The government of Vietnam officially issued Decree No. 33 of 2024, aimed at enhancing the management of chemical production and business activities to ensure full compliance with the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). This measure marks a significant step forward for Vietnam in the global effort to control chemical weapons.
Under the new decree, the government of Vietnam will implement strict classification management of chemicals, including toxic chemicals and their precursors, which are clearly divided into Categories 1, 2, and 3 according to the annexes of the CWC. The decree also includes a detailed list of chemicals, specifying names, HS codes, CAS numbers, and chemical formulas to facilitate accurate identification and management.
The decree stipulates that all enterprises producing and handling these chemicals must meet stringent requirements, including legitimate business registration, and the responsible person and technical staff must have a background in chemistry and relevant qualifications. Additionally, workers who come into direct contact with chemicals must undergo chemical safety training and obtain a certificate in chemical safety techniques. For chemicals listed in Category 1, the decree specifies that production can only occur under certain conditions, primarily for use in scientific research, national defense, security, and disease prevention and control.
Regarding chemicals in Categories 2 and 3, the decree details the licensing conditions for their production and business activities, including the necessary material and technical infrastructure requirements. These requirements cover the safety standards for factories, warehouses, technical equipment, transportation vehicles, and necessary environmental protection and waste treatment systems.
The Ministry of Industry and Trade will be responsible for reviewing and issuing production and business licenses and supervising the production and business activities of chemicals. This ministry will also handle the license application process, ensuring all applications meet the national standards and requirements. For chemicals in Categories 2 and 3 with concentrations below 1%, the requirement for a business license is exempted.
Additionally, the decree includes provisions for penalties related to administrative violations in production, import and export, reporting, and chemical inspections, as well as fines for engaging in export or import activities without the licenses.
The full text of the decree and the related list of chemicals can be accessed at the following website:
