The Ministry of Industry and Trade recommends that regulations on product labeling should be completed soon - Photo: TP

The Import-Export Department (Ministry of Industry and Trade) said that the phenomenon of trade fraud through labeling the origin of goods produced in Vietnam is increasing.

This is the situation where foreign goods tend to borrow Vietnamese origin to benefit "freely" and illegally from Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) that Vietnam participates in or use the origin of goods as a means to avoid trade defense measures of importing countries.

According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, fraudulent labeling of products made in Vietnam not only affects consumers but also has an impact on domestic production, reducing the reputation and competitiveness of products made in Vietnam.

However, Vietnam does not have regulations on criteria for goods to be labeled as made in Vietnam, so domestic consumers have no basis to distinguish and verify products.

"Current regulations mainly relate to product labels, geographical indications and trademarks" – the Ministry of Industry and Trade said there is not yet a set of criteria to determine what goods are labeled as made in Vietnam.

Accordingly, the concept of "Vietnamese goods" can be understood in many different ways such as goods of Vietnamese origin to enjoy tariff preferences according to international economic integration commitments. Or goods with production stages in Vietnam or goods with Vietnamese brands.

Therefore, the Ministry of Industry and Trade believes that labeling as made in Vietnam should be applied on a voluntary and self-declared basis. This labeling is based on the principle of proving that it meets the criteria such as goods that have undergone production and processing stages that generate value in Vietnam.

At the same time, the ministry recommends that it is necessary to soon complete the legal system on labeling "Made in Vietnam" products to meet the requirements of consumers and the market.