Vietnam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT) issued a draft regulation on May 14, 2026, proposing mandatory VNCERT certification for imported marine selective catalytic reduction (SCR) de-NO_x systems effective June 1, 2026. The regulation requires simultaneous compliance with two technical criteria: energy efficiency class ≥ IE4 and ammonia slip ≤ 5 ppm. This development directly affects exporters of SCR catalysts, urea dosing modules, and control systems—particularly those based in China—and signals a tightening of market access requirements for marine after-treatment equipment in Vietnam.

Event Overview

On May 14, 2026, the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam (MOIT) published a draft regulatory proposal mandating VNCERT certification for imported shipboard SCR de-NO_x systems. The requirement is scheduled to take effect on June 1, 2026. Under the draft, certified systems must meet both an energy efficiency standard of at least IE4 and an ammonia slip limit of no more than 5 ppm. The ammonia slip threshold is stricter than the current IMO Tier III emission limit. The draft remains subject to public consultation and final approval; no official implementation notice has yet been issued beyond the proposed timeline.

Industries Affected by Segment

Export-Oriented Manufacturing Enterprises

Manufacturers of SCR catalysts, urea injection modules, and integrated SCR control units—especially those exporting to Vietnam—are directly affected. Because the VNCERT certification applies to the complete system (not individual components), product integration and joint testing may be required. Non-certified products will be barred from customs clearance and vessel installation in Vietnam.

Component Suppliers and Subsystem Integrators

Suppliers providing catalyst substrates, dosing pumps, NO_x sensors, or electronic control units to system integrators face upstream pressure. Their components must support compliance with both IE4-level power consumption (e.g., in dosing pumps or fans) and low-ammonia-slip operation under real-world engine load profiles. System-level certification may necessitate revised component specifications or co-validation protocols.

Export Trading and Distribution Companies

Trading firms handling marine SCR equipment imports into Vietnam will need to verify VNCERT certification status before shipment. Documentation gaps—including missing test reports for ammonia slip under transient conditions or incomplete energy efficiency declarations—may trigger delays or rejection at Vietnamese ports. Contracts signed prior to June 2026 may require addenda addressing certification liability and delivery timelines.

What Relevant Enterprises or Practitioners Should Focus On and How to Respond

Monitor official MOIT updates and VNCERT’s finalized technical guidance

The draft is not yet law. Stakeholders should track MOIT’s official gazette and VNCERT’s published certification procedures—including accepted test standards, laboratory accreditation requirements, and transitional provisions—before committing to certification applications.

Confirm whether certification applies to retrofit kits versus newbuild systems

The draft does not clarify whether the rule covers only newly installed SCR systems on vessels built or commissioned after June 2026, or also retrofits on existing vessels operating in Vietnamese waters. Exporters should seek written clarification from Vietnamese authorities or local representatives before adjusting production plans.

Review current product documentation for IE4 alignment and ammonia slip test coverage

Many marine SCR systems currently reference ISO 8528 or IEC 60034 for motor efficiency but do not explicitly declare IE4 compliance. Similarly, ammonia slip data—if available—is often reported under steady-state conditions, not the dynamic duty cycles required by VNCERT’s draft. Manufacturers should audit existing test reports and identify gaps ahead of formal application.

Engage early with accredited Vietnamese or ASEAN-based testing labs

VNCERT may require testing at locally approved facilities. Lead times for scheduling, especially for full-system transient-cycle tests, are expected to increase as the June deadline approaches. Pre-qualifying labs and initiating pre-test consultations now can reduce time-to-certification risk.

Editorial Perspective / Industry Observation

Observably, this draft represents a procedural tightening rather than a sudden technical pivot: Vietnam is aligning its marine emissions enforcement framework with domestic energy efficiency policy (via IE4) while layering on a stricter ammonia control metric than IMO Tier III. Analysis shows the dual-criteria structure suggests VNCERT intends certification to serve both environmental compliance and industrial energy productivity goals. From an industry standpoint, it is more accurately interpreted as a market-access signal than an immediate operational constraint—given the draft status and absence of finalized test protocols. Continued attention is warranted because certification scope, grace periods, and enforcement mechanisms remain unconfirmed.

Concluding, this initiative underscores Vietnam’s emerging role in shaping regional marine emissions governance—not merely adopting international standards, but adapting them to national priorities such as energy efficiency and localized air quality management. For affected exporters, the draft is best understood not as a finalized barrier, but as a defined inflection point requiring proactive technical and regulatory coordination ahead of potential implementation.

Source: Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam (MOIT), Draft Regulation on Mandatory VNCERT Certification for Marine SCR Systems, issued May 14, 2026.
Note: The regulation remains in draft form. Final text, effective date, and certification implementation details are pending MOIT’s public consultation outcome and official promulgation.