HANOI, Dec. 23 (Xinhua) -- Vietnam's Ministry of Industry and Trade on Tuesday officially launched its product traceability system, a step toward market transparency and consumer protection, the Voice of Vietnam reported.

The system enables consumers to verify product authenticity through QR codes. It also helps businesses prevent counterfeiting and strengthen brand credibility, according to the report.

The platform enables enterprises to declare and update information on raw material sourcing, production processes and distribution chains based on unified data standards, facilitating market oversight.

From Jan. 1, 2026, traceability will be mandatory for high-risk goods, including chemicals, industrial explosive precursors and tobacco products, while adoption is encouraged for other categories, said Tran Huu Linh, head of the ministry's Agency for Domestic Market Surveillance and Development. ■