Circular No. 19/2025/TT-BCT on the retention period for records and documents in the Industry and Trade sector

CIRCULAR

Regulations on the retention period for files and documents in the Industry and Trade sector

Pursuant to Clause 5 of Article 15 of the Law on Archives dated June 21, 2024;

Pursuant to Decree No. 40/2025/NĐ-CP dated February 26, 2025, of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Industry and Trade;

At the proposal of the Director of the Ministry of Industry and Trade's Office;

The Minister of Industry and Trade issues this Circular stipulating the retention period for files and documents in the Industry and Trade sector.

Article 1. Scope of Regulation

This Circular stipulates the retention period for files and documents in the Industry and Trade sector.

Article 2. Applicability

1. Agencies and units within the Industry and Trade sector.

2. Relevant agencies, organizations, and individuals.

Article 3. Retention Period for Records and Documents

1. This Circular promulgates the Appendix containing the retention period for files and documents in the Industry and Trade sector, including permanent retention and limited-term retention, applicable to the following two categories of files and documents:

a. Category 1. General files and documents of the Industry and Trade sector;

b. Category 2. Files and documents of specialized fields in the Industry and Trade sector.

2. The implementation of the provisions on the retention period for files and documents set forth in this Circular shall be carried out according to the following principles:

a) The retention period for files and documents serves as the basis for determining the retention period for files and documents in the Industry and Trade sector;

b) The determination of the retention period for files and documents must not be lower than the retention period specified in the Appendix issued together with this Circular;

c) For files and documents generated in the activities of agencies and organizations not covered by this Circular, such agencies and organizations shall apply a retention period equivalent to that of corresponding files and documents in this Circular and other relevant laws to determine the retention period.

Article 4. Effective date

This Circular takes effect from July 1, 2025.

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 Ministry of Industry and Trade's Office, heads of agencies and units within the Industry and Trade sector, and related individuals are responsible for implementing this Circular.

2. During the implementation process, if there are any difficulties, agencies, organizations, units, and individuals are requested to report to the Ministry of Industry and Trade for guidance and consideration for appropriate amendments and supplements.