TISI Opens Pre-Certification Channel for Kiosk Tech in Vietnam

Vietnam’s Standard and Industrial Research Institute (TISI) launched a pre-certification channel for kiosk technology products on May 14, 2026, enabling Chinese original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to apply directly for TISI 8901 certification using GB/T 35658-2024 test reports accredited by CNAS. This development is especially relevant for manufacturers and exporters of self-service terminals, including interactive touchscreen kiosks, hotel check-in systems, and airport self-check-in亭s — sectors where compliance timelines and market access speed are critical competitive factors.

Event Overview

On May 14, 2026, the Vietnam Standard and Industrial Research Institute (TISI) officially activated the ‘China Pre-Review Channel’ for TISI 8901 certification of kiosk technology products. Under this arrangement, applicants holding CNAS-accredited test reports based on China’s national standard GB/T 35658-2024 ‘Information Security Technical Requirements for Self-Service Terminals’ may bypass local sampling and retesting. Instead, they proceed directly to document review and factory inspection. The certified timeline is reduced to 22 working days. The channel covers all kiosk product categories, including touch-enabled interactive terminals, hotel self-check-in kiosks, and airport check-in亭s. As of launch, 47 Chinese kiosk manufacturers have submitted pre-review applications.

Industries Affected

Direct Exporters & OEMs of Kiosk Systems

Chinese manufacturers exporting self-service terminals to Vietnam face reduced technical barriers and shorter time-to-market. Because local retesting is waived when valid GB/T 35658-2024 reports are provided, OEMs can align their domestic testing strategy with Vietnamese regulatory expectations earlier in the product development cycle.

Contract Manufacturers & System Integrators

Firms that assemble or integrate kiosk hardware/software for branded OEMs may experience increased demand for GB/T 35658-compliant sub-assemblies or firmware configurations. Their role shifts toward ensuring traceability of test-ready components and documentation readiness for downstream TISI submissions.

Testing & Certification Service Providers (CNAS-Accredited Labs)

CNAS-accredited laboratories in China conducting GB/T 35658-2024 testing are now positioned as strategic enablers for Vietnam market entry. Demand for pre-submission validation and report formatting aligned with TISI’s file review criteria may rise — though no formal mutual recognition agreement is confirmed.

Distribution & Aftermarket Support Firms

Importers and local distributors in Vietnam may see accelerated model launches and tighter inventory planning cycles due to faster certification turnaround. However, they remain responsible for post-certification conformity surveillance and must verify that imported units match the certified configuration — particularly for software versions and security features defined in GB/T 35658-2024.

What Enterprises and Practitioners Should Focus On Now

Monitor official TISI guidance on report validity criteria

TISI has not yet published detailed requirements on report format, test scope coverage, or acceptable issue dates. Enterprises should track TISI’s official notices or consult authorized representatives for clarification before initiating testing — especially regarding whether partial or full GB/T 35658-2024 test coverage is mandatory.

Verify alignment between GB/T 35658-2024 test scope and target kiosk functions

The national standard covers information security requirements, not functional or electrical safety. Companies must still meet other applicable Vietnamese standards (e.g., QCVN for EMC or low-voltage safety) separately. Confirming which clauses of GB/T 35658-2024 were tested — and how those map to TISI 8901’s technical annexes — is essential before submission.

Distinguish between pre-review eligibility and final certification approval

The ‘pre-review channel’ streamlines only the initial technical assessment stage. Final certification still requires successful factory inspection and evidence of ongoing production control. Companies should treat the 22-working-day timeline as conditional upon full compliance during audit — not guaranteed upon report submission.

Prepare documentation packages for concurrent submission

Since local retesting is skipped, TISI’s document review becomes the primary technical gate. Firms should consolidate technical files — including system architecture diagrams, firmware version logs, security configuration records, and user data handling policies — well ahead of application to avoid delays in file evaluation.

Editorial Perspective / Industry Observation

Observably, this initiative reflects TISI’s effort to harmonize with regional conformity assessment practices while reducing redundant testing burdens — but it does not imply formal regulatory equivalence between GB/T 35658-2024 and TISI 8901. Analysis shows the channel functions more as an administrative efficiency measure than a standards alignment milestone. From an industry perspective, its significance lies less in technical convergence and more in signaling Vietnam’s willingness to accept upstream test data from trusted jurisdictions — a precedent that could extend to other product categories if adoption proves robust. Current uptake by 47 Chinese firms suggests early market responsiveness, yet sustained impact depends on transparency in TISI’s review outcomes and consistency in enforcement.

Conclusion

This pre-certification channel represents a procedural improvement — not a regulatory shift — for Chinese kiosk exporters targeting Vietnam. It lowers entry friction for compliant manufacturers but does not relax substantive requirements. The most accurate interpretation is that it enhances predictability in timing and process clarity, rather than altering technical or safety expectations. Enterprises should prioritize documentation rigor and cross-reference testing scope with TISI 8901’s annexes, rather than assuming automatic acceptance based solely on GB/T 35658-2024 compliance.

Source Attribution

Main source: Official announcement by Vietnam Standard and Industrial Research Institute (TISI), effective May 14, 2026.
Points requiring continued observation: TISI’s published criteria for GB/T 35658-2024 report acceptance (e.g., minimum test coverage, validity window, required lab accreditation level); frequency and nature of post-certification surveillance findings; potential expansion to additional product categories beyond kiosk tech.