VIETNAM IS DEVELOPING A NATIONAL HYDROGEN STANDARDS SYSTEM (TCVN/TC 197): A STRATEGIC FOUNDATION FOR ENERGY TRANSITION AND VIETNAM’S EXPORT MARKET
March 28, 2026 – VAHC Secretariat

 

 

1. Context and Emerging Requirements

In the global energy transition, hydrogen is becoming one of the key pillars for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, especially in hard-to-abate sectors such as heavy industry, power generation, and transportation. However, unlike traditional energy forms, hydrogen is still an emerging market in which technical standards play a foundational role in ensuring safety, interoperability, and commercialization.

Globally, hydrogen standards are primarily developed under the ISO/TC 197 framework of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). Major economies such as the EU, Japan, and South Korea have established their national standards systems based on this foundation, while also introducing additional requirements on emissions and certification to serve market objectives.

In Vietnam, hydrogen has been identified as an important component of the long-term energy strategy. However, the current national standards system remains incomplete, resulting in a lack of legal and technical basis for project deployment and limiting international integration. Therefore, the National Directorate for Standards, Metrology and Quality is developing the national standards system TCVN/TC 197, which is both urgent and strategic. The ASEAN Vietnam Hydrogen Club (VAHC) has been invited to participate as a member and provides the following comments:

2. Objectives of Developing the TCVN/TC 197 Standards System

The overarching objective is to establish a comprehensive and coherent national standards system covering the entire hydrogen value chain—from production, storage, and transportation to utilization and export—while ensuring compatibility with international standards.

Specifically, by 2030, Vietnam aims to issue approximately 40–60 hydrogen-related standards, largely aligned with ISO/TC 197. By 2035, the system should be fully developed, capable of supporting the domestic market and meeting export requirements for high-end international markets.

3. Structure of the National Hydrogen Standards System

The TCVN/TC 197 system is proposed to comprehensively cover the entire value chain, consisting of seven main groups:

First, standards on hydrogen quality and measurement
This group defines purity levels, impurities, and testing methods, ensuring compliance with requirements for fuel cells, industrial use, and export. It forms a critical foundation for international compatibility.

Second, standards on conventional hydrogen production
This includes technologies such as water electrolysis and natural gas reforming, focusing on efficiency, safety, equipment certification, and system operation.

Third, standards on storage and transportation
This group covers high-pressure tanks, liquid hydrogen, transport via tank trucks, and pipelines. It is particularly important due to its direct link to safety.

Fourth, standards on infrastructure and applications
This includes hydrogen refueling stations, equipment interfaces, and applications in transport, industry, and power generation, especially hydrogen co-firing with LNG.

Fifth, standards on safety and environment
This group includes regulations on fire and explosion prevention, risk assessment, operational management, and environmental protection, forming the core of sustainable development.

Sixth, advanced hydrogen production technologies
This is a strategic expansion group reflecting global diversification of hydrogen supply sources:

• Nuclear-based hydrogen uses electricity or heat from nuclear power plants through electrolysis or thermochemical cycles, offering low emissions in the long term.
• Coal-based hydrogen is produced via coal gasification combined with carbon capture and storage, but should only be accepted if it meets strict emission thresholds.
• Natural hydrogen refers to geological hydrogen occurring naturally underground, requiring no energy conversion. This is an emerging field with no complete international standards yet, offering Vietnam an opportunity for early participation in standard-setting.
• Hydrogen from municipal solid waste is produced via technologies such as gasification or pyrolysis, addressing both energy and environmental challenges.
• Hydrogen from biomass and agricultural residues utilizes Vietnam’s available resources and has the potential for low or even negative emissions if properly managed.

Seventh, standards on carbon and certification
This group is decisive for international integration and market development. It includes life cycle assessment (LCA), carbon intensity determination, certification systems for origin, and monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) mechanisms.

4. CO₂ Emission Thresholds and Hydrogen Classification

Establishing CO₂ emission thresholds is a key element of the hydrogen standards system. Globally, countries have adopted relatively consistent reference levels, typically ranging from 2–4 kgCO₂/kgH₂ for clean hydrogen.

Based on this, the proposed classification in Vietnam is as follows:

• Green hydrogen: ≤ 1.0 kgCO₂/kgH₂
• Low-carbon hydrogen: ≤ 3.0 kgCO₂/kgH₂
• Transitional hydrogen: ≤ 5.0 kgCO₂/kgH₂
• Grey hydrogen: > 5.0 kgCO₂/kgH₂

Thresholds may be applied flexibly depending on end-use sectors. For example, hydrogen for export must meet stricter thresholds than hydrogen used in domestic industry.

