Consolidated Document number 10/VBHN-BKHCN stipulates the National Quality Award.

MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY TECHNOLOGY	SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIET NAM Independence - Freedom - Happiness ---------------
Number: 10/CONSOLIDATED DOCUMENT-BSCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY	Hanoi, February 27, 2015

CIRCULAR

REGULATIONS ON NATIONAL QUALITY AWARDS

Circular No. 17/2011/TT-BKHCN dated June 30, 2011, issued by the Minister of Science and Technology on National Quality Awards, which took effect from August 20, 2011, has been amended and supplemented by:

Circular No. 07/2012/TT-BKHCN dated April 2, 2012, issued by the Minister of Science and Technology to amend and supplement Clause 2, Article 7 of Circular No. 17/2011/TT-BKHCN dated June 30, 2011, issued by the Minister of Science and Technology on National Quality Awards, which took effect from June 1, 2012.

On the basis of Decree No. 28/2008/NĐ-CP dated March 14, 2008, issued by the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Science and Technology;

On the basis of Resolution No. 67/NQ-CP dated December 24, 2010, issued by the Government regarding the simplification of administrative procedures within the scope of management functions of the Ministry of Science and Technology;

Pursuant to the Law on Product Quality dated November 21, 2007;

Pursuant to Decree No. 132/2008/NĐ-CP dated December 31, 2008 of the Government detailing a number of provisions of the Law on Product Quality;

Considering the proposal of the Director General of the Standardization, Metrology and Quality Control Department,

The Minister of Science and Technology hereby stipulates the National Quality Awards as follows:[1]

PART I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Regulation

This Circular specifies in detail the criteria and scoring for awarding, the form of the National Quality Award (hereinafter referred to as the NQA); the system of organizing activities of the NQA; the procedure and process for awarding and organizing the presentation of the NQA.

Article 2. Applicability

This Circular applies to organizations and enterprises participating in the NQA and agencies, organizations, and individuals related to the awarding activities of the NQA.

Article 3. Types of Participation

1. Type Organizations and enterprises participating in the NQA include:

a) Large-scale production;

b) Medium and small-scale production;

c) Large-scale service;

d) Medium and small-scale service.

2. Types Organizations and enterprises specified in point a and c of Clause 1 of this Article are organizations and enterprises employing more than 300 regular employees (contracts of at least one year).

Organizations and enterprises specified in point b and d of Clause 1 of this Article are organizations and enterprises employing up to 300 regular employees (contracts of at least one year).

Article 4. Conditions for Participation

1. Organizations and enterprises eligible to participate in the NQA are those with legal personality that have continuously engaged in production, business, and services in Vietnam for at least 36 months, calculated up to May 1st of the year of participation.

2. In cases whereThe Director of the Office, the Head of the Banking Inspection and Supervision Agency, the Heads of units under the State Bank of Vietnam, and commercial banks are responsible for organizing the implementation of this Circular.enterprises have won the Gold National Quality Award, if they meet the conditions stipulated in Clause 1 of this Article, they may re-participate in the NQA three years after receiving the Gold National Quality Award from the Prime Minister. In cases where.

3. enterprises haveThe Director of the Office, the Head of the Banking Inspection and Supervision Agency, the Heads of units under the State Bank of Vietnam, and commercial banks are responsible for organizing the implementation of this Circular.enterprises have won the Silver National Quality Award, if they meet the conditions stipulated in Clause 1 of this Article, they may continue to re-participate in the NQA. In cases where.

Article 5. Procedure and Application Documents for Participation

1. Organizations and enterprises must register their participation in the NQA before May 1st each year and submit their application documents before June 15th each year at the Provincial or Municipal Standardization, Metrology, and Quality Control Agency where they operate.

2. Organizations and enterprises participating in the NQA must prepare the following application documents:

a) A registration form for participation in the NQA according to the model prescribed in Appendix III;

b) A general report on the organization or enterprise;

c) An internal assessment report based on the seven criteria of the NQA;

d) Documentation proving the implementation of advanced quality management systems (certificates or related documents);

đ) Documentation proving the conformity of main products or goods with relevant standards and technical regulations (copies);

e) Environmental impact assessment reports or approved environmental protection commitments and annual monitoring results in accordance with the law over the last three years (copies);

g) Confirmation of tax obligations fulfillment and social insurance contributions for employees annually over the last three years (originals or copies);

h) Other documentation proving the results of production and business activities of the organization or enterprise over the last three years, if available (copies).

