Vietnam: Government approves anti-counterfeiting and consumer protection in e-commerce by 2025 Plan

04 Apr 2023    1 minute read
Anti-Counterfeiting and Consumer Protection Decision No. 319 QD-TTg 2025 Plan

In brief

  • On 29 March 2023, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang signed Decision No. 319/QD-TTg, which approved the Anti-Counterfeiting and Consumer Protection in e-commerce by 2025 Plan ("Plan").
  • The Plan is set to increase anti-counterfeiting and consumer protection initiatives, build consumer confidence in online purchasing, and encourage transparent and healthy e-commerce activities in general.

Details about the Plan are set out below.

Contents

In more detail

The Plan aims to do the following:

  • Enhance the system of policies and laws regulating the inspection and handling of administrative violations, standards, measurement, product quality and product labels in e-commerce. 

Strengthen national standards and technical regulations regarding product and goods quality. 

Promote the use of codes and barcodes and trace the origin of products and goods.

  • Build an anti-counterfeiting and consumer protection database system for centralized, transparent, and synchronous management to effectively aid anti-counterfeiting efforts and protect customers in e-commerce operations.
  • Ensure that all officials performing official duties on anti-counterfeiting and consumer protection in e-commerce activities are trained and equipped with knowledge about e-commerce, and possess the capacity, professional qualifications, and skills required to successfully complete the assigned task.
  • Have all major e-commerce operators sign memorandums agreeing not to trade in counterfeit goods. 
  • Ensure that all companies and individuals conducting business on major e-commerce platforms are conversant with the legal requirements and that consumer rights knowledge is widely spread and taught to each consumer.

Conclusion

While e-commerce counterfeiting in Vietnam is becoming alarmingly more complex, local authorities have stepped up their efforts to enforce IP rights in recent years, notably in the area of combating counterfeit goods. Even if counterfeits, knockoffs and infringing goods continue to be a headache in Vietnam, we are optimistic that the Plan would bring new initiatives and incentives for both businesses and consumers in Vietnam's e-commerce markets.

We will keep a close eye on the implementation of the Plan and offer additional analysis and commentary in due course.

Contact Information
Manh Hung Tran
Managing Lawyer
Hanoi
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tmh@bmvn.com.vn
Hoa Tran
Special Counsel
Hanoi
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hoa.tran@bmvn.com.vn
Dung Pham
Special Counsel
Hanoi
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dung.pham@bmvn.com.vn

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