Circular No. 24/2013/TT-BKHCN stipulates the activities of verification, calibration, and testing of measuring instruments and measurement standards.

CIRCULAR

Regulations on calibration, verification, testing activities of measuring instruments and measurement standards

measuring instruments, measurement standards

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Pursuant to the Law on Measurement dated November 11, 2011;

Pursuant to Decree No. 86/2012/NĐ-CP dated October 19, 2012 of the Government detailing and guiding the implementation of certain provisions of the Law on Measurement;

Pursuant to Decree No. 20/2013/NĐ-CP dated February 26, 2013 of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Science and Technology;

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

The Minister of Science and Technology issues this Circular regulating calibration, verification, testing activities of measuring instruments and measurement standards,

PART I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Regulation

1. This Circular regulates calibration, verification, testing activities of measuring instruments and measurement standards.

2. Calibration, verification, testing activities of radiation and nuclear measuring instruments and calibration, verification, testing activities of measuring instruments and measurement standards directly serving special measurement activities in the field of national defense and security shall be regulated by other legal documents.

Article 2. Applicability

1. Organizations providing calibration, verification, testing services for measuring instruments and measurement standards (hereinafter referred to as organizations providing calibration, verification, testing services).

2. Organizations designated for calibration, verification, testing of measuring instruments and measurement standards (hereinafter referred to as designated organizations for calibration, verification, testing).

3. State agencies on measurement, organizations, and other individuals related.

Chapter II

ACTIVITIES OF PROVIDING CALIBRATION, VERIFICATION, TESTING SERVICES FOR MEASURING INSTRUMENTS AND MEASUREMENT STANDARDS

TESTING OF MEASURING INSTRUMENTS, MEASUREMENT STANDARDS

Article 3. Conditions for operation of organizations providing calibration, verification, testing services

Organizations providing calibration, verification, testing services must meet the following operational conditions:

1. Established in accordance with the provisions of the law.

2. Have sufficient technical facilities meeting the following conditions:

a) Having working space, environmental conditions, and other conditions according to the requirements of the calibration, verification, testing procedures stipulated in Clause 3 of this Article;

b) Having sufficient measurement standards and equipment for implementing calibration, verification, testing according to the requirements of corresponding calibration, verification, testing procedures. These measurement standards and equipment must be periodically calibrated and verified as prescribed; the calibration and verification certificates must still be valid.

3. Having sufficient calibration, verification, testing procedures announced by the organization providing calibration, verification, testing services applicable to the registered fields of activity. The calibration, verification, testing procedures announced by the organization providing calibration, verification, testing services must not conflict with: Current regulations of competent state authorities, international recommendations of the International Organization of Legal Metrology (OIML), International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) standards, International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standards, foreign standards, and manufacturer-related documentation.

4. Having at least two (02) technical staff (civil servants, employees under fixed-term contracts of twelve months or more, indefinite-term employees) for each registered field of activity. These technical staff must meet the following requirements:

a) Graduated from a college level or equivalent or higher;

b) Holding a certificate of completion of training courses on calibration, verification, testing corresponding to the registered field of activity as guided by the General Department of Standards, Measurement and Quality (hereinafter referred to as the General Department).

5. Issuing and strictly implementing regulations on calibration, verification, testing certificates including: Content and form of the certificates, production, management, and use of the certificates. The content and form of the calibration, verification, testing certificates stipulated in Clause 5 of this Article must not cause confusion with the certificates of designated organizations for calibration, verification, testing as stipulated in Section 4 Chapter III of this Circular.

6. Meeting the following requirements for independence and objectivity:

a) Publicly disclosing the calibration, verification, testing procedures already announced;

b) The organization providing calibration, verification, testing services is responsible for the results of the calibration, verification, testing it has performed and is not influenced to change these results;

c) Calibration, verification, testing staff must comply with the announced calibration, verification, testing procedures and are not influenced to change the results of the calibration, verification, testing already performed.

7. Establishing and maintaining a management system in accordance with National Standard TCVN ISO/IEC 17025 for calibration, verification, testing activities of measuring instruments and measurement standards.

8. Must register their activities in accordance with this Circular.

Article 4. Registration File

The registration organization for providing calibration, verification, testing services (referred to as the registration organization) shall prepare one (01) registration file to be submitted directly at the General Department's office or sent via postal service to the General Department. The file includes:

1. Application for providing calibration, verification, testing services (according to Model 1.ĐKCCDV attached to this Circular).

2. A copy (certified true copy by the registration organization) of the decision on establishment or certificate of scientific and technological activity registration or business registration certificate or investment certificate issued by the competent state agency.

3. Report on technical infrastructure and human resources (according to Model 2.BCCSVC attached to this Circular).

4. Written commitment from the head of the registration organization to ensure conditions for providing calibration, verification, testing services as stipulated in Article 3 of this Circular.

5. Documents specifying the content, form, production, management, and use of calibration, verification, testing certificates.

6. List of files of the management system established and maintained for the registered calibration, verification, testing activities.

Article 5. Processing of Registration Files

1. Within seven (7) working days from the date of receipt of the file, if the file is incomplete or invalid, the General Department shall notify the registration organization in writing about the necessary amendments or supplements or the need for an on-site assessment. If the registration organization does not complete the file according to regulations within three (3) months from the date the General Department sends the notification, the General Department has the right to cancel the processing of this file.

2. Within twenty (20) working days from the date of receipt of a complete and valid file, the General Department shall issue a registration certificate for providing calibration, verification, testing services for measuring instruments and metrological standards (hereinafter referred to as the registration certificate) in accordance with Article 6 of this Circular.

3. In cases requiring an on-site assessment, within thirty (30) working days from the date of receipt of a complete and valid file, the General Department shall issue a decision to establish an on-site assessment team. The establishment of the on-site assessment team and the conduct of the suitability assessment of the registration organization with the operational conditions specified in Article 4 shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of Article 14 of this Circular.

4. Within ten (10) days from the date of receipt of the on-site assessment result file, if the results meet the required criteria, the General Department shall issue a registration certificate in accordance with Article 6 of this Circular to the registration organization; in cases where the assessment results do not meet the requirements, the General Department shall notify the registration organization in writing and specify the reasons.

Article 6. Registration Certificate

1. Content and format of the registration certificate for providing calibration, verification, testing services for measuring instruments and metrological standards according to Model 3.GCNĐK attached to this Circular.

2. The registration certificate shall be numbered consecutively from the first issuance to subsequent issuances adjusting the registration content.

3. The registration certificate shall be sent to the organization providing calibration, verification, testing services, the Provincial or Central City Standard Metrology Quality Control Agency (hereinafter referred to as the Standard Metrology Quality Control Agency) where the organization providing calibration, verification, testing services has its main office, and shall be published on the General Department's electronic information portal.

Article 7. Retention of Registration Certificate Files

1. The Registration Certificate files to be retained include: the registration file as prescribed in Article 4, the processing file as prescribed in Article 5, and the registration certificate as prescribed in Article 6 of this Circular.

2. One (01) set of Registration Certificate files shall be retained at the General Department.

3. The organization providing inspection, calibration, and testing services shall be responsible for establishing and retaining one (01) set of Registration Certificate files at its headquarters.

4. The retention period for the files: from the date of issuance of the Registration Certificate until five (5) years after the Registration Certificate is suspended, revoked, or replaced by a new Registration Certificate.

