Many sellers of charging products often encounter an unexpected pitfall when first expanding into the Vietnamese market: they hold CE and FCC certifications and assume they are globally valid, only to be asked to supplement compliance documents after their goods arrive at the port, or encounter review issues when applying to settle on Shopee and Lazada Vietnam stations. The core reason is that they do not understand Vietnam’s CR Mark and its scope of application.
For relevant electrical and electronic products that fall under Vietnam’s mandatory regulatory catalog, it is usually required to use the CR mark in accordance with regulations after completing the applicable compliance procedures; for products not listed in the mandatory catalog, the CR Mark cannot be uniformly required just because they are “charging products”. Whether conformity assessment, declaration of conformity, and affixing of the CR mark are required specifically depends on the product category, rated parameters, applicable Vietnam National Technical Regulations (QCVN), and the current regulatory catalog.
The CR Mark may look like just two simple letters, but everything from whether to affix it, how to make it, where to affix it, to which situations may be non-compliant, needs to be judged in combination with specific regulations. Today, we will clarify the specifications for the use of the CR Mark applicable to charging products, from basic understanding to practical self-inspection.
First, Understand: What Exactly is the CR Mark?
The first misunderstanding many people have about the CR Mark is that they regard it as a “quality logo” printed by enterprises themselves, but this is not the case.
The CR Mark is a conformity mark in Vietnam’s compliance system. For products included in Vietnam’s mandatory regulatory scope, it can only be used as required after completing the applicable conformity certification, declaration of conformity, or other prescribed procedures. It can be understood as one of the compliance requirements that specific products need to meet when entering the Vietnamese market, but it does not automatically apply to all charging products.
Whether the CR Mark must be used cannot be determined solely by the product name, nor by whether it is connected to the mains supply. It must be confirmed in combination with the product category, rated voltage or power, intended use, applicable QCVN, and the current mandatory regulatory catalog.
It should also be clarified that this mark only indicates that the relevant product has completed the corresponding conformity procedures in accordance with regulations, and that the product’s model, parameters, and production information are within the corresponding scope. It does not mean that the quality is necessarily optimal, nor does it mean that the product will absolutely not have safety problems.
For charging products, the importance of the CR Mark is reflected in three levels:
First, for products within the mandatory regulatory scope, importers usually need to complete the prescribed conformity inspection, declaration of conformity, registration, or other compliance procedures. Goods that do not meet the requirements may be unable to complete the corresponding import supervision procedures, or may not be circulated in the Vietnamese market. Customs import supervision, market sales, and e-commerce platform review are different links, and cannot be simply understood as “without the CR Mark, customs clearance will definitely be impossible”.
Second, market regulatory authorities may check the compliance of products through document verification, random inspection, or sales link inspections. Mainstream e-commerce platforms such as Shopee and Lazada may also require sellers to provide product certification, labels, or other compliance materials, but platform review rules are not equivalent to Vietnamese regulations themselves.
Third, Vietnamese consumers usually pay attention to the safety and legitimacy of charging products. For products that do fall within the mandatory regulatory scope, complete, authentic compliance marks that are consistent with the actual product help build consumer trust.
Many sellers use other marks to replace the CR Mark, which is a very common pitfall. We have sorted out the most easily confused types of marks to help you distinguish them at a glance:
| Common Mark | Can it replace the CR Mark? | Core Reason |
| EU CE Mark | Cannot automatically replace | The CE is a conformity mark under the EU regulatory framework and cannot automatically replace the conformity certification, declaration of conformity, and CR mark required by Vietnam; whether its test data can be used as a basis for compliance in Vietnam needs to be confirmed by the applicable Vietnamese regulations, certification bodies, or competent authorities based on the specific product |
| US FCC Mark | Cannot automatically replace | It mainly involves US electromagnetic compatibility or radio requirements, and cannot cover the electrical safety, labeling, and other mandatory requirements applicable in Vietnam |
| CB Test Certificate | Cannot directly replace | A CB certificate or report cannot automatically replace Vietnam’s CR procedures; whether it can be accepted, and whether supplementary testing, review, or filing is required, shall be confirmed by the relevant Vietnamese regulations and designated or accredited bodies based on the specific product |
| Vietnam ICT Self-Declaration Mark | Cannot be used interchangeably | The applicable products and regulatory requirements are different; the fact that a product has a communication-related self-declaration or relevant mark cannot replace other applicable CR compliance requirements |
| Enterprise’s own quality mark | Cannot replace at all | It is only for commercial promotion purposes and has no mandatory access effect under Vietnamese regulations |
In short, CE, FCC, CB, and enterprise-owned marks cannot automatically replace the applicable CR procedures in Vietnam. Whether overseas test data can be used as part of Vietnam’s compliance assessment shall be confirmed based on the specific product, applicable QCVN, and the requirements of Vietnamese certification bodies or competent authorities.
