DECREE

On the organization and operation of Science and Technology Inspection

_______________

THE GOVERNMENT

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

Based on the Inspection Law dated June 15, 2004;

Based on the Administrative Violation Handling Ordinance dated July 2, 2002.

Considering the proposal of the Minister of Science and Technology

DECREE

PART I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Position and functions of Science and Technology Inspection

Science and Technology Inspection is an inspection body under the sector and field, performing administrative inspection and specialized inspection within the scope of state management of the Ministry of Science and Technology and Provincial Departments of Science and Technology (hereinafter referred to collectively as the science and technology sector) in accordance with the provisions of the law.

Article 2. Objects of Science and Technology Inspection

1. Agencies, organizations, and individuals under the direct management of state agencies responsible for science and technology.

2. Agencies, organizations, and individuals from Vietnam and foreign organizations and individuals in Vietnam participating in activities in fields within the scope of state management of state agencies responsible for science and technology.

In case international treaties to which the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a member provide different provisions from those stipulated in this Decree, such treaty provisions shall be applied.

Article 3. Principles of Operation of Science and Technology Inspection

1. The operation of Science and Technology Inspection must comply with the law, ensuring accuracy, truthfulness, objectivity, transparency, democracy, and timeliness; not hindering the normal operations of inspected agencies, organizations, and individuals and related agencies, organizations, and individuals.

2. When conducting inspections, the person issuing the inspection decision, the head of the inspection agency, the leader of the inspection team, the inspector, and other members of the inspection team must strictly adhere to the legal regulations on inspection and the provisions of this Decree; they must bear legal responsibility for their actions and decisions.

Chapter II

ORGANIZATION, DUTIES, AND POWERS OF INSPECTION

SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL

Article 4. Organization of Science and Technology Inspection

1. The organization of Science and Technology Inspection includes:

a) Inspection of the Ministry of Science and Technology (hereinafter referred to as "Inspection Department");

b) Inspection of the General Administration of Standards Metrology Quality, and Inspection of the Radiation Control and Nuclear Safety Agency (hereinafter referred to collectively as "General Administration"; "Director of the General Administration of Standards Metrology Quality" and "Director of the Radiation Control and Nuclear Safety Agency" are "General Director"; "Inspection of the General Administration of Standards Metrology Quality" and "Inspection of the Radiation Control and Nuclear Safety Agency" are "Inspection of the General Administration");

c) Inspection of Provincial Departments of Science and Technology (hereinafter referred to as "Provincial Inspection").

2. Inspection agencies of Science and Technology have their own seals and separate accounts.

Section 1: MINISTRY INSPECTION

Article 5. Position, function, organization of the Ministry's Inspection

1. The Ministry Inspection is an agency of the Ministry of Science and Technology, responsible for assisting the Minister of Science and Technology in managing state administration regarding inspection work, performing inspection duties and powers in the scope of the Ministry of Science and Technology's state management.

The Ministry Inspection has subordinate departments established by the Minister of Science and Technology.

2. The Ministry Inspection has a Chief Inspector, Deputy Chief Inspectors, and Inspectors.

The Chief Inspector of the Ministry is appointed, relieved, or dismissed by the Minister of Science and Technology after consultation with the Chief Inspector General. Deputy Chief Inspectors of the Ministry are appointed, relieved, or dismissed by the Minister of Science and Technology upon the recommendation of the Chief Inspector of the Ministry. The appointment, relief, or dismissal of Inspectors is carried out in accordance with the provisions of the law.

3. The Minister of Science and Technology specifies in detail the functions, duties, powers, organization, staffing, and working relationships of the Ministry Inspection.

Article 6. Duties and Authorities of the Inspectorate of the Ministry

1. To take the lead or participate in drafting normative legal documents submitted to competent authorities for promulgation; to propose competent authorities to amend, supplement, or issue normative legal documents consistent with the requirements of state management over science and technology; to propose relevant state agencies or persons with authority to suspend or revoke provisions contrary to legal documents on science and technology discovered through inspection work.

2. To inspect the implementation of policies, laws, and tasks by agencies, organizations, and individuals under the direct management of the Ministry of Science and Technology.

3. To perform specialized inspection duties and powers in science and technology according to Article 19 of this Decree.

4. To impose administrative penalties in accordance with the law on administrative violation handling.

5. To assist the Minister in organizing citizen reception, handling complaints and denunciations in accordance with the law on complaints and denunciations.