Article 8. Amendment of the Content of the Registration Certificate

1. When there is a need to amend the content of the Registration Certificate, the organization providing inspection, calibration, and testing services shall prepare one (01) set of amendment request files to be submitted directly to the General Department's headquarters or sent via postal service to the General Department. The set of files includes:

a) Request for amendment of the content of the Registration Certificate for inspection, calibration, and testing services (in accordance with Form 4.DND at the Appendix issued together with this Circular);

b) Original Registration Certificate;

c) Report on technical facilities and human resources (in accordance with Form 2.BCCSV at the Appendix issued together with this Circular) (only report on contents related to the requested amendment field);

d) Report on the most recent inspection, calibration, and testing activities conducted (in accordance with Form 5.BCHD at the Appendix issued together with this Circular);

đ) Other relevant documents concerning the requested amendment content.

2. Processing of the amendment request files and issuance of the Registration Certificate shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of Articles 5 and 6 of this Circular.

3. Retention of the amended Registration Certificate files shall be implemented in accordance with the provisions of Article 7 of this Circular.

Article 9. Suspension of the Effectiveness of the Registration Certificate

1. Partial or full suspension of the effectiveness of the Registration Certificate shall be applied in the following cases:

a) The organization providing inspection, calibration, and testing services conducts inspections, calibrations, and tests outside the certified fields;

b) The organization providing inspection, calibration, and testing services does not comply with the published inspection, calibration, and testing procedures causing serious consequences;

c) The organization providing inspection, calibration, and testing services fails to maintain the required operational conditions as stipulated.

2. Depending on specific circumstances, the General Department will review and issue a notice suspending the partial or full effectiveness of the issued Registration Certificate (hereinafter referred to as the suspension notice). The suspension period shall not exceed six (06) months from the date of issuing the suspension notice.

3. The suspension notice shall be sent to the organization providing inspection, calibration, and testing services, the local Standard Measurement Quality Control Sub-department where the organization has registered its main office, and posted on the General Department's electronic portal.

4. During the suspension period, after completing the remediation of consequences, the suspended organization may submit one (01) set of files requesting to continue providing inspection, calibration, and testing services directly to the General Department's headquarters or sent via postal service to the General Department. The set of files includes: a letter requesting to continue providing inspection, calibration, and testing services; proof that the remediation of consequences has been completed.

5. Within seven (7) working days from the date of receiving the files, if the files do not meet the requirements, the General Department will notify the suspended organization in writing about the necessary amendments and supplements. After three (3) months from the date the General Department sends the notification, if the suspended organization does not supplement the files fully as required, the General Department has the right to cancel the processing of these files.

6. Depending on specific circumstances, the General Department decides to check the files or conduct on-site checks regarding the remediated consequences.

a) In case of file checking, within seven (7) working days from the date of receiving complete valid files, the General Department issues a notice revoking the effectiveness of the suspension notice (hereinafter referred to as the revocation notice);

b) In case of on-site checking, within twenty (20) working days, the General Department completes the on-site check and issues a revocation notice or a notice of the on-site check results not meeting the required standards.

7. The revocation notice shall be sent to the organization providing inspection, calibration, and testing services, the local Standard Measurement Quality Control Sub-department where the organization has registered its main office, and posted on the General Department's electronic portal.

8. The suspension notices, revocation notices, and related files shall be retained in accordance with the provisions of Article 7 of this Circular.

Article 10. Revocation of the registration certificate's validity

1. Partial or full revocation of the registration certificate's validity shall be applied in the following cases:

a) The service provider organization for inspection, calibration, testing is dissolved, bankrupted, or seriously violates the law;

b) The service provider organization for inspection, calibration, testing is suspended and fails to complete the rectification within the suspension period specified in the suspension notice;

c) The service provider organization for inspection, calibration, testing has a document requesting not to continue providing part or all of the inspection, calibration, testing services.

2. Depending on specific circumstances, the General Department shall issue a decision to revoke partially or fully the validity of the issued registration certificate (hereinafter referred to as the revocation decision).

3. The revocation decision shall be sent to the service provider organization for inspection, calibration, testing, the local Standard Measurement Quality Control Agency where the service provider organization for inspection, calibration, testing registered its main office, and published on the General Department’s electronic portal.

Chapter III

INSPECTION, CALIBRATION, TESTING ACTIVITIES

DESIGNATED MEASUREMENT STANDARDS AND MEASURING INSTRUMENTS

Section 1

CONDITIONS, PROCEDURES FOR DESIGNATION IMPLEMENTATION

INSPECTION, CALIBRATION, TESTING ACTIVITIES

Article 11. Conditions for designation

An organization that has been granted a registration certificate for providing inspection, calibration, testing services and meets the following conditions may be designated to perform inspection, calibration, testing activities:

1. Having a field of operation certified in accordance with the proposed designation field.

2. Possessing sufficient technical infrastructure to meet the requirements stipulated in Clause 5 of this Article in the Vietnamese Technical Measurement Documents.

3. Working standards, direct-use measurement standards for calibrating group 2 measuring instruments must be calibrated and tested at designated calibration and testing organizations and maintained, stored, and used in accordance with Article 21 of this Circular (in the case of proposing designation for calibrating group 2 measuring instruments).

4. Inspection, calibration, testing staff must have a certificate of completion of training courses on inspection, calibration, testing organized by the General Department in accordance with the proposed designation field.

5. Possessing sufficient Vietnamese Technical Measurement Documents on inspection, calibration, testing procedures for the proposed designation field.

6. Calibration, testing certificates must comply with the provisions set out in Section 4 Chapter III of this Circular.

7. Ensuring the following independence and impartiality conditions:

a) Having a separate seal, a separate account; the head has the authority to review decisions regarding recruitment, transfer, termination of employment contracts for employees under the organization's management according to the law;

b) Not directly trading goods or supplying services to customers through the use of group 2 measuring instruments in the proposed designation field (in the case of proposing designation for calibrating group 2 measuring instruments).

8. The proposed designation field must be consistent with the national management requirements for measurement at the local and nationwide levels.

Article 12. Application dossier for designation

An organization meeting the conditions stipulated in Article 11 of this Circular shall prepare one (01) application dossier for designation to be submitted directly at the General Department's headquarters or mailed to the General Department. The dossier includes:

1. Request for designation of inspection, calibration, testing organization (according to Model 6.DNCĐ attached to this Circular).

2. Report on technical infrastructure and human resources (according to Model 2.BCCSV at the Appendix issued together with this Circular).

3. Report on the most recent inspection, calibration, testing activities conducted (according to Model 5.BCHD at the Appendix issued together with this Circular).

4. Document from the organization's head specifying the content, form, manufacturing, management, and use of calibration, testing certificates.

5. Dossier for applying for certification of direct-use measurement standards for calibrating group 2 measuring instruments as stipulated in Article 22 of this Circular (in the case of proposing designation for calibrating group 2 measuring instruments).

6. Dossier for applying for certification and issuance of metrology inspector cards as stipulated in Article 30 of this Circular (in the case of proposing designation for calibrating group 2 measuring instruments).

7. Document from the organization's head committing to:

a) Adhering to current Vietnamese Technical Measurement Documents and not being influenced by external factors affecting the results of inspections, calibrations, tests already performed;

b) Not directly trading goods or supplying services to customers through the use of group 2 measuring instruments in the proposed designation field (in the case of proposing designation for calibrating group 2 measuring instruments).

8. List of documents of the established and maintained management system for the proposed designated inspection, calibration, testing activities.

