Circular No. 20/2010/TT-BKHCN stipulates on the organization, management, and operation of the National Program "Improving Productivity and Quality of Products and Goods of Vietnamese Enterprises until 2020".

CIRCULAR

Regulations on organization, management, and operation of the National Program National Program

"Improving Productivity and Quality of Products and Goods of Vietnamese Enterprises until 2020" products, goods

of Vietnamese enterprises until 2020”

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

Pursuant to Decision No. 712/QD-TTg dated May 21, 2010 of the Prime Minister approving the National Program "Improving Productivity and Quality of Products and Goods of Vietnamese Enterprises until 2020";

The Minister of Science and Technology hereby stipulates regulations on the organization, management, and operation of the National Program "Improving Productivity and Quality of Products and Goods of Vietnamese Enterprises until 2020" as follows:

PART I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Regulation

These Circulars regulate the organization, management, and operation of the National Program "Improving Productivity and Quality of Products and Goods of Vietnamese Enterprises during the period until 2020" (hereinafter referred to as the "Program") approved by Decision No. 712/QD-TTg dated May 21, 2010 of the Prime Minister.

Article 2. Applicability

These Circulars apply to agencies, units, organizations, and enterprises participating in implementing the Program.

Article 3. Explanation of Terms

1. Industry productivity and quality improvement project (hereinafter referred to as industry productivity and quality project) is a project under the Program implemented by the Ministry.

2. Local productivity and quality improvement project (hereinafter referred to as local productivity and quality project) is a project under the Program implemented by the People's Committee of the province or centrally governed city (hereinafter referred to as provincial People's Committee).

3. Enterprise productivity and quality improvement project (hereinafter referred to as enterprise productivity and quality project) is a component project under the industry or local productivity and quality project implemented by enterprises participating in the Program.

4. Key products and goods are those that play a significant role in the economy, economic sector, and locality selected based on criteria such as added value, high scientific and technological content; high export turnover; large export potential; products and goods substituting imported goods, using domestic raw materials.

Determining key products and goods for industries and localities is based on the Strategy and planning for specialized development, key programs related to Ministries and provincial People's Committees already approved; List of priority industries and spearhead industries for the period 2007-2010 with vision to 2020 issued together with Decision No. 55/2007/QD-TTg dated April 23, 2007 of the Prime Minister; List of advanced technologies prioritized for investment and development and List of encouraged advanced technology products issued together with Decision No. 49/2010/QD-TTg dated July 19, 2010 of the Prime Minister.

5. The Program Steering Board is established by the Minister of Science and Technology to manage and oversee the implementation of the Program.

6. The project management agency of the Ministry or provincial People's Committee is the agency assigned by the Ministry or provincial People's Committee to manage and organize the implementation of industry and local productivity and quality projects.

Chapter II

ORGANIZATION OF BUILDING AND IMPLEMENTATION OF PRODUCTIVITY AND QUALITY PROJECTS UNDER THE PROGRAM

QUALITY BELONGS TO THE PROGRAM

Section 1

BUILDING OF INDUSTRY AND LOCAL PRODUCTIVITY AND QUALITY PROJECTS

OF SECTOR, LOCALITY

Article 4. Construction of productivity and quality projects for industries and localities

Ministries and provincial People's Committees shall construct productivity and quality projects for industries and localities according to the model prescribed in the Appendix attached to this Circular, including the following main contents:

1. Project name, leading agency, project management agency;

2. Context of the project;

3. Objectives of the project;

4. Main contents and tasks of the project;

5. Scope, target group, implementation timeline, implementing agencies, coordinating agencies;

6. Major solutions for implementing the project; total capital requirement and capital structure: budget of the industry or locality; enterprise capital; other sources of funding (if any); human resources for project implementation;

7. Responsibilities of agencies and organizations implementing the project;

8. Results and effectiveness of the project;

9. Appendix listing key products and goods of the industry or locality.

Article 5. Procedures and formalities for approving productivity and quality projects for industries and localities

1. The ministry responsible for the industry's productivity and quality project shall submit the project dossier to the Ministry of Science and Technology for comments. The dossier includes:

a) A proposal to the Prime Minister regarding the project, including the following contents: necessity of implementing the project; main objectives and tasks of the project; scope, target group, implementation timeline, implementing agencies, coordinating agencies; major solutions for implementing the project; total capital requirement and capital structure; organization of project implementation; expected results and economic and social benefits of the project; accompanying appendices;

b) The industry's productivity and quality project;

c) Draft Decision of the Prime Minister approving the project;

