JOINT CIRCULAR No. 20/1999/TTLT/BYT-BTM-BNNPTNT guiding the implementation of Decree No. 19/1999/NĐ-CP dated April 10, 1999 of the Government on the production and supply of iodized salt for consumption.

JOINT CIRCULAR

Guidelines for implementing Decree No. 19/1999/NĐ-CP dated April 10, 1999 of the Government on the production and supply of iodized salt for consumption of the Government on the production and supply of iodized salt for consumption,

To implement Decree No. 19/1999/NĐ-CP dated April 10, 1999 of the Government on the production and supply of iodized salt for consumption, the Joint Circular of the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Trade, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development provides detailed guidelines for the implementation of this Decree as follows:

PART I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

1. General Concepts:

1.1. Iodized salt for consumption is referred to as edible salt, which is sodium chloride (NaCl) produced from seawater or extracted from salt mines that meet Vietnamese standards and mixed with KIO3 (potassium iodate) according to the regulations set by the Ministry of Health to prevent goiter, cretinism, and other diseases caused by iodine deficiency.

1.2. Edible salt produced for sale on the market for consumption must meet the following requirements:

a. Produced by enterprises or factories producing edible salt (hereinafter collectively referred to as edible salt production facilities) that have been issued a Certificate of Compliance with Production Standards and Conditions for Edible Salt by the Ministry of Health.

b. Registered product quality and brand name in accordance with Article 13 and Article 15 of Decree No. 19/1999/NĐ-CP dated April 10, 1999 of the Government on the production and supply of iodized salt for consumption and other relevant laws on brand names.

1.3. Businesses and traders selling edible salt may only purchase and sell edible salt produced by edible salt production facilities that meet the standards specified in Points 1 and 2 above.

1.4. Edible salt must be stored, transported, and warehoused in accordance with the provisions of Articles 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18 of Decree No. 19/1999/NĐ-CP dated April 10, 1999 of the Government on the production and supply of iodized salt for consumption.

1.5. Encouragement is given for the use of edible salt in animal husbandry and poultry farming.

1.6. In cases where individuals cannot consume edible salt due to health reasons, the Ministry of Health will provide specific guidance.

2. Authorities and Functions of Relevant Ministries and Departments:

2.1. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development performs state management functions regarding the organization of edible salt production, decides on the planning of the network of edible salt production facilities nationwide, and collaborates with the Ministry of Trade to organize the circulation of edible salt nationwide.

2.2. The Ministry of Health issues Certificates of Compliance with Production Standards and Conditions for Edible Salt to businesses; ensures the quality of potassium iodate (KIO3), supplies sufficient quantities to edible salt production facilities (within the plan) for processing edible salt; supervises the organization of production, strictly monitors the quality of edible salt from production to consumption; specifies the KIO3 content in edible salt to meet requirements for preventing and combating diseases caused by iodine deficiency; publishes a list of edible salt production facilities that have been issued Certificates of Compliance with Production Standards and Conditions for Edible Salt.

2.3. The Ministry of Trade performs state management functions regarding commercial activities in the circulation of edible salt on the market, develops plans for the development of the edible salt circulation network, ensures the supply of edible salt in accordance with policy, quality standards, and price regulations.

3. Scope of Application of the Circular:

3.1. This Circular specifies in detail the planning of edible salt production, state management of edible salt production, standards, conditions, and procedures for issuing Certificates of Compliance with Production Standards and Conditions for Edible Salt, plans for developing the edible salt circulation network, ensuring the supply of edible salt in accordance with policy, quality standards, and price regulations.

3.2. Planning, organizing production, and circulating common salt (without added iodine) does not fall within the scope of application of this Circular.

4. Entities Subject to the Circular:

This Circular applies to state management agencies under the sectors of Health, Trade, Agriculture and Rural Development, businesses, and traders selling edible salt in the Vietnamese market.

Chapter II

PLAN FOR PRODUCTION OF EDIBLE SALT

1. Planning the Network of Edible Salt Production Facilities:

1.1. Edible salt production facilities must meet the following conditions:

a. Regarding location:

- Near the planned raw material source (salt pans) to ensure a stable and long-term supply of raw materials for the operation of edible salt production facilities, fully utilizing existing equipment capacity.

- Infrastructure must be convenient (electricity, water, transportation, etc.), meeting all production and consumption requirements.

- Ensuring environmental hygiene, particularly the treatment of waste during production.

b. Regarding equipment:

- For edible salt granule production facilities mixed with iodine, the main equipment includes iodine mixing machines, bagging machines, and quality control rooms.

- For edible salt crystal production facilities mixed with iodine, the main equipment includes impurity removal equipment, salt particle reduction equipment, moisture reduction equipment, iodine mixing machines, bagging machines, and quality control rooms.

c. All edible salt production facilities must meet the production standards and conditions for edible salt as stipulated in Articles 7 and 8 of Decree No. 19/1999/NĐ-CP dated April 10, 1999 of the Government on the production and supply of iodized salt for consumption.