Article 13. Processing of applications for designation

1. Within ten (10) working days from the date of receipt of the application, if the application does not comply with the regulations, the General Department shall notify in writing to the organization requesting designation the contents that need to be supplemented and completed. After three (3) months from the date the General Department sends the notification, if the organization requesting designation does not supplement the application fully as required, the General Department has the right to cancel the processing of this application.

2. Within thirty (30) working days from the date of receipt of a complete and valid application, the General Department issues a decision to establish an on-site evaluation team and conducts the evaluation in accordance with the provisions of Article 14 of this Circular.

3. Within ten (10) days from the date of receipt of the on-site evaluation result report, if the results meet the prescribed requirements, the General Department issues a decision to designate the organization for calibration, verification, testing (referred to as the designation decision) in accordance with the provisions of Article 15 of this Circular for the organization requesting designation; in case the evaluation results do not meet the requirements, the General Department shall notify in writing to the organization requesting designation and specify the reasons.

4. The processing of applications for certification of measurement standards directly used for calibrating measuring instruments in Group 2 as stipulated in Clause 5, Article 12 shall be carried out within the time limit specified in this Article and in accordance with the requirements, procedures, and formalities prescribed in Section 2, Chapter III of this Circular.

5. The processing of applications for certification and issuance of calibration officer cards as stipulated in Clause 6, Article 12 shall be carried out within the time limit specified in this Article and in accordance with the requirements, procedures, and formalities prescribed in Section 3, Chapter III of this Circular.

Article 14. On-site Evaluation

1. The on-site assessment shall be organized in the form of an assessment team and conducted according to the principle of expertise.

2. The evaluation team shall be established by the Director of the General Department of Standardization, Metrology, and Quality Control to conduct on-site evaluations, report the results, and advise the Director of the General Department of Standardization, Metrology, and Quality Control on the suitability of the organization requesting designation with the conditions prescribed in this Circular.

3. Composition of the assessment team and responsibilities of its members

a) The evaluation team consists of a team leader and other members, the number of members depending on the field of designation requested and not less than two (02) people; the team leader and other members must have certificates of completion of training courses for evaluation experts organized by the General Department.

b) The team leader must have at least three (3) years of experience managing calibration, verification, and testing activities. The team leader is responsible for organizing the implementation of the team's tasks; directly evaluating the management system; assigning specific responsibilities to members; convening and chairing team meetings; reviewing the evaluation result report before submitting it to the General Department.

c) Other members must have relevant expertise and at least three (03) years of experience in calibration, verification, and testing activities in the corresponding measurement field. Other members are responsible for performing assigned tasks and are accountable for the content and results of their tasks.

4. Content of Evaluation: Evaluating the suitability of the organization requesting designation with the conditions prescribed in Articles 3 and 11 of this Circular.

5. Evaluation Method

a) Interviewing directly the person in charge and employees of the organization requesting designation regarding related information;

b) Reviewing stored files and related documents;

c) Observing the actual technical facilities and human resources conditions of the organization requesting designation;

d) Assessing the proficiency of calibration, verification, and testing personnel through observation of operations and handling of calibration, verification, and testing results performed by those personnel.

6. Evaluation Procedure

a) The team leader organizes a meeting of the evaluation team, approves the evaluation program (according to Model 7.CTĐG attached to this Circular), agrees on the plan to implement the evaluation according to the progress and content specified in the decision to establish the evaluation team, and notifies the relevant parties;

b) According to the assigned tasks, members conduct the evaluation and prepare technical measurement evaluation forms (according to Model 8.PĐGKTĐL attached to this Circular), evaluate and prepare management system evaluation forms (according to Model 9.PĐGHTQL attached to this Circular);

c) Prepare a consolidated evaluation result record (according to Model 10.BBTHĐG attached to this Circular);

d) Within thirty (30) working days from the date of signing the decision to establish the evaluation team, the team leader must submit the evaluation result report to the General Department. The report includes: the evaluation program, technical measurement evaluation forms, management system evaluation forms, and the consolidated evaluation result record as stipulated in Points a, b, and c of Clause 5 of this Article;

đ) In cases where the organization requesting designation has non-compliant points but can be rectified, the evaluation team lists the non-compliant points, proposes a rectification deadline, and notifies the evaluation results to the organization requesting designation. The organization requesting designation proceeds to rectify the non-compliant points and submits a report to the evaluation team. The evaluation team reviews the rectification report, and if necessary, the evaluation team conducts another on-site evaluation. In such cases, the rectification period and re-evaluation time are added to the evaluation period.

7. Costs and other conditions serving the on-site evaluation by the evaluation team shall be guaranteed by the organization requesting designation.

Article 15. Decision on designation

1. The decision on designation must include the following main contents:

a) The name and address of the headquarters of the organization for calibration, verification, testing designated (hereinafter referred to as the designated organization);

b) Location of operation;

c) Field of designation;

d) Validity period of the designation decision.

2. The validity period of the designation decision is five (05) years from the date of signing.

3. The designation decision shall be sent to the designated organization, the Standard Metrology Quality Control Division where the designated organization has registered its headquarters, and published on the electronic portal of the General Department.

Article 16. Retention of designation files

1. The designation files retained include: the application file for designation prescribed in Article 12, the evaluation file at the site prescribed in Article 14, and the designation decision prescribed in Article 15 of this Circular.

2. One (01) set of designation files shall be retained at the General Department.

3. The designated organization is responsible for establishing and retaining one (01) set of designation files at its headquarters.

4. Retention period: From the date the designation decision is issued until five (05) years after the expiration of the validity period of this designation decision, or when it is suspended or revoked.

Article 17. Amendment of the content of the designation decision, re-designation

1. In case of requesting to amend the content of the designation decision, the requesting organization shall prepare one (01) set of files according to the provisions of Article 12 of this Circular for the requested amendment content and submit directly to the General Department's office or send through postal service to the General Department.

2. In case of requesting re-designation, not less than three (3) months before the expiry date of the validity period of the previously issued designation decision, the requesting organization shall prepare one (01) set of files according to the provisions of Article 12 of this Circular and submit directly to the General Department's office or send through postal service to the General Department.

3. Within ten (10) working days from the date of receipt of the file, if the file does not comply with the regulations, the General Department shall notify in writing to the requesting organization about the necessary supplementary and completion contents. After three (3) months from the date the General Department sends the notification, if the requesting organization does not supplement the file fully as required, the General Department has the right to cancel the processing of this file.

4. Depending on specific cases, the General Department will consider and decide whether to check on the file or evaluate on-site.

a) In case of checking on the file, within ten (10) days from the date of receiving all valid files, the General Department shall issue a re-designation decision or an amended designation decision according to the provisions of Clause 1, Article 15 of this Circular to the designated organization;

b) In case of evaluating on-site, the processing of the file, on-site evaluation, and issuance of the designation decision shall be carried out according to the provisions of Clause 2, Clause 3, Article 13, Article 14, and Article 15 of this Circular.

5. The re-designation decision and the amended designation decision shall be sent to the designated organization, the Standard Metrology Quality Control Division where the designated organization has registered its headquarters, and published on the General Department's electronic portal.

6. The validity period of the re-designation decision is five (5) years from the date of signing. The validity period of the amended designation decision follows the remaining validity period of the designation decision already granted to the designated organization.

7. The retention of amended designation files and re-designation files shall be applied according to the provisions of Article 16 of this Circular.