2. The provincial People's Committee responsible for the locality's productivity and quality project shall submit the project dossier to the Ministry of Science and Technology for comments. The dossier includes:

a) A proposal from the provincial People's Committee regarding the project (contents similar to the proposal to the Prime Minister mentioned in point a, Clause 2 of this Article);

b) The locality's productivity and quality project;

c) Draft Decision of the provincial People's Committee approving the project;

3. Within thirty working days from the date of receipt of complete dossier as prescribed, the General Department of Standardization, Metrology and Quality Control shall organize an assessment, report to the Ministry of Science and Technology on the assessment results and draft letter of the Ministry of Science and Technology commenting on the project. Contents of the assessment include:

a) Consistency with the objectives and tasks of the Program;

b) Content, tasks, and results;

c) Integration with other programs and projects;

d) Implementation scope, target group, time frame, and implementation schedule;

e) Implementation solutions, financial requirements, and financial sources.

4. Submitting for approval of the project

After receiving comments from the Ministry of Science and Technology, ministries and provincial People's Committees shall instruct the project management agencies to perfect the project.

a) The dossier for the industry's productivity and quality project submitted to the Prime Minister for consideration and approval includes:

- Proposal to the Prime Minister; Industry's productivity and quality project; Draft Decision of the Prime Minister approving the project as stipulated in Clause 1 of this Article and revised according to the comments of the Ministry of Science and Technology;

- Comments from the Ministry of Science and Technology;

- Report from the lead ministry implementing the project to the Prime Minister on the adoption of the comments of the Ministry of Science and Technology.

The lead ministry for the industry's productivity and quality project shall submit it to the Prime Minister for consideration and approval.

b) The dossier for the locality's productivity and quality project submitted to the provincial People's Committee for consideration and approval includes:

- Proposal from the provincial People's Committee; Locality's productivity and quality project; Draft Decision of the provincial People's Committee approving the project as stipulated in Clause 2 of this Article and revised according to the comments of the Ministry of Science and Technology;

- Comments from the Ministry of Science and Technology;

- Report from the Department of Science and Technology to the provincial People's Committee on the adoption of the comments of the Ministry of Science and Technology.

The entity assigned by the provincial People's Committee to build the project shall transfer the dossier for the locality's productivity and quality project to the Department of Science and Technology to process submission to the provincial People's Committee for approval of the locality's productivity and quality project.

Section 2

BUILDING OF INDUSTRY AND LOCAL PRODUCTIVITY AND QUALITY PROJECTS

OF THE ENTERPRISE

Article 6. Selection of enterprises to participate in productivity and quality projects of industries and localities

1. Ministries, provincial People's Committees shall be responsible for industry and locality productivity and quality projects based on the objectives and tasks of the Program, and the project content assigned, to determine the list of key products and goods of the industry and locality, and select enterprises producing these key products and goods to participate in the project.

Enterprises participating in industry and locality productivity and quality projects include Vietnamese enterprises of all economic sectors established in accordance with the law, producing key products of the industry and locality.

2. The selection of enterprises to participate in the project shall be carried out according to the following procedures:

a) Ministries, provincial People's Committees shall widely announce on mass media about the Program and the project content they are responsible for so that enterprises can be aware and register to participate.

b) Enterprises wishing to participate in the project shall prepare registration files and commit to financial and human resource investment to meet the project requirements.

The documents include:

- Project participation registration form and commitment;

- Enterprise productivity and quality project proposal.

c) Ministries, provincial People's Committees responsible for industry and locality productivity and quality projects shall evaluate, select, and approve the list of participating enterprises.

d) Publicly announce on mass media the list of selected enterprises to participate in the project.