Chapter II

CRITERIA AND SCORING FOR AWARDING, FORMS OF NATIONAL QUALITY AWARDS

Article 6. Criteria and Scoring for Awarding

1. The criteria for awarding are stipulated in Article 27 of Decree No. 132/2008/NĐ-CP dated December 31, 2008, issued by the Government detailing certain provisions of the Law on Product and Goods Quality, with a maximum total score of 1,000 points for the seven criteria. The maximum scores for each specific criterion are as follows:

a) Leadership role of the organization or enterprise: 120 points

b) Business strategy of the organization or enterprise: 85 points

c) Customer and market-oriented policy: 85 points

d) Measurement, analysis, and knowledge management: 90 points

đ) Human resource management and development: 85 points

e) Management of organizational processes: 85 points

g) Organizational performance: 450 points

2. Detailed contents of each criterion and the method of scoring for each detailed content of each criterion as stipulated in Clause 1 of this Article shall be implemented according to the guidelines of the Standardization, Metrology, and Quality Control Department (hereinafter referred to as the Department).

Article 7. Forms of National Quality Award

1. The National Quality Award includes:

a) National Quality Gold Award;

b) National Quality Silver Award.

Organizations and enterprises that achieve the National Quality Award shall be awarded a Cup according to the model specified in Appendix I attached hereto and a Certificate issued by the Minister of Science and Technology.

2.[2] The National Quality Gold Award is presented to organizations and enterprises assessed as being the most outstanding among four types and having scores of at least 800 points based on the criteria for the National Quality Award.

The National Quality Gold Award is granted to no more than twenty organizations and enterprises of each type.

3. The National Quality Silver Award is presented to organizations and enterprises achieving at least 600 points.

There is no limit on the number of organizations and enterprises receiving the National Quality Silver Award.

Chapter III

NATIONAL QUALITY AWARD ORGANIZATIONAL SYSTEM

Article 8. Management and Operation Agency of the National Quality Award

1. The General Department of Standardization and Quality Control is the Standing Agency of the National Quality Award, performing the following tasks:

a) Proposing programs, projects, and activities for cooperation both domestically and internationally regarding the National Quality Award to the Ministry of Science and Technology;

b) Leading and coordinating with related organizations to implement National Quality Award activities;

c) Leading the development and guiding the implementation of professional documents concerning the National Quality Award;

d) Proposing the list of members of the National Quality Award Council (hereinafter referred to as the National Council) to the Minister of Science and Technology for decision;

đ) Coordinating with the National Council to perform tasks as stipulated in Clause 2 of Article 9 of this Circular; organizing the solicitation of opinions from the People's Committee of provinces and centrally governed cities regarding the awarding of the National Quality Award;

e) Establishing Preliminary Selection Councils for the National Quality Award (hereinafter referred to as Preliminary Selection Councils);

g) Organizing training, seminars, and issuing certificates to members of Preliminary Selection Councils, evaluation experts, and organizations, enterprises participating in the National Quality Award;

h) Implementing information dissemination and promotional activities about the National Quality Award;

i) Organizing annual award ceremonies for organizations, enterprises that have won awards;

k) Implementing international cooperation on quality awards; representing Vietnam in regional and international organizations on quality awards as prescribed by competent state authorities; nominating organizations and enterprises winning the National Quality Gold Award to participate in international and regional quality awards;

l) Resolving complaints and denunciations related to the National Quality Award; reporting and recommending the Minister of Science and Technology to handle violations of the National Quality Award by organizations, enterprises, and other individuals involved.

2. The Department of Science and Technology is the leading agency directing the Provincial Bureau of Standards, Metrology, and Quality Control to implement National Quality Award activities at the local level, performing the following tasks:

a) Organizing the implementation of annual National Quality Award activities at the local level in accordance with the guidance of the General Department of Standardization and Quality Control;

b) Promoting, disseminating, and guiding organizations, enterprises participating in the National Quality Award at the local level;

c) Proposing the list of members of Preliminary Selection Councils to the General Department of Standardization and Quality Control for decision;

d) Coordinating with Preliminary Selection Councils to perform tasks as stipulated in Clause 2 of Article 10 of this Circular;

đ) Proposing tasks, plans, and programs on the National Quality Award at the local level and reporting annual activities to the General Department of Standardization and Quality Control;

e) Resolving complaints and denunciations related to the National Quality Award at the local level.

Article 9. National Council

1. The National Council is established by the Minister of Science and Technology upon the proposal of the General Department of Standardization and Quality Control. The National Council consists of between eleven and seventeen members representing relevant ministries, sectors, agencies, and organizations. The National Council comprises a Chairman, a Vice-Chairman, and Members. Members of the National Council are those who are knowledgeable in quality management fields and familiar with the criteria and requirements of the National Quality Award.

