Including e-commerce in the regulation of products on the market

DNHN - In comparison to Circular 26 and Circular 12, the new Draft Circular strengthens restrictions on market items, "including commodities in e-commerce company operations." The Ministry of Science and Technology (Science and Technology) is seeking feedback on a draft Circular governing state inspection of the quality of items on the market.

According to the draft report of the General Department of Standards, Metrology, and Quality, the Ministry issued Circular 26/2012/TT-BKHCN stipulating the state inspection of the quality of goods circulating on the market, and Circular 12/2017/TT-BKHCN (Circular 12) amending and supplementing some articles of Circular 26 has contributed to improving the quality of domestic goods and promoting enterprise competitiveness.

Notably, one of the most visible difficulties in the recent pandemic has been the rising tendency of using 4.0 technology in companies. The e-commerce industry (e-commerce) is quickly expanding.

Furthermore, internet sales do not require a warehouse to keep items, and the source of goods might come from a variety of sources, making inspection and control difficult. As a result, quality control and labelling of e-commerce items should be addressed, researched, and complemented with rules and fines for execution.

And, to protect consumers' interests and provide advantageous conditions for legitimate commercial firms, a Circular to replace Circular 26 and Circular 12 must be developed and issued.

When compared to Circular 26, and Circular 12, the draft Circular contains various content changes and additions.

Circular 26 specifically states that products circulating on the market include items in transit, exhibition, marketing, and storage during the sale and acquisition of goods. Except in the event of businesses or individuals carrying products from the border gate to the warehouse for storage.

The proposed circular enhances restrictions on market products, "including commodities in e-commerce company operations."

Furthermore, the draft Circular adds inspection content for goods traded on e-commerce websites: "For goods traded on e-commerce sites, in addition to the inspection according to regulations, the person competent to inspect conduct tests to compare the consistency of information on sales websites with the reality of inspected goods."

Furthermore, the draft Circular updates and supplements many other elements, such as restrictions on goods owners; quality controllers are only permitted to perform independent inspections following the inspection agency's assignment decision...

The draft Circular has been finalized and submitted to Ministry of Science and Technology officials for discussion and signature; it is likely to be issued in December 2022.

P.V