Article 7. Building productivity and quality projects of enterprises

1. Enterprises shall base on the announcement by Ministries, provincial People's Committees regarding the industry and locality productivity and quality Program and project content to analyze and assess the current labor productivity and product quality of the enterprise; identify the main causes of existing issues and difficulties in productivity and product quality; organize the construction of enterprise productivity and quality projects with the following basic contents:

a) The necessity of implementing the project;

b) Objectives to improve productivity and product quality of the project;

c) Content and tasks of the project (applying technical standards and conformity assessment; applying and innovating technology; applying advanced management systems; improving productivity; training human resources; other solutions);

d) Solutions to implement the project;

e) Scope, target group, time frame, and progress schedule;

f) Budget estimate and capital structure to implement the project.

2. The budget for implementing the project includes two main parts:

a) The enterprise's budget for applying and transferring scientific and technological advances and technology; investing in and enhancing measurement and testing capabilities to serve production and business activities; training staff and improving management skills within the enterprise; applying management systems, productivity improvement tools, and quality at the enterprise, building and applying standards;

b) State support budget for consulting, training, and guiding the application of management systems, models, productivity improvement tools, and quality, building and applying standards, conformity declaration, compliance declaration, and other forms as prescribed by law.

Section 3

IMPLEMENTATION OF PRODUCTIVITY AND QUALITY PROJECTS

Article 8. Establishing plans and budgets for state finances to implement projects

1. Annually, based on assigned tasks under the Program and approved project contents, management agencies of the Ministry, provincial People's Committees, and enterprises shall establish plans and budgets to fulfill their tasks.

2. The plans and budgets for state finances allocated to the tasks of the Program and projects are consolidated within the plans and budgets for state finances managed by the Ministry and provincial People's Committees, and then submitted to the Ministry of Science and Technology for consolidation and submission to the Ministry of Finance for budget coordination, which will be presented to the Government and National Assembly.

3. Based on the state finance expenditure budgets of the Ministries and provincial People's Committees, the Ministry of Science and Technology will preliminarily coordinate the central state finance budget for implementing tasks under the Program nationwide, sending it to the Ministry of Planning and Investment (for investment expenditures) and the Ministry of Finance (for public service expenditures).

4. The preparation of the budget for financial resources to implement tasks under the Program and projects shall be carried out according to the Circular guiding financial management for tasks under the Program issued by the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Science and Technology.

Article 9. Coordinating the implementation of tasks under the Program and projects

1. Based on approved productivity and quality projects of industries and localities, the management agencies of productivity and quality projects of industries and localities shall guide participating enterprises to develop enterprise productivity and quality projects that suit the characteristics of the enterprises, industries, and localities.

2. The Steering Committee of the Program shall guide the integration of industry development projects, national target programs, and other economic and social development programs under the management of the Ministry and provincial People's Committees with national projects to enhance productivity and product quality of Vietnamese enterprises until 2020.

3. The permanent agency of the Steering Committee shall organize the implementation of guidance, advisory, training, and education tasks for productivity and quality projects of industries and localities.

4. Implementation of projects:

a) State finance funds allocated for implementing the Program are transferred to the Ministry of Science and Technology (for common Program tasks) and the Ministries and provincial People's Committees (for projects led by the Ministries and provincial People's Committees), and are implemented in the following forms:

- State finance funds for implementing common Program tasks and industry and locality productivity and quality projects are assigned to the permanent agency and industry and locality productivity and quality project management agencies according to approved plans and budgets;

- State finance support funds for implementing enterprise productivity and quality projects are assigned to units under the Ministries and provincial People's Committees with relevant functions to directly carry out supported state finance project contents or enter economic contracts with organizations and enterprises to implement supported state finance project contents according to approved plans and budgets.

b) Management, utilization, and settlement of state finance support funds for Program and project tasks shall be conducted in accordance with current financial regulations of the state finance law.

Article 10. Inspection and evaluation of implementation results

1. The Program Management Board, the industry and local productivity and quality management agencies shall take the lead and coordinate with relevant agencies, organizations, and enterprises to inspect and evaluate the implementation results of the Program and projects according to the contents, tasks, and progress approved in the productivity and quality project and committed to be implemented.

2. Ministries and provincial People's Committees shall take the lead in implementing the projects; organizations and enterprises participating in the industry and local productivity and quality projects must prepare and provide all relevant documents and information related to the Program and assigned projects and facilitate inspection activities.

Article 11. Reporting on the Implementation of Programs and Projects

Annually in May and December; every five years and at any time upon request:

1. Enterprises shall report on the implementation of their productivity and quality projects to the industry and local productivity and quality management agencies.

