Effective from May 25, 2026, new regulations on the recycling responsibilities of manufacturers and importers will  clarify the scope of regulated entities, recycling methods, and mandatory rates for specific product and packaging groups.

This follows the newly-issued Government's Decree No. 110/2026/ND-CP, which provides detailed guidelines for implementing the Law on Environmental Protection concerning the recycling and waste treatment obligations of businesses.

Under the Decree, manufacturers and importers of products including packaging, batteries and accumulators, lubricants, tires and tubes, electrical and electronic equipment, and road vehicles must fulfill mandatory recycling rates and specifications when placing these goods on the Vietnamese market.

The Decree further clarifies specific criteria to identify the parties responsible for these duties. For products or packaging with the same brand produced by different manufacturers, the organization or individual responsible for product labeling is the entity required to fulfill the recycling responsibility.

In cases of contract manufacturing, the party that hires the manufacturer is held responsible, while for entrusted imports, the duty falls on the party responsible for labeling according to regulations.

The scope of regulated packaging includes commercial packaging—comprising both primary and secondary packaging—for goods such as food, cosmetics, medicines, fertilizers, animal feed, veterinary drugs, detergents, hygiene products, and cement.

Conversely, certain cases are exempt from these recycling requirements. Specifically, manufacturers and importers are not required to fulfill these duties for products and packaging intended for export, temporary import for re-export, or those used solely for research, educational, and testing purposes.