Strictly manage measurement activities.

Measurement plays a crucial role in all socio-economic fields. From the very beginning of the nation's establishment, President Ho Chi Minh signed Decree No. 08/SL on January 20, 1950, regulating legal measurement in Vietnam.

Decree No. 08 standardized the use of the metric system of measurement nationwide, regulated the use and production of measuring instruments, imposed penalties for measurement violations, and established regulations to ensure equality, protect the rights of citizens, and enhance social management effectiveness. This served as the foundation and starting point marking the birth and development of the Vietnamese metrology industry.

To acknowledge the contributions of Vietnam's metrology sector, on October 11, 2001, the Prime Minister issued Decision No. 155/2001/QD-TTg designating January 20th of each year as Vietnam Metrology Day.

Adjusting the cold water meter at the Provincial Center for Technical Standards, Measurement and Quality - Photo: VTH

In accordance with Decision No. 996/QD-TT dated August 10, 2018, of the Prime Minister approving the project "Strengthening and innovating measurement activities to support Vietnamese enterprises in enhancing competitiveness and international integration in the period up to 2025, with orientation to 2030," the Department of Science and Technology (DST) focuses on advising the Provincial People's Committee to effectively implement the Program to support Quang Tri enterprises in improving productivity and product quality based on science and technology and innovation in the period 2021-2030; and simultaneously implementing and managing the traceability system in the province.

To effectively implement the Party and State's guidelines and policies on metrology, the Department has focused on propaganda work. The Department has coordinated with mass media agencies to disseminate information, educate, and guide people and businesses to understand and implement legal regulations on standards, metrology, and quality.

Disseminating information on innovative metrology practices to support Vietnamese businesses in enhancing their competitiveness and international integration in the period up to 2025, with a vision to 2030; and on managing gold trading activities and quality control of gold jewelry and handicrafts circulating in the Quang Tri province market. Simultaneously, organizing 7 training courses on metrology and quality standards for over 463 participants.

Standardization efforts have been emphasized, contributing to facilitating businesses in bringing products to market and encouraging innovation within businesses and in each production sector. The Department has received and processed 7 applications for state inspection of imported goods quality from 3 businesses; received and processed 2 applications for exemption from state inspection of imported goods quality from 1 business; received and processed 6 applications for conformity assessment for 9 products from 3 businesses; and guided organizations and individuals in developing 20 basic standards.

In addition, the Department of Science and Technology has strictly implemented the management of measuring instruments, ensuring fairness in buying and selling and protecting consumer rights. The Department has monitored 15 stores of units carrying out repair procedures and reporting on the repair of 28 fuel dispensing pumps; and managed 3 units authorized to perform inspection and testing work in the province. In 2023, these units inspected 45,089 measuring instruments and tested 2,553 samples.

State inspections of standards, measurement, and quality have been strengthened. The Department has conducted 8 inspection rounds at 342 businesses/establishments/household businesses in 9 districts, towns, and cities, covering 3,598 products and 805 measuring instruments. The main contents included: inspections of standards, measurement, and quality and product labeling before, during, and after the Lunar New Year; inspections of standards, measurement, quality, product labeling, and barcodes for establishments producing and trading pre-packaged goods; and specific inspections of measurement in the business of gasoline, children's toys, helmets, vehicle scales, quality and labeling of imported goods in group 2, and spring scales at markets in the province.

The inspection results showed that 100% of the inspected establishments had business registration certificates, and the production and business activities were in accordance with the registered industry and field; the inspected fuel dispensers had been calibrated; the calibration stamps and certificates were still valid, and the seals and calibration stamps were intact...

It was discovered that 378 out of 669 spring balance scales at markets in 9 districts, towns, and cities had expired inspection certificates; 13 out of 669 spring balance scales failed to meet measurement requirements; 12 out of 23 vehicle scales had expired inspection certificates; 634 out of 2574 children's toys lacked proper product labeling and the "CR" conformity mark; the sale of children's toys that incite violence and violence persisted; 9 businesses selling pre-packaged goods failed to meet measurement requirements, 2 businesses had expired certificates, 5 businesses had incorrect labeling for pre-packaged goods, and 4 businesses had unsuitable measuring equipment for controlling the measurement of pre-packaged goods; 34 out of 958 helmets of various types lacked proper product labeling.

Most businesses selling children's toys and helmets do not keep copies of quality certificates. Through inspection activities, the inspection team requested businesses/households to rectify the shortcomings pointed out by the inspection team, combined with disseminating information and guiding businesses/households to strictly comply with the legal regulations on standards, measurements, and quality in their production and business activities.

Last year, the Department of Science and Technology also conducted a survey to assess the situation of using measuring instruments and equipment at businesses using measuring instruments in the province. The team surveyed 11 businesses using measuring instruments, and guided them in improving their measurement capabilities through inspection/calibration/testing activities of measuring instruments.

The Department also conducted a survey to assess the quality of electrical and electronic equipment in the business of selling and circulating goods in the province. The team collected 50 random samples from markets throughout the province to check several safety indicators for electrical and electronic equipment in the product group (kettles, hair dryers, rice cookers, electric fans) circulating in the market.

The results after sending samples for testing of electrical safety standards showed that 35 out of 50 samples met the requirements, accounting for 70%; samples that did not meet the requirements accounted for 30%. Based on the survey, the team recommended including the inspection of electrical and electronic equipment used in the business of selling products and goods circulating in the market into the 2024 inspection plan.

According to Le Thi Ha Nhien, Acting Head of the Department of Standards, Metrology and Quality Management, Department of Science and Technology: In 2024, the Department of Science and Technology will continue to implement Decision No. 996 of the Prime Minister with comprehensive solutions such as: strengthening the development of metrology infrastructure at the local level; supporting businesses in innovating advanced and high technologies in industrial, agricultural and service production.

Promote awareness of measurement activities, disseminate policies and laws, and enhance the understanding of businesses and society regarding measurement; develop pilot models for applying the measurement assurance program in units and businesses to improve productivity and the quality of goods and services. This will serve as a basis for replicating the Measurement Assurance Program model as stipulated by the Ministry of Science and Technology; and improve the effectiveness of state management of standards, measurement, and quality in the province.

Vo Thai Hoa

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