Counterfeit and low-quality construction materials (BM) are not a new issue. However, over time, despite the construction sector’s efforts, it has not been able to fully prevent the widespread circulation of such products in the market.

On June 30, 2023, the Ministry of Construction issued Circular No. 04/2023/TT-BXD, promulgating the National Technical Regulation on construction materials products and goods under certification QCVN 16:2023/BXD.

According to Circular No. 04/2023/TT-BXD, QCVN 16:2023 comes into effect from January 1, 2024, replacing QCVN 16:2019/BXD – the National Technical Regulation on construction materials products and goods issued together with Circular No. 19/2019/TT-BXD dated December 31, 2019 of the Minister of Construction.

Therefore, construction material products are required to be certified and declared in conformity before being placed on the market.

Supplementary List of Construction Materials under QCVN 16:2023

New updates in QCVN 16:2023/BXD compared to QCVN 16:2019/BXD

Compared with QCVN 16:2019/BXD certification, QCVN 16:2023/BXD adds several construction material products and goods that must be declared in conformity before being circulated in the market, including:

• Concrete interlocking pavers
• Wall panels: lightweight sandwich panels; autoclaved aerated concrete reinforced panels
• Roofing tiles: fired clay tiles; glazed ceramic tiles; concrete tiles
• Sanitary ware: wash basins; wall-hung urinals (male); female urinals; water closets
• Construction glass: heat-absorbing glass; reflective coated glass; low-emissivity (Low-E) coated glass
• Engineered wood panels: fiberboard; particleboard; laminated boards (thick and medium strip laminated boards)
• Pipes and fittings (connectors) made of ductile iron for water supply systems
• Cable ladder and cable tray systems made of iron or steel used in electrical installations
• Conduits and fittings for protecting and installing electrical wiring in buildings
• Decorative materials: finished wallpaper, vinyl wallpaper, plastic wallpaper

Certification of Construction Materials in Conformity with QCVN 16:2023/BXD

According to the national technical regulation QCVN 16:2023/BXD, construction material products and goods must ensure safety during transportation, storage, preservation, and use.

Technical requirements:

• QCVN 16:2023/BXD stipulates that amphibole asbestos must not be used in the manufacture of construction material products.
• Construction material products and goods must be tested against relevant technical indicators using corresponding test methods and meet specified requirements.
• The regulation defines limits of technical characteristics and management requirements for Group 2 construction materials under the Law on Product and Goods Quality, applicable to domestically produced, imported, traded, and circulated products used in construction works in Vietnam.

Market circulation requirements:

• Domestically produced products must have a Certificate of Conformity and a Notice of Acceptance of Conformity Declaration issued by the local authority.
• Imported goods must have a Certificate of Conformity.

Organizations and individuals producing, importing, or trading construction materials must declare the correct product category. Products must conform to the specified list. In cases where product classification is unclear, certification bodies shall coordinate with testing organizations to re-identify the product.

The conformity mark (CR mark) must be affixed directly on the product, packaging, labels, or included in quality certificates in accordance with regulations under Circular No. 28/2012/TT-BKHCN and Appendix IX issued with Circular No. 26/2019/TT-BKHCN.

Scope of non-application:

QCVN 16:2023/BXD does not apply to:

• Imported goods used as samples for advertising without usage value
• Samples for research or testing
• Temporarily imported goods for display or exhibition
• Goods temporarily imported for re-export, not consumed or used in Vietnam
• Goods exchanged by border residents

The above provides information on the supplementary list of construction materials under QCVN 16:2023.

ISSQ Institute for Quality Development is always ready to accompany enterprises during integration and development.

Please contact hotline: +84 981 851 111 or email: vienchatluong@issq.org.vn | tcvn@issq.org.vn. We are honored to serve you!

Published date: January 29, 2024