Vietnam Vietnam renews environmental quality standards for water, air and soil

Vietnam Water Air Soil
24 April 2023  AOKI Kenji  AOKI Kenji (EnviX, Ltd.)
Vietnam renews environmental quality standards for water, air and soil

On March 13, 2023, the Vietnamese Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE) promulgated the Circular No. 01/2023/TT-BTNMT (hereinafter “the Circular”), establishing new National Technical Regulations (QCVN) on different environmental qualities, as follows:

  • National Technical Regulation on Soil Quality (QCVN 03:2023/BTNMT)
  • National Technical Regulation on Ambient Air Quality (QCVN 05:2023/BTNMT)
  • National Technical Regulation on Surface Water Quality (QCVN 08:2023/BTNMT)
  • National Technical Regulation on Underground Water Quality (QCVN 09:2023/BTNMT)
  • National Technical Regulation on Marine Water Quality (QCVN 10:2023/BTNMT)

All of the above regulations renew environmental standards in Vietnam. In particular, the QCVN on soil put together previous four QCVNs into one. In addition, the emission regulations (including wastewater and exhaust gas) are now under discussion for revision and are planned to be promulgated separately.

 

The Circular and the QCVNs can be downloaded at:
https://vanban.chinhphu.vn/?pageid=27160&docid=207647

 

The table below outlines the scope and allowable limit values for each QCVN.

QCVN Scope Where the allowable limits are listed
QCVN 03:2023/BTNMT
  • This QCVN defines, for each purpose classified by the Land Law, allowable limits of pollutant parameters in soil.
  • Table 1: Allowable limits of soil-related parameters (36 items including heavy metals, persistent pesticides, and other hazardous chemicals)
QCVN 05:2023/BTNMT
  • This QCVN defines allowable limits for fundamental and hazardous parameters in ambient air.
  • This QCVN applies to the monitoring and assessment of ambient air quality. It does not apply to indoor air.
  • Table 1: Allowable limits of fundamental parameters in ambient air (7 items)
  • Table 2: Allowable limits of hazardous parameters in ambient air (37 items: inorganic compounds, organic compounds, and compounds causing unpleasant odors)
QCVN 08:2023/BTNMT
  • This QCVN defines allowable limits for parameters in surface water.
  • This QCVN applies to the management, assessment, and classification of surface water quality as a basis for protection and use of water resources.
  • Table 1: Allowable limits of parameters affecting human health (40 items)
  • Table 2: Allowable limits ​​of parameters in surface water to classify water quality of rivers, streams, canals, ditches, etc. and to protect underwater habitats (10 items)
  • Table 3: Allowable limits ​​of parameters in surface water to classify water quality of lakes, ponds, and lagoons and to protect aquatic habitats (11 items)
QCVN 09:2023/BTNMT
  • This QCVN defines allowable limits for parameters in underground water.
  • This QCVN applies to the assessment and monitoring of underground water quality as a basis for various water use purposes.
  • Table 1: Allowable limits of parameters in underground water (41 items: fundamental parameters and hazardous parameters affecting human health)
QCVN 10:2023/BTNMT
  • This QCVN defines allowable limits for parameters in marine water.
  • This QCVN applies to the assessment and management of marine water quality to protect the living environment, human health, etc.
  • Table 1: Allowable limits of marine water quality parameters in coastal waters to protect underwater habitats (5 items)
  • Table 2: Allowable limits of marine water quality parameters in coastal waters to protect human health and marine ecosystems (31 items)
  • Table 3: Allowable limits of water quality parameters in nearshore waters (19 items)
  • Table 4: Allowable limits of water quality parameters in offshore waters (11 items)

 

Each of the above QCVNs will become effective on September 12, 2023, at which time the current QCVNs listed below for ambient air, soil, surface water, underground water, and marine water will become null and void.

  • National Technical Regulation on Ambient Air Quality (QCVN 05:2013/BTNMT)
  • National Technical Regulation on Hazardous Substances in Ambient Air (QCVN 06:2009/BTNMT)
  • National Technical Regulation on the Pesticide Residues in Soils (QCVN 15:2008/BTNMT)
  • National Technical Regulation on the Allowable Limits of Dioxin in Soils (QCVN 45:2012/BTNMT)
  • National Technical Regulation on the Handling Thresholds for Persistent Organic Pesticides by Purpose of Soil Application (QCVN 54:2013/BTNMT)
  • National Technical Regulation on the Allowable Limits of Heavy Metals in Soils (QCVN 03-MT:2015/BTNMT)
  • National Technical Regulation on Surface Water Quality (QCVN 08-MT:2015/BTNMT)
  • National Technical Regulation on Underground Water Quality (QCVN 09-MT:2015/BTNMT)
  • National Technical Regulation on Marine Water Quality (QCVN 10-MT:2015/BTNMT)

Author / Responsibility

AOKI Kenji

Senior Consultant, EnviX Ltd.
General Director, E&H Consulting Co., Ltd.

Business Performance

Expertise in EHS (environment, health and safety) consulting in ASEAN region.
- Environmental regulations updating
- Chemical regulations consulting

Background

MSc in Earth Science, The University of Tokyo

AOKI Kenji