Vietnam partially amends technical standards for storage of hazardous chemicals

On October 10, 2024, Vietnamese government promulgated Circular 19/2024/TT-BCT stipulating Amendment 1:2024 to the National Technical Regulation QCVN 05A:2020/BCT on the Manufacturing, Trade, Use, Storage, and Transportation of Hazardous Chemicals. This Circular will enter into force on April 15, 2025, granting a grace period through to April 15, 2026 for plants that are already in operation and warehouses that already store hazardous chemicals before the effective date.

The major revision made by this Circular is the relaxation and clarification of the current rules on emergency exits and emergency showers. Comparison of the provisions before and after the revision is summarized in the table below.