The Chairman controls sessions of the National Council. In the absence of the Chairman, the Vice-Chairman will represent the Chairman in controlling sessions of the National Council. The National Council operates on the principle of unanimous discussion among present members. Sessions of the National Council must have at least two-thirds of the members present. Decisions of the National Council only take effect when at least three-quarters of the present members agree.

The Secretary of the National Council is an officer of the General Department of Standardization and Quality Control.

2. The National Council has the following responsibilities:

a) Proposing programs for implementing National Quality Award activities to the Ministry of Science and Technology;

b) Reviewing, evaluating, and certifying preliminary council files;

c) Conducting reviews and evaluations at participating organizations, enterprises when necessary;

d) Selecting the best enterprises to propose for the National Quality Gold Award and proposing lists of organizations, enterprises to the Minister of Science and Technology for consideration and recommendation to the Prime Minister for the awarding of the National Quality Award.

Article 10. Preliminary Selection Council

1. The Preliminary Selection Council is established by the General Department of Standardization and Quality Control based on the proposal of the Director of the Department of Science and Technology of provinces and centrally governed cities. The Preliminary Selection Council consists of seven to eleven members representing provincial departments, bureaus, commissions, and related organizations. The Preliminary Selection Council comprises a Chairman, a Vice-Chairman, and Members. Members of the Preliminary Selection Council are those who are knowledgeable in quality management fields and familiar with the criteria and requirements of the National Quality Award.

The Chairman controls sessions of the Preliminary Selection Council. In the absence of the Chairman, the Vice-Chairman will represent the Chairman in controlling sessions of the Preliminary Selection Council. The Preliminary Selection Council operates on the principle of unanimous discussion among present members. Sessions of the Preliminary Selection Council must have at least two-thirds of the members present. Decisions of the Preliminary Selection Council only take effect when at least three-quarters of the present members agree.

The Secretary of the Preliminary Selection Council is an officer of the Provincial Bureau of Standards, Metrology, and Quality Control.

2. The Preliminary Selection Council has the following responsibilities:

a) Receiving registration forms and participation files of the National Quality Award from organizations, enterprises;

b) Conduct an examination and evaluation based on the dossier and on-site assessment of participating organizations and enterprises;, business participating;

c) Prepare the evaluation dossier and propose to the National Council the list of organizations and enterprises recommended for the awarding of the National Quality Award;, business proposed to be awarded the National Brand Award;

d) Notify in writing the results of the evaluation and other feedback information to the organizations and enterprises after the preliminary selection council has completed its evaluation results.

Chapter IV

PROCEDURE AND PROCEDURES FOR AWARDS CONSIDERATION OF THE NATIONAL QUALITY AWARD

Article 11. Evaluation Process of the Preliminary Selection Council

1. Evaluation process

The Preliminary Selection Council must conduct the evaluation of participating organizations and enterprises for the National Quality Award in two steps:

- Step 1: Dossier evaluation

The Preliminary Selection Council assigns a group of experts to evaluate the dossiers submitted for the National Quality Award by organizations and enterprises. The evaluation team must consist of at least three independent evaluators. After the evaluation, the expert group must prepare a unified evaluation report.

Evaluators must be knowledgeable about quality management fields and the criteria and requirements of the National Quality Award, and hold a certificate as a National Quality Award evaluator.

- Step 2: On-site evaluation

The Preliminary Selection Council assigns an evaluation team consisting of representatives from the Preliminary Selection Council and at least three evaluators to conduct on-site evaluations at participating organizations and enterprises. After the evaluation, the expert group must prepare an evaluation record.

2. Evaluation Results

Based on the results of the dossier evaluation and on-site evaluation, the Preliminary Selection Council decides the list of organizations and enterprises recommended for the National Quality Award and sends related dossiers (five printed copies and one CD) to the National Council through the General Department of Standardization and Quality Management before August 1st each year.

3. The Preliminary Selection Council's dossier includes:

- Participation dossiers of organizations and enterprises as stipulated in Clause 1, Article 5 of this Circular;

- The Preliminary Selection Council's review and evaluation results for each organization and enterprise (unified evaluation report, summary score sheet, on-site evaluation record, meeting minutes of the Preliminary Selection Council);

- The Preliminary Selection Council's proposal letter accompanied by the list of organizations and enterprises recommended for awards.

