Standardizing national standards, bringing Vietnam closer to the Net Zero target

Harmonizing standards with scientific and technological achievements (Science and Technology) and the trend of innovation is considered a driving force for green productivity, while creating new competitive advantages for Vietnamese enterprises in the context of the global market increasingly tightening requirements on emissions and sustainability.

Standard - Platform for quality assurance and green productivity promotion

According to Mr. Trieu Viet Phuong, Director of the Vietnam Institute for Standards and Quality (Directorate for Standards, Metrology and Quality , Ministry of Science and Technology ), green productivity and green quality should be considered as the consistent goals of the sustainable development process. Standards are important tools to ensure consistency, transparency and help businesses access advanced technology and deploy technical solutions consistently.

Vietnam currently has more than 14,000 national standards, covering most economic sectors . However, in response to new requirements of green transformation, the standards system needs to be reviewed, updated and supplemented towards digital technology, circular economy and cleaner production models.

According to the direction of the Ministry of Science and Technology , the following four groups of standards are being prioritized for completion to support businesses in transforming their production models towards green and low-emissions. Rank best, green energy standards and system integration system Includes standards for wind power, solar power, green hydrogen, biomass energy and safety requirements , performance of energy storage systems. Standardization of smart grids helps optimize operations, increase the ability to absorb renewable energy sources and create the foundation for a competitive electricity market.

Rank two, green product standards and durable materials steady Criteria sets on eco-labels, recycled materials, biodegradable materials and especially the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) method help businesses identify environmental impacts throughout the entire value chain. LCA is becoming a mandatory requirement in many large markets such as the European Union, opening up opportunities to improve the quality and value of Vietnamese products.

Rank three , cleaner production standards and circular economy complete Focus on recyclable design, optimal material use, waste management and chain emission reduction. This group of standards is especially important for high emission intensity industries such as cement, steel, textiles, chemicals, etc. sectors are under pressure to innovate technology to meet green trade regimes and international commitments.

Rank private , measurement standards , report , emissions verification (MRV) . Standardized MRV system helps businesses measure key emissions MRV is a prerequisite for the functioning of domestic carbon markets. MRV is also a requirement for compliance with the EU Cross-Border Carbon Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), when companies participate in global supply chains.

At the same time, the application of management system standards such as ISO 50001 (Energy Management), ISO 14001 (Environmental Management) and ESG criteria sets is increasingly becoming a mandatory requirement for businesses in many industries.

Three steps forward that will have a strong impact on productivity and competitiveness

Mr. Trieu Viet Phuong commented that today’s standards are not only technical requirements but have become the “common language” of global trade. In that context, three steps forward are considered to have a strong impact on business productivity.

First of all, standardizing the MRV system helps businesses clearly identify emission levels, identify energy consumption “hotspots” and optimize production processes based on data. Next, the trend of design and production based on product lifecycle (LCA, eco-design) brings benefits of reducing raw material costs, extending product lifecycles and increasing the ability to meet export market standards. Finally, combining management standards with digital transformation , Through the application of IoT, AI, Big Data, businesses can monitor energy in real time, automate processes and improve operational efficiency. This resonance creates a "double effect", both improving productivity and reducing emissions .

Green economic model and emission reduction are becoming mandatory trends, requiring a modern and internationally harmonized national standards system to support businesses in sustainable transformation.

In addition, many new technologies are being promoted for application in the national standards system, creating a solid foundation for businesses to improve productivity and comply with greening requirements.

These include AI and big data in emissions analysis and energy management; IoT sensors for environmental monitoring, air, water and waste quality; digital technology and blockchain support traceability, especially in the agricultural sector . food; or numerical simulation in product life cycle assessment and green design optimization.

The synchronous integration of these technologies not only helps the Vietnamese standards system approach international standards but also expands the ability to apply them in production practices, contributing to improving the competitiveness of enterprises.

Following the above orientation, Mr. Trieu Viet Phuong also proposed a six-step roadmap to support businesses in implementing the Net Zero target in a practical and effective manner.

Accordingly, businesses need to start by assessing their current emissions status and the technology they are using, and then build a green transformation roadmap suitable for their industry. In the immediate future, energy-saving solutions should be prioritized, along with the application of appropriate standards and certifications to improve transparency and the ability to meet market requirements. Businesses are also recommended to digitize their internal MRV systems to manage emissions more accurately, while increasing training and cooperation in the supply chain to spread green practices.

Mr. Trieu Viet Phuong emphasized the need to harmonize mandatory standards for high-risk industries such as steel, cement, and chemicals with voluntary standards such as eco-labels or LCA, along with financial and technical support mechanisms to reduce cost burdens and motivate businesses to transform.

Completing the national standards system towards modernity, synchronization and international harmony will contribute to shortening the technology gap, promoting green productivity and bringing Vietnam closer to the goal of net zero emissions.

However, according to experts, the success of this process depends largely on businesses' proactive efforts in accessing standards, investing in science and technology , promoting innovation and strengthening value chain linkages.

“The green transformation path still has many challenges, but with the right strategy, standards will become an important driving force to help businesses improve productivity, develop sustainably and increase economic competitiveness,” Mr. Phuong emphasized.

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