Circular No. 24/2017/TT-BTNMT on Technical Guidelines for Environmental Monitoring

TECHNICAL REGULATIONS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING

MINISTER OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT

Pursuant to the Environmental Protection Law on June 23, 2014;

On the basis of Decision No. 36/2017/NĐ-CP dated April 4, 2017, of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment;

Pursuant to Decree No. 127/2014/NĐ-CP dated December 31, 2014 of the Government stipulating conditions for organizations operating environmental monitoring services;

Pursuant to Decree No. 38/2015/NĐ-CP dated April 24, 2015 of the Government on waste management;

At the proposal of the Director General of the General Department of Environment, the Head of the Science and Technology Department, and the Head of the Legal Affairs Department;

The Minister of Natural Resources and Environment promulgates this Circular on technical regulations for environmental monitoring.

PART I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Regulation

This Circular stipulates technical regulations for environmental monitoring, including:

1. Technical regulations for periodic environmental monitoring of environmental components, including: outdoor air, noise and vibration; surface water; groundwater; seawater; rainwater; wastewater; exhaust gas; soil; sediment.

2. Regulations on ensuring quality and quality control in periodic environmental monitoring.

3. Regulations on basic requirements and technical characteristics of automatic and continuous wastewater and exhaust gas monitoring systems.

4. Requirements for receiving, transmitting, and managing data for automatic and continuous environmental monitoring systems.

5. Regulations on management and use of environmental monitoring equipment.

Article 2. Applicability

1. This Circular applies to organizations and individuals related to environmental monitoring activities.

2. Chapter II of this Circular does not apply to environmental monitoring of offshore oil and gas activities.

Article 3. Principles for applying environmental monitoring methods

1. The application of environmental monitoring methods must comply with the methods prescribed in this Circular and current national technical standards on the environment.

2. In cases where international standard methods, regional standard methods, or foreign standard methods have not been prescribed in this Circular but are equivalent or superior in accuracy, they will be considered and accepted for use.

3. In cases where the environmental monitoring methods prescribed in this Circular are amended, supplemented, or replaced by new methods, the new methods shall be applied.

Article 4. Explanation of terms and abbreviations

Terms and abbreviations in this Circular are understood as follows:

1. Quality Assurance (QA) in environmental monitoring: is an integrated system of management and technical activities within an organization aimed at ensuring that environmental monitoring activities meet specified quality standards.

2. Quality Control (QC) in environmental monitoring: involves implementing measures to assess, monitor, and promptly adjust to achieve precision and accuracy of measurements to ensure that environmental monitoring activities meet the prescribed quality standards.

3. Quality Control Sample (QC sample): is a real sample or a sample created from a standard used to control quality during field monitoring and laboratory environmental analysis.

4. Precision: is the degree of closeness between independent test results obtained under specified conditions.

5. Repeatability: is precision under repeatable conditions.

6. Reproducibility: is precision under reproducible conditions.

7. Accuracy: is the degree of closeness between test results and accepted reference values.

8. Sample Batch: is a group consisting of up to 20 actual samples processed and analyzed under the same conditions, using the same procedures and methods within the same time frame. Each batch of samples analyzed must include quality control samples (QC samples).

9. Field Blank Sample: is a clean material sample used to control contamination during field monitoring. Field blank samples are processed, stored, transported, and analyzed in the laboratory under similar conditions as actual samples.

10. Field Replicate Sample: are two or more samples taken at the same location and time, processed, stored, transported, and analyzed in the laboratory under similar conditions. Field replicate samples are used to control errors in field monitoring activities, laboratory analysis, and to evaluate the precision of monitoring results.

11. Transport Blank Sample: is a clean material sample used to control contamination during sample transportation. Transport blank samples are transported under the same conditions as actual samples, stored, and analyzed in the laboratory under similar conditions as actual samples.

12. Equipment Blank Sample: is a clean material sample used to control contamination from sampling equipment, evaluate equipment stability and interference. Equipment blank samples are processed using sampling equipment like actual samples, stored, transported, and analyzed in the laboratory like actual samples.

13. Method Blank Sample: is a clean material sample used to control contamination from instruments and chemicals, standards during sample analysis. Method blank samples undergo the same processing and analysis steps as actual samples.

14. Laboratory Replicate Sample: includes two or more parts of the same sample that are consistent, analyzed using the same method. Laboratory replicate samples are used to evaluate the precision of analytical results.

15. Reference Material: is a material sufficiently homogeneous and stable with respect to one or more specified properties, established for use in a measurement process.

16. Certified Reference Material (CRM): is a reference material accompanied by a certificate, in which one or more values of its properties are certified through a procedure establishing traceability to the expression of the value of the property in question and each certified value is accompanied by information about the associated uncertainty at a stated level of confidence.

17. Laboratory control sample model: is a sample with a known concentration prepared from a standard substance with a concentration within the measurement range of the equipment or the working range of the calibration curve used to check the equipment operation process and monitor the analytical process.

18. Spike sample (matrix spike): is a sample that has been supplemented with a known quantity of the analyte on a real sample base. The spike sample is prepared and analyzed like a real sample to evaluate the analytical process.

19. Interlaboratory comparison: is the organization's implementation and evaluation of measurements or tests on the same test sample or similar samples by two or more laboratories under specified conditions.

20. Proficiency testing: is an activity to assess the performance of participants in measurement and analysis according to established criteria through interlaboratory comparisons.

21. Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP): is a plan describing all necessary quality assurance procedures, quality control activities, and other technical activities required to be performed by an environmental monitoring program to ensure that the results obtained meet the requirements set forth.

22. Method Detection Limit (MDL): is the lowest concentration of an analyte that can be determined and reported with 99% confidence, where the analyte concentration is greater than zero and is determined from the analysis of a blank sample containing the analyte.

23. Instrument Detection Limit (IDL): is the lowest value of an analyte that can be detected which is greater than five times the instrument noise signal.

24. Technical inspection: is the inspection of the normal operating state and adjustment mechanism of the measuring instrument according to technical documentation.

25. Calibration (initial calibration before use, periodic calibration during use, and calibration after repair): is the activity of evaluating and confirming the metrological characteristics of the environmental monitoring equipment according to metrological requirements and implementing measures to control measurement.

26. Calibration: is the activity of determining and establishing the relationship between the measured value of the measurement standard, the measuring instrument, and the measured value of the quantity to be measured.

27. Regular Environmental Monitoring: is the activity of sampling, measuring parameters at the site or transporting them for laboratory processing and analysis according to a pre-established spatial and temporal plan.

28. TCVN: National Standard.

29. QCVN: National Technical Regulation.

30. QCVN-MT: National Technical Regulation on Environment.

31. ISO: International Organization for Standardization standard.

32. SMEWW: Abbreviation for "Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater," which are standard methods for examining water and wastewater.

33. US EPA method: United States Environmental Protection Agency method.

34. NIOSH: United States National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health standard.

35. OSHA: Occupational Safety and Health Administration, United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

36. MASA: Method of Air Sampling and Analysis, Intersociety Committee air sampling and analysis method.

37. ASTM: American Society for Testing and Materials, United States Society for Materials and Testing Standards.

38. AS: Australian Standard, Australian National Standard.

39. JIS: Japanese Industrial Standard, Japanese Industrial Standard.

40. IS: Indian Standard, Indian Standard.

41. Isokinetic sampling method: is a sampling method ensuring that the suction velocity of the sampling pump at the sampling point is equal to the exhaust gas velocity at the sampling point.

42. Direct measurement device: is a device placed in the environment to be measured and immediately displays the value of the parameter to be measured.

Chapter II

REGULATORY TECHNICAL PROCEDURE FOR REGULAR ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING

Section 1. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING OF OUTDOOR ATMOSPHERIC AIR, NOISE AND VIBRATION

Article 5. Monitoring Parameters

1. Outdoor atmospheric air monitoring parameters include: meteorological parameters (wind direction, wind speed, temperature, relative humidity, pressure), SO₂, CO, NO₂, O₃, H₂S, NH₃, benzene, toluene, xylene, styrene, acetonitrile, benzidine, naphthalene, acetaldehyde, aniline, chloroform, formaldehyde, tetrachloroethylene, vinyl chloride, phenol, CH₄, methyl mercaptan, acrylonitrile, acrolein, hydrocarbon, n-octane, cyanide, PAHs, cyclohexane, n-heptane, Cl₂, HF, HCN, H₃PO₄, H₂SO₄, HBr, HNO₃, HCl, Ni, Hg, Mn, As, Cd, Cr (VI), arsine (AsH₃), total suspended particulates (TSP), PM₁₀, PM_2,5, Pb, total polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB), total dioxin/furan (PCDD/PCDF), dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyl compounds (dl-PCB).

Based on the monitoring objectives, current national technical standards on the environment, and requirements of competent state authorities to determine the necessary monitoring parameters.

2. Noise monitoring parameters include: equivalent sound level (L_eq), maximum equivalent sound level (L_max) and traffic flow intensity (for road traffic noise).

3. Vibration monitoring parameters: vibration acceleration level (dB) or vibration acceleration (m/s²).

Article 6. Frequency and Duration of Monitoring

1. Frequency of outdoor atmospheric air monitoring: at least six times/year, every two months.

2. Frequency and duration of noise monitoring

a) Frequency of noise monitoring: at least four times/year, every three months;

b) Duration of noise monitoring

b.1) The continuous measurement period for each measurement is ten minutes, with a minimum of three measurements within one hour, then calculate the average value of the three measurements. The result obtained is considered the average value of that hour's measurement;

b.2) For noise generated from production facilities affecting the outdoor environment, measurements must be conducted during working hours.

