Vietnam Releases Proposed Amendments to Technical Standards for the Storage of Hazardous Chemicals

On March 25, 2024, the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT) of Vietnam released the Draft Amendment to the National Technical Standard QCVN 05A:2020/BCT on the Manufacture, Trade, Use, Storage and Transport of Hazardous Chemicals (hereinafter "the Draft") started inviting opinions from the public. The QCVN 05A:2020/BCT was promulgated on 21 December 2020 and companies handling chemicals have already started complying with it. However, there are many unclear points in the regulation and many are struggling to deal with it in their actual operation. In August 2023, a questionnaire survey was conducted led by the Vietnam Chemicals Agency (Vinachemia) and it was determined to discuss future amendments to this technical standard.

The main revisions made by the Draft are as follows, relating to liquid chemical recovery systems, toxic chemical leak alarm systems, emergency eyewash facilities/emergency showers, and chemical warehouse dimensions, aisles, and access and egress sizes.