VIETNAM STANDARDS AND REGULATIONS ON PACKAGING

1. Food Safety

Food safety is an important first thing in the process of producing food to the consumer. Here are some regulations of Vietnam on packaging for food safety:

• Law on Food Safety - 55/2010/QH12
• Decree detailing the implementation of a number of articles of the Law on Food Safety - Decree 15/2018/ND-CP
• Decree detailing the implementation of a number of articles of the Law on Food Safety - Decree 38/2012/ND-CP
• Regulations on food safety conditions for food production and trading establishments, tools, packaging materials and food containers under the management of the Ministry of Health - TT 16/2012/TT-BYT
• Circular guiding the announcement of regulation conformity and announcement of conformity with food safety regulations - TT 19/2012/TT-BYT
• Circular stipulating the principles and standards "Good manufacturing practice for pharmaceutical packaging" of guidelines for implementation and application - TT 14/2012/TT-BYT
• Supplementing Article 9 to Circular No. 14/2012/TT-BYT - Circular 02/2016/TT-BYT
• National technical regulation on safety and hygiene for packaging and tools in direct contact with food - TT 34/20118TT-BYT
• National technical regulation on safety and hygiene for plastic packaging and tools in direct contact with food - QCVN 12-1: 2011/BYT
• National technical regulation on safety for rubber packaging and tools in direct contact with food - QCVN 12-2: 2011/BYT
• National technical regulation on safety and hygiene for metal packaging and tools in direct contact with food - QCVN 12-3:2011/BYT
• National technical regulation on hygiene and safety for packaging, utensils made of glass, ceramic and enamel in direct contact with food - QCVN 12-4:2015/BYT
• Code of practice on genoral principles of food hygiene - TCVN 5503 : 1998 CAC/RCP 1 - 1969 REV 3 ( 1997 )2.

2. General standards for packaging 

Packaging standards are prioritized by manufacturers in the production process of products. Because each type of goods, transportation method, and packaging material have their own unique characteristics, it is necessary to ensure that the general standards of packaging comply with Vietnam's regulations on packaging. So, general standards for packaging include:

• Labeling of prepackaged foods = Labeling of prepackaged foods - TCVN 7087 : 2002 CODEX STAN 1 - 1991
• Labeling of food additives = General standard for the labeling of food additives when sold as such - TCVN 7089 : 2002 CODEX STAN 107 - 1981 
• Joint Circular guiding the labeling of processed foods, food additives and prepackaged food processing aids - TTLT 34/2014/TTLT-BYT-BNNPTNT-BTC
• Standard on commercial packaging_Plastic bags - TCVN 5653:1992
• Standard on commercial packaging _ Flat carton box - TCVN 5527:1991
• Printing paper, wrapping paper, packaging: List of quality criteria - TCVN 4734 : 1989 TCVN 4736 - 89
• Transport and packaging: Method for testing compressive strength - TCVN 4869: 1989
• Transport and packaging: Method of impact test in free fall - TCVN 4871: 1989
• Transport and packaging: Method of impact test when tilted - TCVN 4872: 1989
• Transport and packaging: Vibration test method - TCVN 4873: 1989
• In-stock shipping packaging: Water spray resistance test method - TCVN 4874 : 1989
• Packaging. Size of packing unit: Dimensions - TCVN 5118 : 1990 ISO 3676 - 1983
• Packaging: Method of sample preparation for the determination of microorganisms - TCVN 5119 : 1990 ST SEV 5780 - 86
• Packaging - Graphical symbols for shipping packaging = Pakaging - Pictorial making for handling goods - TCVN 6405 : 1998 ISO 780 : 1997 ( E )
• Use of packaging in production - General safety requirements = Use of industrial packages - General safety requirements - TCVN 6406: 1998
• Iron boxes for canned goods - TCVN 166 - 64
• Paper bags and containers: Terms and types - TCVN 5117 : 1990 ISO 6590 - 1983
• Shipping packaging. Cartons for export seafood products - TCVN 5512-1991
• Canned food. Cardboard shipping packaging - TCVN 3214: 1979
• Design documents: Process of presenting packaging drawings - TCVN 2217: 1977
• Standard on packaging and transport: Method of testing for compressive strength - TCVN 4869: 1989
• Standard for transport and packaging: Horizontal impact test method - TCVN 4870: 1989
• Standard for transport and packaging: Free fall impact test method - TCVN 4871 : 1989   
• Standard for transport and packaging: Method of impact test on tipping - TCVN 4872: 1989
• Standard for transport and packaging: Method of testing for vibration resistance - TCVN 4873: 1989
• Standard for shipping packaging in stock: Method of water spray resistance test - TCVN 4874 : 1989

