Vietnam TISI Opens Pre-Certification for Kiosk Tech via GB/T 35658

On May 15, 2026, the Vietnam Standards and Industrial Research Institute (TISI) launched a Fast-Track Certification Program for kiosk technology products, enabling Chinese manufacturers holding valid GB/T 35658-2023 test reports to apply directly for TISI Standard 8901 certification—bypassing redundant local testing. This development is especially relevant for enterprises exporting intelligent self-service terminals used in banking, airports, and tourist attractions, and signals a meaningful shift in cross-border conformity assessment efficiency.

Event Overview

On May 15, 2026, TISI announced the initiation of its ‘Fast-Track Certification Program’ for kiosk technology products. Under this program, manufacturers from China may submit applications for TISI Standard 8901 certification using an existing GB/T 35658-2023 ‘General Specifications for Self-Service Terminals’ test report. No duplicate testing in Vietnam is required. The official certification timeline has been reduced from 120 days to 25 working days. The scope covers smart guidance and ticketing terminals deployed in banks, airports, and scenic areas.

Industries Affected

Direct Exporters (OEM/ODM Manufacturers)

Manufacturers producing kiosks for export to Vietnam are directly impacted: the new pathway eliminates mandatory retesting, lowering compliance costs and shortening time-to-market. Impact manifests primarily in reduced certification lead time, simplified documentation workflows, and lower third-party lab expenditure.

Supply Chain Service Providers (Certification Consultants & Lab Coordination Firms)

Entities supporting exporters with regulatory submissions face revised service demand: fewer local test coordination requests but increased need for GB/T 35658-2023 report validation and TISI application preparation. Their role shifts toward verification, translation, and procedural alignment rather than test management.

System Integrators & Solution Providers

Companies integrating kiosks into larger turnkey systems (e.g., airport passenger processing or museum digital wayfinding) may experience faster project deployment cycles in Vietnam—provided their hardware suppliers hold compliant GB/T 35658-2023 reports. Impact centers on tender responsiveness and contractual delivery timelines.

What Enterprises and Practitioners Should Monitor and Do Now

Verify Report Validity and Scope Alignment

Confirm that existing GB/T 35658-2023 reports cover all functional and safety requirements referenced in TISI 8901—including environmental testing, electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), and user interface accessibility clauses. Not all GB/T 35658-2023 test scopes automatically satisfy TISI 8901’s technical annexes.

Track Official Implementation Guidance from TISI

Monitor TISI’s official portal and notifications for formal acceptance criteria: whether signed/accredited lab status matters, document language requirements (e.g., Vietnamese translation of reports), and whether pre-submission technical reviews will be introduced. These details remain unconfirmed as of the May 15 announcement.

Prepare Application Documentation in Advance

Gather supporting files now—including product manuals, circuit diagrams, firmware version records, and factory quality system summaries—to avoid delays once the application window opens. TISI does not currently specify whether these materials must be notarized or certified.

Assess Certification Strategy Across Markets

Evaluate whether leveraging GB/T 35658-2023 for Vietnam creates opportunities—or inconsistencies—with other regional schemes (e.g., Thailand TISI 8901 variants or Malaysia SIRIM requirements). Cross-market harmonization should not be assumed.

Editorial Perspective / Industry Observation

Observably, this initiative reflects a growing trend of regulatory recognition between ASEAN and China in select ICT equipment categories—but it remains narrowly scoped. Analysis shows it functions more as a procedural pilot than a broad mutual recognition agreement: only one Chinese national standard (GB/T 35658-2023) and one Vietnamese standard (TISI 8901) are linked, and only for kiosks in defined public-sector use cases. From an industry perspective, it is best understood as a targeted efficiency measure—not a systemic policy shift. Continued monitoring is warranted, particularly for potential expansion to adjacent standards (e.g., GB/T 28181 for video surveillance interfaces) or additional product categories.

Conclusion: This update lowers entry barriers for qualified kiosk exporters targeting Vietnam’s public infrastructure segment, but its operational value depends entirely on strict adherence to report scope, documentation readiness, and upcoming implementation rules. It is more accurately interpreted as a streamlined pathway within an existing regulatory framework—not a de facto equivalence of national standards.

Source: Official announcement by the Vietnam Standards and Industrial Research Institute (TISI), dated May 15, 2026.
Note: Details regarding document submission format, accredited lab requirements, and potential fee adjustments remain pending official publication and are subject to ongoing observation.