Circular No. 03/2025/TT-BKHCN on the retention period for scientific and technological records and documents

CIRCULAR

Regulations on the Retention Period for Scientific and Technological Records and Documents

Pursuant to the Law on Archives dated June 21, 2024;

Pursuant to Decree No. 55/2025/NĐ-CP dated March 2, 2025 of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Science and Technology;

At the proposal of the Director of the OfficeMinistry of Science and Technology;

The Minister of Science and Technology issues this Circular to provide detailed regulations on the retention period for records and documents in scientific and technological fields under the management of the Ministry of Science and Technology.

Article 1. Scope of Regulation

This Circular provides detailed regulations on Clause 5, Article 15 of the Archives Law 2024 regarding the retention period for records and documents in fields under the management of the Ministry of Science and Technology.

Article 2. Applicability

This Circular applies to units directly under the Ministry of Science and Technology; Provincial Departments of Science and Technology under central cities; Scientific and technological agencies at ministries, sectors, and localities; and other relevant agencies, organizations, and individuals.

Article 3. Retention Period for Scientific and Technological Records and Documents

1. Attached to this Circular is a Schedule specifying the retention periods for scientific and technological records and documents, including 12 groups of records and documents as follows:

Group 1. General records and documents;

Group 2. Records and documents for managing and implementing scientific and technological tasks;

Group 3. Records and documents for technology development and innovation;

Group 4. Records and documents for intellectual property;

Group 5. Records and documents for standards, measurement, and quality;

Group 6. Records and documents for atomic energy, radiation safety, and nuclear safety;

Group 7. Records and documents for postal services;

Group 8. Records and documents for telecommunications;

Group 9. Records and documents for radio frequency;

Group 10. Records and documents for information technology industry and digital industry;

Group 11. Records and documents for national information technology application and digital transformation;

Group 12. Records and documents for electronic transactions;

2. The implementation of the regulations on the retention period for files and records as stipulated in this Circular shall be carried out as follows:

a) The retention period for records and documents used to determine the retention period for the groups of records and documents specified in Clause 1 of this Article;

b) The level of determining the retention period for records and documents must not be lower than the retention period specified in the Schedule attached to this Circular;

c) For records and documents not covered by this Circular, agencies and organizations shall determine the retention period based on similar groups of records and documents or according to related laws.

Article 4. Implementation provisions

1. This Circular takes effect from July 1, 2025.

2. Circular No. 19/2019/TT-BKHCN dated December 10, 2019 of the Minister of Science and Technology on the preservation period for specialized scientific and technological records and documents shall cease to be effective from the date this Circular takes effect.

State-owned enterprises that have been assigned by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to conduct offshore wind power project surveys before the effective date of this Circular shall continue to implement according to the assigned documents; any new matters arising after the effective date of this Circular shall be implemented in accordance with the provisions of this Circular.

1. The Director of the Office, Heads of agencies and units under the Ministry of Science and Technology; Directors of Provincial Departments of Science and Technology under central cities; Heads of scientific and technological agencies at ministries, sectors, and localities; and other relevant agencies, organizations, and individuals are responsible for implementing this Circular.

2. During implementation, if there are difficulties or obstacles, agencies, organizations, units, and individuals are requested to report to the Ministry of Science and Technology for timely adjustment and supplementation to ensure compliance.