Introduction of VinaCert
VinaCert JSC., established in 2007, is one of the first independent certification bodies in Vietnam according to the guideline on socialization of scientific and technological activities, which released by Prime Minister’s government Circular and Vietnam Business Laws. After the event in partnership with U.S. Certification Organization (ABS-QE), VinaCert was brought up to the highest prestige in Vietnam.
With the policies to constantly improve the quality of services and the effectiveness of the quality management system aiming at maximally providing scientific and technological services to customers by discipline and professionalism on the principles: “accurate, truthful, timely, fair, confidential, impartial and cooperative ”. These principles help VinaCert to expand its operations and customers in the following fields:
- Certification, Conformity Assessment
- Certification of Good Practice Guidelines
- Goods Quality Testing
- Quality Inspection of Products and Goods
- Imported Goods Quality Testing
To succeed in bringing about the certification of quality of products and services, we always listen to the customer’s requirements to be able to provide the most optimum & appropriate services.
The Company Competence
Being a leading Independent certification body in Vietnam, VinaCert achieved the important criteria recognized by international organizations and specialized agencies in Vietnam.
All VinaCert’s auditors have IRCA certificates for lead auditors.
VinaCert has been recognized as one of the first bodies in the world that are qualified for conducting conformity assessments of quality management systems, environmental management systems according to ISO/IEC 17021 and food safety management systems according to ISO/TS 22003 (since August 2007).
VinaCert has been accredited for ISO/IECGuide 65 for products/goods evaluation and certification activities conforming to Vietnam & international standards.
VinaCert’s laboratory has been accredited for ISO/IEC 17025 for the fields of: biology, chemistry, fertilizer, building materials.
At present, VinaCert is the first certification body in Vietnam qualified to conduct conformity assessment following the ASC standard for pangasius/basa, fishes, shrimps, tilapia and MSC CoC standards.
VinaCert has been approved by GlobalGAP for GlobalGAP certification & assessment of the acquaculture sector in Vietnam since June 2012.
There are various hi-quality post-certification support services.
VinaCert’s Services: A Brief
+ Assessment and certification of quality management system; environmental management system according to standards ISO 9001; TS 16949; ISO 14000
+ Assessment and certification of food Safety management system according to ISO 22000
products/Goods assessment & certification of standard conformity
+ Product/goods Quality Testing
+ Training for Iead auditors according to the requirements of IRCA, ISO 9001, ISO 22000, OHSAS 18000, ISO 14001
+ Training on skills for quality management representatives – QMR
+ Goods Quality Inspection
+ Assessment and Certification of Practice Codes according to VietGAP, GlobalGAP and ASC, MSC CoC Standards
VinaCert Main Services : Details
Assessment and certification of quality management systems according to the ISO 9001:2008
Since the start of the application of ISO 9001 :2008 quality management system in Vietnam, the number of enterprises using this system increases rapidly, this proves that top management in these enterprises understand that the application of this management system will bring to their businesses great benefits:
+ Customer satisfaction, attracting and expanding the customer base.
+ Reducing operating costs through identifying the processes, allocating minimal resources to establish processes and interactions reasonably consistent with the organization, and among the processes.
+ Improving the relationships with investors – including employees, customers, and suppliers.
+ Law compliance – by deeply understanding legal decisions, regulations, etc., how they impact the company and customers.
+ Improving risk management - through the identification, tracing the root causes of the risks and the actions taken in accordance with the organization's model to eliminate them effectively.
+ Demonstrating the enterprise’s ability & reputation - by an independent verification based on recognized standards.
+ The ability to win other enterprises especially when the regulations on purchasing required certification as the necessary requirement.
Benefits of using VinaCert services
VinaCert will deliver related legal documents and their full instructions, answer any questions about how the company should implement its system according to ISO9001: 2008.
- Reduction of second-party assessment
- Certificates provided by VinaCert have global value.
- Package Services
Assessment for public administration sector
For a long time, the state administrative units are working under a rigid process, unscientific, that consequently lead to substandard quality.
Hence the application of ISO for the public administration sector is an effective tool to implement total reforms of public administration activities, because ISO standards help public administration units to build work flows for procedures in which each individual officer has clear responsibly and timeline for each task in a particular work flow.
VinaCert is proud to have the full capacity to conduct assessments and certifications of ISO9001: 2008 for administrative services.
VinaCert’s services will help public administration units to standardize their processes ensuring records/applications are resolved synchronically in accordance with the defined processes in a timely manner.
Besides, ISO standard(s) for public administration will clearly define the responsibilities of each department or individual encouraging the officers to take full responsibility, acquire deep knowledge of current legal documents and regulations following work instructions defined and issued.
The leaders will solve related problems effectively, saving time.
Along with the application of information and communications technology, the implementation of ISO for public administration will help the officials to form a new style of working, professional and civilized with courteous attitude.