6. To implement anti-corruption prevention and combat duties in accordance with the law on anti-corruption.

7. To guide and train specialized inspection business for General Administration Inspection and Provincial Inspection; to guide and supervise subordinate agencies and units of the Ministry in implementing legal regulations on inspection work.

8. To compile and report results on inspection work, complaint and denunciation resolution, and anti-corruption efforts within the scope of the Ministry's state management to the Minister and the Chief Inspector General.

9. To monitor, inspect, and urge the implementation of conclusions, recommendations, and decisions on administrative penalties issued by the Ministry Inspection and the Chief Inspector of the Ministry.

10. To summarize experiences, build inspection business within the scope of the Ministry Inspection's state management.

11. To summon officials and civil servants of related agencies and units to join the inspection team.

12. To perform other duties and powers as prescribed by law.

Article 7. Duties and Authorities of the Head of the Inspectorate of the Ministry

1. To lead and direct inspection work within the scope of the Ministry of Science and Technology's state management.

2. To develop inspection programs and plans, submit them to the Minister for approval, and organize their implementation.

3. To submit to the Minister for approval or decide according to authority the initiation of inspections when signs of law violations are detected.

4. To submit to the Minister for approval or decide according to authority the establishment of inspection teams, the dispatching of inspectors, and the summoning of inspection collaborators as prescribed by law.

5. Recommend the Minister to temporarily suspend the implementation of decisions made by organizations or individuals directly under the Ministry's management when there is evidence that such decisions violate the law or affect inspection activities.

6. Administer administrative penalties according to the law on administrative violation handling.

7. Recommend the Minister to consider responsibility and handle persons who commit violations within the scope of the Minister’s management; coordinate with the heads of agencies and units in considering responsibility and handling persons who commit violations within the scope of those agencies' and units' management.

8. Recommend the Minister to resolve issues related to inspection work; if the recommendation is not accepted, report to the Chief Inspector.

9. Recommend the Minister to address overlapping or duplicative programs, plans, and contents of inspections and audits within the scope of the Ministry's state management; advise and assist the Minister in coordinating with the Chairpersons of Provincial People's Committees (hereinafter referred to collectively as the Chairperson of the Provincial People's Committee) to resolve duplication in programs, plans, and contents of science and technology inspections at the provincial level.

10. Monitor, inspect, and urge the implementation of conclusions, recommendations, and decisions on handling matters related to inspections within the scope of responsibilities of the heads of agencies and units directly under the Ministry's management.

11. Guide and urge the heads of agencies and units directly under the Ministry's management to implement laws on inspections; coordinate with the heads of agencies under the Ministry to direct and guide internal inspection organization and activities within those agencies and units.

12. Report to the Minister and the Chief Inspector on inspection work within their scope of responsibility.

13. Inspect and audit the responsibility of the heads of agencies and units directly under the Ministry in implementing laws on inspections.

14. Lead the Ministry Inspectorate to perform other tasks and powers as prescribed by law.

Section 2: INSPECTION OF THE GENERAL DEPARTMENT

Article 8. Position, functions, and organization of the General Department Inspectorate

1. The General Department Inspectorate is an agency of the General Department, responsible for assisting the General Department Director in performing administrative inspection and specialized inspection tasks within the scope of state management delegated by the Ministry of Science and Technology to the General Department.

2. The General Department Inspectorate has an Inspector-in-Charge, Deputy Inspectors, and Inspectors.

The Inspector-in-Charge of the General Department Inspectorate is appointed, relieved of duty, or dismissed by the Minister of Science and Technology upon the proposal of the General Department Director after reaching consensus with the Inspector-in-Charge of the Ministry Inspectorate. The Deputy Inspector-in-Charge of the General Department Inspectorate is appointed, relieved of duty, or dismissed by the General Department Director upon the proposal of the Inspector-in-Charge of the General Department Inspectorate. The appointment, relief from duty, and dismissal of Inspectors shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of law.

3. The Minister of Science and Technology shall specify in detail the organizational structure, staffing, duties, and powers of the General Department Inspectorate.

Article 9. Duties and Powers of the General Department Inspectorate

1. Inspect the implementation of policies, laws, and tasks concerning organizations and individuals directly under the General Department's management.

2. Conduct specialized inspections on compliance with laws within the scope of state management delegated by the Ministry of Science and Technology to the General Department.

3. Assist the General Department Director in performing citizen reception and complaint resolution tasks in accordance with the law on complaints and denunciations.

