Circular No. 63/2015/TT-BGTVT on the inspection of quality, technical safety, and environmental protection of railway transport vehicles

CIRCULAR

Rules on quality inspection, technical safety, and environmental protection for railway transportation vehicles and protect the environment

railway transportation meansorganize credit institutions, foreign bank branches are responsible for organizing the implementation of this Circular.

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Based on the Railway Law 2005;

Based on the Law onof the Government stipulating functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Home AffairsQuality of productsrime Minister cProduct Quality, Goods in 2007;

Based on Decree No. 14/2015/NĐ-CP dated February 13, 2015 of the Government detailing and guiding the implementation of the Law on Railways;i c) Records of chemicals in laboratories; Safety data sheets;FUNCTIONS, DUTIES, POWERS, ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE, OPERATIONAL REGULATIONS, AND RELATIONSHIPS OF MANAGEMENT BOARDS; DUTIES, POWERS OF THE CHAIRPERSON, VICE CHAIRPERSON (IF ANY), SECRETARY, AND MEMBERS OF MANAGEMENT BOARDSManaged by the central government.No. Decree No. 107/2012/NĐ-CP dated December 20, 2012 of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Transport;

Pursuant to Decree No. 132/2008/NĐ-CP dated December 31, 2008 of the Government detailing the implementation of certain provisions of the Law on Product Quality;No. Article of the Law on Product Quality, Goods;

Pursuant to DecreeNo. Decision No. 107/2012/NĐ-CP dated December 20, 2012 of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Transport;June 2024;of the Director of the Science and Technology Department and the Director of the Vietnam Registration Agency,

Pursuant to the proposal of the Director of the Department of Ethnic Affairs and Religion Propaganda;on The Minister of Transport issues this Circular to regulate the procedures for inspecting the quality, technical safety, and environmental protection of railway transportation means.developmentThis Circular regulates the procedures for reviewing design, inspecting, and issuing certificates of quality, technical safety, and environmental protection for imported, produced, assembled, modified, restored railway transportation means, and during their operation on the following rail networks:

a) National railways;of the Government stipulating functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Home Affairsb) Urban railways;

PART I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Regulation and Applicability

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c) Dedicated railways connected to national railways;

d) Dedicated railways not connected to national railways but passing through residential areas and intersecting with roads.

This Circular applies to agencies, organizations, and individuals related to the design, importation, production, assembly, modification, restoration, and operation of railway transportation means used on the rail networks specified in Clause 1 of this Article.

Railway transportation means

(hereinafter referred to as means) include locomotives, carriages, power cars, and other specialized means moving on rails.

Thông tư này áp dụng đối với tổ chức, cá nhân có liên quan đến hoạt động kinh doanh đối tượng thủy sản nuôi chủ lực trên lãnh thổ Việt Nam.

Specialized means

Article 2. Interpretation of Terms

In this Circular, the following terms are understood as follows:

1. include rail cars, bogies, cranes, ballast tampers, track inspection machines, and other means that can move on rails. Main components

2. Power car is a carriage equipped with an engine to move independently on railway tracks.

3. consist of the body, steering frame, brake valve, coupling buffer system, diesel engine, air pump, main generator, traction motor, pantograph, electrical converter, hydraulic transmission system. Systems

4. T, amended and supplemented by Decree No. 109/2025/NĐ-CP and Decree No. 193/2025/NĐ-CPinclude braking systems, main electrical systems, air conditioning systems, drive systems, control systems, train signaling systems, sanitary facilities. Means or main components, systems

5. (hereinafter referred to as certificate) is a certificate confirming that the means have been inspected according to regulations and meet the conditions to participate in railway traffic.No.energy Inspection labels

6. Product certifying the quality, technical safety, and environmental protection of railway transportation means

7. THEThis Resolution takes effect from the date it is adopted by the National Assembly.(hereinafter referred to as inspection labels) are symbols issued to railway transportation means that have passed inspections and met standards. (in years) is the time determined from the year of manufacture to the year of use of the vehicle.

8. Certificate of quality, technical safety, and environmental protection Testing facilities

9. are organizations with legal personality, registered in accordance with current regulations.developmentare enterprises producing, assembling, modifying, restoring, and repairing railway transportation means that meet the conditions stipulated by current regulations. REVIEW OF DESIGN

10. Article 3. Design Documentspolicieswood products; Information technology (software application); Highway bridge construction; Machine tool repair; Agricultural machinery technology; Construction machinery repair; Foundation construction machine operation; Road surface construction machine operation; Rural electromechanics; Industrial wastewater treatment; Food processing; Processing and preservation of aquatic products; Plantation crops; Livestock and poultry breeding; Forestry; Marine fishing; Veterinary medicine; Tour guiding; Inland waterway vessel control; Ship engine exploitation. 1. For newly produced and assembled means, the design documents shall include:

11. Production facility a) Technical drawings: overall drawings of the means; installation drawings of main components and systems on the means; drawings and technical specifications of domestically produced main components; technical specifications of imported main components.

