Guidelines for labeling cosmetics in accordance with regulations

Content

Detailed Instructions

Cosmetic Name

1. The name of the cosmetic may be a new name given to itself along with the brand or the name of the manufacturer, but must not mislead about the nature, use, and composition of the product.
2. The characters that make up the cosmetic name must be characters with the origin of the Latin alphabet.
3. The cosmetic name must be placed in a conspicuous, easy-to-read position, with the largest font size compared to other  required content on the label.
4. The name of the cosmetic must be written on the original label of the direct packaging of the cosmetics
5. If the name of a cosmetic product  in whole or in part contains the name of the ingredient used, the quantity of that ingredient must be inscribed, unless such ingredient is a coloring or fragrance additive that is enclosed.

Functions of cosmetics

1. The function of the product must be clearly indicated on the label (e.g. sun protection, moisturizing, cleaning, etc.).
2. In cases where the physical presentation of the product clearly demonstrates the function (e.g., lumpy bath soap, lipstick sticks), there is no need to show the functionality of the product on the label.

User Manual

1. Must be presented in Vietnamese;
2. In case the presentation of the product clearly shows the use of the product, it is not necessary to show the instructions for use on the label.

Full Formula Ingredients

The composition of cosmetics must be clearly stated according to the international nomenclature specified in the publications specified in Clause 3, Article 5 of Circular 06/2011/TT-BYT (amended and supplemented by Clause 2, Article 1 of Circular 34/2025/TT-BYT). No percentage of each component is required. Reference publications include:

1. International Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary,
2. British Pharmacopoeia,
3. United States Pharmacopoeia,
4. Chemical Abstract Services,
5. Japanese Standard Cosmetic Ingredients,
6. Japanese publication on cosmetic ingredients (Japanese Cosmetic Ingredients Codex).

Note No. 1: Ingredients including additives must be noted.

Name of country of manufacture

1. Organizations and individuals producing and importing cosmetics are responsible for determining and recording the origin of goods in an honest and accurate manner, in accordance with Vietnamese law and international commitments.
2. The name of the country or territory indicated on the label must not be abbreviated.
3. The origin of goods inscribed on the label is expressed by one of the following phrases: "manufactured in"; "manufactured in"; "country of production"; "origin"; "produced by"; "of" with the name of the country or territory producing the goods or inscribed in accordance with the law on the origin of goods
4. If the origin cannot be determined as prescribed, the place of the final stage must be written to complete the goods. Phrases such as: "assembled at", "bottled at", "blended at", "finished at", "packaged at", "labeled at" with the name of the country or territory where the final stage is carried out to complete the goods.

Name and address of the organization or individual responsible for putting the product on the market

1. Organizations and individuals responsible for putting products on the market are organizations and individuals named on the dossier of announcement of cosmetic products and responsible for such cosmetic products on the market.
2. Information about the name and address must be fully written in Vietnamese according to the Business Registration Certificate or Investment License, except for the administrative unit that can be abbreviated (for example, "commune" is X; "ward" is P; "city" is Ho Chi Minh City; "province" is T.)

Quantitative

1. Expressed in net mass or volume, in metric system or both metric system and imperial system of measurement;
2. In case the names of extracts and essences from natural ingredients are inscribed with the names of cosmetics, the quantitative ingredients of extracts and essences or the equivalent volume of raw materials used to create such extracts and essences must be inscribed.
3. Regulations on how to record the quantity of goods are specified in Appendix II issued together with Decree 43/2017/ND-CP.

Production Batch Number

1. A cosmetic batch number is a numerical or alphanumeric sign, or a combination of numbers and letters, to identify a product batch and allow the entire history of a product batch to be traced including all stages of the production, quality inspection and distribution of that product batch.
2. The production batch number is required to be indicated on the original label of the direct packaging of the cosmetics.

Date of manufacture or expiration date

1. Must be clearly stated (e.g., date/month/year). The way to write the date must clearly include the month, year or the day, month, year in the right order.
2. The words "expiration date" or "best before date" can be used, and if necessary, additional specified conditions to be followed can be added to ensure the stability of the product.
3. For products with a stability of less than 30 months, it is mandatory to write an expiration date.

Notes on safety when using

Special notes when using cosmetics must be shown on the label in Vietnamese, including:

1. Any information should be paid special attention to cosmetic products.
2. The precautions listed in the column "Conditions of use and mandatory warnings on product labels" are mentioned in Appendices III, IV, VI, VII and VIII of the Agreement on the ASEAN Harmonized System in the Management of Cosmetics.

More

Organizations and individuals are allowed to inscribe other contents on cosmetic labels. The additional contents must not be contrary to the provisions of law and must ensure truthfulness, accuracy, reflect the true nature of the goods, not obscure or falsify the mandatory contents written on cosmetic labels.

Cosmetic label placement

Cosmetic labels must be affixed to goods and commercial packaging of goods (including direct packaging and outer packaging) and must meet the following conditions:

1. Located in a location that is easily recognizable when observed.

2. Have all the contents as prescribed without having to disassemble the details and parts of the goods.

3. In case the outer package cannot be opened or cannot be opened, the outer package must have a label fully presenting the required contents.

Languages Spoken:

The mandatory contents on cosmetic labels can be presented in Vietnamese or English.

Particularly, the following information must be presented in Vietnamese:

1. User manual.

2. The name and address of the organization or individual responsible for putting the product on the market.

3. Safety precautions when using.

Note No. 3:

The draft decree has supplemented regulations on language on cosmetic labels as follows:

1. Cosmetics circulating on the Vietnamese market must be fully inscribed with compulsory content in Vietnamese, except for exported cosmetics not consumed domestically.
2. Cosmetics manufactured and circulated in the country may be inscribed in other languages but must correspond to Vietnamese contents and must not be larger than Vietnamese contents.
3. Imported cosmetics with labels but not fully expressing the mandatory contents in Vietnamese must have a corresponding Vietnamese sub-label and keep the original label of the cosmetics.

Particularly, the names of cosmetics and ingredient names according to international nomenclature are allowed to be written in the language using Latin letters.

Size and Appearance:

1. Regarding size: Organizations and individuals bringing cosmetics to the market can determine the label size by themselves but must ensure that the information is easy to read with the naked eye.

2. Content: ensuring truthfulness, clarity, accuracy and properly reflecting product features.

Note No. 4:  The draft decree has now added the following requirements for the size of cosmetic labels:

1. Must ensure that all required contents are recorded.
2. The alphanumeric size ensures sufficient readability with the naked eye. If it is possible to measure quantity, it must comply with the law on measurement.

Colour:

1. The colors of letters, digits, drawings, images, signs and symbols presented on cosmetic labels must be clear.

2. The color of the letters and numbers should contrast with the background of the label.

Note No. 5: According to the Draft Decree, the regulation on "letters and digits must have a color that contrasts with the background color" only applies to mandatory contents according to the regulations on cosmetic labels.