4. Assist the General Department Director in performing preventive and anti-corruption tasks in accordance with the law on anti-corruption.

5. Monitor, inspect, and urge the implementation of conclusions, recommendations, and decisions on handling matters related to inspections issued by the General Department Inspectorate.

6. Summarize and report the results of inspections, complaint resolution, and anti-corruption efforts within the General Department's management scope to the General Department Director and the Inspector-in-Charge of the Ministry.

7. Guide and inspect subordinate agencies and units to comply with legal regulations on inspection work.

8. Summarize and draw lessons from inspection practices in areas under the General Department Inspectorate's management scope.

9. Impose penalties or recommend competent authorities to impose administrative penalties according to the law on administrative penalty enforcement.

10. Recommend competent state management authorities to suspend the implementation or revoke regulations found to be contrary to legal documents on specialized management areas of the General Department through inspection work.

11. Perform other tasks and powers as prescribed by law.

Article 10. Tasks and Authorities of the Inspector General of the General Department

1. Leading and directing inspection work within the scope of state management delegated by the Ministry of Science and Technology to the General Department.

2. Developing inspection programs and plans for approval by competent authorities and organizing their implementation.

3. Submitting to the General Department Director for decision on conducting inspections when signs of violation of laws in areas under the General Department's management are discovered.

4. Recommending the General Department Director to temporarily suspend the execution of decisions made by organizations under the General Department's management when signs of law violations are found.

5. Recommending the General Department Director to consider responsibility and handle individuals with violations under the General Department Director's authority.

6. Recommending the competent authority to impose administrative penalties according to the law on handling administrative violations.

7. Reporting to the Inspector General of the Ministry about inspection work within their scope and responsibilities.

8. Performing other tasks and authorities as prescribed by law.

Section 3: INSPECTION OF THE DEPARTMENT

Article 11. Position, Functions, and Organization of the Inspection of the Department

1. The Inspection of the Department is an agency of the Department of Science and Technology, responsible for assisting the Director of the Department of Science and Technology in performing administrative inspection and specialized inspection tasks within the Director’s duties and powers.

2. The Inspection of the Department has an Inspector General, Deputy Inspector Generals, and Inspectors. The Inspector General of the Department is appointed, relieved, or dismissed by the Director of the Department after consultation with the Inspector General of the province. Deputy Inspector Generals of the Department are appointed, relieved, or dismissed by the Director of the Department based on the recommendation of the Inspector General of the Department. The appointment, relief, or dismissal of Inspectors is carried out according to the provisions of the law.

3. The Director of the Department of Science and Technology specifies the functions, tasks, authorities, and organizational structure of the Inspection of the Department. The staffing of the Inspection of the Department is decided by the Director of the Department within the total staffing of the Department.

Article 12. Tasks and Authorities of the Inspection of the Department

1. Inspecting the implementation of policies, laws, and tasks by organizations and individuals directly managed by the Department of Science and Technology.

2. Performing specialized science and technology inspection tasks within the management scope of the Department of Science and Technology.

3. Imposing administrative penalties or recommending the competent authority to impose administrative penalties according to the law on handling administrative violations.

4. Carrying out tasks related to receiving citizens and handling complaints and denunciations according to the law on complaints and denunciations.

5. Implementing tasks related to preventing and combating corruption according to the law on anti-corruption.

6. Guiding and inspecting agencies and units under the Department to implement regulations on inspection work; coordinating with heads of agencies and units under the Department to direct and guide internal inspection organization and activities in those agencies and units.

7. Summarizing and reporting results of inspection work, complaint and denunciation resolution, and anti-corruption efforts within the Department's management scope.

8. Recommending state agencies and competent authorities to suspend the execution or revoke regulations contrary to national legal documents on science and technology discovered through inspection work.

9. Monitoring, inspecting, and urging the implementation of conclusions, recommendations, and decisions on inspection by the Inspection of the Department.

10. Requesting relevant agencies and units to assign officials and civil servants to participate in inspection teams.

11. Performing other tasks and authorities as prescribed by law.

Article 13. Duties and Authorities of the Director of the Department's Inspectorate

1. Lead and direct inspection work within the management scope of the Department of Science and Technology.

2. Develop inspection programs and plans to submit to the Department Director for decision-making and organize their implementation.

