend and supplement 3 prohibited acts
One of the highlights of this Law is the amendment and supplementation of regulations on 3 prohibited acts. Including providing false information, advertising or fraudulent acts about the quality, origin and source of products and goods; trading in products and goods that do not comply with applicable announced standards, corresponding technical regulations, of unknown origin, especially on digital platforms serving electronic transactions, causing confusion or deception to consumers.
It is strictly forbidden to conceal information about the risk level of products and goods that may affect human health, the safety of animals, plants, property or the environment. And performing acts of unfair competition related to the quality of products and goods that cause confusion and damage to other organizations and individuals.
The Law also adds provisions on filing lawsuits to protect consumers. Accordingly, social organizations participating in consumer protection have the right to initiate civil lawsuits to protect the common interests of consumers when products and goods do not comply with the applicable announced standards or corresponding technical regulations, causing damage to consumers according to the provisions of law.
The dispute settlement agency is responsible for providing information and documents related to violations of product and goods quality to the product and goods quality inspection agency and the competent state management agency for timely inspection, handling and warning of risks according to the provisions of law.
The Law also stipulates the responsibility for compensation for damages with the provision that organizations and individuals selling and importing goods must compensate buyers and consumers for damages in cases where the damage arises due to the fault of the organization or individual selling goods that do not comply with the applicable announced standards or corresponding technical regulations of the goods. Compensation for damages is made according to the agreement between the relevant parties or according to the decision of the court or arbitration.
Managing product quality according to 3 risk levels
In addition to prohibited acts, another highlight is that products and goods that are being classified by group are being classified into 3 risk levels for management to reduce pre-inspection and strengthen supervision and post-inspection.
Accordingly, products and goods are divided into low risk, medium risk, and high risk. On that basis, the Government and ministries managing the industry and sector will assess and classify the medium risk level and high risk level in conjunction with corresponding quality management measures to ensure flexibility and feasibility in practice.
Products and goods with medium risk and high risk levels must be declared to be in conformity or be subject to other management measures according to specialized laws.
According to Chairman of the Committee for Science, Technology and Environment Le Quang Huy, this regulation is consistent with international practice and practice, promptly resolving difficulties and reducing administrative procedures in the inspection of imported goods quality; applying technology in product quality management to suit the current context of digital transformation.
In addition, the Law allows the recognition of the results of the assessment of the designation of ministries and branches to minimize the costs of the conformity assessment organization.
Regarding the responsibility of State management, there are opinions suggesting continuing to review specific provisions in the draft law related to the responsibility of the Ministry of Science and Technology and ministries and branches in state management of product and goods quality…
Incorporating the above opinions, the draft law has reviewed and revised the provisions clearly stating that the Ministry of Science and Technology is responsible to the Government and the Prime Minister for the unified implementation of state management of product and goods quality. The responsibility of ministries and branches is assigned to the Government for detailed regulations.
Particularly for products and goods in the fields of national defense, security, cryptography, ensuring secrets, and national security, there are specific characteristics, so the Minister of National Defense and the Minister of Public Security are assigned to provide detailed regulations.
