How Vietnam introduced a national metrology infrastructure

The Vietnamese government began the process of adopting a national metrology infrastructure in 2009. As an active member of two key regional metrology and legal metrology organisations the economy was well-poised to make the move.

During the process Vietnam: 

  • Gave the go-ahead to its Directorate for Standards and Quality (an agency of its Ministry of Science and Technology) to develop a new metrology law that is harmonised internationally.
  • Started the process by consulting widely within the ecomony and with overseas experts, who advised on a suitable legal framework and how it should be linked with international agreements.
  • Vietnam’s membership of specialist regional bodies, Asia Pacific Metrology Programme (APMP) and Asia Pacific Legal Metrology Forum (APLMF) proved very helpful. These organisations delivered many training workshops aimed at providing the economy with a better understanding of the metrological needs of a developed economy. 

Vietnam introduces metrology law

Two years after taking these actions, on November 11, 2011 the government passed the Vietnam Metrology Law and it took effect on July 1, 2012. The law replaced the Vietnam's Ordinance on Measurement 1999 and was harmonised with International Organisation of Legal Metrology (OIML) recommendations.

Under this law, measuring devices were classified into two groups. They were either controlled to meet international requirements (group 1), or controlled to meet the requirements of its Directorate for Standards and Quality, one of the agencies responsible for measuring devices, including measuring instruments used for regulation, trade, consumer rights, health care and environmental protection (group 2). In addition, it appointed organisations to verify, calibrate group 2 measuring devices.

Vietnam continued to take further steps to build its metrology infrastructure including: 

  • Developing a list of group 2 measuring instruments as well as requirements for their metrological control such as type approval.
  • Appointing and registering bodies involved in the verification, calibration and testing of measuring instruments and measurement standards.
  • Setting requirements for filling and labelling of pre-packaged goods and for use of the V mark.