Directive No. 02/2003/CT-BKHCN on standardization, measurement, quality management, and consumer protection work at local levels in 2003

DIRECTIVE

OF THE MINISTER OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
NUMBER 02/2003/CT-BKHCN OF FEBRUARY 12, 2003
ON STANDARDIZATION MEASUREMENT QUALITY CONTROL AND CONSUMER PROTECTION WORKS IN LOCALITIES IN 2003
PROTECTION OF CONSUMER RIGHTS AT THE LOCAL LEVEL IN 2003
FOR THE YEAR 2003

To enhance activities on standardization, measurement, quality control, and consumer protection at local levels in 2003, the Ministry of Science and Technology requests the Departments of Science, Technology, and Environment, and the Provincial Standardization, Measurement, Quality Control Agencies to direct and plan concentrated implementation of the following tasks according to their respective functions. The following contents of work:

1. Orientation for work in 2003

1. Orientation for 2003 work

1.1 Continue to implement Decrees guiding the enforcement of the Ordinances on Measurement and Consumer Protection Rights, and decisions of the Ministry of Science and Technology regarding quality management and measurement management.

1.2 Integrate standardization, measurement, and quality control activities into enterprises, promoting increased productivity, product quality, and competitiveness of Vietnamese goods towards positive integration with regional and global economies.

1.3 Enhance the capacity and potential of the Provincial Standardization, Measurement, and Quality Control Agencies.

2. On the dissemination of regulatory documents, technical regulations, and standards

2.2. 2.1 Disseminate Ordinances on Product Quality, Measurement, and Consumer Protection Rights, Government Decrees, and regulatory documents guiding the implementation of these Ordinances.

Organize the application of Vietnamese Standards (VNS), focusing on VNS harmonized with International Standards, VNS applicable for certification of conformity and safety certification, and mandatory VNS for national management requirements concerning hygiene, safety, and environmental protection. Announce newly issued International Standards.

2.3 Train enterprises on standard development and application, ensuring measurement accuracy, and manufacturers' responsibility to consumers and society. and quality management

3. On standardization and quality management 3.1 Guide enterprises in developing basic standards, promote basic standardization activities through the announcement of product quality standards and conformity declarations.

3.2 Implement the announcement of quality standards and conformity declarations to Vietnamese Standards (VNS) according to Decision No. 2425/2000/QĐ-BKHCNMT and Decision No. 2424/2000/QĐ-BKHCNMT of the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Environment. While awaiting the issuance of a list of products required to declare conformity, actively encourage production units to voluntarily declare conformity for their products.

3.3 Compile and organize the utilization of local testing laboratories to prepare for future product quality certification.

3.4 Actively guide enterprises in applying criteria for the Vietnam Quality Award, promoting enterprise participation in the Vietnam Quality Award. To further promote this movement, the Ministry of Science and Technology and the General Bureau of Standardization, Measurement, and Quality Control will soon supplement and amend regulations on the selection process for the Vietnam Quality Award and promptly disseminate them to localities.

3.5 Continue to encourage and develop the introduction of advanced quality management systems (ISO 9000, ISO 14000, TQM, HACCP...) in enterprises. Develop effective programs to support enterprises in building and implementing quality management systems, creating high-competitive products for both domestic and export markets.

3.6 Effectively organize import product inspection activities based on appropriate inspection methods.

4. On measurement work

4. On measurement activities

4.1 Continue to implement the program of equipping mobile calibration vehicles and installing reference scales at trade centers.

4.2 Strengthen calibration activities for measuring instruments within the scope of calibration; consolidate and enhance calibration and verification capabilities for general measuring equipment and those serving product quality management and consumer protection.

4.3 Expand the calibration network of the Agency, manage well the activities of authorized calibration units in the locality.

4.4 Increase supervision of pre-packaged goods, including equipping necessary measurement tools to conduct inspections of pre-packaged goods.

5. On supporting enterprises

Strengthen advisory and technical support activities for enterprises, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises. Depending on the conditions of each locality, study and implement plans to establish Small and Medium Enterprise Support Centers.

6.1. Training methods for inspecting pre-packaged goods and measurement errors in retail trade for officers of the Standard Measurement Quality Agency, specialized inspectors for measurement, market management officers, market managers..., to uniformly implement inspections of pre-packaged goods at production packaging enterprises as well as at the market.

6. On consumer protection activities

6.1 Train methods for inspecting pre-packaged goods and measurement errors in retail trade for staff of the Provincial Standardization, Measurement, and Quality Control Agencies, specialized inspectors, market managers, and market supervisors, uniformly conducting inspections of pre-packaged goods at production packaging facilities as well as in the market.

Strengthen inspections of pre-packaged goods and retail trade weighing, launch campaigns to ensure accurate pre-packaged goods and retail trade weighing.

6.2 Develop and implement consumer protection programs, paying special attention to clean water and food safety areas.

7.1. Strengthen equipment, upgrade testing laboratories, mobile inspection systems, calibration balances, inspection tools for pre-packaged goods... to serve state management tasks related to quality and measurement.

7. On enhancing capacity in standardization, measurement, and quality

7.3. Training to improve the competence of civil servants of the Standard Measurement Quality Agency to meet work requirements, with plans to rejuvenate the cadre.

7.4. Implementing electronic information activities (Internet, email) to strengthen information and update technical and professional materials.

7.5. Actively participating in international cooperation activities (ASEAN, APEC, ASEM, WTO, etc.) to access and grasp trends of integration, improving standardization, measurement, and quality control work at the local level.

8. On the organizational structure of the Standard Measurement Quality Agency

8.1. The Standard Measurement Quality Agency, pursuant to the directives and guidance of the General Bureau of Standards Measurement Quality and the Department of Science, Technology and Environment, directly organizes and implements management of standardization, measurement, quality, and consumer rights protection according to the Government's classification, in accordance with the provisions of the law.

8.2. Pending guidance from the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Ministry of Home Affairs on the organization of scientific and technological management bodies at the local level, to ensure a synchronized reorganization of the system of Standard Measurement Quality Agencies after the organizational structure of the Ministry of Science and Technology and the General Bureau of Standards Measurement Quality has been stabilized, avoiding unnecessary disruption at the local level, the current organizational structure of the Standard Measurement Quality Agency will be maintained temporarily until the Ministry of Science and Technology issues new regulations. Until the Ministry of Science and Technology issues new regulations.

8.3. To enhance the effectiveness of management activities, depending on their specific conditions, the Department of Science, Technology and Environment and the Provincial Standard Measurement Quality Agencies need to organize research and apply the ISO 9000 quality management system.

9. On the 2003 work plan

Based on the above priorities, the Departments of Science, Technology and Environment shall direct the Agencies to develop the 2003 work plan and subsequent years' plans according to the contents and formats already guided by the Ministry of Science and Technology. and submit them to the People's Committees, Departments of Science, Technology and Environment of the provinces and cities.

The Ministry of Science and Technology assigns the General Bureau of Standards Measurement Quality and the Departments of Science, Technology and Environment to organize guidance, create favorable conditions for the Standard Measurement Quality Agencies to implement these tasks, promptly compile the situation, and propose necessary recommendations to report to the Ministry of Science and Technology.