Article 18. Suspension of Effectiveness of Designation Decision

1. The partial or full suspension of effectiveness of the designation decision shall be applied in the following cases:

a) The organization designated to perform inspection, calibration, testing outside the designated field or fails to fulfill the responsibilities prescribed in this Circular, causing serious consequences;

b) The organization designated has a document requesting to temporarily suspend the implementation of part or all of the designated fields.

2. Depending on specific circumstances, the General Department shall issue a decision to partially or fully suspend the effectiveness of the previously issued designation decision (hereinafter referred to as the suspension decision). The suspension period shall not exceed six (06) months from the date the suspension decision takes effect.

3. The suspension decision shall be sent to the suspended organization, the Standard Metrology Quality Control Sub-department where the suspended organization registers its main office, and published on the General Department's electronic portal.

4. During the suspension period, after completing the remediation of consequences, the suspended organization has the right to submit one (01) set of documents requesting to revoke the suspension decision directly at the General Department's headquarters or through postal service to the General Department. The set of documents includes: A letter requesting to revoke the suspension decision, proof documents showing completion of the remediation of consequences.

5. Within ten (10) working days from the date of receiving the documents, if the documents do not comply with regulations, the General Department shall notify in writing to the suspended organization the contents that need to be supplemented or completed. After three (3) months from the date the General Department sends the notification, if the suspended organization does not supplement the documents fully according to regulations, the General Department has the right to cancel the processing of this set of documents.

6. Depending on specific circumstances, the General Department decides to check the files or conduct on-site checks regarding the remediated consequences.

a) In case of file review, within seven (7) working days from the date of receiving complete valid files, the General Department shall issue a decision to revoke the suspension decision (hereinafter referred to as the revocation decision);

b) In case of on-site inspection, within twenty (20) working days, the General Department shall complete the on-site inspection and issue a revocation decision or notify the results of the on-site inspection not meeting the required standards.

7. The revocation decision shall be sent to the designated organization, the Standard Metrology Quality Control Sub-department where the designated organization registers its main office, and published on the General Department's electronic portal.

8. The retention of the suspension decision, the revocation decision, and related documents shall be implemented in accordance with Article 16 of this Circular.

Article 19. Revocation of Effectiveness of Designation Decision

1. Partial or full revocation of the effectiveness of the designation decision shall be applied in the following cases:

a) The designated organization goes bankrupt, is dissolved, or seriously violates the law;

b) The organization under suspension does not complete the remediation of consequences within the suspension period specified in the suspension decision;

c) The designated organization has a document requesting not to continue implementing the inspection, calibration, testing activities already designated.

2. Depending on specific circumstances, the General Department shall issue a decision to partially or fully revoke the effectiveness of the previously issued designation decision (referred to as the revocation decision).

3. The revocation decision shall be sent to the designated organization, the Standard Metrology Quality Control Sub-department where the designated organization registers its main office, and published on the General Department's electronic portal.

Section 2

REQUIREMENTS, PROCEDURES, AND PROCEDURAL FORMS FOR DIRECT USE OF MEASUREMENT STANDARDS

FOR INSPECTING GROUP 2 MEASURING INSTRUMENTS

Article 20. Requirements for measurement standards to be certified

1. The working standards of designated verification organizations that meet the following requirements shall be certified as direct verification measurement standards for Group 2 measuring instruments:

a) They have been calibrated at a designated calibration organization in accordance with regulations; the calibration certificate must still be valid within its period of validity.

b) They comply with the technical measurement requirements stipulated in current Vietnamese technical measurement documents.

c) They are maintained, stored, and used in accordance with Article 21 of this Circular.

d) They are suitable for the designated field of the designated verification organization.

2. Direct verification standards for Group 2 measuring instruments of designated verification organizations that meet the following requirements shall be certified as direct verification measurement standards for Group 2 measuring instruments (hereinafter referred to as measurement standards):

a) They have been tested or compared at a designated testing organization in accordance with this Circular or at a foreign national agency for standard certification or at a laboratory that has linked its measurement standards to a foreign national agency for standard certification; the test or comparison certificate (Certificate of Analysis) must still be valid within its period of validity.

b) The uniformity, stability, and attribute value of the verification standards ensure compliance with the technical measurement requirements stipulated in current Vietnamese technical measurement documents.

c) They are maintained, stored, and used in accordance with Article 21 of this Circular.

d) They are suitable for the designated field of the designated verification organization.

Article 21. Maintenance, storage, and use of measurement standards

1. The maintenance, storage, and use of measurement standards must be carried out in accordance with the regulations issued by the head of the designated verification organization and the provisions in current Vietnamese technical measurement documents.

2. Regulations on the maintenance, storage, and use of measurement standards must include the following main contents:

a) For maintenance and storage

- Area for maintenance and storage;

- Environmental conditions and other technical conditions;

- Periodic monitoring of maintenance and storage conditions;

- Requirements for maintaining, storing, and using equipment and facilities to implement maintenance and storage of measurement standards;

- Assignment and responsibilities of personnel assigned to maintain and store.

b) For use

- Assignment and responsibility regulations for personnel assigned to perform calibration or comparison of measurement standards in accordance with regulations;

- Usage log recording.

Article 22. Application for certification of measurement standards

A designated verification organization shall prepare one (01) set of application documents for certification of measurement standards and submit them directly to the General Department or send them via postal service to the General Department. The set of documents includes:

1. Application for certification of measurement standards (according to Model 11.DNCNCDL attached to this Circular).

2. Copy (certified true copy by the designated verification organization) of the calibration certificate of the working standard in accordance with point a Clause 1 Article 20 or the test or comparison certificate of the verification standard in accordance with point a Clause 2 Article 20 of this Circular.

3. Photographs of the measurement standard including one (01) overall photograph and one label photograph. Color photographs size (15 x 20) cm, must be clear and legible (for the first time application for certification).

4. Documents stipulating the maintenance, storage, and use of measurement standards issued by the head of the designated verification organization.

Article 23. Processing of applications for certification of measurement standards

1. In cases where the application for certification of measurement standards is submitted together with the application for designation, the processing of the application shall be carried out concurrently with the application for designation in accordance with the time limit specified in Article 13 of this Circular and in accordance with the requirements, procedures, and certification procedures for measurement standards stipulated in Section 2 Chapter III of this Circular.

2. In cases where the application for certification of measurement standards is not submitted at the same time as the application for designation, the processing of the application shall be carried out as follows:

a) If the application is incomplete or invalid, within ten (10) working days from the date of receipt of the application, the General Department shall notify in writing to the organization making the application about the contents that need to be supplemented and completed. After three (3) months from the date the General Department sends the notification, if the organization making the application does not supplement a complete and valid application, the General Department has the right to cancel the processing of this application.

b) Within fifteen (15) working days from the date of receipt of a complete and valid application, the General Department issues a decision on the certification of the direct-use measurement standard for calibrating group 2 measuring instruments (hereinafter referred to as the decision on the certification of the measurement standard) in accordance with the provisions of Article 24 of this Circular.

Article 24. Decision on the Certification of Measurement Standards

1. The decision on the certification of measurement standards includes the following main contents:

a) Name and address of the headquarters of the designated calibration organization;

b) Name of the measurement standard;

c) Serial number, year of manufacture, manufacturer, country of manufacture of the measurement standard;

d) Type, symbol, key metrological characteristics of the measurement standard;

đ) Field of calibration;

e) Validity period.

2. The validity period of the decision on the certification of measurement standards is taken according to the validity period of the still effective designation decision issued to the designated calibration organization. In cases where the certified measurement standard is a reference material and the validity period of the test or comparison certificate of the reference material is shorter than the validity period of the designation decision, the validity period of the decision on the certification of the measurement standard for the reference material is the validity period of that certificate.

