Organizations and individuals manufacturing, importing, or trading paint products containing lead are required to comply with QCVN 8:2020/BCT Certification on Lead Content Limits in Paints and complete conformity declaration procedures before circulating products on the market.

QCVN 8:2020/BCT Certification on Lead Content Limits in Paints

Paint containing lead can be harmful to human health and the environment. When paint layers fade or peel off, lead particles may be inhaled through the respiratory system and cause health problems. Lead from paint can also penetrate soil and water sources, causing environmental pollution and adversely affecting human health.

To ensure the protection of human health and the surrounding environment, the Ministry of Industry and Trade issued the National Technical Regulation QCVN 08:2020/BCT on lead content in paints on December 21, 2020. The regulation requires organizations and individuals involved in the manufacturing, importation, and trading of paints to carry out conformity certification and conformity declaration before products are circulated on the market.

QCVN 8:2020/BCT Certification on Lead Content Limits in Paints is a conformity assessment activity conducted in accordance with QCVN 08:2020/BCT. In this regulation, lead content is defined as the percentage by weight of lead (calculated as metallic lead (Pb)) existing in all forms of lead and lead compounds contained in paint and determined according to the testing methods specified in this regulation.

Harmful Effects of Failing to Certify Lead Content in Paints

Experts believe that lead is a toxic substance with widespread impacts on health, particularly affecting the nervous, cardiovascular, digestive, and hematological systems. Children are especially vulnerable because they are exposed at higher levels than adults, and because lead affects the developing brain, potentially reducing intellectual capacity.

Children suffering from lead poisoning may experience delayed development, with lower height, chest circumference, and head circumference compared to children who are not poisoned by lead. In addition, children may also be affected if their mothers are exposed to lead. Mothers occupationally exposed to blood lead concentrations ≥ 10 µg/dL are at risk of miscarriage, premature birth, and low birth weight infants.

Statistics from the Poison Control Center of Bach Mai Hospital show that lead poisoning still occurs frequently in Vietnam. Some patients have already been detected at hospitals, while many others remain unidentified within the community. There are numerous causes of lead poisoning, such as mining lead-containing ores, recycling lead from batteries, and using traditional medicines containing lead. In addition, lead-containing paint is also a matter of concern.

Paint Products Without Certification and Conformity Declaration May Be Recalled

Decree No. 119/2017/ND-CP on administrative penalties in the fields of standards, measurement, and product and goods quality, together with Decree No. 126/2021/ND-CP amending and supplementing several provisions related to administrative sanctions in the fields of industrial property, standards, measurement, product and goods quality, science and technology activities, technology transfer, and atomic energy, clearly stipulates the following:

A fine ranging from VND 30,000,000 to VND 40,000,000 shall be imposed for one of the following violations in the manufacturing of products and goods subject to conformity declaration based on corresponding technical regulations:

• Failure to declare conformity for products and goods subject to conformity declaration;
• Failure to register conformity declaration dossiers with competent authorities;
• Failure to use the conformity mark or improper use of the conformity mark for products and goods that have already been declared conforming before circulation on the market;
• Failure to promptly implement preventive measures upon detecting circulating or in-use goods whose quality does not conform to the declared conformity or corresponding technical regulations;
• Failure to repeat conformity declaration when there are changes in the registered conformity declaration dossier or changes in functions, uses, or characteristics of declared products, goods, or services;
• Use of prohibited or unauthorized additives, chemicals, or antibiotics in manufacturing products and goods, except in food production and processing activities.

A fine ranging from VND 50,000,000 to VND 100,000,000 shall be imposed for one of the following violations in the manufacturing or importation of products and goods required to declare conformity according to corresponding technical regulations:

• Failure to assess conformity with technical regulations for imported goods when applying one of the following measures: certification or inspection by registered or legally recognized certification/inspection organizations, or self-assessment of conformity by organizations or individuals;
• Failure to conduct conformity certification for manufactured or imported products and goods required to be certified by designated certification or inspection organizations in accordance with legal regulations, or use of expired certificates of conformity or conformity marks.

A fine ranging from two to three times the value of the violating products or goods sold shall be imposed for manufacturing or importing products and goods that do not comply with corresponding technical regulations or competent authority requirements.

ISSQ Quality Institute Provides QCVN 8:2020/BCT Certification on Lead Content Limits in Paints

ISSQ Quality Institute provides QCVN 8:2020/BCT Certification on Lead Content Limits in Paints. With a team of highly qualified experts and many years of experience, numerous enterprises have trusted ISSQ Institute to conduct assessments and issue certification certificates.

Above is the information regarding QCVN 8:2020/BCT Certification on Lead Content Limits in Paints.

ISSQ Quality Institute is always ready to accompany enterprises during the period of integration and development.

Please contact hotline: +84 981851111 or email: vienchatluong@issq.org.vn | tcvn@issq.org.vn. We are honored to serve our valued customers!

Published date: 03/02/2024