Quick Judgment: Does Your Charging Product Need the CR Mark?
After understanding the basic concept of the CR Mark, the question everyone is most concerned about must be: does the charging product I sell need to have it affixed? We can judge from three categories of situations: “requiring key verification”, “usually not subject to mandatory obligations under this catalog”, and “ambiguous boundaries”.
Common Charging Products That Require Key Verification of CR Mark Requirements
The following products often involve electrical safety, electromagnetic compatibility, or other technical regulatory requirements, but whether they must use the CR Mark still needs to be confirmed according to the specific product category, rated parameters, applicable QCVN, and current mandatory regulatory catalog:
• Wall-plug chargers, including USB-A and USB-C fast chargers;
• Laptop power adapters and desktop multi-port charging docks;
• Adapters with mains input, wireless chargers, or other devices with power conversion functions.
“With mains input” can be used as a preliminary screening clue, but it is not the only judgment condition. Car chargers are usually not equivalent to being directly connected to Vietnam’s 220V mains supply, so the conclusion for wall-plug chargers cannot be directly applied; their electrical, auto parts, electromagnetic compatibility, or other requirements need to be separately confirmed based on the specific product.
Products Usually Not Subject to Mandatory CR Obligations Under This Catalog
The following products may not fall under a certain mandatory regulatory catalog, but conclusions cannot be drawn solely based on the product name or intended use:
• Passive charging cables: ordinary cables that only transmit current or data, without voltage transformation or identification circuits;
• Built-in charging interface modules that are not sold separately, such as charging interfaces embedded in furniture or other equipment;
• Industrial-specific charging equipment;
• Products that have only obtained overseas certification but have not yet completed the applicable compliance procedures in Vietnam.
Products not listed in the applicable mandatory catalog are usually not subject to the mandatory CR obligations under that catalog, but the CR mark must not be used without corresponding basis, resulting in a false representation of official certification or mandatory compliance. Industrial equipment also cannot exclude all potentially applicable electrical, communication, electromagnetic compatibility, or other regulatory requirements just because they are for industrial use.
Special Situations with Ambiguous Boundaries
There are several types of products to which the above rules cannot be directly applied, and their requirements need to be verified separately:
1. Charging cables with E-Marker or power identification chips: Because they have built-in active circuits, they cannot be simply classified as ordinary passive cables, and the latest Vietnamese regulatory catalog and applicable technical regulations need to be verified.
2. Charging sets: The CR compliance of a charger usually only covers the corresponding charger, and does not naturally include cables or other accessories; the applicable requirements for each component need to be judged separately.
3. Charging devices with Bluetooth or cellular functions: For example, wireless charging devices with speaker or communication functions may involve communication, radio, or electromagnetic compatibility regulation at the same time, so the conclusion for ordinary chargers cannot be directly applied.
4. Charging products with built-in batteries: For example, wireless charging devices with built-in batteries, power banks, etc., need to be checked against the regulations of the corresponding category, and cannot be equated with ordinary plug-in chargers.
If you are still unsure, you can use the 3-step quick judgment method:
1. First confirm the product category, rated voltage or power, intended use, and whether it falls under Vietnam’s current mandatory regulatory catalog, then judge whether conformity certification, declaration of conformity, and CR mark are required. It cannot be judged solely by whether it is connected to 220V, whether it is for ordinary consumers, or whether it is sold independently.
2. Verify Vietnam’s latest mandatory regulatory catalog, applicable QCVN, and corresponding HS code. The HS code is a customs commodity code that can help confirm the regulatory category of the product, but it cannot alone replace the judgment of technical regulations.
3. If there is still doubt, directly consult a formal local certification body, competent authority, or importer in Vietnam, and obtain confirmation corresponding to the specific product. Do not guess based on experience.
Manufacturing Specifications: The CR Mark Cannot Be Printed Arbitrarily
After confirming that the product does require the use of the CR Mark, the production of the mark itself must also comply with the regulations. Many sellers do not have products that have not been tested at all, but have problems with the pattern, clarity, or marking method.
