JINJIANG, China \u2014 Vietnam\u2019s National Technical Regulation on textiles \u2014 commonly referenced by its QCVN designation \u2014 received a substantive update in 2025 that affects all garment and textile exports into Vietnam for both domestic consumption and re-export to other markets. The update tightens requirements on fiber content labeling, restricted substances, and quality testing for textile imports, with phased entry into force through 2026\u20132027.
For mid-market garment exporters using Vietnam as a manufacturing hub for EU and US brands, the practical impact of the updated QCVN is to align Vietnam\u2019s textile standards more closely with major destination-market requirements. Factories that already comply with EU REACH, US CPSC, and OEKO-TEX will see the changes as a documentation and labeling exercise rather than a chemical-substance reformulation exercise.
What\u2019s New in the 2025 QCVN Update
The 2025 QCVN update covers four main areas:
- Fiber content labeling: Updated tolerance thresholds for fiber composition claims, with stricter requirements for multi-fiber blends and recycled content claims.
- Restricted substance list: Aligned with the latest EU REACH restrictions, including expanded PFAS limits, additional phthalates, and tightened heavy-metal migration thresholds.
- Quality testing: New requirements for color fastness to washing, perspiration, and light on specific garment categories.
- Documentation: Strengthened requirements for technical files, including test reports from ISO 17025-accredited laboratories and supply chain traceability documentation.
The practical effect for garment exporters is that Vietnam now requires compliance documentation \u2014 test reports, technical files, supply chain declarations \u2014 that is broadly aligned with what EU and US buyers already request.
Implementation Timeline
The 2025 QCVN update entered into force on January 1, 2026, with phased compliance timelines:
- January 1, 2026: New fiber content labeling requirements apply to all textile imports.
- July 1, 2026: Restricted substance list updates apply.
- January 1, 2027: Quality testing and documentation requirements apply.
Textile products imported into Vietnam before each respective date can continue to be sold under the previous requirements until existing inventory is exhausted. New imports must meet the updated requirements from the effective date.
Documentation Requirements
For garment exporters shipping to Vietnam, the documentation requirements now include:
- Test reports from ISO 17025-accredited laboratories for restricted substances, color fastness, and fiber content verification
- Technical file including product specifications, fabric specifications, and production process documentation
- Supply chain traceability documentation for fiber origin, particularly for natural fibers and recycled content claims
- Care labeling in Vietnamese or with Vietnamese translation for products intended for the domestic Vietnamese market
For garment exporters using Vietnam purely as a manufacturing hub (with finished goods re-exported to EU or US buyers), the documentation may not need to accompany every shipment, but should be maintained on file for customs and regulatory inspections.
Compliance Costs and Practical Impact
For garment exporters using Vietnam as a manufacturing hub, the practical compliance costs are modest:
- Test reports: Most EU and US-destined production already requires similar testing, so the marginal cost is documentation rather than retesting.
- Documentation: The technical file and supply chain documentation requirements align with buyer-specific documentation already requested by major EU and US brands.
- Labeling: For finished goods intended for re-export (not Vietnamese domestic sale), labeling changes are limited to internal documentation rather than physical label changes.
For garment factories selling finished goods into the Vietnamese domestic market, the impact is more substantial. Domestic labeling in Vietnamese, additional testing for restricted substances, and stricter fiber content claims require active compliance work.
Practical Steps for 2026
For garment exporters using Vietnam as a manufacturing hub:
- Update internal documentation templates to align with the new QCVN requirements. Most major brands\u2019 technical pack templates already cover the new requirements.
- Confirm test reports cover all the new restricted substance limits. If using existing test reports from 2024 or earlier, verify they include the updated substance panel.
- Verify laboratory accreditation \u2014 the QCVN requires ISO 17025 accreditation. Most major testing labs are accredited, but smaller or specialized labs may not be.
- Maintain supply chain documentation for fiber content claims, particularly for recycled and natural fiber claims.
- Train Vietnamese customs brokers and import partners on the new requirements to avoid clearance delays.
The Bottom Line
The 2025 QCVN update brings Vietnam\u2019s textile standards closer to EU and US requirements, with phased entry into force through 2026\u20132027. For garment exporters already aligned with EU REACH, US CPSC, and OEKO-TEX, the practical impact is documentation and labeling rather than reformulation. For factories selling into the Vietnamese domestic market, the impact is more substantial and warrants active compliance work.
