Joint Circular No. 01/TTLT/CN-KCM guides the implementation of the Prime Minister's Directive on suspending the production and use of dodecyl benzene sulfonic acid (referred to as DBSA) in the synthetic detergent industry.

JOINT CIRCULAR

Guidelines for implementing the Prime Minister's Directive on suspending production and use of sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate (DBSA) in the synthetic detergent industry Regarding the suspension of production and use of sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate (DBSA) in the synthetic detergent industryPursuant to Circular No. 5270/KGVX dated October 18, 1996 of the Government Office on the suspension of production and use of DBSA in the synthetic detergent industry;

Pursuant to the conclusions of the Joint Meeting between the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment, the Ministry of Industry, and the Ministry of Trade on November 27, 1996; and the Joint Meeting between the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment and the Ministry of Industry on January 16, 1997 regarding the implementation of the suspension of production and use of DBSA;

The Ministry of Industry and the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment provide guidelines for implementing the Prime Minister's Directive on suspending production and use of DBSA in the synthetic detergent industry as follows:

I. GENERAL PROVISIONS:

I.1.1. As of November 4, 1996, no permits will be considered for projects producing and trading DBSA and synthetic detergents containing DBSA.

I.1.2. As of January 1, 1998, all production and business establishments operating within the territory of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam shall not use DBSA in the synthetic detergent industry. Linear alkylbenzene sulfonic acid (LAS) or other surfactants with high biodegradability must be used instead, subject to approval by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment.

I.1.3. The domestic market consumption period for products containing DBSA ends on March 31, 1998.

I.2. On importation:

I.2.1. Each production establishment must develop plans for importing raw materials for producing DBSA and DBSA raw materials to produce synthetic detergents, ensuring compliance with the production and consumption deadlines set out in Sections I.1.2 and I.1.3.

I.2.2. Import establishments trading DBSA and synthetic detergents containing DBSA must adjust their import plans to ensure compliance with the production and consumption deadlines set out in Sections I.1.2 and I.1.3.

I.3. On handling violations:

All acts violating the provisions on importation, production, and trade as stipulated in Sections I.1 and I.2 shall be handled according to the regulations of Decree No. 26/CP dated April 26, 1996 of the Government on administrative penalties for environmental protection and related legal documents.

II.1. The Ministry of Industry guides establishments to adjust their plans for importing raw materials and production to implement the contents outlined in Section I.

II. IMPLEMENTATION:

II.2. The General Department of Standards, Metrology, and Quality (Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment) drafts the Vietnamese Standard on methods for analyzing LAS content; methods for distinguishing DBSA from LAS; and quality standards for synthetic detergents, to be submitted to the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment for issuance in the third quarter of 1997.

II.3. The Environmental Agency (Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment) collaborates with the Department of Technology Management and Product Quality (Ministry of Industry) to compile data on the implementation of the suspension of production and use of DBSA, to report to the Government.

II.4. Provincial Departments of Science, Technology and Environment collaborate with provincial Departments of Industry under the direct jurisdiction of the Central Government to have the responsibility to inspect and supervise establishments producing surfactants and synthetic detergents operating within their localities to strictly comply with the provisions of this Circular.

This Circular takes effect fifteen days after its date of issuance. During the implementation process, if difficulties arise, they should be promptly reported to the Joint Ministries of Industry and Science, Technology and Environment for study and resolution.

III. IMPLEMENTATION PROVISIONS

This Circular takes effect fifteen days after the date of issuance. During implementation, any difficulties or obstacles should be promptly reported to the Ministry of Industry - Science and Technology and the Ministry of Environment for study and resolution.