New edible salt production facilities established after this Circular takes effect must meet the conditions specified in Points a, b, and c above.
Existing edible salt production facilities that have been issued Certificates of Compliance with Production Standards and Conditions for Edible Salt but do not yet meet the requirements specified in Points a and b above must gradually strengthen and improve. Equipment investment must be made promptly, with all necessary equipment ensured by the year 2000.

1.2. Planning of Edible Salt Production Facilities: Based on the demand for edible salt among the people and the market, determine the capacity of existing edible salt production facilities in their respective localities to develop plans for upgrading, expanding, and building new edible salt production facilities. New edible salt production facilities must meet the aforementioned conditions and clearly define the location, scale, and construction time.

1.3. The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development shall take the lead and coordinate with relevant provincial agencies and the Vietnam Salt Corporation to review the salt production planning for submission to the Provincial People's Committee for consideration and decision, and then send the Planning to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development no later than December 31, 1999, for consolidation and submission to the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development for approval of the national salt production planning.

1.4. Based on the approved planning by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, investors must develop projects for the renovation, upgrading, or construction of new salt production facilities and submit them to competent state authorities for approval.

2. State management of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development regarding salt production:

2.1. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is responsible for developing and submitting mechanisms and policies for the development of salt production to the Government for promulgation, issuing normative legal documents within its authority as a basis for state management of salt production; directing the establishment of investment projects and organizing the appraisal of salt production investment projects.

2.2. The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development shall establish long-term and short-term plans for salt production to ensure balance in demand, submit these plans to the Provincial People's Committee, and report to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development for consolidation of the overall industry plan. The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development assists the Provincial People's Committee in guiding and inspecting the implementation of state policies and regulations concerning organizations and individuals engaged in salt production within their jurisdiction.

2.3. The Provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, the District Agricultural and Rural Development Office assist the Provincial and District People's Committees in performing state management functions over salt production within their jurisdictions; at the same time, they are subject to the guidance of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development on specialized professional and industrial salt production and business operations (in accordance with Circular Joint No. 03/1998/TTLT-BNN-BTCCBCP dated April 27, 1998). To fulfill assigned functions and tasks, provincial Departments of Agriculture and Rural Development that produce salt should assign functional departments to guide on specialized professional matters and allocate capable staff to monitor salt production.

Chapter III

ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF DISTRIBUTION NETWORKS FOR SALT CONSUMPTION, ENSURING SUPPLY IN ACCORDANCE WITH POLICY, QUALITY STANDARDS, AND PRICING REGULATIONS

1. Regarding the organization of salt distribution networks:

1.1. For mountainous markets: Depending on population density, geographical conditions, transportation, and consumption capacity, the Department of Commerce and Tourism is responsible for organizing and directing the development of salt distribution networks (including storage warehouses, wholesale and retail stores) suitable to local conditions to facilitate convenient purchasing for consumers; implementing salt storage plans to meet the consumption needs of highland ethnic groups, ensuring there is no shortage of salt during rainy and flood months.

1.2. For plain markets: The Department of Commerce and Tourism shall take the lead and coordinate with the Vietnam Salt Corporation and enterprises operating in the locality to organize fixed and mobile wholesale and retail salt stores at city, town, and rural markets, central trading centers (including supermarkets), inter-provincial, district, inter-village, and densely populated areas' traffic hubs to develop salt distribution networks suitable to market characteristics and population density, ensuring convenience for consumers.

2. Regarding the organization of salt supply and sales:

2.1. The Ministry of Trade shall take the lead and coordinate with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and localities with salt production facilities (as planned) to balance and regulate salt supply and demand nationwide, with the Vietnam Salt Corporation playing a core role in organizing salt circulation and supply on the market.

2.2. Enterprises and salt traders must fully comply with quality assurance regulations for edible salt stipulated in Articles 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, and 19 of Decree No. 19/1999/NĐ-CP dated April 10, 1999, of the Government on iodized salt production and supply.

2.3. Edible salt circulating in the market must meet the quality standards set by the Ministry of Health and be within its shelf life. Price tags for edible salt sales must be displayed at selling locations. Edible salt may not be sold at stores selling strongly scented or hazardous goods such as gasoline, pesticides, chemical fertilizers, etc.

2.4. Strictly prohibit enterprises and traders from selling fake or substandard edible salt, expired salt, or salt purchased from salt production facilities without valid certification of compliance with production standards and conditions.

2.5. The Departments of Commerce and Tourism of provinces and centrally-administered cities have the responsibility to guide and assist enterprises and traders selling edible salt in the market according to the following principles:

a. In regions where edible salt can be produced locally, salt production facilities must organize wholesale and retail sales points themselves or delegate other enterprises to directly sell to consumers and traders.

b. In regions where edible salt cannot be produced locally, contracts must be made to purchase salt from salt production facilities that have been certified as meeting production standards and conditions.

3. Regarding the pricing of edible salt:

3.1. For mountainous and island markets: The sale price of edible salt shall implement the subsidized price and freight policy as prescribed in Decree No. 20/1998/NĐ-CP dated March 31, 1998, of the Government.

3.2. For other regions (excluding mountainous and island markets): The sale price of edible salt shall follow market prices.

