Actively implement activities related to standards, measurement, and intellectual property.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade has actively implemented work related to standards, measurement, and intellectual property, contributing to improved state management efficiency in these areas.

Promoting technical standards and regulations

Informing reporters from the Industry and Trade Newspaper about the implementation of standardization, measurement, and intellectual property work in 2024, the Department of Science and Technology (Ministry of Industry and Trade) stated that, regarding technical standards and regulations, the Department has chaired and coordinated with units within the Ministry to review the 2024 plan for developing Vietnamese standards (TCVN). Simultaneously, it has proposed extensions, additions, and a projected 2025 plan for developing TCVN to be submitted to the Ministry of Science and Technology .

Implementing standardization and measurement work helps to gradually establish a system of reasonable technical barriers to protect domestic production; supporting businesses in enhancing their competitiveness.

Urge research units to draft national standards and national technical regulations under the Ministry of Industry and Trade's 2024 National Standards and National Technical Regulations Development Plan.

Specifically, the Department has reviewed and proposed to the Ministry of Science and Technology for appraisal and publication 20 draft Vietnamese National Standards (TCVN) on concentrates and 2 TCVN on thermal power plants; the remaining TCVN and QCVN (Vietnamese National Regulations) are still in progress.

In addition, the Ministry of Industry and Trade will chair and coordinate with relevant units to prepare a report on the Ministry's work on standards, measurement, and quality in 2024 and its orientation for 2025, as requested by the Ministry of Science and Technology.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade's specialized technical councils reviewed 12 draft National Technical Regulations (QCVN) developed by the Department of Industrial Safety and Environmental Engineering and the Department of Chemicals, as part of the Ministry of Industry and Trade's 2024 legislative drafting program. The review was conducted on schedule and ensured the quality of the draft QCVN documents. These draft QCVNs are currently being finalized by the relevant units and will be submitted to the Minister for promulgation in 2024.

Notably, regarding the advisory work on the development of Vietnamese National Technical Regulations (QCVN) under the Ministry's responsibility, the Department has chaired the review, reporting, and advising the Ministry's leadership on the development and promulgation of QCVN on electrical engineering - power grid systems, aiming to improve current regulations related to the management of equipment belonging to the power grid system.

Reviewing legal regulations and reporting to the Prime Minister on obstacles encountered during the drafting and promulgation of the National Technical Regulation on petroleum reserves, and proposing recommendations for the Prime Minister to direct the Ministry of Finance on several issues. On October 1, 2024, Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc issued a directive instructing the Ministry of Finance to strictly adhere to legal regulations regarding the authority to draft and promulgate the National Technical Regulation on petroleum reserves, as stated in Document No. 7047/VPCP-KTTH.

On the other hand, the Department of Science and Technology is reviewing, advising, and reporting to the Ministry's leadership regarding the responsibilities and authority of the Ministry of Industry and Trade in developing and promulgating Vietnamese National Technical Regulations (QCVN) in the field of food safety, addressing existing conflicts between the Food Safety Law and the Law on Standards and Technical Regulations. Accordingly, the Department of Science and Technology is continuing to coordinate with relevant ministries and agencies to clarify and further research the matter, and will report to the Ministry's leadership.

Regarding the Ministry's leadership's advice on the development and promulgation of Vietnamese National Standards (TCVN) and National Technical Regulations (QCVN) for electric vehicles and charging stations: According to the law and guiding decrees of the Law on Standards and Technical Regulations, the development and promulgation of national technical standards and regulations for electric vehicles and charging stations for electric vehicles is not under the management responsibility of the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade has proposed to the Government and the Prime Minister that the Ministry of Science and Technology, in coordination with the Ministry of Construction and the Ministry of Transport, develop and promulgate national standards/technical regulations on: electricity supply infrastructure for electric vehicles; design, installation, and operation requirements for charging stations/equipment for electric vehicles to ensure uniformity and consistency in the management of charging stations/equipment, and to ensure compatibility with electric vehicles circulating in Vietnam.

In addition, the Department of Science and Technology advised the Ministry's leadership to assign civil servants and experts to participate in national standard technical committees at the request of the Ministry of Science and Technology (Committee on Standards, Metrology and Quality); and participated in a delegation surveying foreign experiences in developing national standards for energy storage batteries, led by the Ministry of Science and Technology.