3. The decision on the certification of measurement standards shall be sent to the designated calibration organization, the Standard Metrology Quality Control Division where the designated calibration organization registers its headquarters, and published on the General Department's electronic portal.

Article 25. Retention of Certification Application Files for Measurement Standards

1. The certification application files for measurement standards include: the set of application files for designation prescribed in Article 22 and the decision on the certification of measurement standards prescribed in Article 24 of this Circular.

2. One (01) set of certification application files for measurement standards shall be retained at the General Department.

3. The designated calibration organization is responsible for establishing and retaining one (01) set of certification application files for measurement standards at the organization's headquarters.

4. The certification application files for measurement standards shall be retained together with the designation application files of the designated calibration organization for the retention period prescribed in Clause 4 Article 16 of this Circular.

Article 26. Amendment of Contents of the Decision on the Certification of Measurement Standards

1. When there is a need to amend the contents of the decision on the certification of measurement standards, the organization making the application shall prepare one (01) set of amendment application files and submit them directly at the General Department's headquarters or send them through postal service to the General Department. The set of files includes:

a) A letter requesting amendment;

b) A copy (certified true copy by the designated calibration organization) of the calibration certificate of the measurement standard in accordance with point a Clause 1 Article 20 of this Circular (for cases requesting amendments to the contents at points b, c, d Clause 1 Article 24 of this Circular);

c) Photographs of the measurement standard including one (01) overall photograph and one (01) label photograph; color photographs size (15 x 20) cm, must be clear and legible (for cases requesting amendments to the contents at points b, c, d Clause 1 Article 24 of this Circular);

d) Other related documents concerning the requested amendment.

2. If the application files are incomplete or invalid, within ten (10) working days from the date of receipt of the application files, the General Department shall notify in writing to the organization making the application about the contents that need to be supplemented and completed. After three (3) months from the date the General Department sends the notification, if the organization making the application does not supplement a complete and valid application file, the General Department has the right to cancel the processing of this application file.

3. The decision on the amended certification shall be issued in accordance with the provisions of Article 24 of this Circular.

4. Review and re-evaluate the suitability of the designated calibration organization with the operational conditions when there is an adjustment to the key metrological characteristics of the measurement standard; handle in accordance with the provisions of Section 1 Chapter III of this Circular.

5. The amended decision and related files shall be retained together with the issued designation application files of the designated calibration organization for the retention period prescribed in Clause 4 Article 16 of this Circular.

Article 27. Suspension of Effectiveness of Calibration Standard Certification Decision

1. Partial or full suspension of effectiveness of the calibration standard certification decision shall be applied in the following cases:

a) The designated inspection organization is suspended from the inspection field for which the calibration standard has been certified;

b) The designated inspection organization submits a document requesting partial or full suspension of effectiveness of the issued calibration standard certification decision and clearly states the reasons for the request.

2. Depending on specific circumstances, the General Department shall issue a decision to suspend partial or full effectiveness of the issued calibration standard certification decision (hereinafter referred to as the suspension decision). The suspension period shall not exceed six (06) months from the date the suspension decision becomes effective.

3. The suspension decision shall be sent to the suspended organization, the Standard Measurement Quality Control Agency where the suspended organization registers its main office, and published on the General Department's electronic information portal.

4. The General Department shall review and reassess the suitability of the designated inspection organization with the operational conditions stipulated when the calibration standard certification decision is suspended; handle according to the provisions of Section 1 Chapter III of this Circular.

5. During the suspension period, after completing the remediation of consequences, the suspended organization has the right to submit one (01) set of documents to request revocation of the suspension decision directly at the General Department's headquarters or through postal service to the General Department. The set of documents includes: A letter requesting revocation of the suspension decision and clearly stating the reasons for the request; relevant documents and files.

6. Within seven (7) working days from the date of receiving the documents, if the documents do not meet the requirements, the General Department shall notify the suspended organization in writing about the contents that need to be amended and supplemented. After three (3) months from the date the General Department sends the notification, if the suspended organization does not supplement the complete valid documents, the General Department has the right to cancel the processing of this document.

7. Within seven (7) working days from the date of receiving complete valid documents, the General Department shall issue a decision to revoke the suspension decision (hereinafter referred to as the revocation decision).

8. The revocation decision shall be sent to the suspended organization, the Standard Measurement Quality Control Agency where the suspended organization registers its main office, and published on the General Department's electronic information portal.

9. The suspension decision, the revocation decision, and related documents shall be kept together with the designation file of the designated inspection organization for the retention period specified in Clause 4 Article 16 of this Circular.

Article 28. Revocation of Effectiveness of Calibration Standard Certification Decision

1. Partial or full revocation of effectiveness of the calibration standard certification decision shall be applied in the following cases:

a) The designation decision of the designated inspection organization is revoked in full or revoked for the inspection field for which the calibration standard has been certified;

b) Beyond the suspension period prescribed in Article 27 of this Circular, the suspended organization does not have a document requesting revocation of the suspension decision;

c) The designated inspection organization submits a document requesting discontinuation of the use of the certified calibration standard for inspection activities.

2. Depending on specific circumstances, the General Department shall issue a decision to revoke partial or full effectiveness of the issued calibration standard certification decision (referred to as the revocation decision).

3. The revocation decision shall be sent to the designated inspection organization, the Standard Measurement Quality Control Agency where the designated inspection organization registers its main office, and published on the General Department's electronic information portal.

4. The General Department shall review and reassess the suitability of the designated inspection organization with the operational conditions stipulated when the calibration standard certification decision is revoked; handle according to the provisions of Section 1 Chapter III of this Circular.

Section 3

REQUIREMENTS, PROCEDURES AND FORMALITIES FOR CERTIFICATION AND ISSUE OF MEASUREMENT INSPECTOR CARDS

MEASUREMENT INSPECTOR

Article 29. Requirements for calibration personnel to be certified and issued a calibration technician card

Calibration personnel of designated calibration organizations who meet the following requirements shall be certified and issued a calibration technician card:

1. Graduated from a college level or equivalent education or higher.

2. Completed a training course on calibration organized by the General Department corresponding to the designated field.

3. Have at least twelve (12) months of experience in calibration, verification, testing activities corresponding to the designated field.

Article 30. Application dossier for certification and issuance of a calibration technician card

The organization proposing certification and issuance of a calibration technician card (referred to as the personnel calibration dossier) shall submit one (01) set of the application dossier directly at the General Department's headquarters or through postal service to the General Department. The dossier includes:

1. Application for certification and issuance of a calibration technician card (according to Model 12.DNCNKDVDL attached in the Appendix issued together with this Circular).

2. Curriculum vitae (according to Model 13.SYLL attached in the Appendix issued together with this Circular) of each calibration personnel.

3. A copy (certified true copy by the designated calibration organization) of the graduation certificate from a college level or equivalent education of the calibration personnel (for the first time application for certification and issuance of a card).

4. A copy (certified true copy by the designated calibration organization) of the certificate of completion of the calibration training course as stipulated in Clause 2, Article 29 of this Circular.

5. Two (02) color photographs measuring (2 x 3) cm, taken against a white background (for the first time application for certification and issuance of a card).

Article 31. Processing of calibration personnel dossiers

1. In cases where the calibration personnel dossier is submitted together with the application dossier for designation, the processing of the dossier will be carried out concurrently with the application dossier for designation according to the deadline specified in Article 13 of this Circular and in accordance with the certification and issuance procedures of a calibration technician card stipulated in Section 3, Chapter III of this Circular.