3. Submit to the Department Director for decision-making on inspections when signs of law violations are detected.

4. Recommend to the Department Director to temporarily suspend the execution of decisions made by units under the Department’s management if there is evidence that such decisions contravene the law or obstruct inspection activities; recommend to the Department Director to consider responsibility and handle individuals with violations under the Department’s management.

5. Impose administrative penalties in accordance with the law on handling administrative violations.

6. Recommend to the Department Director to consider responsibility and handle individuals with violations under the Department’s management.

7. Recommend to the Department Director to resolve issues related to inspection work. In case the recommendation is not accepted, report to the Provincial Inspectorate Director; for issues related to specialized science and technology inspection work, simultaneously report to the Inspectorate Director of the Ministry of Science and Technology.

8. Monitor, inspect, and urge the implementation of conclusions, recommendations, and decisions on handling matters within the responsibility scope of heads of agencies and units under the Department’s management.

9. Guide and urge heads of agencies and units under the Department’s management to implement legal provisions regarding inspection work.

10. Report to the Department Director, the Provincial Inspectorate Director, and the Inspectorate Director of the Ministry about inspection work within their responsibility scope.

11. Inspect and check the responsibility of heads of agencies and units under the Department’s management in implementing laws on inspection.

12. Lead the Department’s Inspectorate in performing other duties and authorities as prescribed by law.

Section 4: RELATIONSHIP AND RESPONSIBILITY IN THE ACTIVITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY INSPECTION

Article 14. Coordination Relationships in the Activity of Science and Technology Inspection

1. The Inspectorate of the Ministry is directly led by the Minister of Science and Technology, while also being guided on work, organization, and inspection procedures by the Government Inspectorate.

2. The Inspectorate of the General Department is directly led by the General Department Director, while also being guided on work, organization, and administrative inspection procedures by the Ministry Inspectorate.

3. The Inspectorate of the Department is directly led by the Department Director of Science and Technology, while also being guided on work and administrative inspection procedures by the Provincial Inspectorate and on work and specialized inspection procedures by the Ministry Inspectorate.

4. Within the scope of their duties and authorities, the Science and Technology Inspectorate has the responsibility to coordinate with relevant agencies in carrying out inspection tasks and preventing, detecting, and handling acts of law violation.

5. Heads of public security agencies, specialized inspectorates, and other relevant agencies within their authority have the responsibility to coordinate with the Science and Technology Inspectorate in preventing, detecting, and handling acts of law violation in the field of science and technology.

Article 15. Responsibilities of the Minister of Science and Technology, Chairperson of the People's Committee at the provincial level, and Director of the Department of Science and Technology in the activities of Science and Technology Inspection

1. The Minister of Science and Technology shall be responsible for organizing and directing the activities of Science and Technology Inspection within the scope of management of the Ministry; improving the organization and machinery of the Ministry’s Inspection, General Inspectorate; ensuring material and technical equipment, uniforms, and other conditions to serve inspection activities; promptly handling conclusions and recommendations of the Ministry’s Inspection in accordance with the provisions of the law.

2. The Chairperson of the People's Committee at the provincial level shall be responsible for directing the Director of the Department of Science and Technology to improve the organization and ensure material conditions, technical equipment, and uniforms for the Department’s Inspection.

3. The Director of the Department of Science and Technology shall be responsible for directing and ensuring operational conditions for the Department’s Inspection; promptly handling conclusions and recommendations of the Department’s Inspection in accordance with the provisions of the law.

Section 5: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY INSPECTORS; ASSOCIATE INSPECTORS OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Article 16. Science and Technology Inspectors

1. Science and Technology Inspectors (hereinafter referred to as Inspectors) are civil servants appointed to the inspector rank to perform inspection work at Science and Technology Inspection agencies; they are issued an inspector card and enjoy the rights and benefits of Inspectors as prescribed by law.

2. Inspectors must meet the conditions and standards prescribed by the Minister of Science and Technology after consultation with the Chief Inspector and the Minister of Home Affairs.

3. When conducting inspections, Inspectors shall perform their duties, powers, and responsibilities as stipulated in Clause 3, Article 22 of this Decree and other relevant legal documents.

Article 17. Associate Inspectors of Science and Technology

1. Associate Inspectors of Science and Technology (hereinafter referred to as Associate Inspectors) are individuals with expertise and vocational qualifications suitable for inspection tasks, recruited by Science and Technology Inspection agencies to perform inspection tasks.

2. The recruitment, standards, remuneration, and responsibilities of Associate Inspectors shall be carried out in accordance with the regulations of the Minister of Science and Technology and other relevant legal documents.

