The Government has issued Decree No. 127/2026/NĐ-CP dated April 6, 2026, regulating quality management and development policies for Halal products and services.

Completing the regulatory framework and promoting Halal product development

Accordingly, the Decree provides detailed regulations on quality requirements, labeling, traceability, testing activities, Halal certification, inspection, violation handling in quality management, and support policies for Halal products and services.

Under the Decree, the quality management of Halal products and services must fully comply with Vietnamese laws on product and goods quality, food safety, standards and technical regulations, consumer protection, competition, and intellectual property. It must also comply with relevant international treaties and agreements to which the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a party.

Management principles are defined to ensure consistency, transparency, and non-discrimination in all state management activities and Halal conformity assessment processes.

To facilitate trade and international economic integration, the development and application of Vietnam’s Halal standards shall follow the principle of harmonization with international standards, guidelines, and practices.

The Decree also emphasizes the protection of the lawful rights and interests of consumers, particularly Muslim consumers, regarding Halal products and services, while also safeguarding the rights and interests of organizations and individuals engaged in lawful production and business of Halal products and services. Acts of trade fraud, counterfeit production, or substandard products labeled as Halal will be strictly handled.

In addition, the Decree encourages and facilitates organizations and individuals from all economic sectors to invest in, produce, trade, and provide Halal products and services; promotes innovation, the application of science and technology, sustainable development, and enhances the competitiveness of Vietnam’s Halal industry in the global value chain.

Standards and requirements for Halal products and services

According to the Decree, national standards for Halal products and services are to be developed, published, and applied in accordance with laws on standards and technical regulations. The development and revision process must ensure the participation of representatives from the Ministry of Ethnic and Religious Affairs and Muslim experts with expertise in Halal requirements during consultation and appraisal stages.

The application of Halal standards is implemented flexibly depending on production and business purposes. For export products, producers shall apply standards based on the requirements or agreements with importers. For domestic consumption, national standards, international standards, or standards of Islamic countries may be applied as appropriate.

Organizations and individuals engaged in production and business are encouraged to develop and publish their own standards for Halal products and services where no corresponding national, international, regional, or Islamic country standards exist. These internal standards must align with the general principles and requirements of widely recognized international and regional Halal standards.

The Decree stipulates that Halal products circulated in Vietnam must comply with declared standards and relevant legal regulations. Raw materials and additives must be Halal-compliant and free from prohibited substances; animal-derived ingredients must follow Halal slaughtering procedures.

Production processes must ensure hygiene, prevent cross-contamination, and maintain Halal integrity throughout storage, transportation, and display, avoiding the use of non-compliant materials and preventing product confusion.

Products must comply with regulations on labeling, Halal certification marks (if any), and measurement requirements for pre-packaged goods.

Decree No. 127/2026/NĐ-CP defines Halal as a term originating from Arabic, meaning lawful or permissible, based on full compliance with Halal requirements specified in the applicable declared standards. A Halal product is one that has been assessed and certified to meet all Halal requirements under the applicable standards. A Halal service refers to any activity related to Halal products, including trading, transportation, storage, packaging, handling, display, and other related activities.

Source: Bao Cong Thuong