2. In cases where the calibration personnel dossier is received at a different time than the application dossier for designation, the dossier processing will be carried out as follows:

a) If the application is incomplete or invalid, within ten (10) working days from the date of receipt of the application, the General Department shall notify in writing to the organization making the application about the contents that need to be supplemented and completed. After three (3) months from the date the General Department sends the notification, if the organization making the application does not supplement a complete and valid application, the General Department has the right to cancel the processing of this application.

b) Within fifteen (15) working days from the date of receiving a complete and valid dossier, the General Department issues a decision on certification and issuance of a calibration technician card as stipulated in Articles 32 and 34 of this Circular.

Article 32. Decision on Certification and Issuance of a Calibration Technician Card

1. The decision on certification and issuance of a calibration technician card includes the following main contents:

a) Name and address of the headquarters of the designated calibration organization;

b) Name and year of birth of the calibration technician;

c) Identification number of the calibration technician;

d) Field of calibration;

đ) Validity period.

2. The validity period of the decision on certification and issuance of a calibration technician card is based on the validity period of the effective designation decision already issued to the designated calibration organization.

3. The decision on certification and issuance of a calibration technician card shall be sent to the designated calibration organization, the Standardization, Metrology and Quality Control Branch where the designated calibration organization has registered its principal office, and published on the General Department's electronic portal.

Article 33. Retention of Certification and Issuance Dossier of a Calibration Technician Card

1. The certification and issuance dossier of a calibration technician card retained includes: The personnel calibration dossier as stipulated in Article 30 and the decision on certification and issuance of a calibration technician card as stipulated in Article 32 of this Circular.

2. One (01) set of the certification and issuance dossier of a calibration technician card shall be retained at the General Department.

3. The designated calibration organization is responsible for establishing and retaining one (01) set of the certification and issuance dossier of a calibration technician card at the organization's headquarters.

4. The certification and issuance dossier of a calibration technician card shall be retained together with the designation dossier of the designated calibration organization for the retention period as stipulated in Clause 4, Article 16 of this Circular.

Article 34. Calibration Inspector Identification Card

1. The Calibration Inspector Identification Card (hereinafter referred to as the card) shall be issued by the General Department for each calibration inspector.

2. Each calibration inspector shall only be issued one (01) card.

3. The card shall lose its validity when the decision on certification and issuance of the Calibration Inspector Identification Card is suspended or revoked.

4. The content and format of the Calibration Inspector Identification Card shall follow Model 14.TKĐVĐL in the Appendix attached to this Circular.

Article 35. Amendment of Content of Certification Decision and Issuance of Calibration Inspector Identification Card, Reissuance of Card

1. When there is a need to amend the content of the certification decision and issuance of the Calibration Inspector Identification Card, the organization proposing the amendment shall submit one (01) set of application files directly at the General Department's office or through postal service to the General Department. The set of files includes:

a) A letter requesting amendment;

b) A copy (certified true copy by the designated inspection organization) of the certificate of completion of training courses on calibration for the proposed additional field of calibration in accordance with the requirements stipulated in Clause 2, Article 29 of this Circular (in case of requesting to add a new field of calibration for the calibration inspector);

c) Other relevant documents related to the proposed amendment.

2. In cases where the card needs to be reissued due to loss, damage, or deterioration of the card, the organization proposing the reissue shall submit one (01) set of files directly at the General Department's office or through postal service to the General Department. The set of files includes:

a) A letter requesting reissuance of the card;

b) Two (02) color photographs measuring 2 x 3 cm, taken against a white background.

3. The processing of files as prescribed in Clause 1 and Clause 2 of this Article shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of Article 31 of this Circular.

4. The issuance of the certification decision and Calibration Inspector Identification Card or reissuance of the card shall be implemented in accordance with the corresponding provisions of Articles 32 and 34 of this Circular.

5. The certification decision and related files for the Calibration Inspector Identification Card shall be kept together with the designation file of the designated inspection organization for the retention period specified in Clause 4, Article 16 of this Circular.

Article 36. Suspension of Effectiveness of Certification Decision and Issuance of Calibration Inspector Identification Card

1. Partial or full suspension of effectiveness of the certification decision and issuance of the Calibration Inspector Identification Card shall apply in the following cases:

a) The designated inspection organization has been suspended from the field of calibration for which it has certified and issued cards to calibration inspectors;

b) Calibration inspectors fail to fulfill their responsibilities as prescribed, causing serious consequences in the following situations:

- Issuing a calibration certificate without conducting calibration on measuring instruments;

- Not adhering to the calibration procedures stipulated in current Vietnamese metrology technical documents;

- Using calibration certificates not in accordance with regulations;

- Calibrating measuring instruments that have not been approved according to regulations or not in accordance with the approved model;

- Calibrating measuring instruments when the certification decision and issuance of the Calibration Inspector Identification Card have expired.

2. Depending on specific circumstances, the General Department shall issue a decision to suspend partially or fully the effectiveness of the certification and issuance of the Calibration Inspector Identification Card already issued (hereinafter referred to as the suspension decision). The suspension period shall not exceed six (06) months from the date the suspension decision takes effect.

3. The suspension decision shall be sent to the designated inspection organization with the suspended calibration inspector (referred to as the suspended organization), the Standard Metrology Quality Control Bureau where the suspended organization has registered its main office, and published on the General Department's electronic portal.

4. The General Department shall review and assess again the suitability of the designated inspection organization with the operational conditions stipulated when the certification decision and issuance of the Calibration Inspector Identification Card are suspended; handle in accordance with the provisions of Section 1 Chapter III of this Circular.

5. During the suspension period, after completing the remediation of consequences, the suspended organization may submit one (01) set of files requesting revocation of the suspension decision directly at the General Department's office or through postal service to the General Department. The set of files includes: A letter requesting revocation of the suspension decision and clearly stating the reasons for the request, relevant files, and documents.

6. Within seven (7) working days from the date of receipt of the files, if the files do not meet the requirements, the General Department shall notify the suspended organization in writing about the contents that need to be amended or supplemented. After three (3) months from the date the General Department sends the notification, if the suspended organization does not supplement complete valid files, the General Department has the right to cancel the processing of this file.

7. Within seven (7) working days from the date of receiving complete valid documents, the General Department shall issue a decision to revoke the suspension decision (hereinafter referred to as the revocation decision).

8. The revocation decision shall be sent to the suspended organization, the Standard Measurement Quality Control Agency where the suspended organization registers its main office, and published on the General Department's electronic information portal.

9. The suspension decision, revocation decision, and related files shall be kept together with the designation file of the designated inspection organization for the retention period specified in Clause 4, Article 16 of this Circular.

Article 37. Revocation of the Effectiveness of Calibration Inspector Certification Decision and Card Issuance

1. Partial or full revocation of the effectiveness of the calibration inspector certification decision and card issuance shall be applied in the following cases:

a) The designation decision of the designated calibration organization is fully revoked or revoked for the calibration field for which the calibration inspector has been certified and issued a card;

b) After the suspension period specified in Article 36 of this Circular, the suspended organization does not have a file requesting the revocation of the suspension decision's effectiveness;

c) The designated calibration organization has a document requesting the revocation of the effectiveness due to the current calibration inspector no longer participating in calibration activities.

2. Depending on specific circumstances, the General Department shall issue a decision to revoke partially or fully the effectiveness of the calibration inspector certification decision and card already issued (referred to as the revocation decision) and recover the issued card.

