OCOP framework to create a 'lever' for rural cooperatives

The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment is drafting a Prime Minister’s Decision to issue a new set of criteria and evaluation procedures for rating products under the One Commune One Product (OCOP) Program, featuring several fundamental changes.

A “multi-value” and sustainable development mindset

One of the most significant innovations in the draft is a shift in the approach to OCOP products. While the program previously focused mainly on tangible goods, it now adopts a broader and more comprehensive perspective, encompassing both products and services, particularly community-based and eco-tourism linked to local identity. This change reflects an important transition from a production-oriented mindset to an integrated development approach.

Under the new orientation, OCOP products are no longer viewed simply as “local specialties,” but must embody multiple layers of value, from quality and food safety to cultural depth and environmental sustainability. Each product, therefore, is not only an economic asset but also a “story” tied to local culture, people, and ecosystems. This approach clearly defines a “multi-value” development mindset, harmonizing economic, cultural, social, and environmental dimensions within a single product.

Notably, “green” and “sustainable” criteria have become cross-cutting requirements throughout the entire framework. This aligns with broader strategies on ecological agriculture, emissions reduction, and climate change adaptation, while also laying the groundwork for OCOP products to better meet increasingly stringent market standards.

Restructuring criteria, enhancing the role of communities and markets

Building on this shift in mindset, the draft also significantly revises the criteria structure toward greater substance. While the total score remains at 100, the scoring distribution has been redesigned to better reflect the program’s core objectives and essence.

Accordingly, the criteria system is structured into three main groups: product and community strength (40 points), marketing capacity (25 points), and product quality (35 points).

This adjustment reflects a clear shift, elevating the roles of community and market to stand alongside product quality. Criteria such as production organization, linkage of raw material areas, and the use of local labor are given greater emphasis, reinforcing the program’s core principle of “endogenous development.” At the same time, the “product story” criterion has been further specified, enabling products to compete not only on quality but also on the cultural value and experience they offer.

Notably, the framework moves toward reducing subjective, perception-based criteria, often prone to inconsistency, while strengthening requirements related to standards, technical regulations, and market access, including international markets. This enhances transparency and objectivity in evaluation, while promoting a more professional development trajectory for OCOP products.

Streamlining procedures and strengthening decentralization

This draft introduces a significant adjustment in how OCOP product evaluation and classification are organized. Instead of prescribing detailed step-by-step procedures as before, the new approach establishes a general framework of principles, allowing local authorities to develop specific regulations suited to their actual conditions. This helps simplify administrative procedures while creating greater flexibility in implementation.

Alongside this shift, decentralization is further clarified. Provincial authorities remain responsible for evaluating and rating 3-star and 4-star products, while the central level oversees 5-star products to ensure national-level credibility and objectivity.

Notably, the evaluation process is designed to be interconnected across levels, reducing duplicate submissions and lowering compliance costs for participating entities. The removal of administrative fees also makes it easier for cooperatives, small businesses, and household producers to access the program.

In addition to procedural reforms, the draft introduces stronger post-recognition monitoring mechanisms to tighten quality control. Past experience has shown that post-certification oversight was not always effective, posing risks of “achievement chasing” or quality decline after recognition. Therefore, clearer provisions on certificate withdrawal and re-evaluation upon expiry have been included to address these shortcomings.

The 36-month validity period is retained, but now comes with requirements for reassessment, upgrading, or reclassification. This creates constructive pressure on producers to continuously improve and enhance product quality, rather than relying on past achievements.

Linking OCOP with digital transformation and the private sector

A strategic highlight of the draft is the integration of requirements for digital transformation and private-sector development.

In the context of the Politburo’s strongly implemented resolutions on digital transformation and private-sector growth, the new OCOP criteria framework incorporates these elements as key evaluation components.

Specifically, the application of digital technologies in management, traceability, and e-commerce will become a competitive advantage for OCOP products. At the same time, the draft encourages greater participation from small and medium-sized enterprises, cooperatives, and especially stakeholders in disadvantaged and ethnic minority areas.

This demonstrates that OCOP is not merely a product development program, but also a tool to foster innovation and strengthen the economic capacity of rural areas.

With a range of new features, the draft criteria framework and evaluation process for OCOP products is expected to drive a strong transformation in the 2026-2035 period. It not only builds on previous achievements but also addresses existing limitations, while integrating new requirements on green development, digital transformation, and market integration.

More importantly, the “open framework” design and enhanced decentralization will enable local authorities to take greater initiative in implementation, while still ensuring consistency and transparency nationwide.