Facing hearts of glass

On June 18, 2009 the Ministry of Construction (MoC) enacted Circular 11/2009/TT-BXD requiring individuals and organisations producing construction glass products in Vietnam to show out quality verification certificates when importing glass products.

At the same time glass manufacturers must have in place internationally recognised quality management system in accordance with ISO 9001:2008 standards.

Head of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Ho Chi Minh City branch Legislation Department Tran Ngoc Liem said the circular did not cover individuals and organisations producing, trading, designing and installing glass products other than made-in-Vietnam construction glass.

“Businesses manufacturing interior decoration furniture all believe Circular 11 was only applicable to businesses in the construction sector and so were unprepared to satisfy such requirements,” said member of Binh Duong Import Export Businesses Club Secretariat Dao The Son.   

However, in late August 2010 businesses importing glass materials were asked by the Binh Duong Customs Department to show out quality verification certificates as regulated in Circular 11 when in fact they were not required to do so until August 2010.

Responsive to businesses’ proposals, the Binh Duong Customs Department sought guidance from the General Department of Customs and received a feedback through Official Letter 7445/TCHQ-GSQL dated December 13, 2010 which regulated that “Item 2 in Circular 11/2009TT-BXD dated June 18, 2009 of the MoC did not regulate businesses which are immune from the circular so that businesses and individuals producing, trading and even importing glass products must all adhere to the circular.” The official letter also noted that businesses must contact the MoC if having any enquiry.

Such guidance has driven a number of Binh Duong-based businesses producing decorative furniture such as the Chang Hong Glass & Mirror Company Limited and Truong Thanh Group into a dilemma as their imported glass containers did not go through customs checks.

Chang Hong Company Limited director Lee Hung Peng said his company would be on the verge of stopping operation due to material shortages.

“Seeking quality verification certificates for imported glass is a time consuming and costly process. At least 8-10 days are required for obtaining the certification at a cost of VND8-15 million ($400-$750) per each sample,” he said.

Deputy head of Binh Duong Customs Department Le Van Danh said customs authorities had sent documents to the MoC in search of remedy, but the latter was yet to respond.