2. The Ministry responsible for implementing the industry productivity and quality project shall report to the Prime Minister on the implementation of the industry productivity and quality project and simultaneously send the report to the Ministry of Science and Technology for consolidation.

3. Local productivity and quality project management agencies shall report to the provincial People's Committee on the implementation of the local productivity and quality project and simultaneously send the report to the Ministry of Science and Technology for consolidation.

4. The Ministry of Science and Technology shall report to the Prime Minister on the implementation of the Program.

Chapter III

MANAGEMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROGRAM

Article 12. Management and Administration Bodies of the Program

1. Based on the provisions of Decision No. 712/QĐ-TTg dated May 21, 2010 of the Prime Minister approving the National Program "Improving Productivity and Quality of Products and Goods of Vietnamese Enterprises until 2020", the Minister of Science and Technology, the Chairman of the Program Management Board, decides to establish the Program Management Board comprising representatives from the Ministries of Planning and Investment, Finance, Industry and Trade, Agriculture and Rural Development, Information and Communications, Construction, Transport, Health, and affiliated agencies under the Ministry of Science and Technology. The Program Management Board has the responsibility to manage and administer the organization and implementation of the Program.

The Standardization, Metrology and Quality Control General Department under the Ministry of Science and Technology serves as the Standing Office of the Program Management Board, tasked with assisting the Program Management Board in its work.

2. The industry productivity and quality project management agency shall be assigned by the Minister in charge of the project to assist the Minister in managing and administering the implementation of the project within the Ministry's responsibility.

3. The Department of Science and Technology shall take the lead and coordinate with the project management agency to assist the provincial People's Committee in managing and administering the implementation of the local project. The Standardization, Metrology and Quality Control Agency serves as the Standing Office, tasked with assisting the Department of Science and Technology in managing and administering the implementation of the local productivity and quality project.

Article 13. Responsibilities of the Program Management Board

1. To be responsible before the Prime Minister for organizing the implementation of the Program and managing and administering the Program's activities. Approve and organize the implementation of the annual work program of the Program Management Board; overall plans, phases, and annual plans of the Program.

2. Guide ministries and provincial People's Committees in building and implementing industry and local productivity and quality projects. Propose and recommend policies, solutions to the Prime Minister, ministries, sectors, and localities to effectively implement the Program.

3. Coordinate activities among productivity and quality projects within the Program; guide the integration of tasks from sectoral development projects, national target programs, and other economic and social development programs with productivity and quality projects under this Program for implementation.

4. Guide and organize inspections and evaluations of the implementation results of the Program, industry and local productivity and quality projects, and enterprises.

Article 14. Responsibilities of the Head, Deputy Heads, Members, and Secretary of the Management Board

1. The Head of the Management Board

a) The Head is responsible for the general work of the Management Board and is accountable to the Prime Minister for all activities of the Program;

b) Assigns responsibilities and oversees the activities of certain areas of work under the Program to Deputy Heads and Members.

2. Deputy Head of the Management Board

a) The Deputy Head assists the Head in directing and managing the activities of the Program upon assignment by the Head;

b) Represents the Head in handling the Management Board's business according to the Head's authorization.

3. Member of the Management Board

a) The Member participates in discussions and decisions on the contents of the Management Board's activities; fulfills tasks assigned by the Head;

b) The Member must attend all meetings of the Management Board fully; in case of emergency absence, a written report must be submitted to the Head along with contributions on issues to be discussed.

4. Secretary of the Management Board

a) Prepares agendas, contents, documents, and working conditions for the Management Board's sessions;

b) Summarizes and records minutes of the Management Board's sessions;

c) Announces conclusions of the Management Board's sessions to relevant organizations and individuals according to the Head's or Deputy Head's instructions.