ISO 14001 assessment and certification
ISO14001 is the standard to help enterprises identify, prioritize and manage environmental risks. This is an indispensable standard for enterprises wishing to commit to eco-friendly development - a very important trend in the current situation.
With a team of experienced professionals in the field of environmental quality, VinaCert will provide customers with the knowledge and background on environmental quality standards, this will bring long-term benefits for customers and deliver results beyond expectations.
ISO 22000 assessment services to
Today, the ISO 22000: food safety management system bears great practical meaning for companies and organizations. The standard lies in the direction towards the goal of helping food manufacturing & processing companies to control hazards from stages of rearing and fishing until the food is used by consumers to ensure food safety. ISO 22000 requires companies, which want to apply this standard, to implement 7 principles given by Codex Commission proposed to define the control of food hazards.
In addition, the application of ISO 22000 requires companies to implement prerequisite programs (GMP, SSOP, ...) in order to limit the threats to the foods. This program includes requirements for plant design, equipments, hygiene, personal hygiene, plant sanitation, disinfection, pest control, warehouse etc. ... Also, the application of ISO 22000 requires companies to develop a control system including processes, control procedures, systems supporting documents, etc
The biggest difference of ISO 22000 lies in the requirements of management system with the structure and specific content similar to ISO 9001:2000.
ISO 22000 is applicable to all companies in the food supply chain, including units of farming, fishing and food, food manufacturing and food service companies (transport distribution or commerce).
The trend to select ISO 22000 in food companies is becoming gradually popular. Because ISO 22000 standard itself has included the requirements of HACCP, in addition, it also includes requirements for a management system, so the selection of ISO 22000 can help companies control comprehensive aspects and processes related to food safety.
VinaCert will guide customers how to switch from HACCP to ISO 22000 DNor start implementing ISO 22000 standard, should do the following duties: VinaCert organizes training activities for relevant staff to understand the requirements of ISO 22000:2005; Identify the processes related to the management system and food safety (based on the actual operation of companies with the requirements of ISO 22000); Establish additional and/or improve the current processes according to the requirements of ISO 22000, Guide the applicant how to build & implement the requirements for factory, machinery and equipment ... Develop a system of documents, including: food safety policies, procedures, guidelines, forms, rules and regulations ...... that meet standard requirements of food safety control; Implement the regulations related to the system, inspect and monitor the implementation; Training and organizing the internal audit of the system (similar to ISO 9001:2000); Regular improvements to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the system to ensure the stability of the implementation of ISO 22000 with highest quality, and efficiency.
Products/goods certification
Today, in a market with rich categories of products accompanying by the active media hype, consumers will not be able to recognize hi-quality goods if they only receive one-way communication and therefore the certification assessment of an independent third-party organization on product quality is of great importance.
The products/goods certification services in accordance with the standards offered by VinaCert will bring customers the long-term benefits such as :
+ Get more added value after each assessment;
+ Enhance credibility and competitiveness on both domestic and international markets;
+ Create trust of customers, consumers and the community with the prestige of Vietnam quality mark and international recognized mark;
+ Reduce production costs due to lower costs for processing failed and erroneous products, the cost and time for product testing and assessment during the delivery or auction ;
+ Certificate of product conformity is a reliable evidence to be accepted in an auction, to gain consumer confidence and to satisfy the increasing demands of consumers about the quality and safety of products ;
+ Some products are required to have certificate(s) according to the law on product and goods quality.
+ Meet the statutory requirements of a number of countries and create the opportunity to overcome many technical barriers in the world market ;
+ Use the results of the certification of standard conformity in the public announcement for standard conformity;
Certification of occupational health and safety management systems
OHSAS 18001:2007 standard is for the occupational health and safety management systems, recognized across the globe. It was published in July 2007 to replace OHSAS 18001:1999, and is used to focus on occupational health and safety rather than product safety.
OHSAS provides a framework for effective management of health and safety including compliance with laws applicable to your activities and the identified risks.
This standard is applicable to any organization wishing to eliminate or minimize risks for their employees or other investors that could fall into the risks of occupational health and safety during their activities.
Many organizations have elements required by OHSAS 18001 ready in place that can be added to provide more adhesive management systems to meet the requirements of the standard.
Organizations appling OHSAS 18001 will have a clear management structure with transparant responsibilities and defined powers, clear goals for improvement, with measurable results and methods constructed for risk assessment. This includes the monitor of the lack of competence in health and safety management, performance assessment and policies and objectives review.
+ Customer satisfaction through delivery to meet customer requirements in a consistent manner with the protection of customers’ properties and health.
+ Operating costs are reduced - by reducing the number of incidents and cut the costs related to legal costs and compensation.
