INSTITUTE FOR STANDARD AND QUALITY DEVELOPMENT STUDIES
QCVN 16:2023/BXD specifies the limits of technical characteristics and management requirements for construction material products and goods classified in Group 2 under the Law on Product and Goods Quality. These products are manufactured domestically, imported, traded, circulated in the market, and used in construction works within the territory of Vietnam.
This regulation does not apply to imported construction material products used as advertising samples without use value; research samples; testing samples; or temporarily imported goods for display and introduction at trade fairs and exhibitions.
On June 30, 2023, the Ministry of Construction issued Circular No. 04/2023/TT-BXD promulgating the National Technical Regulation on construction material products and goods – QCVN 16:2023/BXD.
According to this Circular, QCVN 16:2023/BXD takes effect from January 1, 2024, replacing QCVN 16:2019/BXD issued together with Circular No. 19/2019/TT-BXD dated December 31, 2019 of the Minister of Construction.
Under QCVN 16:2023/BXD, interlocking concrete pavers are subject to mandatory conformity certification.
Interlocking concrete pavers are widely used construction materials for paving sidewalks, streets, yards, and public squares. They are available in various shapes, colors, and sizes, creating diversity and aesthetics for architectural spaces. To ensure product quality and user safety, interlocking concrete pavers must comply with conformity certification and conformity declaration requirements under QCVN 16:2023/BXD.
Conformity certification is an assessment activity conducted by a competent certification body to confirm that a product complies with the relevant national technical regulation. The certification body must be legally registered and designated or recognized by the Ministry of Construction.
Conformity declaration is the process whereby organizations or individuals self-declare that their products or goods comply with applicable technical regulations. The declaration is submitted to the local competent authority with required documents, including:
Declaration of conformity
Certified copy of business registration
Certificate of conformity
Product test results (if any)
Conformity certification is a mandatory state management measure to control the quality of construction materials, aiming to:
Protect user health, safety, and the environment
Improve product quality and reputation in the market
Promote fair competition and international integration
Ensure compliance with legal regulations
Avoid penalties and product recalls
Receipt of certification application dossier
Signing a science and technology service contract
On-site inspection and assessment
Completion of post-assessment documentation
Dossier appraisal and issuance of certificate (if compliant)
Surveillance assessment every 12 months
Recertification assessment (certificate validity: 3 years)
According to Article 51 of Decree No. 15/2020/NĐ-CP dated February 3, 2020, violations related to conformity certification and declaration may be subject to administrative fines ranging from VND 2,000,000 to VND 30,000,000 depending on the severity.
Violations may include:
Failure to maintain conformity certification and declaration records
Manufacturing, importing, or distributing interlocking concrete pavers without certification or conformity mark
Misuse of conformity marks
Failure to renew expired certificates
Failure to conduct surveillance
Failure to maintain certified product quality
Additional sanctions may include product confiscation, mandatory corrective measures, revocation of certificates, suspension of business operations from 1 to 3 months, or dissolution.
Professional expert team: Highly qualified technicians with extensive certification experience
Customer-oriented support: Consultation before, during, and after certification
ISSQ Institute is always ready to accompany enterprises in the process of integration and development.
Publication date: January 31, 2024
