Vietnam Issues New Energy Efficiency Labeling Regulations, Phased Mandatory Implementation Starting 2026

Recently, the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam issued Circular No. 52/2025/TT-BCT, which will officially take effect on January 1, 2026. According to the new regulations, three major product categories must bear the mandatory VNEEP (Vietnam National Energy Efficiency Program) energy efficiency label, covering household appliances (e.g., air conditioners, refrigerators), office and commercial equipment (e.g., laptops, commercial refrigerators), and industrial equipment (e.g., distribution transformers).

The new regulations adopt a phased implementation strategy. Starting from January 2026, the first batch of 15 product types will be subject to mandatory energy efficiency labeling. Products like induction cookers and desktop computers may use voluntary labels in 2026, transitioning to mandatory requirements starting January 2027. This gradual approach provides a reasonable transition period for enterprises to adequately prepare their production, testing, and certification processes.

Currently, products covered by the VNEEP mandatory energy efficiency label include copiers, computer monitors, printers, commercial refrigerators, laptops, straight tube fluorescent lamps, compact fluorescent lamps, electronic ballasts for fluorescent lamps, air conditioners, refrigerators, household washing machines, electric rice cookers, electric fans, televisions, LED lighting products, and storage water heaters, among others. The issuance of this new circular further expands the scope of products subject to mandatory labeling and clarifies the implementation timeline for various product categories.

The third phase of the Vietnam National Energy Efficiency Program (VNEEP 3) sets targets of saving 5%-7% energy from 2019 to 2025 and 8%-10% from 2019 to 2030, equivalent to saving 50 to 60 million tons of oil equivalent. The program encompasses four core areas: promoting best practices and technologies for energy saving, fostering market development for high-efficiency products, advancing energy saving in the construction sector, and improving energy efficiency in transportation. By 2030, Vietnam also plans to reduce the power loss rate to below 6%.

The issuance of Circular No. 52 is one of the important measures for Vietnam to implement the VNEEP 3 goals. Manufacturers and exporters of related products intending to enter the Vietnamese market are advised to closely monitor the new regulatory requirements, initiate energy efficiency testing and certification work as early as possible, and ensure products obtain compliance qualifications before the specified deadlines to avoid impacting market access.