On February 15, 2026, the Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST) of Vietnam started implementing the EMC standard for mobile terminals.
The implementation of this EMC standard for mobile terminals was confirmed through previously issued circular letter No. 52/2025/TT-BKHCN. The reference is the technical standard QCVN 86:2025/BKHCN.
The new EMC standard for mobile terminals will undoubtedly impact compliance procedures for smartphones, mobile terminals, and related telecommunications equipment.
What is EMC?
To obtain type approval certification, several tests must be passed, including Radio Frequency (RF), Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC), electrical safety, laser, and Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) tests.
EMC itself is the ability of an electronic device to function properly in an electromagnetic environment. The purpose of this testing is to ensure that the device does not cause or experience interference from other devices.
Each country has its own EMC standards, which usually refer to existing international standards. This ensures that products sold and used do not experience signal interference, performance degradation, or damage. There may even be dangerous safety risks that could endanger users.
New EMC Standards for Mobile Terminals
Vietnam recently enacted a new EMC standard for mobile terminals, referring to QCVN 86:2025/BKHCN. This technical standard relates to the National Technical Standard on Electromagnetic Compatibility for Terminals and Auxiliary Equipment in Mobile Communication Systems.
This technical standard applies to devices operating in mobile telecommunications systems using GSM, Ultra Fast Data Transfer (UTRA FDD) (W-CDMA FDD), E-UTRA, and NR (5G) technologies.
The HS codes for equipment within the scope of this technical standard are specified in the table below:
| Product Name | HS Code | Product Description |
| Tertiary mobile communication terminal equipment | 8517.13.00;8517.14.00 | – Smartphone – Other telephones for other wireless cellular mobile networks |
| 8517.62.59 | Terrestrial mobile communication terminal equipment other than mobile phones (transmission equipment combined with receiving equipment), using one or more technologies: E-UTRA (4G); W-CDMA FDD (3G); GSM (2G and 2.5G) | |
| Fifth-generation (5G) mobile communication terminal | 8517.13.00;8517.14.00 | A terrestrial mobile phone using fifth-generation (5G) mobile communication technology |
| 8517.62.59 | A terrestrial mobile communication terminal, not a mobile phone (transmitter combined with receiver), using fifth-generation (5G) mobile communication technology | |
| E-UTRA narrowband IoT terminal | 8517.14.00 | Terrestrial mobile communication terminal using narrowband IoT technology designed to operate in E-UTRA bands |
| SIM Box Device | 8517.62.59 | A SIM box with multiple (more than 2) SIM card slots, with an antenna for terrestrial mobile communication using one or more technologies: E-UTRA (4G); W-CDMA FDD (3G); GSM (2G and 2.5G), 5th generation mobile communication (5G), and operating as an IP network device |
Implementation on all mobile terminal devices by 2027
EMC standards for mobile terminals will not be mandatory immediately upon their enactment on February 15, 2026. There will be a transition period until December 31, 2026, for all manufacturers, importers, and distributors to adapt to this new regulation.
Manufacturers and importers can continue to use the previous standards (QCVN 86:2019/BTTTT or QCVN 18:2022/BTTTT) or the new standard QCVN 86:2025/BKHCN for Self-Declaration of Conformity (SDoC).
Certificates issued under QCVN 86:2019/BTTTT remain valid until their expiration date. Universal implementation of this new regulation is expected for mobile terminal devices starting January 1, 2027.
The impact of Vietnam type approval
Any regulatory changes will undoubtedly impact the Vietnam type approval process. This is also true for the EMC standard for mobile terminals. This will require manufacturers, importers, and distributors to align all their devices with this new regulation.
It is expected that by January 1, 2027, all mobile terminal devices will comply with the applicable QCVN 86:2025/BKHCN technical standard. Certificates issued under the previous regulation will no longer be eligible for renewal under the same standard.
Certificate renewals will follow the new technical standard. This transition period, which runs until the end of 2026, should be fully utilized to ensure device compliance when the regulation is fully implemented.