At the same time, a roadmap should be established to progressively tighten emission thresholds over time, aligning with global trends and encouraging technological innovation.

5. Role of the Standards System in Energy Strategy

The TCVN/TC 197 standards system is not only a technical tool but also a foundation for shaping Vietnam’s hydrogen market.

First, standards create a transparent and stable investment environment, reducing risks and attracting both domestic and international capital.

Second, standards support the energy transition, particularly in integrating hydrogen into LNG-based power systems, moving toward full hydrogen utilization in the long term.

Third, standards are a prerequisite for participating in international markets. Without an appropriate standards system, Vietnam’s hydrogen and ammonia will struggle to meet import requirements.

Fourth, standards enable optimal utilization of domestic resources such as biomass, waste, and renewable energy, contributing to the development of a circular economy.

6. Conclusion

The development of the national hydrogen standards system TCVN/TC 197 is a strategic step in laying the foundation for Vietnam’s hydrogen market. Beyond ensuring safety and technical efficiency, the standards system plays a critical role in shaping market structure, guiding technological pathways, and enabling international integration.

Expanding the scope of standards to include emerging production technologies and establishing clear CO₂ emission thresholds will enable Vietnam to proactively navigate the energy transition, seize opportunities in the low-carbon economy, and gradually integrate into the global hydrogen value chain.

In an increasingly competitive landscape, countries that establish timely and appropriate standards systems will gain an advantage in shaping the market. For Vietnam, TCVN/TC 197 is the key instrument to realize that ambition. Furthermore, Vietnam should apply to be permanent member of the Technical Committe of ISO/TC 197

REFERENCE

ISO/TC 197 Hydrogen Technologies: The Global Standards Foundation for Hydrogen Development and Trade

1. Overview of ISO/TC 197

ISO/TC 197 (Hydrogen technologies) is a Technical Committee under the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), responsible for developing international standards for the hydrogen sector.

Its scope covers the entire hydrogen value chain, including production, storage, transportation, distribution, measurement, and end-use applications. As such, ISO/TC 197 represents the core global standards framework shaping how the hydrogen market operates.

In the context of an emerging hydrogen economy, ISO/TC 197 plays a critical role in establishing a common technical language, ensuring safety, interoperability, and enabling large-scale commercialization across countries and industries.

2. Strategic Role of ISO/TC 197

First, ISO/TC 197 serves as the foundation for global standardization in the hydrogen sector. Its standards ensure compatibility between technologies, infrastructure, and systems across different countries.

Second, it underpins international hydrogen trade. Major markets such as the European Union, Japan, and South Korea base their national standards on ISO frameworks, while adding specific requirements related to carbon emissions and certification. Compliance with ISO/TC 197 is therefore a prerequisite for participating in global hydrogen markets.

Third, ISO/TC 197 contributes to risk mitigation. Hydrogen has unique physical characteristics, including high flammability and rapid diffusion. The standards developed under this committee provide essential guidance on system design and operational safety, particularly for large-scale deployment.

3. Organizational Structure of ISO/TC 197

ISO/TC 197 includes participation from dozens of member and observer countries, ranging from advanced economies to emerging hydrogen markets.

Its structure consists of three main levels:

• Technical Committee (TC 197): The central body responsible for overall coordination, strategic direction, and approval of standards.
• Subcommittees (SC): Focused on specialized areas. Notably, SC1 addresses large-scale hydrogen systems and energy applications, including pipelines, international transport, and emissions assessment.
• Working Groups (WG): Dedicated technical teams developing specific standards in areas such as hydrogen refueling stations, fuel quality, leak detection, and storage technologies.

This structure enables both comprehensive coverage and deep technical specialization.

4. Scope of ISO/TC 197 Standards

ISO/TC 197 standards span the full hydrogen value chain:

4.1 Hydrogen Production

Standards cover production pathways such as water electrolysis, natural gas reforming, coal gasification, and biomass-based hydrogen. Increasingly, standards also address life cycle assessment (LCA) and carbon intensity to support decarbonization objectives.

4.2 Hydrogen Quality

Standards define purity levels and allowable impurities, particularly critical for fuel cell applications. These specifications directly impact system efficiency and durability.

4.3 Storage and Transportation

This includes standards for high-pressure tanks, liquid hydrogen systems, transport by trailers, and pipeline infrastructure. Safety considerations are central in this category.

4.4 Refueling Infrastructure

Standards address hydrogen refueling stations, fueling protocols, and interface compatibility. These are essential for hydrogen mobility deployment.

