On the morning of October 4, the National Assembly's Committee on Science, Technology and Environment held its 10th Plenary Session. At the Session, delegates examined the draft Law on Chemicals (amended).

Reviewing the draft Law on Chemicals (amended) at the 10th Plenary Session of the Committee on Science, Technology and Environment

Regarding the necessity of amending the Chemical Law, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Truong Thanh Hoai said that after the 2007 Chemical Law took effect, many new policies of the Party and State related to industrial development, chemical management, and chemical safety.

After 16 years of implementation, the implementation of the Chemical Law has brought positive impacts to the socio-economic development of the country. However, in addition to the achieved results, the 2007 Chemical Law has revealed a number of shortcomings and limitations that need to be supplemented and adjusted to concretize the Party's policies and guidelines on the development of the chemical industry as a fundamental industry, meeting the demand for basic means of production of the economy, serving the industrialization and modernization of the country; ensuring the unity of the legal system, in accordance with international treaties to which Vietnam is a member.

The draft Law on Chemicals (amended) closely follows the four policies that have been approved by the Government and submitted to the National Assembly Standing Committee in Submission No. 556/TTr-CP dated October 16, 2023, including: Sustainable development of the chemical industry into a modern, fundamental industry; synchronous management of chemicals throughout the entire life cycle; management of hazardous chemicals in products; and improving the effectiveness of ensuring chemical safety.

On behalf of the agency reviewing the draft Law on Chemicals (amended), Standing Member of the Committee on Science, Technology and Environment Nguyen Van An said that the Standing Committee of the Committee basically agreed with the necessity of promulgating the Law on Chemicals (amended). The draft Law dossier has met the conditions to be submitted to the National Assembly for consideration and comments at the 8th Session (October 2024).

Mr. Nguyen Van An requested that the drafting agency continue to review the draft Law with other laws and international treaties to which Vietnam is a member during the process of finalizing the draft Law.

Regarding the State's policy in the chemical sector (Article 6), the Standing Committee of the Science, Technology and Environment Committee proposed to study and supplement regulations on investment in development and recruitment of highly qualified human resources to meet the requirements for the development of the chemical industry; encourage investment in research and application of chemicals that are less toxic to the environment and human health, towards green growth and circular economy; supplement specific policies to promote the use of biological pesticides. In addition, it is proposed to clarify which policies are preferential and which are invested by the State.

Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Truong Thanh Hoai

Regarding the development of the chemical industry (Chapter II), there are opinions that the draft Law with only 6 Articles is not enough to develop the chemical industry, so the Standing Committee of the Committee proposed to study and supplement the content on: Investment in technical infrastructure; trade and market; raw materials, products, services; human resources in science and technology; improving competitiveness.

Regarding the management of chemical activities, the Standing Committee of the Science, Technology and Environment Committee requested the drafting agency to study and supplement regulations on the conditions for organizations and individuals to transport chemicals; granting licenses for chemical transportation; responsibilities of organizations and individuals transporting chemicals that cause chemical incidents that affect the environment and human health...

Regarding chemical management, delegate Thai Thi An Chung - Deputy Head of the National Assembly Delegation of Nghe An province stated that in the draft Law on Chemicals (amended), the Drafting Committee needs to have a clearer explanation of toxic substances, dangerous chemicals, chemicals on the special list, chemicals requiring special control...

At the same time, it is recommended that the Drafting Committee of the Law project pay more attention to clearly defining the responsibilities of local leaders, officials and units to avoid unfortunate incidents in the purchase and use of toxic chemicals.

Mr. Vuong Quoc Thang, Member of the Committee for Science, Technology and Environment, said that to promote the development of the chemical industry, three main factors are needed: Selective investment policies, creating a spearhead and rational for the chemical industry, developing human resources, science and technology.

In particular, the draft Law must emphasize human resource development and science and technology transfer. In addition, there should be additional provisions for businesses to develop when investing in the development of the chemical industry with tasks and functions in accordance with the provisions of law.

Concluding the meeting, Chairman of the Committee on Science, Technology and Environment Le Quang Huy highly appreciated the contributions and proposals of the Committee members, representatives of the National Assembly Committees and relevant agencies. "The draft Law on Chemicals (amended) has all the conditions to be submitted to the National Assembly for discussion at the 8th Session" - Mr. Le Quang Huy affirmed.

To ensure the quality of the draft Law submitted to the National Assembly for consideration, Chairman of the Committee for Science, Technology and Environment Le Quang Huy requested the Ministry of Industry and Trade and relevant agencies to fully absorb the comments contributed at the meeting; carefully review the provisions and contents to complete the reports, and send them to the Committee for discussion at the 8th Session of the National Assembly.