The National Assembly Standing Committee begins its 37th session on Thursday. — VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — The amendment to the Law on Chemicals must take into account the roadmap to ban toxic chemicals which can pollute water sources.

That was stressed by National Assembly (NA) Chairman Trần Thanh Mẫn as he addressed the NA Standing Committee's meeting on Thursday.

Speaking at the 37th session of the NA Standing Committee, NA Chairman Mẫn said that this is an important focus that requires further efforts for a green transition, the circular economy and just energy transition.

This focus is in line with the Politburo conclusions No 36-KL/TW (dated June 23, 2022) and No 81-KL/TW (dated June 4, 2024) on proactive response to climate change and enhancing environmental resource management, in accordance with the seventh plenary session of the 11th Party Central Committee.

The top legislator noted that the draft amendment has yet to highlight this direction, therefore the drafting committee need to thoroughly review and specify this in the law.

The draft amendment of the Law on Chemicals consists of 89 articles in ten chapters detailing regulations on activities involving chemicals, chemical industry development, chemical safety, rights and responsibilities of individuals and organisations involved in this sector and state management on chemicals.

The document also aims towards compatibility with chemical regulations of major countries to foster an open business environment that can attract investment from multi-national companies and major corporations, which possess modern management systems and high-value products.

Vietnamese businesses are also expected to better engage in international trade and production investment for essential chemicals.

According to an initial evaluation report of the law project, the NA Standing Committee agreed on the necessity of promulgating the amended Law on Chemicals.

The law project has also met the requirements to be presented to the NA at its eighth session this October.

Regarding the use and management of chemicals, it is recommended that the law encourages businesses to innovate their processes and technology to shift to less hazardous chemicals or to reduce their use.

Other suggestions include increasing control and traceability, especially regarding imported chemicals, alongside raising community awareness of the possible harmful effects of chemicals and safety practices to counter them.

It is also recommended that the law strengthen penalties on chemical violations, notably higher punishment for serious misconduct using chemicals that cause harmful consequences for human health and the environment.

Noting the limited management of the sale and purchase of chemicals on social media, Lt. Gen. Lê Tấn Tới, head of the NA Committee on Defence and Security, proposed further study to promulgate management regulations on particularly hazardous chemicals, such as cyanide.

Delegates also suggested reviewing the scope of the amended law to avoid any possible overlaps with other legal documents and to include more comprehensive provisions on infrastructure, market, raw materials, human resources and science-technology application in the chemical industry.

The NA Standing Committee continues the first phase of its 37th session today, while the second phase will be held from June 23-26.

During the meeting, the committee will review and comment on 11 law projects to be presented to the NA at its eighth session. Two of these will be reviewed for approval, including the amendments to the Law on Officers of Việt Nam People's Army and the Law on Health Insurance. — VNS