Standard Style Requirements
The core of the CR Mark is the “CR” pattern stipulated by the Vietnamese official, and in some cases, it can be accompanied by a certification body code or other prescribed information. Attention should be paid during production:
• Use the statutory pattern, and do not redraw, split, or change the letter structure without authorization;
• Do not add irrelevant elements at will;
• Do not integrate or modify it with other marks such as CE and FCC;
• Whether it needs to be accompanied by a certification body code shall be confirmed according to the specific certification method and applicable regulations.
Size and Clarity Requirements
The CR Mark shall use the statutory pattern, maintain its proportion, and be clearly distinguishable. The size shall be implemented in accordance with Circular 28/2012/TT-BKHCN and the provisions of applicable products, and the conclusion that “all charging products have a unified minimum of 5 mm” cannot be derived without authorization.
For space-constrained products such as mini fast chargers, it cannot be taken for granted that the size can be lower than the statutory size. When there is indeed a space limitation for marking, confirmation of the marking method shall be obtained from the competent authority or certification body, and it shall not be reduced to an unrecognizable level without authorization.
Color and Contrast Requirements
The basic requirements for the CR mark are that it is clear, easy to identify, and forms sufficient contrast with the background of the product or label. The specific color, reverse color scheme, label material, and printing method shall be implemented in accordance with applicable regulations, product standards, or certification body requirements.
In actual production, solutions that blend with the background, are difficult to identify after reflection, or fade easily after normal use should be avoided. For special designs such as transparent shells and dark shells, the premise is also that the final mark is clearly distinguishable and complies with applicable regulations, and it cannot be assumed based solely on experience that a certain color is definitely allowed.
Durability Requirements for Charging Products
The CR mark shall be clear, complete, easy to identify, and not easily erased or peeled off under normal use conditions. For charging products that are frequently plugged in, wiped, or transported, more attention should be paid to the stability of the mark in actual use.
The specific color, label material, printing process, and position shall be implemented in accordance with applicable regulations, product standards, or certification body requirements. Screen printing, laser, molding, or durable labels cannot be judged independently from applicable regulations; similarly, rules such as “all charging products must use a certain process” or “stickers are uniformly prohibited” cannot be set without authorization.
Labeling Rules: Where to Affix and What Information to Include
After the mark is made, the labeling position and information on the product, packaging, labels, and accompanying documents shall also be judged in combination with specific regulations. Not all charging products are subject to exactly the same labeling method.
Labeling Position on the Product Body
The CR shall be marked at the positions specified on the product, packaging or labels, and accompanying documents in accordance with the applicable QCVN, certification decisions, and Vietnamese commodity labeling regulations. In actual design, priority should be given to flat, unobstructed, easily identifiable, and wear-resistant areas, avoiding contact surfaces of prongs, USB ports, anti-slip parts, and detachable accessories.
For different types of charging products, the following design ideas can be referred to:
• Wall-plug chargers: priority can be given to the flat surface of the shell opposite the prongs;
• Laptop power adapters: the flat surface of the body near the cable outlet end can be considered;
• Wireless chargers: the visible area above the anti-slip structure at the bottom can be considered to avoid the mark being located on the easily worn anti-slip material.
These positions are common design solutions for easy identification and durability, and do not mean that the same legal position applies to all products. If specific product regulations require labeling on the product body, it cannot only be placed on the packaging, manual, or webpage.
Information to Be Included
Product labels shall mark statutory information such as the manufacturer or responsible entity, product model, rated input and output parameters in accordance with Vietnamese commodity labeling regulations and applicable QCVN. Common information includes:
• Product model;
• Rated input and output parameters, such as voltage, current, power;
• Information of the manufacturer, importer, or responsible entity within Vietnam;
• Other label content required by applicable regulations.
Whether it is necessary to add a certification body code or other certification information next to the CR mark shall be confirmed according to the specific certification method and applicable regulations. The certification body code and certificate number cannot be confused, nor can it be uniformly required that all products must list the certificate number on the product body.
The product model, parameters, and responsible entity information shall be consistent with the compliance documents, packaging, and actual product. If there are multiple versions or different output specifications, it shall be confirmed separately whether they belong to the same compliance coverage scope.
Labeling Requirements for Packaging, Manuals, and E-commerce Pages
Whether the outer packaging, minimum sales unit, labels, and accompanying documents need to be labeled with the CR Mark, and the specific labeling position, shall be implemented in accordance with the applicable QCVN, commodity labeling regulations, and certification decisions.
The following points need to be noted:
• The CR Mark on the packaging or label shall be authentic, clear, and consistent with the compliance status of the actual product;
• Manuals or accompanying documents can be labeled with relevant information as required, but when specific product regulations require physical labeling on the product or label, manuals cannot be used as a substitute;
• The CR Mark on the e-commerce product detail page must be consistent with the actual product, and consumers shall not be misled by photo editing or using certification marks of other models;
• Electronic pictures and e-commerce pages cannot replace the physical marks required by regulations, but whether the product body must be directly labeled shall be subject to the provisions of the specific product.
