Vietnam allows 12-month transition for old business packaging

The Vietnamese government has issued Resolution No. 39/2026/NQ-CP, establishing a transition mechanism for businesses that change their names without altering their legal entity or responsibility for goods. Under this regulation, companies are permitted to continue using existing labels and packaging printed with their old names for a period of 12 months from the date the new business registration certificate is issued.

This policy aims to reduce production costs and prevent waste by allowing businesses to exhaust existing inventory rather than immediately destroying usable materials. To qualify, the packaging must have been produced before the name change was officially registered. Businesses are strictly prohibited from printing or producing new packaging with the old name once the new certificate is granted.

Companies must maintain comprehensive documentation to prove the production dates and quantities of the old packaging. They are also required to publicly disclose the name change and ensure that new information is updated in quality declarations, barcodes, and traceability systems before the 12-month grace period expires.