Chapter II

b) Explanations and calculations: explanations of basic technical characteristics of the means, steering frames; explanations and calculations of dynamic testing: smoothness of operation, safety against overturning and derailment; explanations and calculations of traction force testing (applicable to locomotives, power cars, or other powered means); explanations and calculations of structural strength testing of the steering frame, axle assemblies, chassis, carriage bodies, and locomotive frames; explanations and calculations of braking tests.

2. For newly produced and assembled main components, the design documents shall include:

a) Overall drawings of the main components;

b) Explanations of technical characteristics of the main components;

c) Calculations of structural strength testing for the steering frame, axle assemblies, coupling buffer systems.

3. For modified means, the design documents shall include:

a) Overall drawings of the means before and after modification;

b) Technical documentation of modified main components and systems;

c) Explanations and calculations related to the modification content.

3. For converted vessels, the design dossier includes:

a) Overall drawings of the vessel before and after conversion;

b) Technical documentation of the assemblies and systems that have been converted;

c) Explanatory materials and calculations related to the conversion content.

Article 4. Design Review Procedures

1. The design review shall be conducted for:

a) New production and assembly equipment;

b) Converted equipment.

2. Application Documents for Design Review

a) A design review application form according to the model prescribed in Appendix 1 issued together with this Circular;

b) Three sets of design documents as stipulated in Article 3 of this Circular;

c) A copy of the business registration certificate of the design entity (for the first-time design review of the design entity).

3. Content of Design Review

Conduct examination and verification of the contents of the equipment and assembly design documents against current technical regulations and standards.

4. Procedure

a) The design entity prepares one set of design review application documents and submits them directly or through postal services or other appropriate means to the Vietnam Vehicle Inspection Center;

b) The Vietnam Vehicle Inspection Center receives and checks the documents. If the documents are incomplete or invalid, within one day from receipt of the documents, the center will guide organizations or individuals to complete them. If the documents are complete and valid, a notice of result delivery time will be issued;

c) The design review process is carried out within seven working days from the date of receiving complete and valid documents. In cases where the design review period needs to be extended due to requirements for supplementary or completion of design documents, the Vietnam Vehicle Inspection Center must notify the design entity in writing;

d) After the review, if the requirements are not met, the Vietnam Vehicle Inspection Center must notify the design entity in writing and specify the reasons; if the requirements are met, the Vietnam Vehicle Inspection Center issues a design review certification according to the model prescribed in Appendix 2 issued together with this Circular;

e) The design documents, after being certified, will be transferred to the design entity and stored at the Vietnam Vehicle Inspection Center.

Chapter III

QUALITY INSPECTION, TECHNICAL SAFETY, AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND THE ENVIRONMENT

Article 5. Basis for Quality, Technical Safety, and Environmental Protection Inspection

The basis for the Vietnam Vehicle Inspection Center to inspect the quality, technical safety, and environmental protection of railway transportation equipment (hereinafter referred to as inspection) includes:

1. Current technical standards and regulations;

2. Equipment and assembly design documents or technical documents.

Article 6. Types of Inspection

Inspection includes the following types:

1. Inspection of produced and assembled products;

2. Inspection of imported products;

3. Inspection of converted equipment;

4. Periodic inspection of equipment.

5. Abnormal inspection.

Article 7. Inspection of Produced and Assembled Products

1. Registration documents for inspection include:

a) An inspection application form according to the model prescribed in Appendix 1 issued together with this Circular;

b) Design documents of the equipment and assemblies that have been reviewed;

c) A copy for comparison with the original or a certified copy of the quality certificate and technical documentation of the assemblies and related systems used;

d) Inspection documents of the equipment and assemblies of the production entity.

2. Content of inspection

Inspection is conducted according to current technical standards and reviewed design documents.

3. Inspection Method

Inspect each piece of equipment and assembly. For urban rail vehicles, inspect each vehicle and when they are combined into a train.

Article 8. Inspection of Converted Equipment

1. Registration documents for inspection include:

a) Design documents for converting equipment that have been reviewed;

b) A copy for comparison with the original or a certified copy of the origin certificate, quality certificate, and technical documentation of the assemblies and related systems used;

c) Valid quality, technical safety, and environmental protection certificates previously issued to the equipment;

d) Inspection documents of the converted equipment of the production entity.

