Vietnam–UK Cooperation in Consumer Protection Strengthened
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As part of the cooperation framework under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on consumer protection between the Vietnam National Competition Commission (NCC) and the British Embassy in Vietnam (signed on March 25, 2025), the two sides, together with the UK Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS), co-organized a “Workshop on the UK’s Experience in Product Recall, Product Safety, and Coordination Mechanisms among Related Agencies” in Hanoi from May 6–8, 2025.
The workshop brought together experts from OPSS, representatives of the Vietnam National Competition Commission, the Vietnam Consumer Protection Association, local consumer protection organizations, and officials from the Ministry of Industry and Trade and Hanoi Department of Industry and Trade.
This event offered an opportunity for Vietnamese officials and consumer protection associations to learn about legal frameworks, risk management models, and early warning systems used in the UK for product safety and recall operations.
Enhancing Consumer Protection and Product Safety
Opening the workshop, Ms. Nguyen Quynh Anh, Vice Chairwoman of the National Competition Commission, emphasized the importance of consumer protection in economic and social development, highlighting product safety as a key pillar that directly affects consumer health, safety, and business credibility.
She noted that Vietnam has issued many policies and strategic directions to improve product safety management, assigning key responsibilities to the NCC and local Departments of Industry and Trade. These agencies are tasked with monitoring and handling consumer rights violations, including the recall of defective or unsafe products.
Ms. Quynh Anh also stressed the role of multi-agency cooperation, involving market management, e-commerce, quality control authorities, and consumer protection associations across the country.
UK Expertise and Case Studies
Speaking at the event, Ms. Jaipal Basi, Head of International Cooperation at OPSS, appreciated the partnership between OPSS and the NCC. She reaffirmed that OPSS places consumer product safety as its top priority, aiming to minimize potential harm to consumers and ensure a safe and fair market environment.
During the three-day workshop, UK experts and Vietnamese participants exchanged insights through practical exercises and case studies across three main themes:
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Consumer Engagement Tools – Lessons and case studies from the UK, and strategies for improving consumer engagement in Vietnam.
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Incident Management and Product Recall – Roles of the UK’s Incident Management Team and Vietnam’s recall procedures, including risk classification and public notification.
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Simulation Exercise – Applying UK recommendations to strengthen consumer participation and improve recall management efficiency in Vietnam.
Applying UK Best Practices
UK experts from OPSS also presented an overview of the UK’s product safety framework, the functions of OPSS, and its cooperation with ASEAN through the ASEAN Committee on Consumer Protection (ACCP).
They emphasized the benefits of cross-agency collaboration, which allows OPSS to gather more accurate market information, implement early warning systems, and effectively communicate safety campaigns to a broad audience.
During practical sessions, participants worked on incident management simulations — identifying risks, drafting action plans, and preparing consumer alerts — mirroring the UK’s real-world response model to unsafe products.
These activities helped participants translate international experiences into actionable strategies for Vietnam’s context.
Promoting Sustainable Collaboration
The workshop is among the first initiatives under the Vietnam–UK Consumer Protection Cooperation Program, part of the UK–ASEAN Economic Integration Program (EIP) launched in April 2024 and set to continue for four years.
This partnership aims to foster sustainable economic growth, enhance regional integration, and promote consumer safety and trust in both markets.