Vietnam: Proposal for a new national technical regulation for alcoholic beverages

 

MoIT Holds Consultation on Developing National Technical Regulation for Alcoholic Beverages

On October 3, the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) held a consultation, chaired by Deputy Minister Truong Thanh Hoai, to discuss the development of a new national technical regulation on alcoholic beverages.

Urgent Need for Updated Standards

The session gathered representatives from key MoIT departments — including the Agency for Innovation, Green Transition and Industrial Promotion, the Department of Industry, the Domestic Market Surveillance Authority, the Import-Export Department, and the Trade Remedies Authority — alongside delegates from the Ministries of Health, Agriculture, and Environment, the Vietnam Standards and Quality Institute, the Vietnam Beer-Alcohol-Beverage Association, the Vietnam Consumer Protection Association, and leading beverage producers.

Opening the consultation, Deputy Minister Truong Thanh Hoai emphasized that developing a new regulation is an urgent priority to safeguard consumers, enhance state management, and ensure business practicality. He outlined four key areas of focus:

1. Consumer Protection:
   Alcoholic beverages pose potential risks such as methanol or aldehyde poisoning, heavy metal contamination, and microbial hazards. Non-alcoholic drinks, meanwhile, raise concerns over sugar and caffeine levels, additives, preservatives, and chemical residues. Clear, consistent, and applicable standards are essential to minimize risks and protect public health.
2. Legal Framework:
   The existing regulation, issued in 2010, has been in effect for 15 years. Since then, Vietnam’s legal system on product quality and food safety has undergone major updates. MoIT is now tasked with aligning the regulation with current legislation and international practices.
3. Support for Businesses:
   A transparent, uniform regulatory framework will protect compliant enterprises, foster industry growth, and strengthen competitiveness in both domestic and export markets.
4. Feasibility and Implementation:
   Regulations must be scientifically sound, compatible with Vietnam’s testing capabilities, and introduced with a realistic roadmap, giving small and medium-sized enterprises time to adapt.

“With that spirit, today’s workshop offers a valuable opportunity to exchange views and propose solutions,” Deputy Minister Hoai noted. “With contributions from ministries, experts, associations, and businesses, we can develop a regulation that is both scientific and practical, protecting consumers while promoting sustainable growth in Vietnam’s beverage sector.”

Drafting Committee to Integrate Feedback

During discussions, representatives from government bodies, associations, and businesses provided technical recommendations to refine the draft.

According to Dang Hong Anh, Head of the Department of Food and Beverage Technology under the Vietnam Institute of Food Industry, the new regulation will feature four major updates:

1. Build on QCVN 6-3:2010/BYT (Ministry of Health) while incorporating EU and international standards.
2. Expand coverage to include traditional and craft alcoholic beverages, establishing a clear legal framework for quality control.
3. Modernize testing methods to ensure scientific validity and practical application.
4. Update sampling procedures in accordance with the Ministry of Science and Technology’s 2024 guidelines.

From the industry side, Pham Trung Kien, Deputy General Director of Hanoi Beer-Alcohol-Beverage Corporation (Habeco), welcomed the initiative, saying stricter standards would help protect consumers. He called for clearer definitions of product categories — such as white spirits, blended and distilled liquors, and food-grade alcohol — as well as rules for imports to prevent unfair treatment. He also urged continued engagement with enterprises and consumer groups.

Representing the Ministry of Health, Nguyen Minh Ha suggested managing traditional and craft liquors under a separate regulation, potentially developed jointly by MoIT and the Ministry of Health.

Concluding the session, a representative from the MoIT’s Agency for Innovation, Green Transition and Industrial Promotion affirmed that all feedback, including written submissions, will be consolidated for revision. A second consultation will be held soon to present the updated draft. Stakeholders are encouraged to continue submitting input to ensure the new regulation is comprehensive, practical, and widely applicable.

To find out more about product compliance in Vietnam, do not hesitate to contact the Product Compliance Institute.