📢 From July 1, 2026: What Should Importers Of Plant Protection Products Prepare For The New Regulations?

Effective July 1, 2026, several new regulations governing the quality inspection of imported plant protection products (PPPs) will officially take effect. These changes represent not only an adjustment to administrative procedures but also a significant shift in the approach to product quality management, requiring businesses to take a more proactive role in preparing regulatory documentation and ensuring product quality from the outset.

🔹 Changes In The Authority Responsible For Quality Inspection

One of the most notable changes is the decentralization of state quality inspection authority for imported plant protection products from central-level specialized agencies to Provincial People's Committees.

This decentralization is expected to enhance the autonomy of local authorities, improve administrative efficiency, and shorten processing times for businesses. However, during the initial implementation period, importers should closely monitor guidance issued by local authorities to ensure that their applications and procedures comply with the new requirements.

🔹 A Shift From Shipment-Based Inspection To Product Quality Management

Previously, businesses primarily focused on preparing documentation for each imported shipment. Under the new regulatory framework, greater emphasis will be placed on demonstrating product compliance through conformity certification, declaration of conformity, and conformity assessment activities.

This means that businesses will need to focus not only on obtaining approval for individual shipments but also on ensuring the consistency, stability, and compliance of their products throughout their lifecycle in the market.

🔹 Conformity Documentation Will Become Increasingly Important

Moving forward, businesses should carefully review and maintain the following documentation:

✅ Certificate of Conformity;

✅ Declaration of Conformity;

✅ Product Technical Dossier;

✅ Quality Documentation Provided by the Manufacturer;

✅ Conformity Assessment Records in accordance with applicable regulations.

Any changes relating to the product name, manufacturer, manufacturing site, active ingredient concentration, formulation, or packaging specifications should be reviewed against existing regulatory documentation to avoid complications during importation and market distribution.

🔹 Foreign Manufacturers Should Be Prepared In Advance

The new regulatory approach evaluates not only the final product but also the manufacturer's quality management capabilities.

Therefore, importers are encouraged to work closely with overseas manufacturers to ensure the availability of supporting documents, including quality management system records, manufacturing procedures, raw material control measures, technical dossiers, and other relevant documentation that may be required during conformity assessment activities.

Early preparation will help businesses minimize risks and avoid delays when additional information is requested by competent authorities.

🔹 Product Labeling Should Be Thoroughly Reviewed

Another important area requiring attention is the consistency between regulatory documentation and product labeling.

Information such as product name, manufacturer details, composition, active ingredient content, packaging specifications, directions for use, original labels, and Vietnamese supplementary labels should be reviewed to ensure alignment with registration dossiers, conformity documentation, and technical records.

Even minor discrepancies in labeling may result in requests for clarification, document amendments, or additional submissions, potentially affecting import clearance and product distribution timelines.

🔹 Greater Reliance On Electronic Administrative Procedures

Alongside the decentralization of regulatory responsibilities, businesses should also prepare for the increased use of electronic administrative procedures through the National Single Window Portal.

Digitizing and organizing regulatory documentation, technical records, and supporting files will facilitate administrative processing and enable faster responses when additional information or document verification is required.

🌱 What Should Businesses Do To Prepare For The New Regulations?

✔ Review all conformity-related documentation and product technical dossiers.

✔ Verify consistency between regulatory records, product labeling, and actual product specifications.

✔ Coordinate with manufacturers to update quality documentation and technical records.

✔ Digitize and standardize documentation for submission through the National Single Window Portal.

✔ Closely monitor implementation guidelines issued by local authorities to ensure timely compliance with the new requirements.

The regulatory changes taking effect on July 1, 2026, are expected to streamline administrative procedures, enhance the effectiveness of product quality management, and promote a more transparent business environment. Businesses that prepare early will be better positioned to minimize compliance risks and maintain smooth, uninterrupted import operations.