2. Inspection content includes reviewing, evaluating, and checking changes in the external shape, usage features of the equipment, or changes in structure and other technical characteristics different from the initial design of the assemblies and systems.

3. Inspection method: inspect each piece of equipment.

Article 9. Inspection of Imported Products

1. Registration documents for inspection include:

a) A request for inspection in the format prescribed in Appendix 3 attached to this Circular;

b) A copy with the original for comparison or a certified copy of the import contract and its annexes (if any);

c) Technical documentation introducing the characteristics of the equipment, assemblies;

d) A copy with the original for comparison or a certified copy of the certificate of origin of the product;

đ) A copy with the original for comparison or a certified copy of the product quality certificate issued by the manufacturer.

2. Content of inspection

Inspection shall be carried out according to the contents stipulated in the current technical regulations.

3. Time of Inspection

The time of inspection for imported equipment and assemblies shall be conducted after the customs declaration has been made and the goods have been brought to the location requested for inspection.

4. Inspection methods

Inspect each piece of equipment and assembly. For urban rail vehicles, inspect each vehicle and when they are combined into a train.

Article 10. Periodic Inspection of Equipment

1. Registration documents for inspection include:

a) Inspection file of the production facility;

b) A copy of the vehicle registration certificate (for new production, assembly, or imported vehicles undergoing their first periodic inspection or vehicles with changed registration numbers).

2. Time of Periodic Inspection of Equipment

a) The time of periodic inspection of equipment shall be carried out according to the inspection cycle specified in Appendix 4 attached to this Circular;

b) For national railway and urban railway equipment, the inspection shall be carried out at the same time as the regular maintenance and repair of the equipment according to the levels but not exceeding the time limit set forth in the inspection cycle specified in Appendix 4 attached to this Circular.

3. Content of inspection

Inspection shall be carried out according to the contents stipulated in the current technical regulations.

4. Inspection methods

Inspect each piece of equipment. For urban railway equipment, inspect each piece of equipment and when they are coupled into a train.

Article 11. Unusual Inspection

Unusual inspection shall be carried out upon the request of the competent state agency when the equipment is involved in an accident or when there are complaints about the quality and technical safety during the production, assembly, importation, modification, and operation of the equipment.

1. Documents used during the inspection process include:

a) Technical documents of the equipment;

b) Valid certification of the vehicle.

2. Content of inspection

Inspection shall be carried out according to the contents stipulated in the current technical regulations.

3. Inspection Method

Inspect each piece of equipment. For urban railway equipment, inspect each piece of equipment and when they are coupled into a train.

Chapter IV

PROCEDURES FOR ISSUANCE AND USE OF CERTIFICATES AND INSPECTION STAMPS

Article 12. Issuance and Reissuance of Certificates and Inspection Stamps

1. Procedures for Issuing Certificates and Inspection Stamps:

a) Organizations and individuals prepare one set of documents in accordance with Clause 1 of Article 7, Article 8, Article 9, and Article 10 of this Circular, and submit them directly or through postal services or other appropriate means to the Vietnam Registration Agency.

b) The Vietnam Registration Agency receives and reviews the documents. If the documents are incomplete or invalid, within one day from the date of receipt, the organization or individual will be guided to complete them. If the documents are complete, a notice of inspection appointment will be issued, unifying the time and place for on-site inspection of the equipment.

c) The Vietnam Registration Agency conducts on-site inspections. If the inspection results meet the requirements, a certificate of quality, safety, and environmental protection according to the model prescribed in Appendix 5 attached to this Circular and an inspection stamp according to the model prescribed in Appendix 6 attached to this Circular will be issued and affixed to the equipment within one working day from the end of the inspection for regularly inspected equipment, three working days from the end of the inspection for imported, manufactured, assembled equipment, and modified equipment.

If the inspection results of the equipment do not meet the requirements, the Vietnam Registration Agency issues a notification of non-compliance with quality, safety, and environmental protection standards for rail transport equipment according to the model prescribed in Appendix 7 attached to this Circular.

2. Procedures for Reissuing Certificates and Inspection Stamps:

In cases where the certificate or inspection stamp is damaged or lost but still within the registration period, the owner of the equipment submits a request for reissuance of the certificate or inspection stamp according to the model prescribed in Appendix 8 attached to this Circular directly to the Vietnam Registration Agency. Based on the registration documents of the equipment or assemblies, the Vietnam Registration Agency reissues the certificate or inspection stamp for the owner of the equipment within one working day from the date of receipt of the request, according to the validity period of the lost certificate or inspection stamp.