Chapter III

ACTIVITIES OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY INSPECTION

Article 18. Content of Administrative Inspection

1. Inspection of agencies, organizations, and individuals under the direct management of the head of the state administrative agency at the same level regarding compliance with policies, laws, and assigned tasks.

2. Performing the task of resolving complaints and denunciations in accordance with the law on complaints and denunciations.

Article 19. Content of specialized inspection in science and technology

Inspection of agencies, organizations, and individuals in the implementation of national policies and laws in the field of science and technology, including:

1. Scientific research and technological development activities; utilization and dissemination of scientific and technological results; registration and operation of scientific and technological organizations; registration, publication, submission of scientific and technological results; registration, management, and use of the Science and Technology Development Fund; awarding and granting science and technology prizes and other activities within the scope of state management in the field of science and technology;

2. Technology transfer activities; supply and use of technology transfer consulting services; registration of technology transfer contracts; evaluation, appraisal, and certification of technology and other activities within the scope of state management in the field of technology transfer;

3. Activities related to establishing and protecting intellectual property rights; intellectual property consulting services, representation of intellectual property rights, and other activities within the scope of state management in the field of intellectual property;

4. Compliance with laws on standards and technical regulations; quality certification activities for products and goods; quality management system certification activities; recognition of quality management system activities of product and good testing laboratories, quality product and good appraisal organizations, quality management system certification organizations, and other activities within the scope of state management in the fields of standards and technical regulations, product and good quality management;

5. Production, business, import, calibration of measuring instruments; approval and calibration of measuring instrument models; activities of organizations recognized and authorized to calibrate measuring instruments according to the law on measurement and other activities within the scope of state management in the field of measurement;

6. Declaration and implementation of regulations stated in radiation facility registration certificates, radiation work permits, and radiation employee permits; implementation of safety and radiation control regulations of radiation facilities, responsibility of radiation facility managers, radiation safety officers, radiation staff, and other activities within the scope of state management in the field of radiation safety and control;

7. Inspection and supervision of the implementation of other legal provisions in the field of science and technology.

Article 20. Forms of Inspection

1. Inspection activities are carried out in the form of program-based inspections and plan-based inspections, and surprise inspections.

2. Program-based and plan-based inspections are conducted according to annual work programs and periodic plans that have been approved by competent authorities.

3. Surprise inspections are conducted when organizations or individuals exhibit signs of violating laws, upon request for handling complaints or denunciations, or as assigned by the head of the competent state management agency.

Article 21. Methods of Inspection Activities

1. Inspections are carried out through inspection teams or independent inspectors.

2. Inspection teams and inspectors operate in accordance with the Law on Inspection and other relevant legal documents.

3. When conducting inspections, there must be a decision from the head of the Ministry of Science and Technology's Inspection Agency or the competent state management agency.

4. The leader of the inspection team and the inspector must bear responsibility before the law and the person issuing the inspection decision regarding their decisions and measures taken.

5. When handling violations, the leader of the inspection team and the inspector must fully comply with the procedures stipulated by the law.

Article 22. Duties, Authorities, and Responsibilities of the Person Issuing the Inspection Decision, the Leader of the Inspection Team, and Members of the Inspection Team

1. The person issuing the inspection decision must perform duties, authorities, and responsibilities as prescribed in Articles 42, 43, and 52 of the Law on Inspection, Clause 3 of Article 26, Articles 27, 28, 30, 31, 32, 33, and 35 of Decree No. 41/2005/ND-CP dated March 25, 2005 of the Government detailing and guiding the implementation of certain provisions of the Law on Inspection (hereinafter referred to as Decree No. 41/2005/ND-CP), other relevant legal provisions, and must bear responsibility before the law for all actions and decisions made by them.

2. When performing administrative inspection tasks, the leader of the inspection team has duties, authorities, and responsibilities as prescribed in Article 39 of the Law on Inspection, Clauses 1 and 2 of Article 26, Articles 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, and 34 of Decree No. 41/2005/ND-CP, other relevant legal provisions, and must bear responsibility before the person issuing the inspection decision and the law for all actions and decisions made by them.

When performing specialized inspection tasks, the leader of the inspection team has duties, authorities, and responsibilities as prescribed in Articles 49 and 50 of the Law on Inspection, Clauses 1 and 2 of Article 26, Articles 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, and 34 of Decree No. 41/2005/ND-CP, other relevant legal provisions, and must bear responsibility before the person issuing the inspection decision and the law for all actions and decisions made by them.