3. The revocation decision shall be sent to the designated inspection organization, the Standard Measurement Quality Control Agency where the designated inspection organization registers its main office, and published on the General Department's electronic information portal.

4. The General Department shall review and reassess the suitability of the designated calibration organization with the operational conditions stipulated when the calibration inspector certification decision and card issuance is revoked; handle according to the provisions in Section 1 Chapter III of this Circular.

Section 4

CALIBRATION CERTIFICATES, STANDARDS, TESTING

Article 38. Calibration Stamp

1. The calibration stamp shall be affixed, clamped, printed, engraved, or painted directly on the measuring instrument as required by the corresponding calibration procedure and at an appropriate location.

2. The calibration stamp consists of two types with content and form according to Model 15.DKĐ attached to this Circular.

3. Type 1 calibration stamp shall be used in the following cases:

a) Used independently for types of measuring instruments, measurement standards that do not have regulations on the need to be re-calibrated periodically;

b) Used simultaneously with the calibration label and/or calibration certificate for types of measuring instruments, measurement standards that have regulations on the need to be re-calibrated periodically.

4. Type 2 calibration stamp shall be used independently to perform both sealing and notification functions of the expiration of calibration validity for measuring instruments, measurement standards that have regulations on the need to be re-calibrated periodically without the need to use the calibration label and/or calibration certificate.

Article 39. Calibration Label, Calibration Standard Label

1. Calibration Label

a) The calibration label has content and form corresponding to Model 16.TKĐ attached to this Circular;

b) The calibration label shall be affixed directly on the measuring instrument as required by the corresponding calibration procedure and at an appropriate location;

c) The calibration label shall be used in conjunction with the calibration stamp and/or calibration certificate to notify the validity period of the calibration for measuring instruments, measurement standards that have regulations on the need to be re-calibrated periodically;

d) In cases where the measuring instrument, measurement standard does not have enough space or cannot affix the calibration label, it is permitted to use the calibration certificate to notify the validity period of the calibration for such measuring instrument, measurement standard.

2. Calibration Standard Label

a) The calibration standard label has content and form according to Model 17.THC attached to this Circular;

b) The calibration standard label shall be affixed directly on the measuring instrument, measurement standard or at an appropriate location;

c) The calibration standard label shall be used in conjunction with the calibration standard certificate to notify the validity period of the calibration for measuring instruments, measurement standards;

d) In cases where the measuring instrument, measurement standard does not have enough space or cannot affix the calibration standard label, it is permitted to use the calibration standard certificate to notify the validity period of the calibration for such measuring instrument, measurement standard.

Article 40. Calibration certificate, verification certificate, testing certificate

1. The calibration certificate, verification certificate, and testing certificate shall have contents and formats corresponding to Model 18.GCNKĐ, Model 19.GCNHC, and Model 20.GCNTN attached as an appendix to this Circular.

2. The calibration certificate shall be issued for each measuring instrument that meets the requirements specified in the current Vietnamese technical measurement documents.

3. The verification certificate shall be issued for each measuring instrument or each measurement standard to provide the measurement value (along with the uncertainty of the measurement value) of the measurement standard, measuring instrument, or to provide the relationship between the measurement value of the measurement standard, measuring instrument, and the measurement value of the measured quantity.

4. The testing certificate (or measurement result certificate, testing certificate) shall be issued for each sample of measuring instrument or measurement standard to provide the metrological characteristics of the measuring instrument or measurement standard.

5. The calibration certificate may be used independently or in combination with the calibration mark or calibration label in cases stipulated in Article 38, Clause 1 of Article 39 of this Circular, according to usage requirements and provisions in the current Vietnamese technical measurement documents.

6. The verification certificate may be used independently or in combination with the verification label in cases stipulated in Clause 2 of Article 39 of this Circular, according to usage requirements and provisions in the current Vietnamese technical measurement documents.

Article 41. Presentation of contents on the calibration certificate, verification certificate, testing certificate

1. The certificate shall be presented on A4 paper size (210 x 297 mm).

2. The English text must be smaller than the Vietnamese text.

3. The recorded content must be clear, clean, without abbreviations, erasures. The name and symbol of the unit of measurement, the value of the measured quantity, the error value... must be presented in accordance with the regulations on legal units of measurement.

4. The number of the measuring instrument, measurement standard: Record according to the production number of the measuring instrument, measurement standard. In case the measuring instrument, measurement standard does not have a production number, the calibration, verification, or testing staff must number the measuring instrument, measurement standard and consider it as the number of the measuring instrument, measurement standard.

5. Place of manufacture of the measuring instrument, measurement standard: Record the name of the factory or manufacturer and the country of manufacture of the measuring instrument, measurement standard.

6. Metrological technical characteristics section: Summarize the main measurement characteristics of the measuring instrument, measurement standard such as measurement range, accuracy grade... In case the measuring instrument, measurement standard does not indicate the accuracy grade, record the permissible error or the smallest division value or the measurement uncertainty. In case the measuring instrument, measurement standard has multiple measurement ranges, record these characteristics according to each measurement range of the measuring instrument, measurement standard.

7. Method of implementation: Record the number and name of the document or procedure used for calibration, verification, or testing.

8. The results section shall be recorded as follows:

a) For the calibration certificate of the measuring instrument: Record "Meets metrological technical requirements";

b) For the verification certificate, testing certificate: Record "See results at page.....".

9. Calibration label: Must fully record the serial number and number of the calibration label. In case the label is not used, leave this section blank.

10. Valid until section: Record the last day and month of the calibration, verification cycle.

11. Signature section of the calibration, verification, testing certificate:

a) Must include signatures, full names of the calibration, verification, or testing staff or the Laboratory Director. In case of issuing a calibration certificate, the calibrator must be certified and hold a metrology calibrator card;

b) Must include signatures, full names, position seals, and administrative stamps of the Head or authorized person of the calibration, verification, or testing organization.

Chapter IV

RESPONSIBILITIES OF ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS IN ACTIVITIES

CALIBRATION, VERIFICATION, TESTING

Article 42. Responsibilities of organizations providing calibration, verification, and testing services

1. Maintain the operating conditions as prescribed in Article 3 of this Circular.

2. Issue and implement regulations on the management of calibration, verification, and testing activities of calibration, verification, and testing staff.

3. Issue and implement regulations on: Management and use of measurement standards, calibration, verification, and testing equipment; production and management, use of calibration, verification, and testing certificates.

4. Annually prepare a report on the provision of calibration, verification, and testing services (in accordance with Model 5.BCHĐ attached to this Circular) before January 31 or when requested by competent state authorities, and submit it to the General Department and local Standard Measurement Quality Control Agency.

5. Implement the provisions of this Circular and other relevant laws.

Article 43. Responsibilities of designated calibration, verification, and testing organizations

1. Maintain the conditions as stipulated in Article 11 of this Circular.

2. Issue and implement regulations on the management of calibration, verification, and testing activities of calibration, verification, and testing staff.

3. Issue and implement regulations on: Maintenance, preservation, and use of measurement standards, calibration, verification, and testing equipment; production and management, use of calibration, verification, and testing certificates in compliance with the requirements set forth in this Circular.

4. Only conduct calibration of measuring instruments after the direct-use measurement standard for calibrating group 2 measuring instruments has been certified and the calibration staff have been certified and issued metrology calibration certificates.

5. Require metrology calibration staff to present and wear their cards when conducting calibration of measuring instruments.