3. Frequency of vibration monitoring: at least four times/year, every three months.

Article 7. Monitoring Methods

1. Outdoor atmospheric air monitoring methods

a) Sampling and measuring on-site: select the method specified in the current national technical standard or in Table 1 below.

Table 1

b) Laboratory analysis: select the method specified in the current national technical standard or in Table 2 below.

Table 2

2. Noise monitoring methods

a) Noise monitoring method: follow TCVN 7878 - Acoustics - Description, Measurement and Evaluation of Environmental Noise, including parts TCVN 7878-1:2008 and TCVN 7878-2:2010;

b) For road traffic noise, in addition to measuring noise levels, traffic flow intensity (number of vehicles/hour) must also be determined using manual counting or automatic equipment. When determining traffic flow intensity, classify vehicle types in the traffic flow, including:

b.1) Motorcycles and scooters;

b.2) Passenger cars;

b.3) Light trucks and buses;

b.4) Heavy trucks and coaches.

3. Vibration monitoring method: follow TCVN 6963:2001 - Vibration and Shock - Measurement Method for Vibration Caused by Construction and Industrial Activities.

Article 8. Handling of Environmental Monitoring Results

1. Inspection of results: comprehensive inspection regarding the rationality of monitoring and environmental analysis results. The inspection is based on sample records (on-site monitoring report, sample handover and receipt record, on-site measurement report, laboratory analysis result record, etc.) and QC sample results (white sample, repeat sample, standard sample, etc.).

2. Statistical processing: based on the quantity of samples and the content of the report, statistical processing may use different methods but must at least include statistical data on minimum value, maximum value, average value, number of values exceeding standards.

3. Evaluation of results: compare and contrast monitored results that have been inspected and statistically processed with relevant technical standards and norms.

Section 2. SURFACE WATER ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING

Article 9. Monitoring Parameters

Surface water environmental monitoring parameters include: temperature, pH, DO, EC, TDS, ORP, turbidity, salinity, color, alkalinity, total hardness, TSS, BOD₅, COD, TOC, NH₄⁺), nitrite (NO₂^-), nitrite (NO₃^-, SO₄^2-, PO₄^3-, CN^-, Cl^-, F^-/H^2-, total N, total P, Na, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Ni, Pb, Cd, As, Hg, total chromium (Cr), Cr (VI), coliform, E.Coli, total oil and grease; total phenols, pesticide chlorinated organics, pesticide phosphorus organics, total alpha radioactivity, total beta radioactivity, total polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB), total dioxin/furan (PCDD/PCDF), dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (dl-PCB), floating plants, floating animals, bottom-dwelling animals, surface active substances.

Based on the monitoring objectives, current national technical standards on the environment, and requirements of competent state authorities to determine the necessary monitoring parameters.

Article 10. Frequency of Monitoring

Frequency of surface water environmental monitoring: at least six times/year, every two months.

Article 11. Monitoring Methods

1. Sampling and On-site Measurement

a) On-site surface water sampling: select the method specified in the current national technical regulation or in Table 3 below.

Table 3

b) On-site measurement of surface water parameters: select the method specified in the current national technical regulation or in Table 4 below.

Table 4

2. Sample Preservation and Transportation: water samples after collection are preserved and stored according to TCVN 6663-3:2008.

3. Laboratory Analysis: select the method specified in the current national technical regulation or in Table 5 below.

Table 5

Article 12. Processing of Environmental Monitoring Results

The processing of environmental monitoring results shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of Article 8 of Chapter II of this Circular.

Section 3. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING OF GROUNDWATER

Article 13. Monitoring Parameters

The monitoring parameters for groundwater environment include: temperature, pH, DO, EC, TDS, ORP, turbidity, salinity, alkalinity, total hardness, TSS, BODs, COD, permanganate index, NH, HCO, total N, total P, Fe, Mn, Pb, Cu, Zn, Ni, Cd, As, Hg, Se, Al, total chromium (Cr), Cr (VI), Co, coliform, E. coli; total oil and grease, total phenols, total alpha radioactivity, total beta radioactivity, PAHs, organochlorine pesticides, organophosphorus pesticides, total polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), total dioxins/furans (PCDD/PCDF), dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (dl-PCBs), surface active substances.₄⁺, PO₄^3-), nitrite (NO₂^-), nitrite (NO₃^-, HCO₃^-, SO₄^2-, CONCLUDED AGREEMENT₃^2-, CN^-, Cl^-, F^- /H^2-, total N, total P, Fe, Mn, Pb, Cu, Zn, Ni, Cd, As, Hg, Se, Al, total chromium (Cr), Cr (VI), Co, coliform, E.coli; total oil, grease; total phenol, total alpha radioactivity, total beta radioactivity, PAHs, organic chlorine pesticides, organophosphorus pesticides, total polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB), total dioxin/furan (PCDD/PCDF), dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (dl-PCB), surfactants.

Based on the monitoring objectives, current national technical regulations on the environment, and the requirements of competent state authorities to determine the necessary monitoring parameters.

Article 14. Frequency of Monitoring

The frequency of groundwater environmental monitoring: at least four times/year, three months each time.

Article 15. Monitoring Methods

1. Sampling and On-site Measurement

a) Sampling of groundwater at the site: in accordance with TCVN 666311:2011;

b) Measurement of parameters in groundwater environment at the site: select methods specified in current national technical standards applicable or listed in Table 6 below.

Table 6

2. Preservation and transportation of samples: groundwater samples after collection are preserved and stored according to TCVN 6663-3:2008.

3. Laboratory analysis: select methods specified in current national technical standards applicable or listed in Table 7 below.

Bn lng 7

Article 16. Processing of Environmental Monitoring Results

The processing of environmental monitoring results shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of Article 8 of Chapter II of this Circular.

Section 4. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING OF SEAWATER

Article 17. Monitoring Parameters

The monitoring parameters for seawater environment include: temperature, pH, DO, EC, salinity, clarity, turbidity, TDS, meteorological and oceanographic parameters, TSS, BOD, NO, Pb, Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn, Cd, Hg (only applicable to nearshore and coastal waters), As, total chromium, Cr (VI), total N, total P; total oil and grease, total mineral oil, total phenols, floating organisms, bottom organisms, organochlorine pesticides, organophosphorus pesticides, coliform.₅), ammonia (NH₄⁺, PO₄^3-, NO₂^-), nitrite (NO₃^-, F^-/H^2-, CN^-, Pb, Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn, Cd, Hg (applicable only to coastal and nearshore seawater), As, total chromium, Cr (VI), total N, total P; total oil, grease; total mineral oil and grease, total phenol, floating organisms, bottom organisms, organic chlorine pesticides, organophosphorus pesticides, coliform.

Based on the monitoring objectives, current national technical standards on the environment, and requirements of competent state authorities to determine the necessary monitoring parameters.

Article 18. Frequency of Monitoring

1. Frequency of monitoring for nearshore seawater: at least four times/year, three months each time.

2. Frequency of monitoring for coastal seawater: at least two times/year, six months each time.

3. Frequency of monitoring for offshore seawater: at least once/year.

Article 19. Monitoring Methods

1. Sampling and On-site Measurement

a) Sampling seawater at the site: select the method prescribed in the current national technical regulation corresponding to it or listed in Table 8 below;

Table 8

b) Measuring parameters in seawater at the site: select the method prescribed in the current national technical regulation corresponding to it or listed in Table 9 below;

Table 9

c) Preservation and transportation of samples: seawater samples after collection are preserved and stored according to TCVN 6663-3:2008.

2. Laboratory analysis: select the method prescribed in the current national technical regulation corresponding to it or listed in Table 10 below.

Table 10

Article 20. Processing Monitoring Results

The processing of environmental monitoring results shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of Article 8 of Chapter II of this Circular.

Section 5. MONITORING WATER QUALITY

Article 21. Monitoring Parameters

The monitoring parameters for rainwater quality include: temperature, pH, EC, TDS, meteorological parameters, Cl^-, F^-), nitrite (NO₂^-), nitrite (NO₃^-, PO₄^3-, SO₄^2-), ammonia (NH₄⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺.

Based on the monitoring objectives, current national technical standards on the environment, and requirements of competent state authorities to determine the necessary monitoring parameters.

Article 22. Frequency and Time of Monitoring

1. Rainwater sample per storm: rainwater samples are collected during each storm and must determine the start and end time of each storm.

2. Rainwater sample per day: if it is not possible to collect and analyze samples during each storm, then collect samples daily (continuously for 24 hours). The sampling time for a day starts from 8 am and the sample must be kept intact after collection (kept cold or added suitable preservatives).

3. Rainwater sample per week: if it is not possible to collect and analyze samples daily, then collect samples weekly, i.e., combine daily samples within one week or collect continuously for one week when the sample is kept intact after collection (kept cold or using suitable preservatives).

Article 23. Monitoring Methods

1. Sampling and On-site Measurement

a) Collecting rainwater samples at the site: follow TCVN 5997:1995 on guidance for collecting rainwater samples;

b) Measuring parameters in rainwater at the site: select the method prescribed in the current national technical regulation corresponding to it or listed in Table 11 below.

Table 11

2. Preservation and transportation of samples: rainwater samples after collection are preserved and stored according to TCVN 6663-3:2008.

