Navigate Vietnam Cosmetic Regulations and Prepare Your Products for the Vietnamese Market
Entering the Vietnamese cosmetics market requires more than product notification.
Vietnam regulates cosmetic products under the ASEAN Cosmetic Directive (ACD) and the local regulations issued by the Drug Administration of Vietnam (DAV). Companies must complete the required product notification before importing or manufacturing cosmetics for the Vietnamese market, while ensuring that product information and supporting documentation are available for regulatory inspection.
ZMUni helps cosmetic brands navigate Vietnam's regulatory requirements and prepare their products for market entry — from product classification and formula review to product notification, Product Information File (PIF) preparation, labelling review and ongoing compliance support.
A Comprehensive Guide to Vietnam Cosmetics Compliance
To place a cosmetic product on the Vietnamese market, companies need to address several regulatory requirements before and after market entry.
01.Product Classification
Before reviewing a product against Vietnamese cosmetic requirements, it is important to determine whether it falls within the scope of cosmetic regulations.
Under the ASEAN Cosmetic Directive (ACD), cosmetics are generally defined as substances or preparations intended for application to the external parts of the human body, such as the skin, hair, nails, lips and external genital organs, or to the teeth and oral mucous membranes, primarily for cleansing, perfuming, changing appearance, correcting body odours, protecting or maintaining them in good condition.
Products whose intended uses or claims extend beyond the cosmetic definition may require further assessment under other applicable regulatory frameworks.
How ZMUni Can Help
We assess product classification based on intended use, composition, presentation and claims, helping identify potential classification issues before market entry.
02.Formula and Ingredient Compliance
Cosmetic formulations placed on the Vietnamese market must comply with applicable ingredient requirements under the ASEAN Cosmetic Directive and relevant Vietnamese regulations.
These requirements cover prohibited and restricted substances, permitted ingredients, concentration limits and conditions of use. A formulation accepted in another market may not necessarily comply with Vietnamese requirements.
How ZMUni Can Help
We review cosmetic formulations against applicable Vietnamese and ASEAN ingredient requirements, including:
Prohibited and restricted ingredients
Preservatives, UV filters and colorants
Ingredient concentration limits and conditions of use
Ingredient nomenclature and formulation information
We help identify potential formulation compliance issues and clarify the adjustments or supporting information needed before product notification.
03.Packaging, Labelling & Claims Compliance
Cosmetic products marketed in Vietnam must meet applicable labelling requirements under Vietnamese regulations and the ASEAN cosmetic regulatory framework.
Product labels must provide the required information, including product identification, ingredient information, directions for use, relevant warnings and details of the responsible organization or individual, as applicable. Labels must also comply with applicable language requirements in Vietnam.
Product names and cosmetic claims should be consistent with the product's intended cosmetic function and supported by appropriate evidence where required.
How ZMUni Can Help
We review packaging artwork, mandatory labelling information, product names and cosmetic claims against applicable Vietnamese requirements. We identify potential compliance gaps and recommend necessary adjustments to help brands prepare their packaging for the Vietnamese market.
04.Product Information File (PIF)
Cosmetic products placed on the Vietnamese market must be supported by a Product Information File (PIF). The PIF contains the administrative, technical and safety information needed to demonstrate product compliance and must be available for inspection by the competent authorities.
The PIF generally includes the following categories of documentation:
Administrative documents: Business registration documents, product notification information and authorization letters, where applicable
Product information: Product formulation, labelling information and relevant product testing reports
Raw material documentation: Material specifications, Safety Data Sheets (SDS/MSDS), Certificates of Analysis (COAs) and relevant testing reports
Manufacturing information: GMP certificates or ISO-related documentation, as applicable
Efficacy information: Evidence supporting claimed product effects
Safety information: Cosmetic product safety assessment documentation
Adverse effect information: Relevant reports concerning undesirable effects
Preparing a complete and consistent PIF is important for responding to regulatory inspections and demonstrating compliance throughout the product lifecycle.
How ZMUni Can Help
We support PIF preparation and review by assessing available technical and regulatory documentation, identifying missing or inconsistent information, and clarifying additional documentation needs. For existing products, we can also help review and update PIF documentation to address compliance gaps.
05.Vietnamese Responsible Organization or Individual
Cosmetic products entering Vietnam must be associated with a responsible organization in Vietnam in accordance with applicable requirements.
The local responsible party plays an important role in the product notification process and in meeting relevant regulatory obligations after market entry. Depending on the business arrangement, this may involve a Vietnamese manufacturer or importer.
For overseas brands, identifying an appropriate local partner and preparing the required authorization and supporting documents are important steps before product notification.
How ZMUni Can Help
We help brands understand the local responsible party requirements and the documentation needed for product notification. We can also assist in reviewing relevant authorization documents and coordinating the regulatory documentation required for market entry.
06.Cosmetic Product Notification
Cosmetic products must complete the required notification procedure before they can be manufactured or imported for the Vietnamese market. Domestic products must be notified before production, while imported products must be notified before importation.
The notification process generally involves identifying the local responsible party, registering the relevant cosmetic account, submitting the required product information and completing the notification procedure.
Product notification is generally valid for five years. It is a notification requirement rather than a product approval or certification process, and completing notification does not remove the obligation to comply with applicable cosmetic regulations.
How ZMUni Can Help
We support the preparation and review of product notification documentation, including product information, responsible party details, formulation and labelling information, manufacturing company documentation and the Free Sale Certificate (CFS), as applicable. We help identify missing information and coordinate the documentation process with the relevant parties to support a more efficient market entry process.
07.Ongoing Vietnamese Regulatory Compliance
Cosmetic compliance does not end once a product has been notified or launched. Product information and supporting documentation must remain consistent with applicable regulatory requirements, and the competent authorities may conduct inspections of products already on the market.
Changes to formulations, packaging, product claims or regulatory requirements may require further assessment and updates to existing compliance documentation.
Brands should also ensure that the relevant PIF documentation remains available for regulatory inspection and that information concerning product safety and undesirable effects is appropriately maintained.
How ZMUni Can Help
We provide ongoing regulatory support to help brands review product changes, address documentation gaps and respond to evolving Vietnamese cosmetic requirements throughout the product lifecycle.
Why Work With ZMUni?
Multi-Market Regulatory Expertise
ZMUni provides cosmetic regulatory support across the EU, US, UK, China, ASEAN, Taiwan China and Canada. Our team of 20+ specialists brings an average of over five years of cosmetics industry experience, supporting coordinated regulatory assessments across multiple markets to reduce duplicated work and improve efficiency.
Comprehensive Compliance Assessment
Rather than reviewing compliance documents in isolation, we assess product classification, formulations, technical documentation, packaging and claims together to identify potential compliance gaps and provide practical regulatory guidance.
Flexible Support Across the Product Lifecycle
From early-stage regulatory assessments for new products to compliance gap analysis for existing products and post-market updates, our services are tailored to different product stages and business needs.
Whether you are launching a new cosmetic product in Vietnam, reviewing an existing product portfolio or seeking support with specific compliance requirements, ZMUni can help you assess your regulatory needs and determine the next steps.
Contact our regulatory team to discuss your project or request a quotation.
