What suggestions did the delegates offer?

On the morning of October 4th, the National Assembly's Committee on Science , Technology and Environment held its 10th plenary session. During the session, delegates reviewed the draft amended Law on Chemicals.

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

Regarding the need to amend the Chemical Law, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Truong Thanh Hoai stated that after the 2007 Chemical Law came into effect, many new policies and guidelines of the Party and the State related to industrial development, chemical management, and chemical safety were implemented.

After 16 years of implementation, the Chemical Law has had a positive impact on the socio -economic development of the country. However, alongside the achievements, the 2007 Chemical Law has revealed some shortcomings and limitations that require supplementation and adjustment to concretize the Party's guidelines and policies on the development of the chemical industry as a fundamental industry, meeting the basic production material needs of the economy, serving the industrialization and modernization of the country; ensuring the uniformity of the legal system, and conforming to international treaties to which Vietnam is a signatory.

The draft Law on Chemicals (amended) closely adheres to the four policies already submitted by the Government and presented to the Standing Committee of the National Assembly in Submission No. 556/TTr-CP dated October 16, 2023, including: Sustainable development of the chemical industry into a foundational and modern industry; integrated chemical management throughout its entire lifecycle; management of hazardous chemicals in products; and improving the effectiveness of chemical safety assurance.

Speaking 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 basically agrees with the necessity of promulgating the Law on Chemicals (amended). The draft Law dossier is ready to be submitted to the National Assembly for consideration and comments at the 8th Session (October 2024).

Mr. Nguyen Van An suggested that the drafting agency continue to review the draft Law in conjunction with other laws and international treaties to which Vietnam is a signatory 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 proposes researching and supplementing regulations on investment in development and recruitment of highly qualified human resources to meet the requirements for the development of the chemical industry; encouraging investment in research and application of chemicals that are less toxic to the environment and human health, aiming towards green growth and a circular economy; and supplementing specific policies to promote the use of biological pesticides. Furthermore, it is proposed to clarify which policies are state-prioritized and which are state-funded.

Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Truong Thanh Hoai

Regarding the development of the chemical industry (Chapter II), some opinions suggest that the draft Law, with only 6 articles, is insufficient for the development of the chemical industry. Therefore, the Standing Committee proposes further research and additions to the following content: Investment in technical infrastructure; trade and markets; raw materials, products, and services; scientific and technological human resources; and enhancing competitiveness.

Regarding the management of chemical activities, the Standing Committee of the National Assembly's Committee on Science, Technology and Environment proposed that the drafting agency research and add regulations on the conditions for organizations and individuals to transport chemicals; the issuance of chemical transport permits; and the responsibilities of organizations and individuals transporting chemicals if chemical incidents occur that affect the environment and human health...

Regarding chemical management, Representative 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 provide clearer explanations about toxic substances, hazardous chemicals, chemicals on the special list, and chemicals requiring special control...

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

Mr. Vuong Quoc Thang, a member of the Committee on Science, Technology and Environment, believes that promoting the development of the chemical industry requires three main factors: selective investment policies that create a strategic and rational focus for the chemical industry, and the development of human resources, science, and technology.

Specifically, the draft law must emphasize human resource development and the transfer of science and technology. Furthermore, it needs additional provisions to support businesses investing in the chemical industry, ensuring they fulfill their duties and functions in accordance with the law.

Concluding the session, the Chairman of the Committee on Science, Technology and Environment, Le Quang Huy, highly appreciated the contributions and proposals from the Committee members, representatives of the National Assembly's Committees, and relevant agencies. "The draft Law on Chemicals (amended) meets 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, the Chairman of the Committee on Science, Technology and Environment, Le Quang Huy, requested the Ministry of Industry and Trade and relevant agencies to fully incorporate the contributions made at the meeting; to thoroughly review the provisions and content to finalize the reports, and submit them to the Committee for discussion at the upcoming 8th Session of the National Assembly.

Source: https://congthuong.vn/tham-tra-du-thao-luat-hoa-chat-sua-doi-dai-bieu-gop-y-gi-350259.html