6. Retrieve, report, and return the cards of metrology calibration staff who are no longer assigned to participate in calibration activities to the General Department.

7. Prepare reports on calibration, verification, and testing activities in accordance with Clause 4 of Article 42 of this Circular.

8. Implement the provisions of this Circular and other relevant laws.

Article 44. Responsibilities of Calibration, Verification, and Testing Staff

1. Calibration, verification, and testing staff shall be responsible for the following:

a) Conduct calibration, verification, and testing according to the assignment of the organization's head and within the scope of activities registered or designated by the calibration, verification, and testing organization and consistent with their training field.

b) Adhere strictly to the procedures specified in the calibration, verification, and testing process. Refuse any form of interference with the implementation and results of calibration, verification, and testing activities.

c) Report immediately to the organization's head upon discovering any behavior that violates legal provisions on measurement, to cooperate with competent state authorities in handling the matter according to the law.

d) Comply with the provisions of this Circular and other regulations on measurement.

2. Metrology calibration staff in designated calibration organizations, in addition to the responsibilities stipulated in Clause 1 of this Article, shall also be responsible for the following:

a) Calibrate measuring instruments within the scope of the calibrated fields they have been certified for.

b) Wear their cards when conducting calibration of measuring instruments.

c) Not use the metrology calibration staff card for other purposes.

d) Return the metrology calibration staff card to the designated calibration organization when no longer assigned to perform calibration tasks.

Article 45. Responsibilities of the General Department of Standards Measurement and Quality

1. Implement registration of calibration, verification, testing organizations according to the provisions of Chapter II of this Circular and designate calibration, verification, testing organizations according to the provisions of Chapter III of this Circular.

2. Issue Vietnamese technical measurement documents, approve training programs, and training course materials for calibration, verification, testing business operations, and metrology evaluation business operations.

3. Guide, manage, and organize the training of calibration, verification, testing staff, and metrology evaluation experts.

4. Conduct state metrological inspection on calibration, verification, testing activities within the scope of responsibility stipulated in Clause 1, Article 13 of Decree No. 86/2012/ND-CP dated October 19, 2012 of the Government detailing and guiding the implementation of certain provisions of the Law on Metrology.

5. Inspect, handle complaints and denunciations, and deal with violations related to metrology according to the provisions of the law.

Article 46. Responsibilities of Provincial Departments of Science and Technology under Central Cities

1. Direct the Provincial Standard Measurement Quality Agency to conduct state metrological inspections on calibration, verification, testing activities within the scope of responsibility stipulated in Clause 3, Article 13 of Decree No. 86/2012/ND-CP dated October 19, 2012 of the Government detailing and guiding the implementation of certain provisions of the Law on Metrology.

2. Direct the implementation of inspections and supervision of compliance with laws on metrology within their jurisdiction, handle complaints and denunciations, and deal with violations related to metrology according to the provisions of the law.

Article 47. Responsibilities of Provincial Standard Measurement Quality Agencies under Central Cities

1. Conduct state metrological inspections on calibration, verification, testing activities within their jurisdiction within the scope of responsibility stipulated in Clause 3, Article 13 of Decree No. 86/2012/ND-CP dated October 19, 2012 of the Government detailing and guiding the implementation of certain provisions of the Law on Metrology.

2. Promote and disseminate the provisions of this Circular to relevant organizations and individuals.

3. Cooperate in inspections, handle complaints and denunciations, and deal with violations related to metrology according to the provisions of the law.

Chapter V

IMPLEMENTING PROVISIONS

Article 48. Effective Date

1. This Circular takes effect from November 15, 2013.

2. Repeal the effectiveness of the following documents:

a) Decision No. 17/2005/QD-BKHCN dated November 1, 2005 of the Minister of Science and Technology promulgating regulations on calibration marks, calibration labels, and calibration certificates;

b) Decision No. 20/2006/QD-BKHCN dated November 10, 2006 of the Minister of Science and Technology promulgating regulations on recognition of calibration capability for measuring instruments;

c) Decision No. 21/2006/QD-BKHCN dated November 10, 2006 of the Minister of Science and Technology promulgating regulations on certification and issuance of calibration officer cards for metrology;

d) Decision No. 28/2007/QD-BKHCN dated December 25, 2007 of the Minister of Science and Technology promulgating regulations on certification of metrological standards for calibration of measuring instruments;

đ) Circular No. 12/2011/TT-BKHCN dated June 30, 2011 of the Minister of Science and Technology amending and supplementing certain articles of the Regulations on Recognition of Calibration Capability for Measuring Instruments issued together with Decision No. 20/2006/QD-BKHCN dated November 10, 2006 of the Minister of Science and Technology;

e) Circular No. 13/2011/TT-BKHCN dated June 30, 2011 of the Minister of Science and Technology amending, supplementing, and abolishing certain articles of the Regulations on Certification and Issuance of Calibration Officer Cards for Metrology issued together with Decision No. 21/2006/QD-BKHCN dated November 10, 2006 of the Minister of Science and Technology;

g) Circular No. 15/2011/TT-BKHCN dated June 30, 2011 of the Minister of Science and Technology amending and supplementing certain articles of the Regulations on Certification of Metrological Standards for Calibration of Measuring Instruments issued together with Decision No. 28/2007/QD-BKHCN dated December 25, 2007 of the Minister of Science and Technology.

Article 49. Transitional Provisions

1. Calibration organizations recognized according to Decision No. 20/2006/QD-BKHCN dated November 10, 2006 of the Minister of Science and Technology shall continue to perform calibration of measuring instruments within the recognized scope and according to the provisions of this Circular until the expiration date of the decision recognizing the calibration capability of measuring instruments already granted to the calibration organization. Calibration of metrological standards according to Decision No. 28/2007/QD-BKHCN dated December 25, 2007 of the Minister of Science and Technology shall continue to be performed until the issuance of corresponding Vietnamese technical metrology documents.

2. Metrology calibration officers who have been certified and issued cards according to Decision No. 21/2006/QD-BKHCN dated November 10, 2006 of the Minister of Science and Technology shall continue to perform calibration activities within the certified scope and according to the provisions of this Circular until the nearest of two (02) time points:

a) The expiration date of the decision certifying and issuing the calibration officer card already granted to the calibration officer;

b) The expiration date of the decision recognizing the calibration capability of measuring instruments already granted to the calibration organization. After the above time point, to continue calibrating measuring instruments, this calibration officer must be certified and issued a metrology calibration officer card according to this Circular.

3. Metrological standards that have been certified according to Decision No. 28/2007/QD-BKHCN dated December 25, 2007 of the Minister of Science and Technology, with calibration, verification, or testing certificates still valid, may continue to be used for calibrating measuring instruments and comply with the provisions of this Circular until the nearest of two (02) time points:

a) The expiration date of the decision certifying the metrological standard already granted to the metrological standard.

b) The date of expiration of the decision recognizing the calibration capability of measuring instruments issued to the calibration organization. After the date specified above, this standard must be certified according to the provisions of this Circular to continue being used for calibrating measuring instruments.

Article 50. Implementation organization

1. The General Department of Standardization, Metrology and Quality Management shall be responsible for guiding and organizing the implementation of this Circular.

2. State agencies, organizations, and individuals related thereto shall be responsible for implementing this Circular.

3. In the process of implementation, if any issues arise or difficulties occur, they are requested to promptly report in writing to the Ministry of Science and Technology for research, amendment, and supplementation to ensure appropriateness./.