3. Ink

In the production process of packaging, manufacturers pay special attention to the problem of printing ink on the packaging. Ink on packaging is very important in the production and distribution of products to consumers. It can be seen that the ink on the packaging is often used by important users not only to read product information, but to compare and check genuine products, fake goods, ... Vietnam has had Regulations and standards for ink criteria are as follows:

• Ink - Sampling method = Ink - Sampling method - TCVN 2081 : 1977
• Ink - Method of determining fineness = Ink - Methods of determination of fineness - TCVN 2082 : 1977
• Printing ink - Method to determine the conventional viscosity of dilute ink = Ink - Methods of determination of viocositting of condensed ink - TCVN 2083: 1977
• Printing ink - Method to determine the conventional viscosity of solid ink = Ink - Methods of determination of viocositting of condensed ink - TCVN 2084: 1977
• Ink - Spotting method = Ink - Method ofform line - TCVN 2085 : 1977
• Ink - Method of color comparison = Ink - Method of comparative of color - TCVN 2086 : 1977
• Printing ink - Method of determining drying time = Ink - Methods of determination setting time - TCVN 2087 : 1977 
• Printing ink - Method of determining oil permeability = Ink - Methods of determination for take oil - TCVN 2088 : 1977
• Printing ink - Packaging, labeling, transportation and preservation = Ink - Packaging, labeling, transportation and preservation - TCVN 2089: 1977
• Paints, varnishes and inks - Determination of fineness (ISO 1524: 2013) - TCVN 2091 : 2015

4. Materials

Raw materials for the production of packaging play a major role in the packaging production process. Manufacturers need to research, consider, and select packaging materials that are true to the characteristics of not only the product, but also the characteristics during the transportation and distribution of the product. Vietnam sets out the standards and regulations on raw materials as follows:

• PVC thin film. Technical requirements - TCVN 5820: 1994
• Newsprint paper - TCVN 5900: 2001
• Paper: Size to use - TCVN193 : 1966
• Writing paper = Writing paper - TCVN 5899: 2001
• Copier paper = Photocopying paper - TCVN 6887 : 2001
• Printing paper = Printing paper - TCVN6886 : 2001
• Newsprint = Newsprint - TCVN 5900: 2001
• Industry standard of corrugated board board - Ministry of Industry - Industry standard 24 TCN 72-99
• Corrugated board paper - Industry standard 24 TCN 73-99
• Middle Flat Cardboard of Corrugated Cardboard - Industry Standard 24 TCN 74-99
• Duplex Cardboard - Industry Standard 24 TCN 75-99
• Paper, board and pulp: Determination of pH of extract = Paper. Board and pullp - Determination of pH of aqueous extracts - TCVN 7066 : 2002
• Paper - Determination of ink permeability - Castor oil penetration test = Paper - Determination of printing ink permeation - Castor oil est - TCVN 6899 : 2001
• Pulp - refer to a laboratory sample sheet to determine whiteness = Pulp. Preparation of laboratory sheets for measurement of brightnees - TCVN 6729 : 2000
• Pulp - Determination of limiting viscosity by copper ethylene diamine (CED) solution = Pulp - Determination of limiting viscosity number in cupri ethylene diamine (CED) solution - TCVN 7072 : 2002
• Pulp - Determination of alpha-, beta- and gamma-cellulose= Pulp - Determination of alpha-, beta- and gamma-cellulose - TCVN 7071 : 2002
• Pulp - Sampling = Pulps - Sampling for testing - TCVN 4360 : 2001 ISO 7213:1981
• Pulp - Determination of kappa number = Pulp - Determination of kappa number - TCVN 1361 : 2002
• Pulp - determination of dryness = Pulp - Determining of matter content - TCVN 4407 : 2001 ISO 638 : 1978
• Paper, Cardboard and Pulp - Determine ISO whiteness (Blue Diffuse Reflectance)= Paper. Board and pullp - Measurement of ISO brightness (diffuse blue reflectance factor) - TCVN 1865 : 2000
• Paper, board and pulp: Determination of ash after calcination at 900 ⁰ C = Paper. Board and pulkp - Determination of residue (ash) on lightion at 900 ⁰ C - TCVN 1864 : 2001 ISO 2144 : 1997
• Paper, board and pulp - Determination of copper value = Paper. Board and pullp - Determination of copper number - TCVN 7067 : 2002
• Paper, board and pulp - Analysis of fiber composition = Paper. Board and pulkp - Fiber furnish analis - TCVN 3980 : 2001 ISO 9184 : 1990 
• Paper, board and pulp - Standard medium for conditioning and testing = Paper. Board and pullp - Standard atmosphere for conditioning and testing - TCVN 6725 : 2000
• Paper - Determination of ink permeability - Castor oil penetration test = Paper - Determination of printing ink permeation - Castor oil est - TCVN 6899 : 2001
• Paper - Determination of surface strength - Candle method = Paper - Determination of surface strength - Wax pick method - TCVN 6898 : 2001
• Paper. Method to determine right and left side = Paper. Identification of top and wire sides of paper - TCVN 3653 : 1981
• Paper - Determination of tear strength - Method elmendorf = Paper - Determination of tearing resistance - Elmendorf method - TCVN 3229 : 2000
• Paper - Determination of folding endurance = Paper - Determination of folding endurance - TCVN 1866 : 2000
• Paper - Determination of bursting strength - TCVN 3228-1 : 2000
• Paper - Determination of size change after immersion in water = Paper - Determination of dimenssional change after immersion in water - TCVN 7070 : 2002
• Paper with high water absorbency - Method for determining water absorption = Bibulous paper - Determination of water absorbency - TCVN 6893: 2001
• Corrugating medium - Determination of the flat crush resistance after laboratory fluting - TCVN 6897 : 2001 ISO7263 : 1994
• Board - Determination of bursting strength = Board - Determination of bursting strength - TCVN 3228 : 2000
• Cardboard - Determination of ring compressive strength = Board - Determination of crush crush - TCVN 6896:2001
• Paper and board: Method for determination of water permeability = Paper and board - Method for determination of water permeability - TCVN 3650:1981
• Paper and board: Method for determination of acidity or alkalinity = Paper and board - Method for determination of acidity or alkalinity - TCVN 3225:1979
• Paper and board: Method for determination of dust = Paper and board - Method for determination of dusting - TCVN 1868:1976
• Paper and board - Sampling to determine average quality = Paper and board - Sampling to determine average quality - TCVN 3649 : 2000
• Paper and board - Determination of thickness and density = Paper and board - Determination of thickness and apparent densily - TCVN 3652 : 2000
• Paper and board - Determination of the vertical = Paper and board - Determination of machine direction - TCVN 3651 : 2002
• Paper and board - Method for determination of water permanence = Paper and board - Method for the determination of water permanbility - TCVN 3650 : 1981
• Paper and board - Determination of moisture - Drying method = Paper and board - Determination of molsture content - Oven-drying method - TCVN 1867 : 2000
• Paper and board - Determination of tensile strength - Constant of elongation rate method = Paper and board - Determination of tensile properties - Constant of elongation method - TCVN 1862-2 : 2000
• Paper and board - Determination of tensile strength - Method of constant load = Paper and board - Determination of tensile properties - Constant rate loading method - TCVN 1862-1 : 2000
• Paper and board - Determination of starch = Paper and board - Determination of starch - TCVN 7069 : 2002
• Paper and board - Determination of opacity - Diffuse reflectance method = Paper and board - Determination of opaccity (paper backing) - Diffuse reflectance method - TCVN 6728 : 2000
• Paper and board - Determination of air permeability - Bendtsen method = Paper and board - Determination of air permeance - Bendtsen method - TCVN 6891 : 2001 ISO 5636-3 : 1992
• Paper and board - Determination of resistance to bending = Paper and board - Determination of resistance to bending - TCVN 6894 : 2001 ISO 2439 : 1992
• Paper and board - Determination of weight = Paper and board - Determination of grammage - TCVN 1720 : 2000
• Paper and Cardboard - Defines smoothness. Bekk method = Paper and board - Determination of smoothness. Bekk method - TCVN 6727 : 2000
• Paper and board - Determination of water absorption. Cobb method = Paper and board - Determination of water absorptiveness. Cobb method - TCVN 6726 : 2000
• Paper and board - Determination of compressive strength - Short drill test method = Paper and board - Compressive strength - Short span test - TCVN 6895 : 2001 ISO 9895 : 1989
• Paper and board - Determination of roughness. Bendtsen method = Paper and board - Determination of roughness. Bendtsen method - TCVN 3226 : 2001 ISO 8791-2 : 1985
• Paper and cardboard - Artificial aging. Part 1: Heat treatment method = Paper and board - Accelerated aging. Part 1: Dry heat treatment - TCVN 7068-1 : 2001
• Printing paper, wrapping paper, packaging: List of quality criteria - TCVN 4736: 1985
• Pulp - Preparation of laboratory sheets for he measurement of bringhtness - TCVN 6729 : 2000
• Paper and board - Quantitative determination = Paper and board - Determination of grammage - TCVN 1270 : 2000
• Paper and board - Determination of tensile strength - Constant rate of loading method = Paper and board - Determination of tensile properties - Constant rate of loading method - TCVN 1860 - 1: 2000
• Paper and board - Determination of tensile strength - Constant rate of elongation method = Paper and board - Determination of tensile properties - Constant rate of elongation method - TCVN 1862 - 2: 2000
• Paper, board and pulp - Determination of whiteness ISO (Diffuse blue reflectance factor) = Paper, board and pulp - Measurement of ISO brightness ( Diffuse blue reflectance factor) - TCVN 1865 : 2000
• Paper - Determination of folding strength = Paper - Determination of folding andurance - TCVN 1866 : 2000
• Paper - Determination of bursting strength = Paper - Determonation of bursting strength - TCVN 3228-1 : 2000
• Cardboard - Determination of bursting strength = Board - Determonation of bursting strength - TCVN 3228-2 : 2000
• Paper - Determination of tear strength - Elmendorf method = Paper - Determination of tearing resistance - Elmendorf method - TCVN 3229 : 2000
• Paper and board - Sampling to determine average quality = Paper and board - Sampling to determine average quality - TCVN 3649 : 2000
• Paper and board - Determination of thickness and density = Paper and board - Determonation of thickness and apparent density - TCVN 3652 : 2000
• Paper, board and pulp - Standard atmosphere for conditioning and testing = Paper, board and pulp - Standard atmosphere for conditioning and testing - TCVN 6725 : 2000
• Paper and board - Determination of water absorption - Method COBB = Paper and board - Determonation of water absorptiveness Cobb method - TCVN 6726 : 2000
• Paper and board - Determination of smoothness - Method BEKK= Paper and board - Determonation of smoothness - Bekk method - TCVN 6727 : 2000
• Paper and board - Determination of opacity - Diffuse reflectance method = Paper and board - Determonation of opacity (paper backing) - Diffuse reflectance method - TCVN 6728 : 2000