Chapter IV

DOCUMENTATION, PROCEDURES, AND AUTHORITY FOR APPLICATION FOR CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE WITH PRODUCTION STANDARDS AND CONDITIONS FOR EDIBLE SALT

1. Organizations and individuals wishing to engage in edible salt production must submit an application for a Certificate of Compliance with Production Standards and Conditions for Edible Salt to the Provincial Health Department (where the trader has its headquarters). The application package includes:

1.1. An application form for a Certificate of Compliance with Production Standards and Conditions for Edible Salt (attached model).

1.2. Business registration certificate (a certified true copy by a state notary or a copy that complies with the provisions of the law). If the factory or enterprise requests to supplement tasks or expand the production scope of edible salt, it must have a decision or permit document from the competent authority (a certified true copy by a state notary or a copy that complies with the provisions of the law).

1.3. The production plan for edible salt of the enterprise, including the explanation of the location, declaration of specialized equipment, technical infrastructure (according to the attached model).

1.4. Professional certificates: certificates of technical management staff and quality control staff (a certified true copy by a state notary or a copy that complies with the provisions of the law).

1.5. Health certificates of employees issued by health authorities at district or county level or higher, confirming their fitness to work.

1.6. Product quality registration certificate.

1.7. Food safety and hygiene certificate issued by the Preventive Medicine Center under the provincial or central city Department of Health, if the enterprise has registered food safety and hygiene quality (a certified true copy by a state notary or copies that comply with the provisions of the law).

1.8. Certificate from the People's Committee of the province confirming that the edible salt production facility is within the approved planning framework.

2. After receiving all required documents as stipulated, the Department of Health shall be responsible for reviewing the standards and conditions as prescribed in Article 7 and 8 of Decree No. 19/1999/NĐ-CP dated April 10, 1999 of the Government on the production and supply of iodized salt for consumption and the standards and conditions prescribed in this Circular. If the requirements are met, the Department of Health will send a letter along with the review report to the Ministry of Health requesting consideration and issuance of the Certificate of Compliance with Standards and Conditions for Edible Salt Production.

3. The Ministry of Health shall establish an Advisory Council to assist the Minister in considering the issuance of the Certificate of Compliance with Standards and Conditions for Edible Salt Production. The Council shall be chaired by the Deputy Minister in charge of medical examination and treatment, with the Director of the Treatment Department and the Head of the Iodine Deficiency Disorders Prevention Program as Vice Chairmen, and members representing leaders of the Quality Management and Food Safety Agency, and the Legal Affairs Department of the Ministry of Health.

4. The Treatment Department (Iodine Deficiency Disorders Prevention Program) shall be responsible for receiving the documents as stipulated in Point 1 above. After receiving all valid documents, the Council will examine and review. If the requirements are met, the Council will submit to the Minister of Health for consideration and issuance of the Certificate of Compliance with Standards and Conditions for Edible Salt Production to the enterprise.

5. The Certificate of Compliance with Standards and Conditions for Edible Salt Production is valid for five years from the date of issuance. Three months before the expiration date, enterprises must complete procedures for reissuance of the Certificate of Compliance with Standards and Conditions for Edible Salt Production.

Chapter V

INSPECTION, AUDIT AND VIOLATION HANDLING

1. Edible salt production and circulation facilities must be subject to inspection and audit by health agencies and other state management agencies with jurisdiction.

2. Specialized inspectors in the fields of health, trade, and the Chairman of the People's Committees at all levels with jurisdiction shall handle administrative violations related to the production and supply of edible salt according to the Administrative Violation Handling Ordinance and Decree No. 46/CP dated August 6, 1996 of the Government on administrative penalties in the field of state management of health.

3. Specialized inspectors of the Ministry of Health and the Market Management Bureau under the Ministry of Trade have the authority to impose administrative penalties nationwide. Specialized inspectors of the Department of Health and the Market Management Sub-bureau under the Department of Trade have the authority to impose administrative penalties within their local jurisdictions.

4. Acts of administrative violation in the production and supply of edible salt: forms and levels of fines are prescribed in Article 21 of Decree No. 19/1999/NĐ-CP of the Government on the production and supply of iodized salt for consumption.

Chapter VI

IMPLEMENTING PROVISIONS

1. This Circular takes effect fifteen days from the date of issuance and replaces Circular No. 01/TM-KD dated January 16, 1995 of the Ministry of Trade.

2. Under the direction of the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, the Directors of the Departments of Health, Trade and Tourism, and Agriculture and Rural Development shall be responsible for organizing and implementing this Circular. They shall regularly report to the Joint Ministries: the Ministry of Health (Treatment Department), the Ministry of Trade (Domestic Trade Policy Department), and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (Agricultural Forestry Products Processing and Rural Industries Bureau). During the implementation of this Circular, if there are difficulties or obstacles, units and localities shall promptly reflect them to the Joint Ministries for study, amendment, and supplementation to ensure appropriateness.

During the implementation of this Circular, if there are difficulties or obstacles, units and localities shall promptly reflect them to the Joint Ministries for study, amendment, and supplementation to ensure appropriateness.