3. Laboratory analysis

a) Analyzing parameters in rainwater in the laboratory: select the method prescribed in the current national technical regulation corresponding to it or listed in Table 12 below;

Table 12

b) When analyzing rainwater samples, note the following:

b.1) Dilute the sample if the sample volume is small and contains high levels of pollutants exceeding the analytical limit. Diluted samples cannot be used to measure pH and EC;

b.2) If the sample is diluted with deionized water, measure the concentration of ions to be analyzed in both the deionized water used.

Article 24. Processing Environmental Monitoring Results

1. Processing Results

After completing the analysis of a batch of samples, it is necessary to calculate ion balance and conductivity. If the calculated ion balance and conductivity ratio deviates from the permitted values, recheck and reanalyze that sample:

a) Ion Balance, Ratio R₁

→ Total Anions (A), expressed in units of μeq/L, calculated using the formula:

A = Σ (nC_Ai)(μmol/L) = [Cl^-] + [NO₃^-] + 2[SO₄^2-]                          (1)

Where:

- n, [C_Ai]: is the charge and concentration of the i-th anion (measured in mmol/L).

→ Total Cations (C), expressed in units of μeq/L, calculated using the formula:

C = Σ(nC_{CANNEX I.A[31]}) (μmol/L)=10^(6-pH) + [Na⁺] + [NH₄⁺] + [K⁺] + 2[Mg²⁺] + 2[Ca²⁺]         (2)

Where:

- n, [C_{CANNEX I.A[31]}]: is the charge and concentration of the i-th cation (measured in mmol/L).

→ Ratio R₁ is calculated using the formula:

||| R₁ = 100 x (C-A)/(C+A) (%)                                                                                 (3)

The result is accepted when the value of R₁ falls within the permissible range as presented in Table 13 below.

Table 13

b) Compare the calculated value with the measured value of conductivity, ratio R₂

→ Conductivity can be calculated using the following formula:

EC_tt (mS/m)= {349,7 x 10^(6-pH) + 80,0 x 2[SO₄^2-] + 71,4[NO₃^-] + 76,3[Cl^-] + 73,5[NH₄⁺] + 50,1[Na⁺] + 73,5[K⁺] + 59,5 x 2[Ca²⁺] + 53,0 x 2[Mg²⁺]}/1000 (4)

Where:

- [  ]: is the concentration of ions, measured in μmol/L;

- The coefficients preceding the ion concentrations: are the specific conductivities of those ions, measured in S.cm²/mol at 25°C.

→ Ratio R₂ is calculated as follows:

||| R₂ = 100 x (EC_tt -EC_dđ)/(EC_tt + EC_dđ) (%)                                       (5)

Where:

- EC_tt: is the calculated conductivity;

- EC_dđ: is the conductivity measured by the meter at 25°C.

The result is accepted when the value of R₂ falls within the permissible range as presented in Table 14 below.

Table 14

(1 mS/m = 10 μS/cm)

When R₂ falls outside the permissible range, re-measure, check with standard solutions, or re-check the standard curve.

When rainwater has a pH value > 6, and the value of R₁ > 0, then the presence of bicarbonate ions (HCO₃^-) must be considered in the values of R₁, R₂. The concentration of HCO₃^- is calculated using the formula:

[HCO₃^-] = [H₂Add distilled water to make up to 1 liter of solution.³] x K_a1/[H⁺]                                                                                (6)

Where:

- K_a1: is the first dissociation constant of carbonic acid.

The concentration of CO₂ in the air is 360 ppm, K_a1 = 10^-6,35

At that time [HCO₃^-] = [H₂Add distilled water to make up to 1 liter of solution.³] x 10^(pH-6,35) = 1,24 x 10^(t,H-5,35)                                          (7)

2. Evaluating Results: compare and cross-reference the monitored results that have been checked and processed with relevant standards and technical regulations.

Section 6. MONITORING WASTEWATER

Article 25. Monitoring Parameters

The monitoring parameters for wastewater include: temperature, pH, TDS, velocity, flow rate, color, BOD₅, COD, TSS, NH₄⁺, total N, total P, NO₂^-), nitrite (NO₃^-, PO₄^3-, residual chlorine, Cl^-, As, Cd, Pb, Cr (VI), Cr (III), total chromium (Cr), Cu, p, Zn, Mn, Ni, total phenols, Fe, S^2-, CN^-, Sn, Hg, plant protection chemicals phosphates, plant protection chemicals chlorinated, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), total dioxins/furans (PCDD/PCDF), polychlorinated biphenyls similar to dioxins (dl-PCBs); animal and vegetable oils; total mineral oils; total alpha radioactivity, total beta radioactivity, coliforms, salmonella, shigella, vibrio cholera, organic halogens easily absorbed (AOX), surfactants.

Based on the monitoring objectives, current national technical regulations on the environment, and the requirements of competent state authorities to determine the necessary monitoring parameters.

Article 26. Monitoring Methods

1. Sampling and On-site Measurement

a) Sampling wastewater at the site: in accordance with TCVN 6663-1:2011 and TCVN 5999-1995;

b) Measuring parameters at the site: select the method prescribed in the current national technical regulation corresponding to the relevant standard or in Table 15 below.

Table 15

2. Sample storage and transportation: wastewater samples taken are stored according to the provisions of TCVN 6663-3:2008.

3. Laboratory analysis: select the method prescribed in the current national technical regulation corresponding to the relevant standard or in Table 16 below.

Table 16

Article 27. Processing Monitoring Results

The processing of environmental monitoring results shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of Article 8 of Chapter II of this Circular.

Section 7. GAS EMISSION MONITORING

Article 28. Monitoring Locations

Determining the location and number of monitoring points shall comply with US EPA method 1 or US EPA method 1A, detailed in Appendix 01 issued together with this Circular.

Article 29. Monitoring Parameters

1. Gas emission monitoring parameters include: velocity and flow rate, dry gas molecular weight, humidity, O₂, temperature, pressure, CO₂, particulate matter (PM), PM₁₀, SO₂), nitrite (NO_x (NO and NO₂), opacity, CO, H₂SO₄, carbonyl sulfide (COS), CS₂, Pb, total fluoride (F^-), organic compounds; dioxins/furans (PCDD/PCDF), polychlorinated biphenyls similar to dioxins (dl-PCB); total non-methane organic compounds (NMOC), H₂S, HBr, Cl₂, Br₂, HF, HCl, NH₃; metals including antimony (Sb), As, Ba, Be, Cd, Cr, Co, Cu, Mn, Ni, Se, Ag, Thallium (Tl) and Zn, Hg, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).

Based on the monitoring objectives, current national technical regulations on the environment, type of production, scale, characteristics of the source of emissions, and requirements of competent state authorities to determine the parameters to be monitored.

2. Mandatory parameters for direct on-site measurement include: temperature, velocity, flow rate, humidity, dry gas molecular weight, exhaust gas pressure. Technical requirements for mandatory direct on-site measurements are stipulated in Appendices 02, 03, and 04 issued together with this Circular.

3. For SO₂), nitrite (NO_x (NO and NO₂), CO, and O₂parameters: in addition to sampling at the site and laboratory analysis, direct on-site measurement methods can be used when fully complying with the conditions specified in Appendix 06 issued together with this Circular.

Article 30. Time and Number of Samples for Monitoring

1. Time of Emission Monitoring: The sample shall be taken when the production activity of the facility reaches at least 50% of its designed capacity. The facility must operate stably throughout the sampling period.

2. Number of Samples in One Monitoring Session: At least three samples per session.

Article 31. Monitoring Methods

1. On-site Monitoring: Select the method prescribed in the current national technical regulation or listed in Table 17 below.

Table 17

2. Laboratory Analysis

a) The analysis of emission gas samples in the laboratory: select the method prescribed in the current national technical regulation or listed in Table 18 below.

Table 18

b) Technical regulations for particulate matter (PM) monitoring are stipulated in Appendix 05 issued together with this Circular.

Article 32. Handling of Monitoring Results

The processing of environmental monitoring results shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of Article 8 of Chapter II of this Circular.

Section 8. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING OF SOIL

Article 33. Monitoring Parameters

Environmental soil monitoring parameters include: moisture content, particle size distribution, pH, EC, Cl^-, SO₄^2-, PO₄^3-), nitrite (NO₃^-), ammonia (NH₄⁺, total N, total P, total K, organic carbon, As, Cd, Pb, Zn, Hg, total chromium (Cr), Cu, organochlorine pesticides, organophosphorus pesticides, total polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), total dioxins/furans, PCDD/PCDF, dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (dl-PCBs).

Based on the monitoring objectives, current national technical standards on the environment, and requirements of competent state authorities to determine the necessary monitoring parameters.

Article 34. Frequency of Monitoring

1. Frequency of monitoring for total N, total P, total K, and organic carbon: at least once every 3-5 years.

2. Frequency of monitoring for other parameters: at least once a year, with each session at least six months apart.

Article 35. Monitoring Methods

1. Sampling at the site: select the method prescribed in the current national technical regulation or listed in Table 19 below.

Table 19

2. Laboratory analysis: select the method prescribed in the current national technical regulation or listed in Table 20 below.

Table 20

Article 36. Processing Monitoring Results

The processing of environmental monitoring results shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of Article 8 of Chapter II of this Circular.

