BUTTER-C
Cosmetic OEM/ODM manufacturing
Contract manufacturing lets you put products under your own brand without building a factory. This page explains the two models, OEM and ODM, what Butter-C takes on, what you need to prepare and how legal responsibilities are split — so you can weigh it up before choosing a manufacturing partner.
How OEM and ODM differ
Both models produce goods under your brand, made at the Butter-C factory in Thanh Oai Industrial Cluster, Hanoi. The difference is who develops the formula.
| OEM | ODM | |
|---|---|---|
| Formula | You provide the formula or technical requirements | Butter-C pharmacists develop it to your brief |
| What Butter-C does | Checks ingredients against regulatory limits, makes samples, writes the production documents | Chooses the base, actives and preservative system; sends samples and adjusts until you approve |
| A good fit when | You already sell the product or have your own R&D team | You have the idea, positioning and sales channel, but no formula yet |
| Formula rights | Set out in the manufacturing contract | |
The line is not rigid: an ODM project still follows your feedback down to scent, color and texture. Every client has their own formula, never reused for another client.
What the service includes
Take the full package from idea to finished batch, or only the parts you need:
- Formula: new development or transfer of an existing formula; samples, feedback and adjustments until you are satisfied. Four technology platforms are available: liposome, bio-fermentation, bio-peptides and micellar.
- Raw materials: sourcing to match the formula direction and price segment.
- Stability and packaging compatibility testing on the approved sample, as the basis for the in-house specification (why it matters, in Vietnamese).
- Manufacturing and packing to a process written for each product.
- Batch testing at a GLP/ISO 17025-accredited laboratory; retained samples and batch records (in Vietnamese).
- Regulatory dossiers: Product Information File (PIF) and cosmetic product notification dossier.
- Packaging: design and printing run in parallel with formulation; anti-counterfeit labels.
- Trademark: support with the registration procedure; the outcome is decided by the competent authority.
New brands can order small batches to test the market; the exact quantity depends on the product type and packaging.
Product types we manufacture
Our manufacturing catalog lists 105 product types in 8 groups, each with its own technical page.
Some Home Care products and the whole medical device group fall outside cosmetic regulation; their dossiers and manufacturing conditions are set per product type — see Medical device manufacturing.
Eight steps, three milestones
Each step is described on our manufacturing process page (in Vietnamese):
- Intake and product direction
- Formula development
- Samples and adjustments — milestone 1: approved sample
- Stability and packaging compatibility testing
- Formal quotation and contract
- Notification dossier and PIF — milestone 2: notification receipt number
- Packaging and labels
- Production, batch testing and delivery — milestone 3: finished batch
Both parties sign off at each milestone. Every batch is delivered with its batch information, certificate of analysis and the related regulatory documents.
What you need to prepare
You do not need everything at the start; the clearer the brief, the faster the conversation:
- Who the product is for, its price point and sales channel (pharmacy, spa, e-commerce — in Vietnamese).
- Product type, pack size, target cost per unit; a reference sample if you have one.
- For OEM: the formula with INCI names and percentages, raw material specifications, any test results.
- Brand name; check trademark availability before printing packaging.
- Whether you supply packaging or want Butter-C to design and print it.
- Your business registration certificate for the notification dossier; first-batch quantity and plans for later batches.
Legal responsibilities of each party
The company named on the notification is responsible for the product on the market. Butter-C prepares the dossiers for you, but that does not shift the responsibility to the factory.
| Area | You | Butter-C |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing conditions | Choose a qualified facility | Meets cosmetic manufacturing conditions under Decree 93/2016/NĐ-CP — Butter-C holds cosmetic manufacturing eligibility certificate no. 155/CNĐĐKSXMP issued by the Hanoi Department of Health |
| Product notification | Named as the organization responsible for placing the product on the market; signs the dossier | Prepares and submits the dossier, follows up until a receipt number is issued |
| PIF | Ensures it can be presented when the authority requests it | Compiles the PIF and safety assessment |
| Labels, advertising | Responsible for content, consistent with the notification | Reviews labels before printing; prints the approved version |
| Batch quality | Accepts against retained sample and certificate of analysis | Manufactures to process, tests, keeps retained samples |
| Client-supplied materials or packaging | Responsible for what it supplies | Incoming inspection |
Circular 06/2011/TT-BYT governs cosmetic notification, PIF, labeling and post-market inspection in Vietnam. Cosmetic claims are limited to cleansing, perfuming, changing appearance, correcting body odor, protecting or keeping the body in good condition; a label beyond that scope means the dossier is corrected first and printing comes after. Further reading (in Vietnamese): responsibilities in contract manufacturing, the PIF, labeling rules.
Butter-C does not promise when a notification receipt number will be issued; that is for the authority to decide. This page is for reference and does not replace the legal texts.
Confidentiality of your formula and brand
Butter-C does not disclose that you are a client without permission, does not approach your customers, does not imitate your product names or designs, and signs a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) when you need one. See our privacy policy (in Vietnamese), company profile and About Butter-C.
Frequently asked questions
Can I start without a formula?
Yes, under the ODM model. You describe the positioning, target customers and the skin feel you want; Butter-C pharmacists develop the formula and send samples for you to try.
Will Butter-C change the formula I send?
Not on its own. If an adjustment is needed to meet regulatory limits or for stability, Butter-C explains why and changes it only with your agreement.
Who owns the formula?
Ownership and usage rights are set out in the manufacturing contract. Your formula is not used for any other client.
Do you take small batches?
Yes, for brands that are just starting. The exact quantity depends on the product type and packaging and is discussed at quotation.
Whose name goes on the product notification?
Your company's, as the organization responsible for placing the product on the market. Butter-C prepares the dossier; you provide your company documents and sign.
What do cost and lead time depend on?
On the formula, raw materials, packaging, quantity and the number of sample rounds. An indicative price range follows the briefing; the formal quotation is based on the approved formula and specifications.