Article 15. Responsibilities of the Permanent Office of the Management Board

1. The Permanent Office of the Management Board assists the Management Board in fulfilling the following responsibilities:

a) Cooperates with management agencies of productivity and quality projects at the sectoral and local levels to implement and execute sectoral and local productivity and quality projects;

b) Prepares reports, documents, and necessary conditions for the Management Board's sessions;

c) Drafts annual plans and budgets for the Management Board's activities;

d) Organizes regular or ad hoc inspections when necessary to monitor the implementation of the Program, sectoral and local productivity and quality projects; reports and proposes solutions to the Management Board for issues arising during the Program's implementation;

đ) Implements periodic annual, five-year, or ad hoc reporting on the Program's implementation situation;

e) Organizes evaluations of the results of sectoral and local productivity and quality projects; organizes mid-term and final reviews of the Program's implementation;

g) Keeps and preserves Program files and documents as prescribed.

2. The Permanent Office is guaranteed conditions regarding funding, working tools, and other systems as currently stipulated.

Article 16. Working System of the Management Board

1. In the first week of each quarter, the Program Secretary reports on the implementation and progress of tasks to the Head and Deputy Heads.

2. Each year in July, the Management Board convenes a mid-year review meeting to discuss the six-month performance and plan for the next six months.

3. Each year in January, the Management Board convenes an annual review meeting to discuss the previous year's performance and plan for the upcoming year's activities.

4. Based on actual circumstances, the Head or Deputy Head may organize meetings to address emerging issues during the implementation process; the content, participants, and time of each meeting are decided by the Head or Deputy Head.

5. The Head of the Management Board chairs the Management Board's sessions. In the Head's absence, the Deputy Head will chair the session.

6. The agenda, program, and related documents are sent to Management Board members ten days prior to each session.

7. Travel expenses and overtime pay for Management Board members and the Permanent Office staff follow current regulations; funds from the state budget are allocated for managing and operating the Program.

Article 17. Responsibilities of the Project Management Agency for Productivity and Quality in Industries and Localities

1. Organize the dissemination of the contents of the Program and productivity and quality projects of industries and localities to agencies, organizations, and enterprises within the scope of industries and localities.

2. Organize the development of productivity and quality projects of industries and localities to submit to competent authorities for approval in accordance with Section 1, Chapter II of this Circular.

3. Develop plans and budgets for implementing projects, submit them to competent authorities for approval in accordance with Article 8, Section 3, Chapter II of this Circular.

4. Implement productivity and quality projects of industries and localities; sign general contracts with organizations and enterprises participating in the projects; coordinate with the Standing Office of the Program Steering Committee to implement common tasks of the projects.

5. Monitor and organize inspections of the implementation of productivity and quality projects by participating enterprises.

6. Summarize the implementation situation of productivity and quality projects of industries and localities, report to the Ministry and the People's Committee of the province leading the project; propose and recommend to the Ministry and the People's Committee of the province solutions for implementation, contents, and tasks that need adjustment to be consistent with the actual implementation of the project.

7. Organize evaluations and acceptance of project implementation results by enterprises; organize mid-term reviews and final summaries of productivity and quality projects of industries and localities.

Article 18. Responsibilities of Enterprises Participating in Productivity and Quality Projects of Industries and Localities

1. Organize the development and implementation of enterprise productivity and quality projects according to approved projects.

2. Develop plans and budgets for implementing enterprise productivity and quality projects, submit them to competent authorities for approval in accordance with Article 8, Section 3, Chapter II of this Circular.

3. Ensure the integration of activities directly related to improving productivity and product quality within the management scope of the enterprise to coordinate with the implementation of the enterprise's project.

4. Ensure the resources (funds and human resources) committed by the enterprise, cooperate with state budget funds to effectively organize the implementation of the project.

5. Regularly evaluate the implementation results of enterprise productivity and quality projects, report to the project management agency for productivity and quality in industries and localities; recommend measures for implementation, contents, and tasks that need adjustment of the project to be consistent with emerging requirements during implementation.

6. Prepare necessary documents and conditions to serve the inspection by the project management agency for productivity and quality in industries and localities on the implementation of productivity and quality projects at the enterprise.

7. Mid-term review and final summary of enterprise productivity and quality projects.

Chapter IV

IMPLEMENTING PROVISIONS

Article 19. Guidance on Implementation

The Standardization, Metrology, and Quality Control General Department shall organize guidance on the implementation of this Circular.

Article 20. Effective Date

1. This Circular shall take effect 45 days from the date of signature.

2. During the implementation process, if there are arising issues or difficulties, agencies, organizations, and enterprises are requested to promptly reflect in writing to the Ministry of Science and Technology for consideration and decision./.