Section 9. MONITORING QUALITY OF SEDIMENTS

Article 37. Monitoring Parameters

The monitoring parameters for sediment quality include: As, Cd, Pb, Zn, Hg, total chromium (Cr), Cu, organochlorine pesticides, organophosphorus pesticides, total polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), total dioxins/furans (PCDD/PCDFs), dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (dl-PCBs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).

Based on the monitoring objectives, current national technical standards on the environment, and requirements of competent state authorities to determine the necessary monitoring parameters.

Article 38. Frequency of Monitoring

1. Frequency of freshwater sediment monitoring: at least twice per year.

2. Frequency of saltwater sediment monitoring (nearshore coastal waters and brackish water): at least once per year.

Article 39. Monitoring Methods

1. Sampling at the site: select the method prescribed in the current national technical regulation or listed in Table 21 below.

Table 21

2. Sample storage and transportation: samples are stored according to TCVN 6663-15:2004.

3. Laboratory analysis: select the method prescribed in the current national technical regulation or listed in Table 22 below.

TTCItemUnitDuration(months)Rate1Safety uniformpiece90.322Deskpiece600.323Slipperspair600.324Swivel chairpiece600.325Wooden cabinet for documentspiece600.086Wall clockpiece360.087Ceiling fan 40Wpiece600.058Ceiling fan 100Wpiece600.059Neon light 40Wset300.3210Vacuum cleaner 1.5 kWpiece600.0111ElectricitykW0.29

Article 40. Processing Monitoring Results

The processing of environmental monitoring results shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of Article 8 of Chapter II of this Circular.

Chapter III

REGULATIONS ON ENSURING QUALITY AND QUALITY CONTROL IN ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING

Section 1. ENSURING QUALITY IN THE DESIGN OF ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING PROGRAMS

Article 41. Ensuring Quality in Determining the Objectives of Environmental Monitoring Programs

Determining objectives must be based on current environmental protection policies and laws, information needs to be collected, and requirements of state agencies.

Article 42. Basic Requirements for Environmental Monitoring Programs

1. Consistent with strategies, plans, and management and protection programs.

2. Ensure scientific, modern, and feasibility.

3. Fully comply with regulations on designing environmental monitoring programs.

4. Ensure that monitoring objectives, time, frequency, components, and optimal parameters are met.

5. Adhere to procedures and methods for each component and parameter of the environment to be monitored.

6. Regularly reviewed, adjusted, and supplemented.

7. After design, the monitoring program must be approved or accepted in writing by the competent authority or the agency managing the monitoring program.

Article 43. Designing the Environmental Monitoring Program

1. Determine the objectives of the environmental monitoring program.

2. Identify the components of the environment to be monitored.

3. Establish a list of monitoring parameters according to the environmental components: on-site measurement parameters and laboratory analysis parameters.

4. Preliminarily design sampling methods: determine sampling routes, points, and mark them on maps or diagrams; describe geographic locations, coordinates of monitoring points, and symbols for monitoring points; briefly describe potential sources of impact, issues, affected objects, and impacts on the monitoring area.

5. Conduct a field survey of the areas to be monitored.

6. Detailed design of sampling methods: accurately determine sampling routes and points, create diagrams of monitoring points, describe geographic locations and coordinates of monitoring points; describe the current status of impact sources and impacts in the monitoring area; define the boundaries of the monitoring area and predict possible impacts or changes in the monitoring area.

7. Determine the frequency and timing of monitoring.

8. Determine the on-site sampling and measurement methods and laboratory analysis methods.

9. Determine the sampling procedures, volume of samples to be collected, types of sample containers, preservation chemicals, storage time, quality control samples (QC samples), and their quantities.

10. Develop a maintenance, repair, calibration, and testing plan for on-site monitoring equipment and environmental analysis equipment, including safety equipment. Management and use of monitoring equipment shall comply with the provisions of Chapter VI of this Circular.

11. Determine the means to support sampling activities and sample transportation.

12. Develop a quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) implementation plan during environmental monitoring. The quality assurance plan (QAPP) shall be established in accordance with the guidelines set forth in Appendix 07 issued together with this Circular.

13. Develop a human resource plan for implementing monitoring, specifying the specific tasks of each staff member involved in environmental monitoring activities.

14. Prepare a budget estimate for implementing the monitoring program, including costs for quality assurance and quality control during environmental monitoring.

15. Compile a list of organizations and individuals participating in the implementation of the program and the responsibilities of the parties involved.

Section 2. QUALITY ASSURANCE AND QUALITY CONTROL IN MONITORING ACTIVITIES

Article 44. Quality Assurance in On-Site Monitoring Activities

Organizations conducting on-site monitoring activities must meet the following requirements for quality assurance:

1. Personnel

a) Assign tasks to staff members responsible for on-site monitoring activities.

b) Staff members performing on-site monitoring must be trained in relevant fields and officially assigned to perform on-site monitoring only after being assessed as meeting internal criteria standards.

2. Quality management system: establish, maintain, and continuously improve a quality management system appropriate to the scope of operations, ensuring the objectivity and accuracy of test results.

3. Control of monitoring documentation and records: classify, compile, store, manage, and control all documents and records within the organization's quality management system.

4. Internal assessment of the organization's quality management system: annually, the organization must develop and conduct an internal assessment of its quality management system. The assessment includes reviewing related documentation and evaluating on-site monitoring activities to verify compliance with quality management system requirements. Following the assessment, the organization must implement corrective measures and improvements for identified issues (if any).

5. Monitoring methods

a) On-site monitoring methods: select appropriate methods as specified in Chapter II of this Circular;

b) Sample preservation and transportation methods: must be suitable for the monitoring parameters. Transportation must preserve the quality and quantity of the sample. Transportation time and temperature must comply with current regulations on environmental monitoring for each parameter;

c) Chemicals, standard samples, and reference materials: must be prepared according to the specifications of each monitoring method, stored in appropriate containers, labeled with full information including: name or type of chemical, standard sample, reference material; manufacturer's name; concentration; preparation date; preparer; usage period, and other relevant information (if applicable).

6. Inspection, maintenance, repair, and calibration of environmental analysis equipment: develop a regular inspection, maintenance, repair, and calibration plan for equipment as stipulated in Chapter VI of this Circular.

7. Sample management:

a) Samples must be coded, and sample codes (sample identifiers) must be attached to the samples throughout their existence.

b) Samples must be contained in appropriate containers for each monitoring parameter, without affecting or altering the quality of the sample, and labeled for identification. Labels must include information about the monitoring parameter, sample code (identifier), sampling time, preservation method used, and other relevant information (if applicable).

8. Field sampling records must be completed immediately upon completion of the sampling activity.

9. Transfer and receipt of samples: there must be a transfer and receipt record containing the full names and signatures of the relevant parties.

10. Forms for on-site monitoring activities are specified in Appendix 08 issued together with this Circular.

Article 45. Quality Control in On-site Monitoring Activities

1. Use of quality control samples (QC samples)

a) White transport samples, white equipment samples, white on-site samples, repeated on-site samples, or other QC samples as required by the monitoring program or the on-site monitoring quality assurance program. The QC samples used must be appropriate for each parameter and environmental component being monitored and must comply with the following requirements:

a.1) Not exceeding 10% of the total number of required monitoring samples;

a.2) In cases where the number of required monitoring samples in a monitoring program ranges from 10 to 30 samples, the minimum number of QC samples used shall be three, and if the number of required monitoring samples in a monitoring program is less than 10 samples, the minimum number of QC samples used shall be one;

b) Criteria for acceptance of quality control in on-site monitoring activities: carried out according to the provisions set forth in Section I of Appendix 09 issued together with this Circular.

2. Use of standards: for parameters measured on-site, standard solutions or gases must be used to control the quality of on-site measurement results.

3. For water environment parameters, when conducting on-site measurements, repeated sample measurements must be performed to assess the precision of the measurement results.

4. Participation in proficiency testing

a) Organizations must regularly participate in proficiency testing programs for parameters and environmental components they monitor, organized by the General Department of Environment and competent units in accordance with ISO/IEC 17043:2010;

b) Evaluate the results of participation in proficiency testing programs. For results with a value |Z|_score| > 2, the organization must take corrective and preventive measures against discovered errors.

Section 3. QUALITY ASSURANCE AND QUALITY CONTROL IN ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS ACTIVITIES

Article 46. Quality Assurance in Environmental Analysis Activities

Organizations conducting environmental analysis must meet the following requirements for quality assurance:

1. Personnel

a) Assign tasks to staff responsible for environmental analysis;

b) Personnel performing analysis must be trained in environmental analysis fields relevant to their assigned tasks and can only officially perform analysis after being assessed as meeting internal criteria requirements.

2. Quality Management System: must establish, maintain, and continuously improve a quality management system suitable for the scope of operations, ensuring the objectivity and accuracy of analytical results.

3. Documentation and Record Control for Environmental Analysis: must classify, record, store, manage, and control documents and records within the organization's quality management system.

4. Internal Assessment of the Quality Management System of Environmental Analysis Organizations: annually, environmental analysis organizations must develop plans and conduct internal assessments of their quality management systems to check and confirm the level of compliance with quality management system requirements. After assessment, the organization must implement corrective and improvement measures for identified issues (if any).

