HCMC – Local manufacturers seeking to export face masks and personal protective equipment (PPE) to European Union states should carefully research the market and its quality standards and requirements for these items first to avoid an oversupply and losses, warned the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

Many companies in the country have contacted Vietnam Trade Offices in the European Union to find business partners to process shipments of cloth and surgical face masks and PPE to EU countries hard hit by the coronavirus, according to the ministry. However, the mass production of face masks and PPE that do not meet the EU standards could lead to these products being rejected. Further, it could trigger an oversupply and undermine the local economy if the products cannot be shipped to other markets for consumption. Accordingly, local manufacturers should visit the official websites of the EU and its member countries to gather more information on their standards for face masks and PPE, said the ministry. Earlier, Tran Thanh Hai, deputy head of the ministry’s Import-Export Department, noted that Vietnam could become the world’s leading manufacturer of face masks. He advised local garment firms to consider tapping potential markets in need of PPE at this time but to remain cautious about large-scale investment in the production of PPE. Cloth face masks are currently not very popular in the EU. Further, it is considered a seasonal product. The demand for face masks will plummet when the coronavirus pandemic ends, he explained.