Eliminate the way of dividing pre-packaged goods into 2 groups
At the policy communication conference on the Draft Law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on Measurement organized by the Ministry of Science and Technology on August 19 in Hanoi, Ms. Tran Thi Thuy Ha - Measurement Committee, National Standards Committee for Measurement and Quality (Ministry of Science and Technology) said that the draft Law proposes changing the management method for pre-packaged goods.
According to Ms. Ha, the current Measurement Law is dividing pre-packaged goods into groups 1 and 2. Group 1 goods are controlled according to technical measurement requirements announced by production and import organizations and individuals. Group 2 goods are on the list prescribed by state management agencies and are controlled according to technical measurement requirements prescribed by competent authorities.
The draft Law proposes to remove Article 31 on the classification of pre-packaged goods, and at the same time remove separate regulations for pre-packaged goods of group 1 and group 2 in Articles 33 and 34.
Thus, if approved, pre-packaged goods will no longer be managed in two groups as they are now.
Along with the removal of classification, the draft also removes the concept and management mechanism of quantitative marks. According to the draft comparative document, quantitative marks are currently understood as symbols to announce the quantity of pre-packaged goods suitable for technical measurement requirements. This concept is proposed to be abolished.
No more quantitative marks but the quantity must still be correct
The easily misleading point is that removing the quantitative mark does not mean that businesses are allowed to decide on the quantity of goods written on the label without having to meet measurement requirements.
According to the amended content of Article 32 presented by Ms. Ha, the quantity of pre-packaged goods must be consistent with the information recorded on the goods label or accompanying documents and must be consistent with technical measurement requirements. The recording of quantity on the label must comply with regulations on goods labels and traceability of goods.
In other words, the quantitative mark is proposed to be removed, but the requirement for the quantity of goods is still retained.
For example, if a business records the quantity of goods on the label, the actual quantity of the product must still be consistent with that information and meet the technical measurement requirements. The draft does not switch to a mechanism allowing businesses to record quantities arbitrarily.
This regulation is placed in Article 32, instead of separating measurement requirements for pre-packaged goods of group 1 and group 2 as in current law.
Ms. Ha said that along with removing the pre-packaged goods sub-group and the quantitative stamp mechanism, the draft moves to a unified management level. According to the presentation document, the actual quantity must be consistent with the information written on the label and in accordance with technical measurement requirements. This is also one of the contents classified into the group of reducing the burden of compliance of the draft Law.
However, when quantitative marks are removed, inspection activities are also adjusted accordingly. The draft proposes to abolish the content of inspecting the display of quantitative marks on pre-packaged labels. This is a direct consequence of the removal of the quantitative mark mechanism.
Instead of checking whether or not there is a quantitative mark on the label, the management content focuses on complying with measurement requirements for goods.
The draft also supplements regulations on state inspection of measurement based on risk levels, focusing on subjects, fields and activities with high risk of violations.
Thus, for pre-packaged goods, the biggest change lies in the management method. Two groups of goods are proposed to be removed, and the quantitative mark is also proposed to be removed. But the core requirement is still that the quantity of goods must be consistent with the information disclosed on the label and the technical measurement requirements.
This regulation also clarifies the responsibilities of organizations and individuals producing and importing pre-packaged goods. When putting products on the market, the quantity of goods must still ensure the requirements specified in Article 32.
According to Ms. Ha, the amendment of regulations on pre-packaged goods is in the group of contents to be abolished and amended to reduce the burden of compliance of the draft Law. Along with that, the draft still sets requirements to ensure the consistency, accuracy, transparency and reliability of measurement activities, while protecting consumer rights.
