Decision No. 249/2005/QD-TTg on the roadmap for applying exhaust emission standards for road motor vehicles

DECISION OF THE PRIME MINISTER

Regulations on the Implementation Schedule for Emission Standards

for Motorized Road Vehicles

PRIME MINISTER

Pursuant to the Law on Organization of the Government dated December 25, 2001;

On the basis of the Environmental Protection Law dated December 27, 1993;

WHEREAS, the Road Traffic Law dated June 29, 2001;

Considering the proposal of the Minister of Transport,

DECISION:

Article 1. Purpose

To implement the schedule for applying emission standards for motorized road vehicles to organize management and control of emissions caused by the operation of motorized road vehicles; to limit the degree of air pollution increase, gradually improve and enhance the quality of ambient air in general, and urban air quality in particular; and to implement the Technical Barriers to Trade Agreement approved by Decision No. 444/2005/QĐ-TTg dated May 26, 2005, The Prime Minister.

Article 2. Scope of Regulation

This Decision stipulates the scope of application of the emission standard implementation schedule for motorized road vehicles (hereinafter referred to as motor vehicles) produced, assembled, imported, and participating in traffic, including:

1. Motorbikes are two-wheeled or three-wheeled vehicles powered by engines with a maximum designed speed not exceeding 50 km/h, and if the driving engine is a thermal engine, the cylinder working volume does not exceed 50 cm³.

2. Scooters are two-wheeled or three-wheeled vehicles with a maximum designed speed exceeding 50 km/h, or if the driving engine is a thermal engine, the cylinder working volume exceeds 50 cm³.

3. Other types similar to motorbikes and scooters, including motor vehicles for people with disabilities.

4. Light trucks are trucks with a total weight not exceeding 3,500 kg.

5. Heavy trucks are trucks with a total weight exceeding 3,500 kg.

Article 3. Applicability

This Decision applies to organizations and individuals producing, assembling, importing, and using motor vehicles, except for special motor vehicles of the military and police for national defense and security purposes as specified by the Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Public Security.

Article 4. Emission Standard Levels

The emission standard level is the maximum limit of emissions from motor vehicles allowed to be released into the environment. Level "Euro 2" is one of the levels of the European Emission Standards (hereinafter referred to as Euro Standards) that specify the maximum allowable limits for emissions applicable to various types of newly produced, assembled, and imported motor vehicles (new vehicles are those that have not been used before production, assembly, or importation), as defined by the European Union and specified in corresponding Vietnamese Standards.

Article 5. Implementation Schedule for Emission Standards for Domestic Production, Assembly, and New Imports of Motor Vehicles

1. Motor vehicles specified in Article 2 of this Decision, when produced, assembled, and newly imported, must apply emission standards according to corresponding Vietnamese Standards equivalent to Euro 2 for each type of vehicle starting from July 1, 2007.

2. For motor vehicles whose models were certified for quality, technical safety, and environmental protection before July 1, 2007 but have not yet been produced or assembled, they must apply emission standards according to corresponding Vietnamese Standards equivalent to Euro 2 for each type of vehicle starting from July 1, 2008.

Article 6. Implementation Schedule for Emission Standards for Imported Used Motor Vehicles

Imported used motor vehicles into Vietnam must apply emission standards according to the following provisions starting from July 1, 2006:

1. Vehicles equipped with forced combustion engines (gasoline engines, liquefied petroleum gas - LPG engines, and similar types):

a) Scooters, motorbikes, and similar types, including motor vehicles for people with disabilities, must apply level 2 of the Appendix attached to this Decision;

b) All types of trucks must apply level 3 of the Appendix attached to this Decision.

2. Vehicles equipped with compression ignition engines (diesel engines and similar types) must apply level 2 of the Appendix attached to this Decision.

Article 7. Implementation timeline for exhaust emission standards for motor vehicles participating in traffic

1. Motor vehicles participating in traffic with license plates from the cities of Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hai Phong, Da Nang, and Can Tho, equipped with forced combustion engines and compression ignition engines, must comply with level 1 standards corresponding to each type of engine specified in the Appendix attached to this Decision starting from July 1, 2006.

2. Motor vehicles participating in traffic with license plates from other provinces and cities, equipped with forced combustion engines and compression ignition engines, must comply with level 1 standards corresponding to each type of engine specified in the Appendix attached to this Decision starting from July 1, 2008.

Article 8. Implementation organization

1. Provinces and centrally governed municipalities with high numbers of registered motor vehicles may propose

2. The Ministry of Science and Technology shall organize reviews, develop, and promulgate relevant Vietnamese Standards consistent with the implementation timeline for exhaust emission standards for motor vehicles as stipulated in this Decision.

3. The Ministry of Transport shall be responsible for:

a) Taking the lead and coordinating with the Ministry of Planning and Investment and the Ministry of Finance to prepare plans and budget estimates to enhance technical capacity, infrastructure, and equipment for inspecting and controlling exhaust emissions from motor vehicles participating in traffic, and constructing testing centers for motor vehicle exhaust emissions;

b) Taking the lead and coordinating with related ministries, sectors, and People's Committees of provinces and centrally governed municipalities to develop proposals for controlling exhaust emissions from motorcycles and motorbikes participating in traffic in major cities to reduce exhaust emissions from these vehicles for submission;

c) Implementing this Decision and based on actual circumstances, continue researching and developing specific regulations regarding exhaust emission standards applicable to motor vehicles for submission;

Article 9. Effectiveness and Responsibility for Enforcement

This decision shall take effect fifteen days from the date of publication in the Official Gazette.

2. Ministers, heads of ministerial-level agencies, heads of agencies under the Government, Chairpersons of provincial and municipal People's Committees directly under the Central Government, organizations, and individuals concerned shall be responsible for implementing this Decision.