Circular on test quality imported motor vehicles: more extensive "door" for all businesses

The highest aim of this Circular is to protect the consumer interests. Photo: Internet.

​Uninstall "knots" of quality certificate

Speaking at the workshop on comments to the draft circular stipulating the quality inspection of technical safety and environmental protection of motor vehicles imported by the Vietnam Registry Department (Ministry of Transportation) in Hanoi recently, representatives of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Vietnam (VCCI) evaluated: the content of the new draft has significantly absorbed comments and been edited quite appropriately. Especially, in the previous draft, in the registration records of inspection, enterprises must submit "original of the quality certificate of manufacturers for actually imported motor vehicles or quality inspection slips of factories” which was an obstacle for many businesses. However, this provision was removed in the latest draft so that enterprises who are unable to meet all requirements can choose the alternative method.

Related to this issue, Mr. Nguyen Tuan, Director of Phuc Thien An Limited Company, representing 50 automobile import businesses of small and medium size emphasized: If the content remains the same, unorthodox import car businesses have to "give up". However, enterprises now are quite pleased with the adjustment of the latest draft because they can operate in their own way.

In the latest draft circular, the drafting committee added provisions on post-inspection in order to implement Resolution No. 19/2016 / NQ-CP of the Government. The purpose of this regulation is to reduce the time and cost in the process of Customs clearance. During the post-inspection, depending on the degree of violation, the inspection agency will apply corresponding measures for importers and facilities. Evaluating the supplement of this provision, representatives of VCCI stressed, this is a steady and effective progress in the legislation which reflect the positive attitudes of the drafting committee.

One of the relatively new contents in the draft circular, is when import cars have faults detected, importers are responsible for summoning the import of motor vehicles as announced by the producers or requirements of the inspection agencies. In case the importers do not comply with the provisions, the inspection agencies will suspend the quality certification in the registration dossier and vehicles will be recalled.

There are still some considerations Doan Tran Thai, Technical Subcommittee member of the Association of Vietnam Automobile Manufacturers (VAMA) said: it is impossible to recall vehicles without the support of the manufacturers. This recall in the draft circular is rather sketchy, mostly focusing on inspections at the port with no-clearance vehicles. Meanwhile, there are thousands of importers in the market so the question is how to control the situation effectively?

"Compared to domestic produced and assembled vehicles, genuine import car businesses have to make expositions and report handling plans to the Vietnam Registry Department when they want to summon cars. In addition, every three months, businesses have to report progress. Meanwhile, there are no specific regulations for small import businesses. Vietnam Registry Department should consider stronger measures to control vehicle recall errors.” he emphasized.

In addition to car summons, importers must provide the design dossier for imported cars with their types but without certification of the competent inspection agencies as a basis for consideration, evaluation and assessment and in order to support the quality control of imported vehicles, before importing cars.

Representatives of some automobile importers proposed that it is necessary to make considerations in implementing this regulation because some businesses are simply car importers while exporters only sell cars, not the technology. Moreover, there are no other countries that require importers to provide design dossiers for vehicles imported from abroad.

As explained by Mr. Dao Xuan Hai, Deputy Head of motor vehicle quality Department (Vietnam Registry Department): During the management of motor vehicles recently, Vietnam Registry Department noticed that the additional provisions in the new draft circular are necessary to harmonize the quality certification process between domestic assembled cars and import vehicles.

Currently, there are several orders of import cars without certificates of competent foreign authorities. In order to be granted the certificate by Vietnam authorities of import motor vehicles, such vehicles only have to test safety and emissions (but there is no requirement for design documents).

Meanwhile, in order to be certified, domestic manufactured and assembled cars have to submit design documents and undergo evaluation, inspection and testing as prescribed; assess conditions of production (COP). These documents will be the reliable basis for inspection agencies to conduct the inspection, testing, certification and post audits in order to control the quality more strictly.

Mr. Tran Ky Hinh, Director of the Vietnam Register emphasized: After this workshop, the Department will again absorb the full comments from associations, businesses, and then complete the Circular Draft to report to the Ministry of transport to make the final decision. It is expected that the draft circular draft will be completed and passed from now to the end of 2016 and applied in early 2017.