Actively implement intellectual property protection measures.

To implement the Intellectual Property Strategy until 2030 as per Decision No. 1068/QD-TTg dated August 22, 2019, of the Prime Minister, the Minister of Industry and Trade approved Decision No. 828/QD-BCT dated March 9, 2021, promulgating the Plan for implementing the Intellectual Property Strategy until 2030 in the Industry and Trade sector.

New-generation FTAs ​​include numerous commitments regarding intellectual property and geographical indications. (Illustrative image)

Over the past period, the Ministry of Industry and Trade has continued to implement the above plan, focusing on the following tasks: researching and proposing mechanisms to evaluate and encourage intellectual property content in the Ministry of Industry and Trade's science and technology projects; developing a plan to organize innovation and creativity competitions in the industry and trade sector; proposing the establishment of Industry and Trade Innovation Day to award prizes to outstanding individuals and groups; and developing a plan and organizing activities on training, workshops, and experience exchange with other countries on intellectual property.

In addition, the Ministry of Industry and Trade sent representatives to participate in the drafting committee for the Decree and provided feedback on the draft Decree detailing and guiding the implementation of some articles of the Law on Intellectual Property concerning industrial property, protection of intellectual property rights, and state management of intellectual property. On April 26, 2023, the Government issued Decree No. 17/2023/ND-CP detailing some articles and measures for the implementation of the Law on Intellectual Property concerning copyright and related rights.

Furthermore, the Ministry of Industry and Trade continues to perform the function of coordinating all activities related to FTA agreements. Intellectual property issues, especially geographical indications, are considered one of the most difficult issues to negotiate in FTA agreements.

For example, in the EVFTA Agreement, Chapter 12 - Intellectual Property, which regulates intellectual property with many commitments on intellectual property protection standards, is one of the largest chapters in the entire agreement.

The reason is that the EU is the world's leading exporter of intellectual property, and therefore, there is a need to strengthen the protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights. The EU also has a specific protection regime for geographical indications and places great emphasis on protecting this type of intellectual property.

On the Vietnamese side, through this Agreement, businesses, organizations, and individuals can access intellectual property products to serve economic, scientific, and social development at the lowest possible cost. In general, regarding intellectual property rights within the framework of FTA agreements, Vietnam has committed to a high level of protection.

For businesses and rights holders, these commitments not only help increase economic benefits and boost innovation but also contribute to cost savings and confidence in registering and protecting their rights.

In 2025, regarding standardization, metrology, quality control, and intellectual property, the Department of Science and Technology will develop and submit for promulgation a draft National Technical Regulation (QCVN) on Electrical Engineering - Power Grid Systems; and develop and promulgate a Plan for implementing Directive No. 38/CT-TW of the Party Central Committee on promoting national standardization, metrology, and quality control work until 2030 and beyond (after the Government approves the Government Plan).

Reporting to the Ministry's leadership on the results of implementing the Roadmap for completing the Vietnamese National Standards (TCVN) and National Technical Regulations (QCVN) in the field of Industry and Trade by 2025, and researching and proposing solutions for the following years; closely coordinating with the focal point for metrology of the Ministry of Science and Technology in participating in the development, providing feedback, and disseminating legal documents on metrology within the scope of the Industry and Trade sector.

Simultaneously, coordinate with the Ministry of Science and Technology in implementing measurement activities within the Ministry of Industry and Trade; continue to urge the implementation of the Project on Measurement and Intellectual Property as per the Decision of the Minister of Industry and Trade.

Mr. Ly Quoc Hung, Director of the Science and Technology Department (Ministry of Industry and Trade), said that in the coming time, the Ministry of Industry and Trade will promptly develop and propose to competent authorities the promulgation of national technical standards and regulations, and basic standards for new technologies, products, export products, and key products to meet the requirements of the domestic and export markets. The Ministry will also innovate support activities related to technical barriers to trade (TBT) to promote science, technology, and innovation in production and business.

Source: https://congthuong.vn/bo-cong-thuong-tich-cuc-trien-khai-hoat-dong-tieu-chuan-do-luong-so-huu-tri-tue-371663.html