The merger of the MIC and the MOST: How does it impact ICT conformity certification?

EXTENDMAX – 30-Dec-2025 – The merger of the Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC) and the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) in 2025 has been a widely discussed topic among businesses and manufacturers of information technology and telecommunications equipment in recent times. This is a significant macro-level change expected to have a substantial impact on policies and fundamental regulations related to quality inspection procedures, conformity certification, and the declaration of conformity for IT products. In this article, we will share ExtendMax's predictions on changes in state management policies and the anticipated roadmap to help businesses prepare and proactively plan their production and import activities.

Context of the Merger Between MIC and MOST

On December 6, 2024, Standing Deputy Prime Minister Nguyễn Hòa Bình signed Document No. 141/KH-BCĐTKNQ18 issued by the Steering Committee for summarizing the implementation of Resolution No. 18-NQ/TW, outlining a plan to streamline and reorganize the Government's administrative apparatus. According to the plan, the Government aims to maintain eight ministries and ministerial-level agencies (with internal restructuring and streamlining) while consolidating 14 ministries and ministerial-level agencies.

This merger aims to simplify administrative structures, enhance state management efficiency, and create consistency in policy formulation and implementation. The news of the merger between the Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC) and the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) has been closely followed by foreign manufacturers and companies involved in importing and trading IT products.

Both MIC and MOST play crucial roles in managing standards, technical regulations, and conformity certification for information technology products, communications devices, and scientific equipment, each with a somewhat distinct legal framework. The anticipated merger is expected to positively impact state management systems for IT products.

Name and Organizational Structure Post-Merger

Currently, the Ministry of Information and Communications has 26 functional units, while the Ministry of Science and Technology has 22. After the merger, the number of functional units under the new ministry is expected to be reduced to 34.

Regarding the name of the newly merged ministry, Deputy Prime Minister Hồ Đức Phớc suggested choosing a name that is simple, memorable, meaningful, and enduring to establish a strong brand. He proposed potential names such as "Ministry of Technology and Communications" or "Ministry of Science, Technology, and Communications."

Restructuring of Agencies and Functional Units

Based on information shared through official government media channels, functional units with overlapping duties and responsibilities will be merged and streamlined. We anticipate several key changes in the restructuring process following the merger of the Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC) and the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) as follows:

Functional Units Likely to Be Merged Due to Overlapping Roles

• Merger of Personnel Departments: The Personnel Department of MIC and the Personnel Department of MOST are expected to be combined.
• Merger of International Cooperation Departments: The International Cooperation Department of MIC and that of MOST are likely to be consolidated.
• Merger of Legal Affairs Departments: The Legal Affairs Departments of both ministries are expected to be unified.
• Merger of Inspectorates: The Inspectorates of MIC and MOST are projected to be merged.
• Merger of Ministry Offices: The Offices of MIC and MOST are likely to be consolidated.
• Merger of Science and Technology Departments: The Science and Technology Department will likely be merged with the Department of Science and Technology for Economic-Technical Sectors.

Units with Partial Overlaps or Similar Functions That May Be Merged or Streamlined

• Information Departments: The Department of Grassroots Information and the Department of External Information (MIC) may be merged with the Department of ICT Industry and the Department of National Scientific and Technological Information (MOST).
• Press and Publication Departments: The Press Department and the Publishing, Printing, and Distribution Department (MIC) may be streamlined.

This restructuring aims to eliminate redundancies, optimize resource allocation, and improve the efficiency of state management in line with the Government’s overarching goals for administrative reform.

Impact of the Merger on ICT Conformity Certification

We anticipate that the merger of the Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC) and the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) will have a profound impact on state quality inspection regulations and ICT conformity certification, likely in a positive direction. Currently, MOST plays a central role in developing standards, technical regulations, and policies for conformity certification and standard certification. Therefore, ExtendMax expects that the policy changes will predominantly follow the current regulatory style of MOST. Below are some key forecasts regarding regulations and policies post-merger:

Transition of MIC's QCVNs to TCVNs

At present, MIC holds the lead among ministries in terms of the number of issued technical regulations (QCVNs), with a total of 132 QCVNs. However, many of these QCVNs are not applied in quality inspections, are temporarily suspended in full or in part, or focus more on managing "features" rather than "products." Many also lack proper designations or HS code references.

The merger of MIC and MOST presents an opportunity to restructure the national technical regulation system in the field of telecommunications and IT. This is also a chance to remove outdated technical regulations and systematize them to align with the current Law on Standards and Technical Regulations and the Law on Product and Goods Quality.

Harmonization of Conformity Certification Regulations

Post-merger, differences in conformity certification principles, such as requirements for ISO 9001 manufacturing management certification or factory evaluations under Certification Scheme 1, are expected to be eliminated. The conformity certification for radio, telecommunications, and IT products will likely fully adopt certification schemes consistent with Circular No. 28/2012/TT-BKHCN.

Discontinuation of the ICT Conformity Mark

Currently, MIC is the only ministry that mandates the ICT conformity mark, which slightly differs from the CR conformity mark of MOST. After the merger, we anticipate that the new ministry will adopt the CR conformity mark for radio, telecommunications, and IT equipment. The ICT conformity mark will no longer be used, and all Group 2 goods under the jurisdiction of different ministries in Vietnam will uniformly use the CR conformity mark.

PQIR and Declaration of Conformity via the Public Service Portal

Currently, the Public Service Portal of the Department of Telecommunications has not yet fully integrated with the customs system, requiring businesses to submit paper documents for customs clearance of Group 2 goods under MIC's jurisdiction. After the merger, it is anticipated that product quality inspection registration (PQIR) and declaration of conformity for imported radio, telecommunications, and IT equipment will be conducted entirely online. This is expected to significantly improve the transparency and efficiency of quality inspection registration and reduce customs clearance times.

Increasing the Number of Certification Bodies

Currently, the Telecom Metrology and Quality Center (TQC) under the Vietnam Telecommunications Authority (VNTA) is the only certification body designated by MIC to conduct conformity certification for radio, telecommunications, and IT equipment.

After the merger, we anticipate that established and highly experienced certification bodies under MOST, such as Quacert, Quatest 3, and Quatest 1, will quickly join in providing conformity certification services for ICT products.

With the strong momentum of administrative reform, it is also expected that private certification bodies and even foreign certification organizations will soon enter this field. This development will provide businesses with better and faster service options, enhancing competitiveness and efficiency in the certification process.

Roadmap of Merger and Policy Changes

The organizational merger of the Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC) and the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) is expected to be completed by the end of Q1 2025. Policy changes are anticipated to be issued in the post-merger period, starting from Q2 2025.

Official announcements regarding the merger and new policy documents will be published through state media channels in the near future.

Guidance for Businesses During the Transition Period

To minimize risks and ensure compliance with legal regulations, businesses should closely follow official announcements from state management agencies to promptly grasp changes related to conformity certification procedures. Collaborating with professional consulting firms like ExtendMax will help businesses understand, proactively adapt, and meet legal requirements effectively during the transition period.

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