Introduction to Vietnam REACH Regulation

Vietnam Chemical Inventory Notification is open till 15th April 2021

Chemical Regulation in Vietnam

The main chemical law in Vietnam is the Law on Chemicals 06/2007/QH12 issued in Nov. 2007. The Chemical Law provides regulations on chemical handling, safety in chemical handling, right and obligations of organizations and individuals engaged in chemical handling, and state management of chemical handling. The main authority in charge of chemical management is the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT). The chemical law in Vietnam is supported by various decrees. The Decree No. 113/2017/ND-CP Specifying and providing guidelines for implementation of certain articles of the law on chemicals in which updated on 2017 provides detailed regulations on chemical lists on licenses, classification, plans/measures for chemical incident, safety training, declaration, etc. The Circular 32/2017/TT-BCT provides forms and guidelines of labeling, MSDS, declaration, reports, license application, plans/measures, etc.

National Chemical Inventory (NCI)

Vietnam began to compile the national chemical inventory (NCI) in 2012. Substances that are not listed on the inventory will be considered as new substances and require registration before they can be used, imported, or produced in Vietnam. So far, there are 5 times where companies can nominate substances to the inventory. The inventory contains about 40,000 substances. The new deadline for substance submission is April 15th, 2021. The final draft of the inventory is expected to be released by the end of this year.

Nominating Substance to the NCI

Nominating Substances to the NCI requires the following information:

Chemical Name (IUPAC)
CAS No.
Safety Data Sheet (SDS) - as per Vietnamese Decree No. 113/2017/ND-CP and Circular no. 04/2012/TT-BCT in Vietnamese language
Document that showing the chemicals are being used in Vietnam (such as purchase contract, invoices, etc)

The Vietnamese authority will evaluate the substances and decide if they should be included in the inventory.

GPC through its Vietnamese affiliates can help you with the NCI nomination for Vietnam regulatory compliance.

Steps for Nominating Substances to the NCI

Identify substances that export to Vietnam and check if it is listed in the NCI
Prepare information (CAS No.) and documents for substance nomination to the NCI
Check if the SDS is updated and prepare SDS in Vietnamese
Consult with regulatory compliance companies to fulfill your responsibilities as manufacturers and suppliers and ensure the access to the Vietnamese market

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Experts analyze aspects of Vietnam’s draft chemicals law at national workshop

Sep-12-2024

On August 1, the Committee on Science, Technology, and Environment held a workshop at the National Assembly Office Headquarters, to provide input...

On August 1, the Committee on Science, Technology, and Environment held a workshop at the National Assembly Office Headquarters, to provide input on the updated draft Law on Chemicals. Le Quang Huy, the Committee Chairman, presided over the workshop. As a result, a wealth of information was provided, including how the chemical industry is developed, managed, and used to ensure compliance with existing laws and standards.

Conference Participants

The workshop was attended by members of many National Assembly committees, as well as representatives of the Nationality Council and the Committee on Science, Technology, and the Environment.. Mr. Phung Manh Ngoc, Director of the Chemical Department (Ministry of Industry and Trade), delegates, specialists, and scientists, as well as representatives from several other key ministries and branches, were present on the side of the drafting agency of the Chemical Law project.

Scope of the Updated Law

The updated Law on Chemicals covers agencies, organizations, and individuals involved in chemical activities within the borders of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam; Vietnamese organizations and individuals; foreign organizations and individuals involved in chemical activities; and individuals investing in and building chemical projects.

Key Objectives

Based on political, legal, and practical considerations, the Government suggests to amend the 2007 Law on Chemicals in order to: ensure legal consistency; comply with international treaties to which Vietnam is a party; overcome obstacles and shortcomings in the implementation of the 2007 Law on Chemicals; and concretize the Party’s guidelines on the development of the chemical industry as a fundamental industry that meets the demand for basic manufacturing supplies of the economy and serves industrialization and modernization of the nation.

The 89 articles that make up the updated draft Law on Chemicals are divided into 10 chapters. The regulatory scope of the Law covers chemical activities, industry development, items containing hazardous chemicals, chemical activity safety, rights and obligations of organizations and individuals engaged in chemical activities, and state administration of chemicals.

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Vietnam Announces National Plan for Management and Elimination of Ozone-Depleting Substances

Jul-08-2024

On June 11, 2024, Vietnam promulgated Decision No. 496/QD-TTg, establishing a national plan for the management and removal of restricted substanc...

On June 11, 2024, Vietnam promulgated Decision No. 496/QD-TTg, establishing a national plan for the management and removal of restricted substances that deplete the ozone layer and greenhouse gases, which took effect immediately upon its announcement.

Commitment to International Protocols

The study of ozone levels is critical for human activities and manufacturing worldwide. Vietnam is preparing to approve its membership of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer and the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer. This includes the implementation of the 19th Project, which focuses on substances that deplete ozone levels and their complete regulations, policies, phase-out and control.

Classification and Regulation

The Montreal Protocol classifies substances and compounds into two main categories:

Products and substances, machinery and materials from the production, import, export and consumption, gathered, such as methyl chloroform, carbon tetrachloride (CTC), halon, hydrobromofluorocarbons (HBFCs), bromochloromethane and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).

Conditions of control and detergents.

Only methyl bromide is imported for use in accordance with the licence; export goods' translation and sterilization; hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) substances are only imported in accordance with the quota distributed in accordance with ten regulations in 2024; hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) substances are only imported in accordance with strict quality standards, classified according to ten regulations, and used for import and export in 2040.

Consumption Targets

Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs): By December 31, 2024, national consumption will not exceed 2,600 tonnes per year, representing a 35 % decrease in consumption relative to the base consumption.

Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs): Between 2024 and 2029, the country's total consumption should not exceed 14.0 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent or the baseline consumption level.

Objectives

The objective is to make a good faith commitment to refrain from producing, importing, exporting, or using waste materials; goods and machinery made from or containing chemicals such as phenol chloroform, cyclohexane, halon, HBFC, methyl chloroform, HCFC 141 b, and HCFC-141 b in polyol products; import and export of other HCFC compounds not to exceed 2040. Methyl bromide should be used specifically for antibacterial and anti-inflammatory applications. Reduce HFC emissions by 20% by 2045 and keep the reduction going.