Decision No. 545-QĐ/TCCB promulgates the Charter on organization and operation of the Environmental Protection Agency.

Pursuant to …;

Issuing the Charter on Organization and Operation of the Environmental Protection Agency

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MINISTER OF THE MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT

Pursuant to Decree No. 22-CP dated May 22, 1993 of the Government on tasks, authorities, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Environment;

Considering the proposals of the Director of the Environmental Protection Agency and the Director of the Department of Organization and Scientific Personnel;

DECISION:

Article 1. This Decision promulgates the Charter on Organization and Operation of the Environmental Protection Agency.

Article 2. All provisions contrary to this Decision shall be abolished.

Article 3. The Director of the Environmental Protection Agency, the Head of the Ministry's Office, the Director of the Department of Organization and Scientific Personnel, and the Heads of related units are responsible for implementing this Decision.

CHARTER ON ORGANIZATION AND OPERATION OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

(Issued together with Decision No. 545-QĐ/TCCB dated October 7, 1993)
For Vietnamese enterprises, the importation of used production equipment, whether partially or entirely, is part of the investment process and must be carried out according to the Investment and Construction Management Charter (issued together with Decree No. 177/CP dated October 20, 1994 of the Government), Decision No. 91/TTg dated November 13, 1992 of the Prime Minister, and other related legal documents and the provisions of this document.

I. Functions, Tasks, and Authorities

Article 1. The Environmental Protection Agency is an entity under the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Environment, responsible for assisting the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Environment in uniformly managing environmental protection activities nationwide.

Article 2. The Environmental Protection Agency has the following tasks and authorities:

1. Researching and proposing state policies, draft laws, and other regulatory documents on environmental management, suggesting comprehensive measures to protect the environment to ensure a clean environment and contribute to the country's sustainable development.

2. State inspection of organizations and individuals in compliance with laws and regulatory documents on environmental protection.

3. Implementing the National Environmental Plan and Sustainable Development Program (as per Document No. 187-CT dated June 12, 1991 of the Chairman of the Council of Ministers) and national environmental protection programs.

Coordinating and synthesizing the contents of environmental protection plans of various sectors and localities to submit to the Ministry for inclusion in the overall budget for environmental protection services consistent with the reality of national economic planning.

4. Reviewing Environmental Impact Assessment Reports of projects from national and sectoral development plans to specific project developments; organizing the implementation of environmental impact assessments of certain special projects assigned by the Prime Minister; proposing opinions for the Minister to approve (or not approve) projects from an environmental perspective.

5. Establishing and managing a national environmental monitoring system (referred to as baseline monitoring), based on close cooperation with inter-sectoral basic investigation agencies; periodically assessing the national environmental status, identifying urgent environmental issues, and forecasting their trends.

6. Monitoring environmental pollution nationwide, controlling industrial waste, primarily from energy, transportation, heavy industry, etc.; in cases required by law, after obtaining the approval of the Minister of Science, Technology, and Environment, having the authority to suspend the discharge of waste into areas severely polluted.

7. Organizing the resolution of environmental incidents according to the law and the division of labor by the Minister.

8. International cooperation on environmental protection according to state regulations and the division of labor by the Minister.

9. Guiding environmental protection activities in sectors and localities; organizing and guiding mass environmental protection activities; coordinating with relevant sectors to promote education, training, and enhance societal awareness about the environment. Organizing training sessions, education, and professional development for agency staff and specialized environmental personnel in sectors and localities.

10. Organizing research on theoretical and practical issues of environmental management.

11. Providing information and archiving environmental data and statistics.

12. Managing the organization, personnel, and assets of the Environmental Protection Agency according to the Ministry's classification, building necessary and appropriate capabilities for agency operations. According to the law and with the permission of the Minister, conducting services related to agency activities.

II. Organizational Structure

Article 3. The Environmental Protection Agency operates under a directorate system combined with collective discussion.

The Director of the Environmental Protection Agency is appointed by the Minister of Science, Technology, and Environment, and is accountable to the Minister for all agency work.

Deputy Directors assist the Director, are assigned to direct certain aspects of work, and are accountable to the Director for the tasks assigned.

In the absence of the Director, a Deputy Director may be delegated to represent the Director in managing and resolving agency matters within the Director's authority.

Article 4. The Environmental Protection Agency has its own seal and is authorized to open domestic and foreign currency accounts at banks.

Article 5. The organizational structure of the Environmental Protection Agency includes:

1. The Agency Office (including planning, finance, administrative, legal, organizational, international cooperation departments...).

2. The Environmental Technology Department (including review of environmental impact assessment reports of projects).

3. The Pollution Control and Waste Management Department (including environmental inspections and handling of environmental incidents).

4. The Environmental Monitoring, Assessment, and Forecasting System Management Department (referred to as baseline monitoring, including environmental research and standard setting).

5. The Education, Training, and Environmental Information Department.

Article 6. The Heads of units mentioned in Article 5 are directly accountable to the Director for all aspects of unit work. The Director of the Environmental Protection Agency is responsible for defining the functions, tasks, and staffing of subordinate units.

III. Work Relations

Article 7. The Director of the Environmental Protection Agency implements working systems and relations with heads of subordinate units of the Ministry according to the Ministry's operational regulations and other regulations issued by the Minister.

The Environmental Protection Agency closely collaborates with external agencies, particularly with the Science and Technology Departments of sectors, provincial Science, Technology, and Environmental Departments, and institutions in implementing state management tasks regarding environmental protection.

IV. Implementation Provisions

Article 8. The supplementation and amendment of this Charter shall be proposed by the Director of the Environmental Protection Department, reviewed by the Minister of Science and Technology, and Environment, and decided upon.

Article 9. This Charter takes effect from the date of signature./.