Vietnam sets workplace exposure limits for 80 chemicals

On August 21, 2023, the Ministry of Health of Vietnam issued a draft circular XX/2024/TT-BYT promulgating the National Technical Regulation on the Permissible Exposure Limits for 80 Chemicals in the Workplace (hereinafter referred to as the Regulation).

Content of the regulation 

The regulation defines a list of 80 chemicals and the corresponding occupational exposure limit (OEL) values ​​for the working environment (8-hour OELs and 15-minute OELs). The list can be accessed here.

The regulation also stipulates the methods to be used to determine the concentration limits of the respective substances. 

The regulation requires employers to assess the chemical substances present in the working environment at least once a year and implement the necessary measures to keep workers exposure to designated substances within the permitted limits. Workers must be provided with adequate occupational health and safety protection to reduce exposure to hazardous substances in the workplace. 

Timeline 

The regulation is now open for public consultation and comments can be made until October 16, 2023, and is expected to come into force in May 2024.