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| Illustrative image__Photo:VNA |
The Ministry of Industry and Trade on April 15 issued directive No. 09/CT-BCT urging stronger state management over the inspection and supervision of product origin so as to protect the reputation of Vietnamese goods in the context that import markets are tightening rules of goods origin.
As global markets demand greater transparency, the issue of product origin has taken center stage.
According to the ministry, in the first quarter of 2025, Vietnam faced three anti-tax evasion investigations initiated by the US and the European Union (EU), specifically concerning wood, steel, and footwear products. A common factor among the businesses under investigation is their failure to maintain adequate and transparent traceability records.
Faced with the risk of origin fraud, the ministry ordered an upgrade to the eCoSys electronic certificate of origin system, introducing real-time alerts for irregularities, stricter issuance controls, and enhanced data verification. This digital transformation is a crucial step in managing origin verification transparently and non-disruptively for the legal supply chain.
As Vietnam deepens its integration into the global economy through more than 15 free trade agreements (FTAs), including the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), origin transparency has become a non-negotiable requirement to access tariff preferences and avoid trade defense measures. For many companies, traceability is not just about compliance, it’s a strategy to protect market share, add value, and build a sustainable presence in the global marketplace.- (VLLF)
