In the context of a market that focuses on quality and safety, self-declared product is a strategic step that not only helps businesses comply with the law but also builds strong trust with consumers. Whether your product is in the agricultural industry, processed foods, or food contact materials, understanding the process and the receiving agency is extremely important.

GT Law provide Full package of consulting and support services for Self-Declaration of Products, with extensive experience working with Department of Agricultural, Forestry and Fishery Product Quality Management (under the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development) and Food Safety and Hygiene Department (under the Department of Health)We are committed to helping businesses complete all procedures quickly, accurately and efficiently.

What is product self-declaration and why is it necessary?

Self-declaration of products is the act of enterprises, organizations, and individuals self-registering detailed information about their products and goods with competent state agencies and publicizing that information. This is a mandatory legal requirement for certain types of products that are not subject to registration of declaration.

Benefits of self-publishing:

• Compliance with the law: Ensure products are legally circulated, avoiding the risk of administrative penalties.
• Building trust: Demonstrate product meets quality and safety standards, enhancing brand reputation.
• Improve competitiveness: Create an advantage in the market, helping products easily reach consumers.
• Anti-counterfeiting: Under the supervision of the authorities, self-declaration helps protect your products from counterfeiting and imitation.

Which products must self-declare?

According to Article 4 of Decree No. 15/2018/ND-CP, the following products are required to self-declare before being put on the market:

• Prepackaged processed foods.
• Food additives (except for some special types).
• Food processing aids.
• Food containers.
• Packaging materials in direct contact with food.

Cases that are NOT subject to self-declaration (but must register the declaration):

Products with special properties that require stricter management due to their direct impact on health (Article 6 of Decree 15/2018/ND-CP):

• Health protection food, medical nutritional food, food for special diets.
• Nutritional products for children up to 36 months old.
• Some mixed food additives have new uses or are not intended for the right users.

Products are EXEMPTED from self-declaration:

• Products and raw materials manufactured/imported are only used for manufacturing and processing export goods.
• Products and raw materials manufactured/imported are only for internal production of organizations/individuals and are not consumed in the domestic market.

GT Law's specialized product self-declaration service

GT Law, with practical experience, specializes in supporting clients in self-declaring products at different competent authorities, ensuring compliance with regulations for each type of product.

Self-declare products at the Department of Agricultural, Forestry and Fishery Product Quality Management (under the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development)

The declaration of agricultural and forestry products (food under agricultural management, animal feed, fertilizers, etc.) is usually carried out at the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) at the provincial/municipal level or the Department's affiliated branches, specifically: Department of Agricultural, Forestry and Fishery Product Quality Management.

• Applicable products: Preliminary food products, livestock products, aquatic products, animal feed, fertilizers and agricultural products under assigned management.
• Receiving agency: Department of Agriculture and Rural Development or Department of Agricultural, Forestry and Fishery Product Quality Management in the province/city where the enterprise has its headquarters or production facility.
• GT Law Support:
  • Detailed advice on testing criteria and specific document requirements for agricultural and forestry products.
  • Prepare complete documents according to the form of the Agriculture sector.
  • Representative submits documents, monitors and handles arising issues with the Department or Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Self-declare products at the Department of Food Safety and Hygiene (under the Department of Health)

Food Safety and Hygiene Department (FSH), under the Department of Health, is an advisory body, assisting the Director of the Department of Health in state management of food safety. Processed food products, prepackaged food, food additives, food processing aids, packaging tools/materials that come into direct contact with food (not under the management of the Ministry of Industry and Trade or the Ministry of Agriculture) are often self-declared here.

• Applicable products: Prepackaged processed foods (under the management of the Ministry of Health), food additives, food processing aids, containers and packaging materials in direct contact with food.
• Receiving agency: Provincial Food Safety and Hygiene Department or the place receiving the dossier is assigned by the Provincial People's Committee.
• Detailed documents required for service at Food Safety Department:
  1. Product self-declaration: According to Form No. 01 prescribed in Decree 15/2018/ND-CP.
  2. Business registration certificate: Notarized copy.
  3. Certificate of food safety qualified facility: (or equivalent documents) Original or notarized copy (if any).
  4. Manufacturing license (if any): Copy.
  5. Food safety test results of the product: Copy or original, must fully demonstrate food safety indicators, valid for 12 months.
  • (Note on documents: All documents must be in Vietnamese, foreign documents must be notarized, all must be valid.)
• Detailed procedures GT Law performs for you at the Food Safety Department:
  1. Prepare documents: GT Law advises and drafts all of the above documents.
  2. Submit application: Business representatives submit applications directly at the Department, or via online public services/post (if available).
  3. Check and process documents: Monitor the process of receiving and checking documents and working directly to resolve additional requests (if any).
  4. Product announcement: Once the application is approved, the product will be published and the business can officially launch the product on the market.

General product self-declaration process at GT Law:

Regardless of which agency the product falls under, GT Law always carries out a professional process:

• Step 1: Consulting and determining the type of announcement: Evaluate your product to determine whether it is a Self-Declaration or Registered Declaration, and the appropriate receiving agency.
• Step 2: Product testing support: Advise on testing criteria and connect with accredited testing laboratories (if the product does not have valid test results).
• Step 3: Prepare and complete the application: Prepare complete and accurate necessary documents as required by each specialized agency.
• Step 4: Submit application and follow up: Business representatives submit documents to competent authorities, closely monitor progress and handle arising issues.
• Step 5: Disclosure of information: Guide and support businesses to publicly announce their product self-declaration on mass media or at headquarters.

Service cost and completion time:

• Service fee: Please contact GT Law for a detailed, competitive quote, depending on the product type and receiving agency. (Service price does not include product testing fee, if any).
• Completion time:
  • Product testing: 3 – 7 working days (if needed).
  • Complete and submit application: 1 – 3 working days (after receiving full test results and documents).
  • State agency review time: Within 7 working days from the date of receipt of valid documents, the agency will receive and process.

Important notes after self-publishing:

• Immediately after self-declaration and publication, the enterprise has the right to produce and trade the product and is fully responsible for the safety of that product.
• Self-declaration: When the product has a change in Product name, origin, composition, the enterprise must re-declare itself as a new profile.
• Notice of change: In case of other changes (other than name, origin, composition), only written notification of the change content is required to the competent state management agency.

Contact GT Law now for free consultation and professional support for Product Self-Declaration service, helping your products quickly and legally reach consumers!