5. Analytical Methods

a) Selection of Environmental Analysis Methods: select appropriate methods as specified in Chapter II of this Circular. After selection, these methods must be approved to evaluate suitability based on actual laboratory conditions as stipulated in point b of this clause;

b) Approval of Methods: must approve analytical methods and provide written evidence of approval. Method approval must be documented in a report according to Appendix 13 issued together with this Circular and determine characteristic quantities as follows:

b.1) Determine the method detection limit (MDL) according to the US EPA regulations at 40 CFR Part 136, Appendix B: “Definition and Procedure for the Determination of the Method Detection Limit - Revision 1.11”;

b.2) Assess precision (repeatability (RPD), reproducibility): follow TCVN 6910:2000 and the provisions set forth in Appendix 09 issued together with this Circular;

b.3) Determine accuracy: follow TCVN 6910:2000;

b.4) Estimate uncertainty (U): follow TCVN 9595-3:2013;

c) Develop Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs): must develop SOPs for approved analytical methods. A minimum SOP must include contents as prescribed in Appendix 14 issued together with this Circular.

6. Inspection, maintenance, repair, and calibration of environmental analysis equipment: develop a regular inspection, maintenance, repair, and calibration plan for equipment as stipulated in Chapter VI of this Circular.

7. Laboratory Environmental Conditions: must control laboratory environmental conditions to ensure they do not affect analytical results or adversely impact the quality of analyses.

8. Sample Management

a) Must have a sample management process suitable for each analytical parameter;

b) Samples must be coded, and sample codes must be attached to the samples throughout their storage period at the environmental analysis organization. After analysis, samples must be stored and preserved for a certain period as per current regulations for potential retesting and reanalysis;

c) Upon receipt, samples must meet the storage conditions as prescribed.

Article 47. Quality Control in Environmental Analysis Activities

1. Internal Quality Control

a) Using QC samples, including: blank equipment samples, blank method samples, replicate samples, spiked standard samples, control standard samples, certified reference standard samples, or other QC samples required by the monitoring program or quality assurance program of the organization;

b) The minimum number of QC samples to be performed in each batch of samples must be sufficient to check for contamination from equipment, chemicals, reagents, influencing factors, and to evaluate the precision and accuracy of analytical results, but shall not exceed 15% of the total number of samples to be analyzed in a monitoring program;

c) Acceptance criteria for quality control: implemented according to the provisions set out in Section II of Appendix 09 issued together with this Circular.

2. Proficiency Testing Participation: carried out in accordance with the provisions of Clause 4, Article 45 of this Circular.

Section 4. QUALITY ASSURANCE AND QUALITY CONTROL IN DATA MANAGEMENT AND REPORTING OF MONITORING RESULTS

Article 48. Management of Monitoring Data

1. All documentation, data, and records related to on-site monitoring activities and environmental analysis must be fully collected, ensuring authenticity and timeliness, and stored and managed in accordance with regulations.

2. Original records of on-site monitoring activities and environmental analysis must be retained and made available to competent authorities upon request. Original records include:

a) On-site monitoring records including: field sampling log, sample handover and receipt log, field measurement result form, field replicate sample measurement log, original data printed or backed up in memory from direct field measurement devices, calculation and on-site monitoring results;

b) Environmental analysis records including: analysis log, analysis result report, original data printed or backed up in memory from analysis devices;

c) Records of quality assurance and quality control implementation in the field and in the environmental analysis laboratory must minimally include field sampling logs and quality control sample results, equipment calibration test results using standards in the field, quality control sample results in environmental analysis activities;

3. Data in on-site monitoring activities and environmental analysis must be complete and consistent with on-site monitoring records and environmental analysis records; consistent with sampling time, location, and analysis time, parameters; consistent with monitoring methods and equipment; consistent with acceptance criteria for measurement results.

4. Field monitoring and environmental analysis data must be checked, statistically processed, and evaluated in accordance with the provisions of Article 8 of this Circular. In case of errors discovered in environmental monitoring activities, data must be rechecked or discarded and not used for reporting monitoring results. Initial documents and data before discarding must be retained as original records for reference purposes when needed.

Article 49. Environmental Monitoring Report

The environmental monitoring report must be carried out in accordance with Circular No. 43/2015/TT-BTNMT dated September 29, 2015, issued by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment on environmental status reports, environmental indicators, and environmental monitoring data management.

Chapter IV

PROVISIONS ON BASIC REQUIREMENTS AND TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF AUTOMATIC AND CONTINUOUS WATER AND AIR EMISSION MONITORING SYSTEMS

Section 1. AUTOMATIC AND CONTINUOUS WATER EMISSION MONITORING SYSTEM

Article 50. General Requirements for Automatic and Continuous Water Emission Monitoring Systems

The automatic and continuous water emission monitoring system (referred to as the System in this section) shall be installed to monitor parameters in wastewater according to current regulations on environmental protection and must meet at least the following requirements:

1. Basic components of the System include:

a) Automatic and continuous monitoring equipment: comprising one or more devices capable of measuring, analyzing, and providing automatic and continuous monitoring results of parameters in wastewater. Based on the monitored parameters and the measurement and analysis principles of the monitoring equipment, appropriate installation plans for monitoring equipment shall be determined specifically as follows:

a.1) Direct installation plan (Figure 1): monitoring devices (pH probes, temperature sensors, TDS/EC...) are placed directly in the wastewater tank after the treatment system, with the placement positions of the probes being at least 10 cm from the surface of the wastewater and at least 15 cm from the bottom;

a.2) Indirect installation plan (Figure 2): treated wastewater is pumped up to the station into a sample container and an automatic analytical system (if available). The probes: pH, temperature, TDS/EC... are immersed directly into the sample container inside the station;

b) Data collection, storage, and transmission equipment: to collect, store, and transmit automatic and continuous monitoring data of the System to state agencies responsible for the environment and detailed provisions are set forth in Chapter V of this Circular;

c) Calibration solutions: to check and calibrate the monitoring equipment of the System;

d) Automatic sampling equipment: to take and store samples of water when any of the monitored parameters exceed permissible standards or upon request of authorized state agencies;

đ) Cameras: to provide real-time images at the locations where monitoring equipment is installed and at the discharge outlet of the wastewater treatment system before discharging into receiving waters;

e) Infrastructure, including:

e.1) Station: to house the monitoring equipment of the System. Depending on specific conditions at the installation location, the station may be constructed in various forms but must ensure a safe and stable environment for the equipment inside. The station's location must meet at least the following requirements:

e.1.1) Minimally affected by vibration and shaking;

e.1.2) Minimally affected by dust and corrosive gases;

e.1.3) Stable power supply. Power sources and backup power systems must ensure continuous and stable operation of the System and electrical equipment must have circuit breakers, overcurrent, and overvoltage protection devices; and have voltage stabilizers with suitable capacity to ensure stable System operation, and an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) ensuring the System can operate for a minimum of 30 minutes after power loss;

e.1.4) Convenient for installation, maintenance work, and safety for personnel and equipment;

e.1.5) Close to the monitoring location, meeting the requirements specified in point e.2.3 Clause 1 of this Article;

e.2) Sampling pumps and water pipes (if applicable)

e.2.1) Sampling pump: must include two pumps and a control system to operate alternately to ensure continuous pumping of water into the water container or into the measuring and analytical devices, without creating air bubbles in the pipes and containers. The pump body and pump chamber must be made of stainless steel or materials that do not alter the quality of the water sample;

e.2.2) Water pipes: must be made of durable material that does not affect the quality of the water sample and have the ability to prevent biofilm formation and must be designed with dual parallel pipes to facilitate pipe cleaning and regular maintenance;

e.2.3) In cases where indirect measurement methods are used, the length of the water pipe from the monitoring location to the water containers should be as short as possible (maximum length 20 meters) and the pipe diameter must be large enough (minimum 27 mm) to ensure the pipe is not blocked;

e.3) Fire alarm, smoke detection, direct lightning protection, and lightning spread prevention equipment;

e.4) Other auxiliary equipment: depending on the measurement and analysis methods and specific conditions at the monitoring location, auxiliary equipment may include (but are not limited to) the following components:

e.4.1) Debris screens (used in cases of direct installation of wastewater monitoring equipment); to prevent debris and contaminants from affecting the probes and measurement results. Debris screens are made of stainless steel, capable of resisting corrosion;

e.4.2) Sample containers: to hold wastewater samples and probes. Sample containers are made of stainless steel or materials that do not affect wastewater quality, convenient for maintenance, and have a suitable volume for installing monitoring equipment (minimum container volume 15 liters) and are designed to ensure continuous water circulation, minimizing sedimentation in the container to ensure the accuracy and integrity of the water sample;

e.4.3) Waste storage containers: to retain waste from analytical processes and calibration solutions after use. Waste storage containers must be made of chemical-resistant materials to prevent leakage into the external environment. Waste storage areas are arranged in separate zones, labeled with warning signs, and managed and disposed of according to current regulations on waste management and disposal;

e.5) Temperature and humidity control equipment inside the station.

Figure 1: Diagram of the automatic and continuous wastewater monitoring system (direct installation method: flow rate probe, pH, temperature, TDS/EC...)

Figure 2: Diagram of the automatic and continuous wastewater monitoring system (indirect installation method)

2. Monitoring location: must represent and be characteristic of the wastewater source to be monitored and must be immediately after the wastewater treatment system, before discharging into receiving waters.

3. Calibration, testing, and regular inspection of automatic and continuous monitoring equipment.

a) Equipment must be calibrated, tested, and inspected according to current laws and regulations on measurement and product quality.

b) Equipment must be regularly checked using standard substances as recommended by the manufacturer, but at least once every month by the system operator.

c) Maintenance, repair, and replacement of spare parts must be planned by the system operator and detailed in the standard operating procedures (SOP).

