Directive No. 06-TN/KD on Strengthening Quality Control and Measurement of Goods in State-Owned Enterprises and Cooperative Trading

DIRECTIVE

OF THE MINISTRY OF TRADE

ON STRENGTHENING QUALITY CONTROL AND MEASUREMENT WORK

FOR STATE TRADING ENTERPRISES AND COOPERATIVE PURCHASE AND SALE UNITS

Recently, with the development of a multi-component market economy, many production and trading establishments have emerged outside state oversight, driven by the goal of maximizing profits, they have released numerous counterfeit and substandard goods onto the market, posing safety risks to consumers, both domestically produced and imported goods included. Even within socialist commercial production, processing, and distribution networks, there have been instances where substandard goods were allowed to circulate. More seriously, some stores sell counterfeit and substandard goods, and their weighing, measuring, and counting are inaccurate.

To address this situation, the State Council has issued the Goods Quality Ordinance and the Measurement Ordinance; the Council of Ministers has promulgated Decree No. 140-HĐBT dated April 25, 1991 on inspecting and handling the production and sale of counterfeit goods, and Decree No. 115/HĐBT dated April 13, 1991 on implementing the Measurement Ordinance.

To strictly implement the aforementioned state documents, the Ministry requests that all Central Trading Corporations, Central Companies, Trade Departments, Catering-Cooperative-Hotel-Services Associations, production and trading units within the industry, and those with trading networks in other sectors must earnestly carry out the following tasks:

1. For production and processing facilities.

They must be responsible before customers and the law for the quality of their products and goods; only products meeting the registered quality standards and labels can be delivered to customers.

Any individual or organization engaging in the production or processing of goods bearing characteristics considered counterfeit under Article 4 of Decree No. 140-HĐBT dated April 25, 1991 of the Council of Ministers on inspecting and handling the production and sale of counterfeit goods shall be strictly prohibited.

2. For trading and service facilities.

To firmly prevent counterfeit and substandard goods from entering circulation right from the economic contract signing stage (purchase or agency), relevant staff, especially technical personnel, must thoroughly understand the origin of goods, minimum permitted quality standards, registered product labels, etc., with new products or from producers with whom there is little trading history, careful examination of each item must be conducted to avoid deception and mixing of counterfeit goods. The contract must include very strict clauses regarding the quality of goods.

During the handover of goods, depending on the nature of the source, type, and item, representative or full lot inspections should be organized. Handover staff must be proficient in their duties, well-informed about packaging specifications, labels, etc., as stipulated in the contract, and bear responsibility for the quality condition of the goods they handle. Particularly for items requiring high technology or safety in use, such as processed food, ready-to-eat food, candies, wine, beer, soft drinks, fish sauce, monosodium glutamate, cigarettes, etc., strict quality checks are essential.

Goods damaged during storage or transportation, which, after repair and recycling, still retain value and do not pose health or safety risks to users, may be sold at prices commensurate with their quality, displayed separately with clear price tags for customer awareness.

State trading enterprises and cooperative purchase-sale units are strictly prohibited from selling counterfeit and substandard goods, damaging the reputation of socialist commerce. Strict action must be taken against technical or sales staff who smuggle counterfeit goods into stores; if the violation is serious, they may be dismissed or prosecuted if it constitutes a criminal offense. Store managers must fully assume responsibility if such goods are sold in their stores.

3. Managers of production and trading units are responsible for equipping sufficient accurate measurement devices for production and activities related to goods handover, transportation, and storage. Regular self-inspection, calibration, and maintenance of equipment should be organized.

All deceptive practices in measurement are strictly forbidden. Goods, whether pre-packaged or packaged upon delivery to customers, must be accurately weighed, measured, and counted to the correct quantity, volume, or length.

Ensuring product quality, quantity, and accurate measurement in production and trading is a pressing issue at present. The Ministry assigns the Bureau of Goods Quality Management and Measurement, within its functions and responsibilities, to assist the Minister in guiding, supervising, and coordinating with market management teams and Trade Departments to regularly and突击检查这些单位和个人在市场上销售假冒商品的行为，及时向部报告性质严重的案件。

The Departments of Commerce, Associations of Catering - Hotels - Services, Management Board of Vietnam Cooperative Trading Enterprises, State-owned Corporations, Companies under the Ministry, and sectors engaged in commercial activities shall carefully study this directive, widely disseminate it to production, processing staff, and economic and business contract signing, delivery, transportation, and trading personnel to ensure a thorough understanding and strict implementation, thereby contributing to curbing counterfeit goods entering circulation, promoting healthy market development, ensuring social discipline and public safety, and meeting the legitimate demands of consumers.