VI
EN
Service Background
Testing of paper napkins, toilet tissue, and other consumer tissue products is the process of analyzing and assessing a product's physical-mechanical, chemical, and microbiological parameters in accordance with National Technical Regulation QCVN 09:2015/BCT and related standards, in order to confirm that the product is safe for consumers and eligible for conformity declaration and CR marking prior to circulation on the market.
From facial tissue and paper napkins, toilet tissue in roll or sheet form, and raw tissue paper, to children's diapers and other personal hygiene tissue products, each product category carries potential hazards from chemical residues (formaldehyde, heavy metals) and harmful microorganisms if raw materials and manufacturing processes are not tightly controlled.
Vinacontrol's testing service helps enterprises:
✔ Meet mandatory legal requirements prior to placing products on the Vietnamese market
✔ Control hazardous factors: formaldehyde, heavy metals (lead, cadmium, mercury), and harmful microorganisms
✔ Complete the conformity declaration dossier and affix the CR mark in accordance with regulations
✔ Enhance brand credibility and strengthen competitiveness in both domestic and export markets
✔ Minimize the risk of product recalls, administrative penalties, or customs clearance rejection
Who Does QCVN 09:2015/BCT Apply To?
The regulation applies to:
• Organizations and individuals manufacturing or processing paper napkins, toilet tissue, and tissue paper in Vietnam
• Enterprises importing paper napkins, toilet tissue, tissue paper, and related consumer tissue products (including diapers)
• Organizations and individuals trading or distributing these products on the Vietnamese market
• State management authorities and other relevant stakeholders
Note: This regulation does not apply to paper napkins or tissue paper intended for direct food contact (used for wrapping, containing, or preserving food) or to products manufactured/processed domestically for export purposes.
Which Products Require Testing and Conformity Certification?
The category of paper napkins and toilet tissue falling within the scope of QCVN 09:2015/BCT is identified by the following HS codes:
|
Product Name |
HS Code |
Product Description |
|
Paper napkins and toilet tissue |
4803.00.30 4803.00.90 |
Toilet or facial tissue stock, towel or napkin stock and similar paper of a kind used for household or sanitary purposes, cellulose wadding and webs of cellulose fibres, whether or not creped, crinkled, embossed, perforated, surface-coloured, surface-decorated or printed, in rolls or sheets |
|
|
4818.10.00 4818.20.00 4818.90.00 |
Toilet paper and similar paper of a kind used for household or sanitary purposes, in rolls of a width not exceeding 36 cm, or cut to size or shape; handkerchiefs, paper towels |
In addition to the above category, children's diapers, adult diapers, and sanitary napkins - falling under HS code 9619.00, the category of personal hygiene products made of paper or containing pulp-based components - also fall within the scope of quality and safety testing that Vinacontrol supports, applying corresponding test methods for absorbency, microbiological safety, and chemical residues in accordance with current standards.
Testing Parameters Under QCVN 09:2015/BCT
1. Physical-Mechanical Parameters
|
Parameter |
Paper napkins / tissue paper (2-ply) |
Toilet tissue / tissue paper (2-ply) |
Test Method |
|
Tensile strength, machine direction, N/m, not less than |
110.0 |
100.0 |
TCVN 8309-4:2009 (ISO 12625-4:2005) |
|
Tensile strength, cross direction, N/m, not less than |
45.0 |
45.0 |
TCVN 8309-4:2009 (ISO 12625-4:2005) |
|
Wet/dry tensile strength ratio, not less than, % |
≥ 5 |
≥ 5 |
TCVN 8309-5:2010 (ISO 12625-5:2005) |
|
Water absorption capacity, g/g, not less than |
7.5 |
7.5 |
TCVN 8309-8:2009 (ISO 12625-8:2005) |
2. Chemical Parameters
|
Parameter |
Limit |
Test Method |
|
Moisture content, %, not more than |
8.0 |
TCVN 1867:2010 (ISO 187:2009) |
|
pH of aqueous extract |
6.5 - 7.5 |
TCVN 7066-1:2008 (ISO 6588-1:2005) |
|
Colour fastness (paper whitened with fluorescent brightening agents), grade, not less than |
4 |
TCVN 10089:2013 (EN 648:2006) |
|
Colour fastness (dyed paper with printed patterns) |
No colour bleeding |
TCVN 10087:2013 (EN 646:2006) |
|
Formaldehyde content, mg/dm², not more than |
1.0 |
TCVN 8308:2010 (EN 1541:2001) |
|
Lead (Pb) content, mg/dm², not more than |
0.003 |
TCVN 10093:2013 (EN 12498:2005) |
|
Cadmium (Cd) content, mg/dm², not more than |
0.002 |
TCVN 10093:2013 (EN 12498:2005) |
|
Mercury (Hg) content, mg/dm², not more than |
0.002 |
TCVN 10092:2013 (EN 12497:2005) |
3. Microbiological Parameters
|
Parameter |
Paper napkins / tissue paper |
Toilet tissue / tissue paper |
Test Method |
|
Total aerobic bacterial count, CFU/g, not more than |
3 x 10² |
10³ |
Appendix A.4, QCVN 09:2015/BCT |
|
Total mould count, CFU/g, not more than |
10² |
10² |
Appendix A.4, QCVN 09:2015/BCT |
Note: The table above summarizes the limits commonly applied to 1- to 2-ply products. Detailed limits for each product category (1, 2, 3, or 4-ply) are set out in full in Tables 1, 2, and 3 of QCVN 09:2015/BCT.