Article 12. Evaluation Process of the National Council

1. The National Council assigns a group of experts to review and verify the dossiers of organizations and enterprises proposed for awards by the Preliminary Selection Council and related dossiers of the Preliminary Selection Council. In necessary cases, the National Council assigns an evaluation team to conduct on-site evaluations at organizations and enterprises to supplement information for the selection and awarding process.

2. Based on the results of dossier evaluation and on-site evaluation, the National Council decides the list of organizations and enterprises recommended for the National Quality Award.

3. Before October 1st each year, the General Department of Standardization and Quality Management sends requests for opinions from the People's Committees of provinces and centrally-run cities regarding organizations and enterprises eligible for the National Quality Award recommendation. The People's Committees of provinces and centrally-run cities must respond with a written document within 15 days from receipt of the request.

4. The National Council and the General Department of Standardization and Quality Management complete the dossier for submission to the Ministry of Science and Technology for consideration and recommendation to the Prime Minister for the awarding of the National Quality Award before November 1st each year.

5. The dossier submitted to the Ministry of Science and Technology includes:

- Annual activity report on the National Quality Award, dossier evaluation report, and on-site evaluation report if applicable;

- Meeting minutes of the National Council;

- List of organizations and enterprises recommended for awards;

- Other related dossiers and documents if applicable.

6. The General Department of Standardization and Quality Management collaborates with the Office of the Ministry of Science and Technology to finalize the dossier for recommending the awarding of the National Quality Award to eligible organizations and enterprises for submission to the Prime Minister before November 15th each year.

7. The General Department of Standardization and Quality Management is responsible for notifying the Preliminary Selection Council and award-winning organizations and enterprises of the awarding results after receiving the Prime Minister's decision on awarding.

8. The General Department of Standardization and Quality Management organizes the award ceremony for organizations and enterprises that have won the National Quality Award in December each year following the Prime Minister's awarding decision.

Chapter V

OTHER PROVISIONS

Article 13. Operating Expenses

1. Sources of operating expenses for the National Quality Award:

The operating expenses of the National Quality Award are regulated in Article 29 of Decree No. 132/2008/NĐ-CP dated December 31, 2008, detailing certain provisions of the Law on Product and Goods Quality. These funds include:

a) State budget funds allocated in the science and technology public service expenditure budget;

b) Contributions from participating organizations and enterprises in the National Quality Award;

c) Revenue from donations, sponsorships from domestic and foreign organizations, enterprises, and individuals; revenue from providing additional services to organizations and individuals participating in the National Quality Award activities; other revenues (if any) are used to fund the National Quality Award activities.

2. Management and Use: The management and use of funds for the National Quality Award activities must comply with the provisions of the State Budget Law and current financial management guidelines.

Article 14. Benefits for Organizations and Enterprises Winning the National Quality Award

1. Organizations and enterprises winning the Gold National Quality Award are nominated to participate in regional and international quality awards.

2. Organizations and enterprises winning the National Quality Award are permitted to announce, promote, and advertise their achievements on mass media or other promotional forms, and may use the National Quality Award logo (as specified in Appendix II attached to this Circular) on their publications.

3. Organizations and enterprises winning the National Quality Award will receive preferential support and assistance from ministries, sectors, and localities in production and business operations, trade promotion, and productivity and quality development programs.

4. Organizations and enterprises that win awards shall be rewarded using annual prize funds by relevant ministries, sectors, and centrally governed cities and provinces in accordance with the provisions of the law.

Article 15. Handling Violations

1. Within three years from the date organizations and enterprises win awards, if they are found to have engaged in fraudulent behavior during the participation in the National Quality Award or violated the provisions of this Circular and other laws, thereby affecting the image and reputation of the National Quality Award, the National Council shall consider and recommend the revocation or cancellation of the awarded results based on the severity of the violations committed by the winning organizations and enterprises.

2. The revocation or cancellation of awarded results for organizations and enterprises that win the National Quality Award must be publicly announced through mass media.

Chapter

VI

IMPLEMENTATION PROVISIONS

Article 16. Effective Date

This Circular takes effect from August 20, 2011, and replaces Circular No. 11/2009/TT-BKHCN dated May 6, 2009, issued by the Minister of Science and Technology regarding the activities of the National Quality Award./.

Place of Receipt: - Minister (for reporting) - Office of the Government (for publication in the Official Gazette); - Official website of the Ministry of Science and Technology (for publication); - To be filed: VT, TDC, PC.

CERTIFIED CONSOLIDATED DOCUMENT DEPUTY MINISTER DEPUTY MINISTER Tran Viet Thanh

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