Paper towels, toilet paper and tissue products are directly and frequently used in daily life. Consequently, raw material quality, durability, absorbency, and threshold limits for substances posing potential health risks must be strictly controlled before these products are placed on the market.

Vinacontrol’s conformity certification services for paper towels, toilet paper, and tissue products assist enterprises in evaluating product compliance with applicable national technical regulations, completing the foundation for mandatory declaration of conformity, and mitigating legal risks throughout manufacturing, import, and distribution processes.

Service Background

Conformity certification for paper towels and paper products is an assessment, testing, and verification process certifying that tissue paper, paper towels, and toilet paper comply with the National Technical Regulation QCVN 09:2015/BCT issued by the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT). This ensures user safety and legal compliance prior to market circulation.

Under Circular No. 33/2026/TT-BCT (effective July 1, 2026), paper towels and toilet paper are categorized under the Lists of medium-risk and high-risk products and goods under state management of the Ministry of Industry and Trade. All manufacturing and importing entities are required to perform a declaration of conformity under QCVN 09:2015/BCT before releasing products into the market.

Which paper products require conformity certification?

Pursuant to the Appendix of Circular No. 33/2026/TT-BCT, paper products requiring conformity certification and declaration in compliance with QCVN 09:2015/BCT include:

Certificate of Conformity for paper products issued by Vinacontrol

Conformity certification process for paper towels, toilet paper and tissue paper

Domestically Manufactured Paper Products:

Under Circular No. 14/2026/TT-BKHCN dated April 9, 2026, issued by the Ministry of Science and Technology, domestically manufactured tissue paper and paper products shall undergo conformity certification under Method 5 and declaration of conformity pursuant to QCVN 09:2015/BCT. Specifically:

• Step 1: Register for paper product conformity certification using Vinacontrol's registration form;
• Step 2: Execute the service contract and quotation;
• Step 3: Receive advisory support in establishing a quality assurance system at the manufacturing facility (this step is waived if the facility already holds ISO 9001 certification);
• Step 4: Vinacontrol conducts an on-site conformity assessment at the factory and collects test samples;
• Step 5: Assessment documentation is reviewed;
• Step 6: Vinacontrol issues the conformity certificate for the paper product;
• Step 7: The enterprise submits the conformity declaration to the Department of Industry and Trade (Vinacontrol will guide the client through this step).

Imported Paper Products:

Imported paper products are subject to quality inspection of imported goods (also known as certification under Certification Method 7) in accordance with Circular No. 14/2026/TT-BKHCN. Specifically:

• Step 1: Register for paper product conformity certification using Vinacontrol's registration form;
• Step 2: The importing enterprise registers for state quality inspection with Vietnam Customs (for the designated import shipment);
• Step 3: Vinacontrol conducts the assessment and collects test samples from the shipment (sampling may take place at the port or at the warehouse);
• Step 4: Vinacontrol issues the conformity certificate for the paper product shipment;

Conformity declaration for paper towels, napkins, and tissue paper

A conformity declaration for paper products is a self-declaration confirming that the paper product complies with National Technical Regulation QCVN 09:2015/BCT. This is a mandatory requirement for organizations and individuals engaged in the manufacture, or processing of paper towels and paper products. These entities are responsible for registering the conformity declaration with the relevant competent authorities in accordance with regulations issued by the Ministry of Industry and Trade, and for ensuring that products remain consistent with the declared content at all times. Products imported on a consignment basis are exempt from the declaration of conformity.

Under the current regulations, businesses may base their conformity declaration on one of the following:

(1) Conformity certification results issued by a legally accredited certification body;

(2) Self-assessment results based on test results from an accredited or designated testing organization;

(3) Certification results issued by a certification body designated by the Ministry of Industry and Trade, such as Vinacontrol.

Among these options, certification by a designated third-party body is the option most commonly chosen by businesses, as it offers the strongest legal standing in the event of post-market inspection by regulatory authorities.

Validity of the paper product conformity certificate

• Certificates of Conformity issued by Vinacontrol guarantee objectivity, transparency, and full legal validity nationwide.
• Certificates of Conformity for domestically manufactured paper products are valid for up to three (03) years, subject to periodic surveillance audits conducted at a maximum interval of 12 months.
• Certificates of Conformity for imported paper products are valid exclusively for the audited import consignment.