4.5 Safety

Safety standards include risk assessment, explosion prevention, and system design guidelines. This is a core pillar for enabling industrial-scale hydrogen deployment.

4.6 Measurement and Certification

Standards cover measurement methods, quality verification, emissions accounting, and certification systems for hydrogen origin and carbon footprint.

5. Core Standards

Several key standards form the backbone of ISO/TC 197:

• ISO 14687: Hydrogen fuel quality standard, specifying purity requirements and impurity limits for fuel cell applications.
• ISO 19880 series: Standards for hydrogen refueling stations, including design, operation, and fueling pressures (e.g., 350 bar and 700 bar).
• ISO/TS 19870: Methodologies for greenhouse gas emissions accounting and life cycle assessment of hydrogen.
• ISO/TR 15916: Fundamental guidance on hydrogen safety, including physical properties and associated risks.
• ISO 17268: Specifications for fueling connectors and interfaces between refueling stations and vehicles.

These standards are widely adopted and typically form the basis for national standard systems.

6. Emerging Trends in ISO/TC 197

ISO/TC 197 is evolving rapidly to address new strategic priorities:

First, there is a strong expansion into carbon-related standards, including carbon intensity metrics, certification schemes, and monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) systems. These are essential for enabling international hydrogen trade.

Second, the development of standards for large-scale hydrogen systems is accelerating, covering pipelines, international transport, and hydrogen hubs.

Third, there is increasing focus on sector coupling, integrating hydrogen with power systems, LNG infrastructure, and broader energy networks.

Fourth, ISO/TC 197 is gradually extending into emerging production pathways such as natural hydrogen, waste-to-hydrogen, and nuclear-based hydrogen, although these areas are not yet fully standardized.

7. Implications for Vietnam

For Vietnam, ISO/TC 197 has significant strategic implications.

First, it provides the direct foundation for developing the national standards system TCVN/TC 197. Aligning with ISO standards is essential to ensure international compatibility.

Second, compliance with ISO/TC 197 is a prerequisite for exporting hydrogen and ammonia. Major importing markets require adherence to international standards on quality and emissions.

Third, adopting ISO standards enhances investment attractiveness by reducing technical and regulatory risks.

Fourth, Vietnam has the opportunity to engage early in shaping standards for emerging areas such as natural hydrogen and biomass-based hydrogen, thereby strengthening its position in the global hydrogen value chain.

8. Conclusion

ISO/TC 197 is not merely a technical standards framework but a foundational system shaping the global hydrogen market. Participation in and alignment with these standards will determine a country’s ability to integrate into international markets, compete effectively, and develop a sustainable hydrogen economy.

In a rapidly evolving and increasingly competitive landscape, proactive alignment with ISO/TC 197 represents a strategic pathway for Vietnam to support its energy transition and build a strong position in the global hydrogen market.

 

Link to access ISO/TC 197: https://www.iso.org/committee/54560.html

 

ISO/TC 197 – Hydrogen Technologies

Overview:
ISO/TC 197 is the International Organization for Standardization’s Technical Committee responsible for developing and maintaining international standards for hydrogen technologies. It covers all aspects of production, storage, transport, measurement, and use of hydrogen.

Key Information:

• Committee name: ISO/TC 197 – Hydrogen technologies
• Established: 1990
• Secretary: Standards Council of Canada (SCC)
• Chairperson (until end of 2027): Mr Tetsufumi Ikeda
• ISO Technical Programme Manager: Mrs Kirsi Silander‑van Hunen
• ISO Editorial Manager: Mr Arun ABY Paraecattil

Membership:

• Approximately 45 participating member countries
• About 15 observer countries

Scope of Work:
ISO/TC 197 develops international standards that ensure safety, interoperability, and commercial viability across the hydrogen value chain. The committee currently manages 24 official ISO hydrogen standards, with additional standards under development.

Working Groups:
The committee has multiple working groups (WGs) and subcommittees focusing on:

• Hydrogen fuel quality
• Hydrogen refueling systems for vehicles
• Hydrogen storage tanks
• Safety of hydrogen systems
• Refueling stations and fueling protocols

Notable subcommittees include ISO/TC 197/SC 1 – Hydrogen at scale and horizontal energy systems.

Collaboration:
ISO/TC 197 works closely with other ISO and IEC committees to ensure consistency across related fields, including fuel cell technology, natural gas, pressure equipment, road vehicles, and other technical sectors.

Significance:
ISO/TC 197 plays a strategic role in shaping global hydrogen standards, supporting international safety, compatibility, and market integration, and facilitating hydrogen commercialization worldwide.

 

Official ISO page: ISO/TC 197 – Hydrogen Technologies