3. When performing administrative inspection tasks, the inspector who is a member of the inspection team has duties, authorities, and responsibilities as prescribed in Article 40 of the Law on Inspection, Clause 1 of Article 26, Articles 27 and 28 of Decree No. 41/2005/ND-CP, other relevant legal provisions, and must bear responsibility before the law for all actions and decisions made by them.

When performing specialized inspection tasks, the inspector who is a member of the inspection team has duties, authorities, and responsibilities as prescribed in Article 50 of the Law on Inspection, Clause 1 of Article 26, Articles 27 and 28 of Decree No. 41/2005/ND-CP, other relevant legal provisions, and must bear responsibility before the person issuing the inspection decision and the law for all actions and decisions made by them.

4. During the inspection process, other members of the inspection team perform duties, authorities, and responsibilities as prescribed at points a, c, d, and đ of Clause 1 of Article 40 of the Law on Inspection and Clause 1 of Article 26 of Decree No. 41/2005/ND-CP.

Article 23. Rights, obligations, and responsibilities of the inspected entity; responsibility of agencies, organizations, and individuals related to the inspection

1. The inspected entity has rights, obligations, and responsibilities as prescribed in Clause 1 of Article 8, Articles 53 and 54 of the Inspection Law, Articles 25, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 35, 36, 45, 46, and Clause 2 of Article 51 of Decree No. 41/2005/NĐ-CP.

2. Agencies, organizations, and individuals with information and documents related to the content of the inspection must provide them fully and promptly according to the requirements of the inspection agency and bear responsibility for the accuracy and truthfulness of the provided information and documents. The provision, use, and management of information and documents containing state secrets shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of the law on protecting state secrets.

Chapter IV

MATERIAL AND TECHNICAL BASE AND OPERATING EXPENSES

Article 24. Material and technical base

1. The Science and Technology Inspectorate and Inspectors are equipped with technical means and equipment, uniforms, insignia, badges, and signs.

It is strictly prohibited for organizations and individuals to use similar uniforms, insignia, badges, and signs that cause confusion with the Science and Technology Inspectorate.

2. The Minister of Science and Technology shall specify in detail:

a) Technical means and equipment of the Science and Technology Inspectorate;

b) Uniforms, insignia, signs, and badges of Inspectors after coordinating with the General Inspectorate.

||| The education inspection agency may allocate part of the funds recovered from inspections and submitted to the state budget to enhance inspection capacity and strengthen material foundations.

Operating expenses of the Science and Technology Inspectorate are guaranteed from the state budget in accordance with the regulations on the decentralization of the state budget and other sources of operating funds as stipulated by law.

The establishment, allocation, management, use, and settlement of inspection business expenses shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of the law.

Chapter V

REWARD, VIOLATION HANDLING; SETTLEMENT OF COMPLAINTS AND REPORTS ON INSPECTION

Article 26. Awards

Organizations and individuals who have achievements in science and technology inspection activities are rewarded in accordance with the provisions of the law.

Article 27. Handling Violations

1. The person issuing the inspection decision, the Head of the Inspection Team, Inspectors, other members of the Inspection Team, the inspected entity, and other relevant agencies, organizations, and individuals who commit violations of the law during inspection activities shall be subject to handling according to the provisions of Article 51 of Decree No. 41/2005/NĐ-CP and other related legal documents depending on the nature and severity of the violation.

2. During the course of inspection activities, if Inspectors commit violations of the law, they may be temporarily suspended or suspended from their duties by the Minister of Science and Technology or the Chairman of the People's Committee of the province where they are under management, depending on the nature and severity of the violation.

Article 28. Settlement of complaints and reports in inspection activities

The settlement of complaints and reports in inspection activities shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of Articles 49 and 50 of Decree No. 41/2005/NĐ-CP and other related legal documents.

Chapter VI

IMPLEMENTING PROVISIONS

Article 29. Effective Date

This Decree shall take effect fifteen days after its publication in the Official Gazette.

Article 30. Responsibility for Implementation

1. The Minister of Science and Technology is responsible for coordinating with relevant ministries, sectors, and agencies to guide the implementation of this Decree.

2. Ministers, Heads of ministerial-level agencies, Heads of government-affiliated agencies, Chairpersons of provincial People's Committees directly under the central government shall be responsible for enforcing this Decree./.