4. Operation Time: The system must operate continuously. During maintenance, calibration, testing, replacement of spare parts, repairs, and replacement of measuring and analytical devices, wastewater discharge into the environment is not allowed.

5. Prior to the official operation of the system, the system operator must submit relevant documentation to the Department of Natural Resources and Environment, including:

a) Information about the investment and operation unit: name and address of the unit;

b) Installation time of the equipment (start time, end time) and the time and results of implementing quality control of the system in accordance with Clause 2, Article 52 of this Circular;

c) Design drawings and descriptions of the system; list of monitoring parameters and installation plans for monitoring equipment (direct or indirect); description and images, diagrams, maps of the monitoring location;

d) List and technical characteristics of measuring and analytical devices; manufacturer and model of the device; certificates accompanying calibration test reports; data collection and storage system; static IP address (data transmission protocol) associated with the system.

Article 51. Technical Characteristics and Features of Automatic and Continuous Wastewater Monitoring Systems.

1. Automatic and Continuous Monitoring Equipment

a) The technical characteristics of the automatic and continuous monitoring equipment of the system must meet at least the requirements set out in Table 23 below.

TTCItemUnitPower(kW)Rate1Air conditioner 12000 BTUpiece2.200.052ElectricitykW0.92

Note: “-” Not specified.

b) Monitoring equipment must have the ability to measure values three to five times higher than the limits prescribed by current national technical standards on the environment.

c) It is encouraged to use synchronized monitoring equipment certified by international organizations: United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA), UK Accreditation Service (mCERTs), German Technical Inspection Association (TÜV), South Korea Ministry of Environment (KMOE), Japan Ministry of Environment (JMOE).

d) Must have the capability to automatically store and export monitoring results and information on the status of measuring devices (at least including the following statuses: measuring, calibrating, and reporting device errors).

2. Standard Substances

a) Standard substances used for regular checks must be within their validity period, have a minimum accuracy of ± 5% (for pH it is ± 0.1 pH), and must be linked to standards according to measurement law regulations.

b) Standard substances must meet at least three concentration points within the measurement range of each device corresponding to each parameter specified in Table 23, except for temperature and flow rate parameters.

3. Automatic Sample Collection and Storage Equipment

Automatic sample collection and storage equipment must have the following features:

a) Automatically collect samples (periodically, suddenly, or timed) and store them in a refrigeration cabinet at 4 ± 2°C;

b) Have the ability to receive control signals from authorized state agencies to enable remote automatic sampling.

4. Cameras

a) In cases where the equipment is installed directly: one camera is installed at the outlet of the wastewater treatment system;

b) In cases where the equipment is installed indirectly: one camera is installed inside the station house and one camera is installed outside the station house at the outlet of the wastewater treatment system;

c) Cameras must meet the following technical requirements: IP 65 standard, video resolution: full HD 1080p (15fps); capable of panning and tilting; capable of night vision with a minimum distance of 20 meters; capable of recording images over a period of time, scheduling recordings.

Article 52. Quality Assurance and Control of the Automatic and Continuous Wastewater Monitoring System

1. Quality Assurance of the System

a) Management and Operation Personnel: must have sufficient personnel knowledgeable about the System to perform management, maintenance, and operation tasks of the System;

b) The system operating unit must regularly participate in measurement and analysis programs for standard substances organized annually by the General Department of Environment;

c) The management files of the System must be kept at the system operating unit and be ready for presentation upon request from competent state authorities. The management files of the System include:

c.1) List of monitoring parameters;

c.2) List and technical characteristics of monitoring equipment, test reports of equipment manufacturers;

c.3) Equipment usage instructions;

c.4) Design drawings and descriptions of the System;

c.5) Standard Operating Procedures (SOP): at least including contents on startup and operation procedures of the System; daily inspection procedures of the System; frequency and procedures for checking the accuracy of equipment using standard solutions; procedures for preparing chemicals, standards, and calibration curves for analytical devices (if applicable); frequency and procedures for maintaining and servicing monitoring equipment; frequency and procedures for testing and calibrating equipment; frequency for replacing spare parts and consumables according to manufacturer recommendations; procedures for troubleshooting and resolving issues; data backup procedures; data verification and reporting procedures; safety regulations during System operation; and procedures for managing and disposing of generated waste;

c.6) Spare equipment and accessories;

c.7) Maintenance and calibration logbook;

c.8) Handbook of common errors and methods to resolve issues during System management and operation;

c.9) Daily activity tracking and inspection logbook;

c.10) Certificates accompanying test results and calibration reports of the System's monitoring equipment;

c.11) Evidence of participation in measurement and analysis programs for standard solutions organized by the General Department of Environment;

c.12) Relative Accuracy Verification Report of the System;

2. Quality control of the System must be conducted before the System officially goes into operation and once a year thereafter by a third party to ensure independence and objectivity, and it shall be carried out according to the following procedures:

a) Inspection of monitoring locations: in compliance with Clause 2, Article 50;

b) Inspection of the System's ability to collect, store, and transmit continuous and automatic monitoring data;

c) Inspection of the System's components, technical characteristics, and other features;

d) Evaluation of the System's relative accuracy, including:

d.1) Conducting comparative monitoring

d.1.1) Comparative monitoring involves using periodic monitoring methods specified in Section 6, Chapter II of this Circular or methods accepted by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) as equivalent methods for comparison and verification against the results obtained from the System;

d.1.2) Conducting separate comparative monitoring for each parameter;

d.1.3) A minimum of six samples per parameter per event for comparative monitoring;

d.2) Calculating and evaluating the results of comparative monitoring through relative accuracy (RA) as follows:

d.2.1) Calculated according to the provisions in Appendix 10 issued together with this Circular;

d.2.2) In cases where RA falls within the permissible limits in Table 24 below, the monitoring data of the System will be accepted for use;

TTCItemUnitRate1Record book for workbook0.012Packaging paper sheet0.073Inspection comment paper sheet0.104Red inkbottle0.015Blue inkbottle0.016Black inkbottle0.01

d.2.3) In cases where RA exceeds the permissible limits in Table 24 above, the System operating unit must identify the cause and take corrective actions. Subsequently, comparative monitoring must be repeated to recalculate RA until it meets the requirements set forth in subpoint d.2.2 of this point, then the monitoring data of the System will be accepted for use.

đ) Quality control information shall be recorded in the Technical Characteristics, Features, and Relative Accuracy Verification Report of the System at Appendix 11 issued together with this Circular.

Section 2. AUTOMATIC AND CONTINUOUS EMISSION MONITORING SYSTEM

Article 53. General Requirements for Automatic and Continuous Emission Monitoring Systems

The automatic and continuous emission monitoring system (referred to as the System in this section) shall measure parameters in emissions as prescribed by environmental protection regulations and must meet at least the following requirements:

1. Basic Components of the System

a) Automatic and continuous monitoring equipment: includes one or more measuring and analyzing devices capable of automatically and continuously measuring and providing results for parameters in emissions. Based on the parameters and measurement principles of the monitoring equipment, appropriate installation plans for monitoring equipment should be determined specifically:

a.1) Direct installation on the flue stack (in-situ) (Figure 3): the monitoring equipment is directly installed on the flue stack to measure parameters without using sample extraction pipes;

a.2) Indirect installation through sample extraction (extractive) (Figure 4): exhaust gas samples are extracted from within the flue stack via sampling pipes and conveyed to the monitoring equipment through sample extraction pipes;

b) Data collection, storage, and transmission equipment: to collect, store, and transmit automatic and continuous monitoring data to state agencies responsible for the environment, as detailed in Chapter V of this Circular;

c) Calibration Gas Cylinders: individual or mixed cylinders providing calibration gases for testing and calibrating the monitoring equipment of the System;

d) Cameras: it is encouraged to install cameras to provide real-time images at locations where monitoring equipment of the System is placed;

đ) Infrastructure, including

đ.1) Control Room: to house the monitoring equipment of the System. Depending on specific conditions at the installation site, the control room may be constructed or installed in various forms but must ensure a safe and stable environment for the equipment inside;

đ.2) Power supply and backup power equipment to ensure continuous and stable operation of the system. In addition, electrical equipment must have circuit breakers and overcurrent, overvoltage protection; voltage stabilizers and uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) with capacity suitable for the system's equipment;

đ.3) Fire alarm, smoke detection, direct lightning strike, and lightning spread prevention equipment.

Figure 3: Diagram of the Automatic and Continuous Emission Monitoring System (Direct Installation Plan)

Figure 4: Diagram of the Automatic and Continuous Emission Monitoring System (Indirect Installation Plan)

2. Location of Sampling Orifices

a) Determination of the optimal location of sampling orifices (mandatory for particulate pollutants): comply with the provisions on determining the sampling port location as stipulated in Clause 1, Section III of Appendix 01 issued together with this Circular;

b) For gaseous pollutants: if the flue stack does not meet the conditions to determine the optimal location of sampling orifices, the selection of the sampling orifice location must satisfy the condition: not at the flue stack outlet; not at a constricted or expanded section of the flue stack; not near exhaust fans or suction fans, and prioritize areas with stable airflow movement.