Article 13. The use and validity of certificates and inspection labels

1. Using certificates and inspection seals:

a) Certificates issued to the total assembly shall be used for customs procedures and as a basis for allowing assembly on the vehicle;

b) Certificates issued to vehicles shall be used for customs procedures, registration procedures, and circulation of vehicles;

c) The position for affixing the inspection label on the vehicle is specified in Appendix 6 attached hereto.

2. Validity of certificates and inspection seals:

a) The validity period of certificates and inspection labels issued according to the inspection cycle prescribed in Appendix 4 attached hereto;

b) In case of an accident involving a vehicle, the certificate and inspection label issued to the vehicle will become invalid after the Vietnam Vehicle Inspection Agency confirms that the vehicle no longer meets technical safety standards and environmental protection requirements as stipulated.

Chapter V

RESPONSIBILITIES OF ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS

Article 14. Responsibilities of the Vietnam Motor Vehicle Inspection Agency

1. Implement vehicle inspection for railway transportation nationwide.

2. Adhere to current technical standards and regulations when conducting quality and technical safety inspections of products.

3. Conducting inspections and uniformly managing the issuance and distribution of certificates and inspection seals according to regulations for inspected subjects and being responsible for inspection results.

4. Conduct quality, technical safety, and environmental protection inspections of imported railway transportation vehicles in accordance with Article 45 of the Railway Law and the provisions of this Circular.

5. Store inspection records, with periodic inspection records stored for a period of three years.

6. Collect and use inspection fees and charges in accordance with current regulations.

7. Annually report to the Ministry of Transport the results of quality, technical safety, and environmental protection inspections of railway transportation vehicles.

Article 15. Responsibilities of design institutions, manufacturers, assemblers, importers, and vehicle owners, operators

1. Responsibilities of design institutions

a) Comply with the regulations regarding design approval application files as stipulated in Article 4 of this Circular;

b) Bear legal responsibility for the design products they produce.

2. Responsibilities of manufacturing and assembly institutions

a) Be subject to supervision by the Vietnam Vehicle Inspection Agency concerning quality standards, technical safety, and environmental protection during production and assembly;

b) Adhere to current technical standards and regulations when producing, assembling, repairing, converting, and restoring products;

c) Develop product quality inspection procedures and invest in appropriate testing equipment in accordance with relevant regulations. Testing equipment must undergo regular calibration;

d) Conduct quality inspections for each product and bear responsibility for the quality of products leaving the factory.

3. Responsibilities of importers

a) Adhere to current technical standards and regulations;

b) Shall be responsible under the law for the origin, quality of imported products.

4. Responsibilities of vehicle owners and operators

a) Bear responsibility for repairing and maintaining vehicles to ensure compliance with technical safety standards and environmental protection between inspection periods conducted by the Vietnam Vehicle Inspection Agency;

b) Shall monitor and inspect imported products with new designs that are currently undergoing trial application;

c) Develop inspection, maintenance, and repair procedures for vehicles and submit them to the Vietnam Vehicle Inspection Agency before the first periodic inspection;

d) Shall keep technical files, quality certificates, certification papers, inspection seals, and present them upon request by authorized state agencies.

5. Responsibility for payment of inspection fees and charges

Design institutions, manufacturers, assemblers, importers, and vehicle owners and operators shall pay inspection fees and charges in accordance with current regulations and related costs associated with the inspection process.

Chapter VI

IMPLEMENTING PROVISIONS

Article 16. Effective Date

1. This Circular takes effect from February 1, 2016.

2. Abolish the following Circulars:

a) Circular No. 02/2009/TT-BGTVT dated April 3, 2009, issued by the Minister of Transport, concerning the inspection of quality, technical safety, and environmental protection of railway transportation vehicles;

b) Circular No. 36/2011/TT-BGTVT dated May 6, 2011, issued by the Minister of Transport, amending and supplementing certain articles of Circular No. 02/2009/TT-BGTVT dated April 3, 2009, issued by the Minister of Transport, concerning the inspection of quality, technical safety, and environmental protection of railway transportation vehicles.

3. Certificates issued prior to the effective date of this Circular remain valid until their expiration date as indicated on the certificate.

Article 17. Implementation Organization

The Director of the Ministry's Office, the Inspector General of the Ministry, Heads of Departments, Directors of the Vietnam Vehicle Inspection Agency, Directors of the Vietnam Railways Administration, Heads of agencies, organizations, and individuals concerned are responsible for implementing this Circular./.