Vietnam

Abstract

HACCP implementation for the fish processing industry was started in Vietnam in 1991. HACCP is mandatory for EU registered fish processing establishments from Nov 1999 and has become mandatory for all establishments from Jan 2001. Presently, there are 335 registered fish processing establishments, of which 147 have successfully implemented HACCP and are HACCP-certified by the National Fisheries Quality and Veterinary Department (NFQVD), mostly export-oriented frozen and canned fish processing establishments. NFQVD inspects the fish processing establishments and grades them from A to D based on compliance with hygiene and HACCP requirements. Only A and B-rated establishments are allowed to export. 94 establishments have also been approved for export to EU. The accreditation of HACCP implementation is mainly conducted NFQVD by although some have obtained third party accreditation from international companies such as SGS from UK and Surefish from US, which is more costly.