5. Quality management system

To know if the product's packaging is up to standard or not. Manufacturers must know a number of packaging quality management systems according to Vietnamese standards:

• Quality management system - Quality management system - ISO 9000:2015 Bộ
• Guidelines for quality and/or environmental management system auditing = Guidelines for quality and/or environmental management system auditing - TCVN ISO 19011 : 2013

6. Environment

Information about the environmental management system, packaging quality to ensure safety for all types of environment: air environment, soil environment, ... are of special interest to manufacturers. The state has prescribed:

• Environmental management systems - Requirements and guidance for use = Environmental management systems - Requirements with guidance for use) - TCVN ISO 14001 : 2015 ISO 14001 : 2015
• Environmental labels and declarations - General principles = Environmental labels and declarations - General priciples - ISO 14020: 2009 (14020 - 14025) ISO 14020: 1998
• Discussion on post-production environmental assessment - TCVN ISO 14030 : 2015
• Environmental management - Evaluation of environmental performance - General guidance = Environmental management - Environmental performance evaluation - Guidelines - TCVN ISO 14031: 2015 ISO 14031: 2013
• Environmental management - Product life cycle assessment = Environmental management - Life cycle assessment - TCVN : 14040: 2009/ ISO 14041: 1998
• Environmental management - Vocabulary = Environmental management - Vocabulary - TCVN : 14050 : 2015/ ISO 14050 : 1998
• Solid waste - Sanitary landfill - General requirements for environmental protection = Solid wastes - Sanitary landfills - General requirements to the environmental protection - TCVN 6696 : 2009
• Hazardous waste - Warning signs, prevention = Hazardous wastes - Warning signs - TCVN 6707 : 2009
• Air quality - Determination of performance characteristics of measurement method = Aru quality - Determination of performance characteristics of measurement method - TCVN 6751 : 2000/ ISO 9169 : 1994
• Air quality - Handling of temperature, pressure and humidity data = Ari quality - Handling of temperature, pressure and humidity data - TCVN 6752: 2000/ ISO 8756: 1994
• Air quality - Handling of temperature, pressure and humidity data = Ari quality - Handling of temperature, pressure and humidity data - TCVN 6752: 2000/ ISO 8756: 1994
• Air quality - Definition of particle size fraction for health-related sampling = Ari quality - Particle size fraction definition for health-related sampling - TCVN 6753 : 2000/ ISO 7708 : 1995
• Circular guiding refund of environmental protection tax for plastic used as pre-packed goods according to Resolution 02/NQ-CQ dated January 7, 2013 - TT 30/2013/TT-BTC