3. Calibration, Testing, and Regular Inspection of Monitoring Equipment

a) Automatic and continuous monitoring equipment must be calibrated, tested, and inspected according to current laws and regulations on metrology and product quality;

b) Monitoring equipment must be regularly inspected with calibration gases as recommended by the manufacturer, but must ensure a minimum frequency of once every two weeks by the System operator. During calibration gas testing, the entire pumping system and monitoring equipment must operate in a similar mode to the actual measurement and analysis of exhaust gas flow;

c) Calibration gases for regular inspection are specified in Clause 2, Article 54 of this Circular.

4. Operating Time: The System must operate continuously, except during maintenance, repair, calibration, testing, and replacement of equipment and spare parts as planned and stipulated in the standard operating procedure (SOP) by the System operator.

5. Prior to the formal operation of the System, the System operator must submit documentation to the Department of Natural Resources and Environment, including:

a) Information about the System operator: name and address, type of production, production line, designed capacity;

b) Installation time of equipment (start date, end date) and system quality control time and results in accordance with Clause 2, Article 55 of this Circular;

c) Design drawings and descriptions of the System; list of monitored parameters and installation plan for monitoring equipment (in-situ or extractive); information about the flue stack (height, diameter), location and image of sampling orifices on the flue stack;

d) List and technical specifications of monitoring equipment, sampling pipes; manufacturer and model of equipment; certificates attached with calibration and testing reports of equipment; data collection and storage system; name of the System and static IP address linked to the System.

Article 54. Requirements for the technical characteristics and features of the automatic and continuous emission monitoring system

1. Automatic and Continuous Monitoring Equipment

a) The technical characteristics of the automatic and continuous monitoring equipment of the System must meet the requirements set out in Table 25 below.

Table 25

Note: “-” not specified

b) The monitoring equipment must have the ability to measure values three to five times higher than the limit values prescribed in the current national technical regulations on the environment and corresponding national technical regulations for each type of production.

c) For exhaust gas velocity parameters, particulate matter, opacity, and flow rate, they must be measured directly on the stack (in-situ).

d) For parameters using the installation method of sampling through extraction, the System must meet the following requirements:

d.1) Sampling probe: made of stainless steel material, placed perpendicular to the stack wall. The sampling probe has a length of 1 meter or equal to 30% of the inner diameter of the stack (or equivalent diameter for rectangular stacks).

d.2) The sample line from the sampling port to the monitoring equipment must not be constricted, expanded, or bent at an angle less than 90 degrees.

d.3) The exhaust gas flowing through the sample line must be heated to remove all moisture before entering the measuring and analyzing equipment.

đ) It is encouraged to use synchronized monitoring equipment certified by international organizations: United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA), UK Certification Organization (mCERTs), German Technical Inspection Association (TÜV), South Korea Ministry of Environment (KMOE).

e) Must have the capability to automatically store and export monitoring results and information about the status of the measuring equipment (at least including the following statuses: measuring, calibration, and equipment fault).

2. Calibration Gas

a) Calibration gas must be directed to the position where the exhaust gas enters the sample line (as shown in Figures 3 and 4 of the schematic diagram of the automatic and continuous emission monitoring system).

b) Calibration gas must be within its validity period, with a minimum accuracy of ± 5%, and must be linked to standards according to legal metrology regulations.

c) The concentration of calibration gas must fall within the range of 30% to 70% of the measurement range of each corresponding device specified in Table 25, except for temperature, opacity, and particulate matter (PM) and flow rate parameters.

Article 55. Ensuring and controlling the quality of the automatic and continuous emission monitoring system

1. Quality Assurance of the System

a) Management and Operation Personnel: must have sufficient personnel knowledgeable about the System to perform management, maintenance, and operation tasks of the System;

b) Management records related to the System must be kept at the operating unit and be ready for presentation upon request by competent state authorities. Management records of the System include:

b.1) List of monitoring parameters;

b.2) List and technical characteristics of the monitoring equipment of the System;

b.3) User guide for equipment;

b.4) Design drawings and descriptions of the System;

b.5) Standard Operating Procedures (SOP): at a minimum, it should include contents on startup and operation procedures of the System; daily inspection procedures of the System; sample line inspection procedures and calibration gas testing procedures (with a frequency of once every two weeks); maintenance and repair frequency and procedures for monitoring equipment; calibration and verification frequency for equipment; replacement frequency of spare parts and consumables according to manufacturer recommendations; troubleshooting procedures for faults and incidents; data backup procedures; data checking and reporting procedures; safety regulations during System operation; and procedures for managing and handling generated waste.

b.6) Spare equipment and accessories;

b.7) Maintenance, repair, verification, and calibration equipment logbook;

b.8) Handbook of common errors and methods to resolve incidents during management and operation of the System;

b.9) Daily activity tracking and inspection logbook of the System;

b.10) Certificate attached with reports on verification and calibration results of the System's monitoring equipment;

b.11) Record of relative accuracy check of the System.

2. Quality control of the System must be carried out before official operation and annually by a third party to ensure independence and objectivity, and it must follow the following procedure:

a) Check the sampling port location: comply with the provisions of Clause 2, Article 53;

b) Check the sampling probe (probe): comply with the provisions of Point d.1, Clause 1, Article 54;

c) Check the sample line: use calibration gas to check the sample line according to the provisions of Point d.2, Clause 1, Article 54. During the calibration gas measurement period, the entire pump and monitoring equipment must operate in a similar mode to the measurement and analysis of exhaust gas flow, specifically as follows:

c.1) The measurement time for calibration gas testing must be a minimum of 20 minutes per test;

c.2) If the calibration gas measurement result has an error ≤ 5% compared to the calibration gas concentration value, then the sample line requirement is met. After completing the test, record the information about the calibration gas test result.

d) Check the measurement function and provide results in mg/Nm3 units for pollution parameter monitoring equipment.³ monitoring equipment for pollution parameters.

đ) Check the data collection, storage, and transmission functions of the System's continuous automatic monitoring.

e) Check other components and features of the System.

g) Evaluate the relative accuracy of the System, including:

g.1) Conducting comparative monitoring

g.1.1) Comparative monitoring involves using periodic monitoring methods prescribed in Section 7, Chapter II of this Circular or methods accepted by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) as equivalent methods for comparison and verification of results obtained with the System's monitoring results;

g.1.2) Conduct separate comparative monitoring for each parameter;

g.1.3) Take at least six samples for comparative monitoring per parameter per implementation;

g.1.4) During the comparative monitoring period, the facility's operational capacity must ensure a minimum of 50% of the design capacity;

g.2) Evaluate the comparative monitoring results through relative accuracy (RA) as follows:

g.2.1) Calculate the results of comparative measurements, using the results of comparative measurements between the System and the comparative measurement method to calculate: the difference, standard deviation, reliability factor, and relative accuracy (RA) for each device and each individual parameter according to Appendix 10 issued together with this Circular. The calculation results must be fully recorded in the Technical Characteristics Testing Report, Functionality, and Relative Accuracy of the System according to Appendix 12 issued together with this Circular;

g.2.2) In case RA ≤ 20%, the data from the System's measurements will be accepted for use;

g.2.3) In case RA > 20%, the system operating unit must find the cause and take corrective measures. After completing the correction, the comparative measurement process must be repeated to recalculate the RA until it meets the requirement at point g.2.2 of this clause, then the data from the System's measurements will be accepted for use;

h) Quality control information must be recorded in the Technical Characteristics Testing Report, Functionality, and Relative Accuracy of the System at Appendix 12 issued together with this Circular.

Chapter V

REQUIREMENTS FOR RECEIVING, TRANSMITTING AND MANAGING DATA FOR AUTOMATIC AND CONTINUOUS ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING SYSTEMSỀREGARDING THE AUTOMATIC AND CONTINUOUS ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING SYSTEMS

Article 56. Requirements for the system receiving, transmitting, and managing data at the facility (data logger)

The system receiving, transmitting, and managing data at the facility (as shown in Figure 5) must meet the following minimum requirements:

1. Data reception, retention, and management

a) The system must connect directly to measuring devices, analytical equipment, controllers (data controllers), automatic sampling systems (if available), without connecting through other devices;

b) The system's output signal must be digital;

c) Ensure continuous retention of at least 30 days of the most recent data. The minimum retained data include: measured parameters, measurement results, units of measurement, measurement time, status of measuring devices (measuring, calibration, and device error reporting);

d) Ensure display and extraction of data at the system receiving, transmitting, and managing data at the facility.

2. Data transmission

a) Transmit data via FTP to the FTP server address provided by the Department of Natural Resources and Environment using the FTP account and address provided by the Department of Natural Resources and Environment; internet connection speed must be at least 3MB/s;

b) Data must be transmitted in real-time, no later than 5 minutes after the measurement results are generated by the system, each time one data file. Data must be transmitted to the Department of Natural Resources and Environment from a static IP address that has been notified to the Department of Natural Resources and Environment;

c) Ensure synchronization of real-time time according to international standards, Vietnam time zone (GMT+7);

d) In case data transmission is interrupted, immediately upon recovery, the system must automatically transmit the data for the interrupted period. In case data transmission is interrupted for more than 12 hours, the facility must immediately notify in writing and by email the Department of Natural Resources and Environment about the cause, and the measures taken to resolve the interruption issue;

đ) Allow remote control signals for automatic sampling (if available) and data retrieval when requested.

3. Regarding the format and content of data files

a) Data must be formatted as *.txt files;

b) The content of the data file includes five main pieces of information: measured parameters, measurement results, units of measurement, measurement time, status of measuring devices (measuring, calibration, and device error reporting). The structure, content, and naming rules of the data file must comply with the provisions set out in Appendix 15 issued together with this Circular.