Labeling Rules for Multi-Model/Set Products
For products sold in combination, attention should also be paid to:
• When there are multiple models of products in the same package, it shall be confirmed whether each model belongs to the same compliance coverage scope separately. It cannot be assumed that one certificate can be shared just because the appearance is the same;
• The compliance status of the charger does not naturally cover cables, plugs, or other accessories;
• Charging sets shall clearly state the compliance status of each component, and cannot generally claim that “the set has a CR Mark”, leading consumers to mistakenly believe that all components have completed the same compliance procedures.
Legal Boundaries: The CR Mark Cannot Be Used Arbitrarily in These Situations
Many sellers think that once they get a certification, they can use the CR Mark all the time, but this is not the case. The core prerequisites for legal use include:
1. The product has completed the prescribed compliance procedures in accordance with the applicable Vietnam National Technical Regulations and the current regulatory catalog;
2. The compliance documents, certification decisions, or declarations of conformity are still applicable;
3. The product’s model, parameters, production information, and actual structure are still within the scope of the corresponding compliance documents or certification.
The validity period, applicable batches, and subsequent supervision requirements of compliance documents depend on the certification method, product category, and documents of the issuing body or competent authority, and cannot be uniformly summarized as “usually 1-3 years”.
Common Compliance Paths for Charging Products
The compliance procedures for charging products in Vietnam mainly involve the following methods. The specific method to be adopted shall be determined by the product category, regulatory catalog, applicable QCVN, and requirements of the competent department:
• Mandatory third-party certification: Some products need to be tested, audited, or otherwise assessed by a designated or accredited certification body, and after obtaining the corresponding documents, the CR Mark can be used as required;
• Declaration of conformity: Enterprises need to complete the prescribed testing, certification basis, and registration or filing procedures in accordance with applicable regulations, before they can make a declaration of conformity and use the CR Mark as required;
• Other prescribed procedures: Some products may also involve conformity inspection, import registration, batch documents, or other regulatory requirements.
Therefore, the declaration of conformity does not mean that enterprises can use the CR Mark simply by filing after self-testing. The complete process stipulated by applicable regulations shall be confirmed first.
Certificate Coverage Scope and Change Rules
The scope of use of the CR Mark depends on the specific compliance documents, certification scheme, and actual status of the product. When the following situations change, do not continue to use the original mark directly:
• Changes in output power, input range, fast charging protocol, or internal circuits;
• Changes in plug version, shell structure, or key safety components;
• Changes in production premises, manufacturers, or other important production information;
• Changes in product model, brand, or label information;
• Addition of Bluetooth, cellular communication, or other new functions to the product.
For changes involving safety-critical components, production premises, rated parameters, structure, or functions, the certification body shall first assess whether it is necessary to change the certificate, conduct supplementary testing, or re-certify. For changes in label information such as model and brand, it shall also be confirmed whether they exceed the scope of the original certificate before deciding whether the original CR mark can continue to be used.
When compliance documents expire, are suspended, or revoked, the certification body or competent authority shall be contacted immediately to confirm the use status of the CR mark, the handling method of inventory, and whether it is necessary to re-apply for relevant procedures. The mark cannot continue to be used for the changed product just because the document was previously obtained.
Risk Prevention and Control: Common Violations and Consequences
We have sorted out the most common types of risks related to the CR Mark of charging products, so you can compare them to avoid pitfalls.
The first category is the mark itself may be non-compliant: for example, using a fake mark, deformed pattern, too small or blurred mark, or the mark is easy to peel off during normal use.
The second category is qualification or procedural issues: for example, labeling without completing the applicable compliance procedures, compliance documents are no longer applicable, or borrowing documents from other enterprises or other models to label their own products.
The third category is scope issues: for example, using the CR mark beyond the model, parameters, and production information covered by the certificate or conformity document, or using the CR mark on products that have not obtained the corresponding basis.
The fourth category is information and promotion scenario issues: for example, the model and parameters are inconsistent with the compliance documents, the mark displayed on the e-commerce page belongs to another product, or the set only contains one compliant component but claims that the entire set has the same CR compliance status.
