Seven group of products will have better chance to access into the European retail system

The MOU between the Vietnam SPS Office and Tentamus Innovation Hub regarding the implementation of a software system that provides notifications of regulation update related to sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures from WTO members was signed on February 22.

As mentioned in this agreement, Tentamus will provide a software system which is designed to deliver SPS information to Vietnamese agricultural product exporters/ producers efficiently and systematically.

Vietnam SPS Office will be responsible for updating SPS notification from other WTO members onto the software system. In addition, the Office can receive feedback from exporters and answer questions related to SPS measures.

The MOU will be valid for five years (until December 31, 2029). Personnel from the Vietnam SPS Office will periodically input data into the system (approximately 2 – 3 times per week).

When a draft or official SPS notification is published, responsible personnel of Tentamus Vietnam will receive, analyze, and input additional information, including risks as well as advantages to update to exporters.

Exporters who have registered to receive this information will receive information automatically.

The Vietnam SPS Office and Tentamus will initially prioritize the seven most important export products of Vietnam to the European Union: rice, pepper, cashews, passion fruit, honey, fruits and vegetables, and seafood.

Dr. Jochen P. Zoller, Founder and CEO of Tentamus Group, stated at the signing ceremony that the mission of Tentamus is to assist global retailers in sourcing quality products in potential markets including Vietnam.

"With the upcoming implementation of the MRL software system, Vietnamese exporters will be able to access information more obviously, helping agricultural products being reached even more demanding markets," according to Dr. Zoller.

Also said by Dr. Zoller, Tentamus will not only provide information to Vietnamese exporters but will also proactively participate in seminars and conferences with retail partners in Europe to address the message that "Vietnam now having a transparent and effective focal point of contact to update SPS information".

"This is a way to enhance the value of Vietnamese agricultural products, increase credibility, and contribute to building Vietnamese brands in Europe, especially with retail systems," added Dr. Zoller.

Tentamus is a global testing group with a major presence in Europe, the UK, Israel, China, Japan, India and the US. Tentamus Group is accredited and licensed to test, evaluate and consult on all products related to the human body (food & feed, pharmaceuticals & medical, agricultural sciences, cosmetics, agriculture & environment and nutrition & supplements)

Dr. Le Thanh Hoa, Director of the Vietnam SPS Office, asserted that via this collaboration with Tentamus, exporters will have greater opportunities to position their products in European supermarket and retail systems.

Beside satisfying consumer preferences regarding packaging design in order to enter retail chains, exported products should be followed food safety and hygiene regulation of exporting markets is also very important. Mr. Hoa stressed that the information provided by Tentamus would be extremely beneficial.