4. Regarding data security and integrity

a) After the automatic and continuous environmental monitoring station officially begins operation, the system must be controlled by an account and password. This account and password are established and managed by the Department of Natural Resources and Environment;

b) The facility must ensure and be responsible for the security, integrity of the data, access account to the FTP server, and the static IP address where the data is transmitted.

Figure 5: Diagram of data reception and transmission from the facility to the Department of Natural Resources and Environment

Article 57. Requirements for the system to receive, transmit, and manage data at Departments of Natural Resources and Environment

The system to receive, transmit, and manage data at Departments of Natural Resources and Environment (as shown in Figure 6) must meet the following requirements at a minimum:

1. Regarding the receipt and management of data from the facility

a) There must be at least one server with a minimum configuration as follows: processor speed of 2.5 GHz; internal memory (RAM) of 32 GB; hard drive capacity of 2 TB;

b) Internet connection speed must be at least 3 MB/s;

c) Must have a static IP address and report this static IP address to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment;

d) Must have at least two screens (minimum 40 inches) for displaying, monitoring, and supervising real-time continuous automatic monitoring data;

đ) Provide access account to the FTP server for the facility to transmit data;

e) Data received at the Department of Natural Resources and Environment must be verified based on the static IP address of the facility and the FTP access account provided to the facility;

g) Must be responsible for establishing, managing access accounts and passwords for the system to receive, transmit, and manage data at the facility's automatic, continuous environmental monitoring station;

2. Requirements for data management

a) Must have a database to retain data from all automatic, continuous monitoring stations within the province to manage basic information at a minimum: station name, measurement parameters, measurement results, units of measurement, measurement time, and status of measuring equipment (measuring, calibration, and equipment malfunction);

b) Must have software ensuring at least the following basic functions: extracting data in table and chart formats; managing and displaying data (station name, measurement parameters, measurement results, units of measurement, time, status of measuring equipment, and measurement results exceeding the values specified in QCVN); transmitting data to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment; calculating and editing data (maximum value, minimum value, average value, comparing results with QCVN); online monitoring and warning (measurement results exceeding the values specified in QCVN, interruption in data transmission); system administration (creating and assigning permissions for accounts). Software ensures proactive control over data extraction and automatic sampling from the facility's automatic, continuous environmental monitoring station.

3. Requirements for transmitting data to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (through the General Department of Environment)

a) Transmitted data must be formatted as *.txt files;

b) Connect and transmit data via FTP to the FTP server address using the account and FTP address provided by the General Department of Environment;

c) Data must be transmitted automatically from the static IP address reported to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment at a frequency of once per hour;

d) Transmitted data: is the hourly average value at even hours (1:00 AM, 2:00 AM, 3:00 AM... 12:00 AM) of the measurement parameters;

đ) Content of the file containing the hourly average value includes main information: measurement parameters, measurement results, units of measurement, measurement time, status of measuring equipment (measuring, calibration, and equipment malfunction), structure, content, naming convention for the file containing the hourly average measurement value according to Appendix 15 issued together with this Circular;

e) Ensure real-time synchronization according to international standard Vietnam time zone (GMT+7);

g) In case of data transmission interruption, immediately upon recovery, the system must automatically transmit data for the interrupted period. In case of data transmission interruption exceeding 12 hours, the Department of Natural Resources and Environment must provide written and email notification to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (through the General Department of Environment) regarding the cause, measures to address the interruption;

h) The Department of Natural Resources and Environment must ensure and be responsible for the security and integrity of data, FTP server access accounts, and the static IP address of the facility.

Figure 6: Diagram of data reception and transmission from the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment

Article 58. Requirements for the automatic and continuous environmental monitoring data receiving and management system at the General Department of Environment, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment

The data receiving and management system at the General Department of Environment, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment must meet the following minimum requirements:

1. Regarding data reception and storage

a) There must be a minimum of three servers, each server having a minimum configuration as follows: processor speed of 2.5 GHz; internal memory (RAM) of 64 GB; hard drive capacity of 20 TB;

b) Ensure an internet connection with a minimum speed of 10 MB/s and a static IP address;

c) There must be a minimum of eight screens (each at least 40 inches) to serve the display, monitoring, and supervision of real-time data from automatic and continuous environmental monitoring;

d) Provide access accounts to the FTP server for the Department of Natural Resources and Environment to transmit data;

2. Requirements for data management

a) Have a database to store and manage data from all automatic monitoring stations with the following minimum information: station name, measurement parameters, measurement results, units of measurement, measurement time, and status of the measuring device (measuring, calibration, and equipment failure report);

b) Have software that meets the following minimum functions: data extraction in table and chart formats; data management and display (station name, parameters, time, units of measurement, measurement results, and status of the measuring device (measuring, calibration, and equipment failure report)); calculation, comparison, and editing of data (maximum value, minimum value, average value calculation, comparison of measurement results with QCVN standards); online tracking and alerting (measurement results exceeding the limit values specified in QCVN standards, interruption in data transmission); system administration (creation and assignment of user account permissions).

3. Data reception requirements from the Department of Natural Resources and Environment: received data must be verified according to the static IP address of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment and the FTP access account provided to the Department of Natural Resources and Environment.

Chapter VI

PROVISIONS ON THE MANAGEMENT AND USE OF ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING EQUIPMENT

Article 59. Use of Environmental Monitoring Equipment

1. Use environmental monitoring equipment after implementing measurement control measures as stipulated in Article 61 of this Circular.

2. Use of environmental monitoring equipment must comply strictly with the manufacturer's usage guidelines, usage procedures, and technical measurement requirements specified in Vietnamese measurement technical documents.

3. Prior to use, environmental monitoring equipment must be inspected (external inspection, technical inspection, and accuracy inspection). In cases where equipment does not meet the technical measurement requirements, it must be stopped from use, documented, and recorded in the environmental monitoring equipment management file.

Article 60. Maintenance, Repair, and Replacement of Environmental Monitoring Equipment

A plan must be established and implemented for regular maintenance, repair, and replacement of environmental monitoring equipment according to the manufacturer's guidance and usage procedures.

Article 61. Measurement Control and Quality Assurance of Environmental Monitoring Equipment

1. Environmental monitoring equipment must undergo measurement control (calibration, verification, testing) in accordance with current laws on measurement.

2. Environmental monitoring equipment must meet quality, standard, and technical regulation requirements before being put into use, in accordance with current laws on product quality and goods.

Article 62. Environmental Monitoring Equipment Management Files

1. Organizations conducting environmental monitoring activities shall be responsible for establishing environmental monitoring equipment management files.

2. The environmental monitoring equipment management file includes:

a) For automatic, continuous water and air emission monitoring devices: the equipment management file as prescribed in point c, Clause 1, Article 52 and point b, Clause 1, Article 55.

b) For other devices: the minimum equipment management file shall include:

b.1) List and technical characteristics of the monitoring equipment; manufacturer's user guide;

b.2) Standard operating procedures, inspection procedures;

b.3) Logbook for receipt, transfer, and use of equipment;

b.4) Logbook for inspection, maintenance, repair, and replacement of spare parts;

b.5) Measurement control documentation for the monitoring equipment;

b.6) Certificate accompanied by a report on testing, calibration, and verification results.

3. The environmental monitoring equipment management file shall be kept by the organization conducting environmental monitoring activities and be ready to be presented upon request by competent state authorities.

Chapter VII

IMPLEMENTING PROVISIONS

Article 63. Implementation Organization

1. The General Department of Environment shall be responsible for guiding, inspecting, and supervising the implementation of this Circular.

2. The Minister, Heads of Ministries equivalent to Ministries, Heads of Government Agencies, Chairpersons of People's Committees at all levels, and related organizations and individuals shall be responsible for implementing this Circular.

Article 64. Effective Date

1. This Circular shall take effect from October 15, 2017.

2. The following Circulars shall cease to be effective from the date this Circular takes effect:

a) Circular No. 28/2011/TT-BTNMT dated August 1, 2011 of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment on the technical procedures for ambient air and noise environmental monitoring;

b) Circular No. 29/2011/TT-BTNMT dated August 1, 2011 of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment on the technical procedures for surface water environmental monitoring;

c) Circular No. 30/2011/TT-BTNMT dated August 1, 2011 of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment on the technical procedures for groundwater environmental monitoring;

d) Circular No. 31/2011/TT-BTNMT dated August 1, 2011 of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment on the technical procedures for marine water environmental monitoring (including bottom sediments and marine organisms);

đ) Circular No. 32/2011/TT-BTNMT dated August 1, 2011 of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment on the technical procedures for rainwater quality monitoring;

e) Circular No. 33/2011/TT-BTNMT dated August 1, 2011 of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment on the technical procedures for soil environmental monitoring;

g) Circular No. 21/2012/TT-BTNMT dated December 19, 2012 of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment on ensuring and controlling quality in environmental monitoring;

h) Circular No. 40/2015/TT-BTNMT dated August 17, 2015 of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment on technical procedures for air emission monitoring.

3. The provisions regarding the status of measurement instruments in Chapters IV and V of this Circular shall take effect from February 1, 2018.

4. Organizations that have been granted certificates of eligibility for environmental monitoring service operations may continue to operate using methods certified by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment until such certificates expire.

5. During the implementation of this Circular, if there are difficulties or obstacles, they should be reported to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (through the General Department of Environment) for timely review and resolution./.