These problems may face different handling measures according to the illegal facts, product risks, administrative procedures, platform rules, and decisions of the competent authority, such as:
• Requiring supplementary materials, rectification, or correction of labels;
• Suspending product circulation or sales;
• Administrative penalties;
• Recalling problematic products;
• Returning goods or other import handling;
• E-commerce platforms removing products from shelves or restricting sales permissions.
Platform removal or store restrictions depend on the platform’s own rules; certificate suspension or revocation must be decided by the corresponding certification body or competent authority in accordance with the law. Detention of goods, destruction, store closure, or certificate revocation cannot be regarded as the inevitable consequence of every problem.
There are also several special scenarios where the compliance boundaries are easily confused by many people:
• Exhibition samples: They shall be handled according to requirements such as import purpose, temporary import or re-export procedures. Even if labeled “sample”, they cannot be sold as formal goods before sales conditions are confirmed;
• Repaired products: It shall be confirmed whether the repair has changed the safety performance, structure, key components, or original compliance scope. The CR mark cannot be re-affixed without authorization. If necessary, it shall be re-evaluated by the certification body first;
• Old version inventory: After compliance documents are updated or expire, the certificate status, whether the product still meets current requirements, and specific transition provisions shall be verified. Sales cannot continue or the original CR mark cannot be reused without confirmation.
Practical 4-Step Compliance Self-Inspection Method
If you are already operating in the Vietnamese market, or are preparing to enter, you can use the following 4-step self-inspection method to check the compliance of the CR Mark in advance, and avoid mixing different regulatory links.
Step 1: Check the Validity of Qualifications
First take out your compliance documents, certificates, or declarations of conformity, and check three points:
• Whether the document is still valid and applicable to the current product;
• Whether the product’s model, rated parameters, manufacturer, and production premises are within the scope of the document;
• Whether the document corresponds to the currently applicable product category, QCVN, and certification method.
If conditions permit, the authenticity of the certificate number can be verified through the public database or official channels of the issuing body. However, the database information can only be used as a verification method, and the final result shall still be subject to the applicable regulations and the confirmation result of the certification body.
Step 2: Check the Compliance of the Mark Itself
Check against applicable regulations, certification decisions, or product standards:
• Whether the pattern uses the statutory CR style, and whether there is deformation or improper modification;
• Whether the size and proportion comply with applicable regulations;
• Whether the mark is clear, complete, and easy to identify;
• Whether the mark is not easily erased or peeled off under normal use conditions.
If durability testing is required, the methods and judgment conditions specified in the applicable QCVN, product standards, or certification bodies shall be adopted. “Wiping with a dry cloth 10 times” cannot be regarded as a statutory test common to all charging products, nor can a legal conclusion of pass or fail be directly drawn solely from this test.
Step 3: Check the Position and Supporting Information
• Confirm whether the CR Mark and related labels are placed on the product, packaging, labels, or accompanying documents as specified by applicable regulations;
• If specific product regulations require labeling on the product body, confirm that the mark is not replaced by manuals, electronic pictures, or e-commerce pages;
• Check whether statutory information such as model, input and output parameters, manufacturer or responsible entity is complete;
• Check whether the marks on the packaging, e-commerce pages, and accompanying documents are consistent with the actual status of the product.
Step 4: Check Consistency
It is necessary to ensure the unification of information in multiple dimensions:
• The model and parameters on the product body, packaging, manual, and e-commerce page are consistent;
• The information on the compliance documents is consistent with the actual product;
• The compliance status of each component of the set is consistent with the promotional content;
• Whether the product has undergone changes in structure, function, components, production premises, or labels that affect compliance;
• Whether old inventory, repaired products, or samples meet the currently applicable import, sales, and transition requirements.
Final Summary
Vietnam’s CR Mark is not a “must-have sticker” uniformly applicable to all charging products. As for whether conformity certification, declaration of conformity, and CR mark are required, the key depends on the specific product category, rated parameters, applicable QCVN, current mandatory regulatory catalog, and import and market circulation procedures.
Overseas marks such as CE, FCC, and CB cannot automatically replace Vietnam’s compliance requirements, but whether some of their test data can be accepted needs to be confirmed by the applicable Vietnamese regulations, certification bodies, or competent authorities based on specific products. The pattern, size, clarity, durability, labeling position, and additional information of the CR mark also cannot cover all charging products with a set of fixed experience.
Before entering the Vietnamese market, sellers should first confirm the product classification and regulatory scope, and then verify the consistency of compliance documents, marking carriers, product information, and actual models. When encountering car chargers, wireless chargers with communication functions, charging cables with chips, charging sets, repaired products, or old inventory, it is even more necessary to obtain confirmation for specific products to avoid confusing different regulations and different links.