Despite delays in certification process by the authorities and the postponement of the enforcement date incidental to the delay before the energy labeling was made compulsory, the awareness of energy labels, which regulates wide range of products, is increasing among Vietnamese consumers. Thanks to the energy labels, low energy-efficiency devices are being phased out of the market. In addition, changes in market share show that the labeling of energy-saving products is having a positive effect on the market. For example, in 2008, inverter air conditioners accounted for less than 1% of the market, but by 2014 this share had grown to 30%. In addition, the use of CFL bulbs has also increased in place of incandescent bulbs, with the elimination of incandescent bulbs of 60W and above and the use of high-efficiency T8 fluorescent bulbs replacing the low-efficiency T10 fluorescent bulbs. By June 2014, the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT) has issued 6215 labeling certifications for 13 types of labeling-required equipment. These included televisions (473), lighting equipment (749), electric fans (1585), air conditioners (863), washing machines (301), rice cookers (1354), and transformers (210), among others.
Prime Minister’s Decision on the list of equipment and means required to comply with Vietnam regulation on energy efficiency and its implementation schedule (No. 04/2017/QD-TTg)[1]
This decision was enacted on March 9, 2017, newly adding laptops, LED lighting, and motorcycles to regulated products subject to the energy label and MEPS. For energy labels, as per the following schedule, vehicles with eight to nine passengers will become mandatory from January 1, 2018, and LED lighting, storage water heaters, laptops, motorcycles and mopeds from January 1, 2020. However, copiers, printers and computer displays will still remain voluntary.
Prime Minister’s Decision on the list of low-efficiency machine and power-generating equipment to be discarded and its implementation schedule (24/2018/QD-TTg)
On the other hand, the Vietnam National Standards (TCVN) that define the MEPS for each product are specified in the Prime Minister’s Decision No. 24/2018/QD-TTg (enacted on May 18, 2018). The table below summarizes MEPS in Vietnam. Note that from 10 July 2020, the TCVN to be referred as MEPS will change for some equipment.
Table: List of Vietnam National Standard (TCVN) on MEPS
| No. | Products | TCVN | |
|---|---|---|---|
| From July 10, 2018 to July 9, 2020 |
From July 10, 2020 onwards | ||
| I. Home appliance | |||
| 1 | Compact fluorescent Lamp | TCVN 7896:2008 | TCVN 7896:2015 |
| 2 | Electronic ballasts for fluorescent lamp | TCVN 7897:2008 | TCVN 7897:2013 |
| 3 | Electromagnetic ballasts for fluorescent lamp | TCVN 8248:2009 | TCVN 8248:2013 |
| 4 | Tubular fluorescent lamp | TCVN 8249:2009 | TCVN 8249:2013 |
| 5 | Electric fan | TCVN 7826:2007 | TCVN 7826:2015 |
| 6 | Refrigerator and freezer | TCVN 7828:2013 | TCVN 7828:2013 |
| 7 | Non-ducted air conditioner | TCVN 7830:2015 | TCVN 7830:2015 |
| 8 | Washing machine for household | TCVN 8526:2010 | TCVN 8526:2013 |
| 9 | Television | TCVN 9536:2012 | TCVN 9536:2012 |
| 10 | Rice cooker | TCVN 8252:2009 | TCVN 8252:2015 |
| 11 | Storage water heater | TCVN 7898:2009 | TCVN 7898:2009 |
| II. Office equipment and commercial equipment | |||
| 1 | Computer display | TCVN 9508:2012 | TCVN 9508:2012 |
| 2 | Copier | TCVN 9510:2012 | TCVN 9510:2012 |
| 3 | Printer | TCVN 9509:2012 | TCVN 9509:2012 |
| 4 | Refrigerator for commercial use | TCVN 10289:2014 | TCVN 10289:2014 |
| III. Industrial equipment | |||
| 1 | Three-phase asynchronous squirrel cage electrical motors | TCVN 7540-1:2013 | TCVN 7540-1:2013 |
| 2 | Transformer | TCVN 8525:2010 | TCVN 8525:2015 |
| 3 | Boiler for industrial use | TCVN 8630:2010 | TCVN 8630:2010 |
[1] This decision repealed the existing two decisions below:
- The Prime Minister’s Decision on the list of devices and equipment subject to energy labeling and application of the minimum energy efficiency, and the implementation roadmap (No. 51/2011/QD-TTg)
- The Prime Minister’s Decision on revising and supplementing some articles of The Prime Minister Decision No. 51/2011/QD-TTg (No. 03/2013/QD-TTg)