+ The relationships with investors are improved - by protecting the health and properties of our employees, customers and suppliers
+ Regulatory compliance - through the understanding of how requirements and regulations influence the organization and its customers.
+ Risk management is improved - through clear identification of hidden problems and the application of control and measurement.
+ The ability of the company is proven - through independent verification based on recognized standards.
+ Greater enlist ability than other enterprises - particularly those where the specifications require certification as a condition of supply.
Laboratory
Along with the increase in the number of plants producing animal feeds, fertilizers and chemical products, the quality of these products is increasingly valued.
VinaCert Testing Laboratory was established in July 2009, registration number: 18/TN, testing fields registered include: chemistry, biology, and others.
The VinaCert’s Laboratory is the first testing and calibration lab accredited by VILAS with the VILAS number of 407 satisfying the requirements of ISO / IEC 17025 and operating under the management systems of ISO 17021 2011; ISO / TS 220003:2007, ISO / IEC Guide 65 implemented by VinaCert:
+ Qualified to conduct complex testing activities with high-tech requirements;
+ Ensure the accuracy and reliability of test results with international measurement traceability.
+ The system for management and monitoring is established on scientific and practical basis.
+ There have always been the exchange and cooperation between laboratories and prestigious organizations.
+ It is designated by The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development as one of the first laboratories carrying the "Code 01” in the list of the designated labs.
The VinaCert’s Laboratory is always prepared and ready to meet the needs for testing of samples, products/goods and serving customers related to new services such as GlobalG.A.P, VietGAP and ASC , MSC CoC, and commercial inspection.
ASC, MSC CoC Assessment
From 2nd May 2013, VinaCert is officially accredited by Accreditation International (ASI) to conduct conformity assessment following the ASC standard (version 1.0) and the MSC CoC standard (version 3.0).
It is the first certification body in Vietnam accredited to perform conformity assessment for both standards.
Currently, VinaCert is accredited to perform ASC conformity assessment of aquaculture in the following fields: pangasius/basa and tilapia. After the completion of the ASC standard for shrimp farming, VinaCert will be automatically accredited to perform assessments in this scope.
Thus, up to this point, VinaCert is the first and only certification body accredited to conduct conformity assessment following the three international standards for aquaculture and seafood processing (ASC, MSC CoC, Global GAP). This confirms the vision and its excellent capacity in the field of Standards, Metrology and Quality, contributing to the penetration of Vietnam seafood industry into the world market in the process of integration of Vietnam into the WTO.
VietGAP certification assessment
Currently, VinaCert is designated as a conformity assessment body for VietGAP in crops and livestock. In the future, VinaCert will be continuously designated as a conformity assessment body for VietGAP in acquaculture.
We are proud to be the trusted partner with farmers to enhance the value of agricultural products, expanding opportunities to join domestic and international markets for Vietnam agricultural products.
GlobalG.A.P certification assessment
Offering certification services to Vietnam fisheries farmers and enterprises on conformity to the GlobalGAP standard is the way that VinaCert Certification and Inspection JSC (VinaCert) expresses its concerns, deep understanding in the accompanying with seafood industry to contribute jointly to Vietnam's fisheries going on the path of sustainable development. With that goal, VinaCert has had registered and approved by GlobalGAP to perform certification assessments in the field of aquaculture in Vietnam since June 2012. The application of GlobalGAP and being certified for GobalGAP standard will help manufacturers to: prove to their customers (such as distributors, importers and retailers) on enterprise products which is produced comply with the good agricultural practices, create confidence for consumers, ensure market penetration, increase operational efficiency and competitiveness, increase brand advantage, applied to continuous improved processes and reduction of internal audits for farm.
Trade Inspection
From 1st July 2013, VinaCertl officially launched a new service: Trade Inspection
VinaCert operates in the following inspection fields:
+ Inspection of the specifications, quality, condition, quantity, volume of goods, packaging, labeling for all types of goods (including production assemblies & technological equipments, gems and rare metals , oil, gas, agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and mineral products ).
+ Inspection of: non-destructives , welding works, measurement equipments; inspect and tabulate the capacity of tanks, barges, tally and lead-seal.
+ Inspection of vehicles, containers, and inspection services for marine, boat safety, inspection before loading, unloading, or repairs.
+ Damage inspection. Agents damage assessment, allocation of losses to the insurance company agent in the country and abroad.
+ Inspection services for state management in the following fields: origin, quality management, safety, sanitary of the products , acceptance, settlement of construction investment, environmental protection, the customs clearance services.
+ Monitoring goods during production, delivery, storage, transportation, loading and unloading; consulting on the monitoring of the installation of the assembly line and technological equipments
+ Services of sampling, sample test analysis.
We are proud to be the independent inspection and certification assessment body which offers the greatest number of inspection and conformity certification assessment services with the best quality to maximize the benefits for customers.
(Mai Hong translated Hue’s article)