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Exporters warned of big barriers ahead
Vietnamese exporters of key products have been warned that they will have to face new barriers when exporting products in 2010.
The law on environmental protection for US consumers, which takes effect on January 1, 2010, will bring challenges to Vietnamese garment companies. The law stipulates that all clothing exports to the US must be certified by third parties.
These will hopefully ensure that export products are made from the materials safe for human health with producers taking responsibility for their own goods.
With the new law, Vietnamese exporters will have to apply strict control over the materials used for making products. Vietnam will also have to have laboratories recognised and certified by the US.
Vietnamese businesses, who export some $9 billion worth of clothes each year, are in a race against time with just three months to get prepared for the new regulations.
Meanwhile with seafood exports, new European Commission (EC) regulations also take affect from January 1, 2010. They stipulate that export consignments to the EU must show origins.
The regulations, experts say, will have a big impact on Vietnam’s seafood exports, especially when Vietnam still does not have the right systems to meet the demand.
Vietnam exported some $4 billion worth of seafood products in 2008.
Finally, the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT) has warned wooden furniture exporters that the amended Lacey pact has entered the third phase of implementation as of October 1, 2009, under which the number of products about which exporters must provide detailed information has been expanded.
Information on the scientific names of plants, import value, the volume of plants and the names of the countries where the plants are harvested is compulsory.
Representatives from the Vietnam Woodwork Processing and Forest Products Association said the association will have to learn more about the pact to advise its members. However, he himself admits the regulations are complicated and it will take time.
MOIT has warned that new regulations will create more difficulties for Vietnamese enterprises. It has urged businesses to prepare now for the change.
Vietnam exports some $3 billion worth of wooden furniture products every year.
VietNamNet, DT
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