The Government issued Decree No 21/2011/ND-CP on March 29 requiring producers and importers to affix equipment and vehicles with energy labels pursuant to the Law on Energy Conservation.

The regulation, effective on May 15, provides for two types of energy labels: comparative labels, which provide information on energy consumption, efficiency, and other information to help consumers select energy-saving equipment and vehicles; and certification labels, which certify equipment and vehicles which have the highest energy efficiency compared to those of the same type.

Producers and importers must register for certification to affix energy labels within 60 working days of the effective date of the regulation.

The decree also requires major energy users to apply energy management systems under which they must promulgate energy efficiency and conservation policies and targets; conduct energy audits; and assign staff and propose managerial and technological solutions to promote energy efficiency and conservation.

Major energy users are defined as industrial or agricultural production establishments or transportation units which consume an annual energy volume of 1,000 tonnes of oil equivalent or more, as well as buildings; educational, healthcare, entertainment and sports establishments; hotels; supermarkets; restaurants; and shops with an annual energy volume of 500 tonnes of oil equivalent or more. The decree supersedes Decree No 102/2003/ND-CP of September 2003.

Rules amended for BOT, BTO and BT investment projects

The Government issued Decree No 24/2011/ND-CP on April 5, amending Decree No 108/2009/ND-CP governing investment projects developed under Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT), Build-Transfer-Operate (BTO), or Build-Transfer (BT) contracts. Under the new decree, health, education, cultural and sport infrastructure projects, as well as head offices of State entities have been added to the list of projects encouraged to register under one of these investment forms. In addition, a feasibility report can now replace a formal appraisal and evaluation of a project proposal. The new decree takes effect on May 20.

Contractors forced to register imported equipment, materials

Beginning May 15, Ministry of Industry and Trade’s Circular No 15/2011/TT-BCT will require licensed foreign contractors to register lists of equipment and materials to be imported for re-export or for use in construction works in Viet Nam. The type, quantity and origin of imported equipment and materials must be in accordance with contracts.

Lists must be registered annually or for the entire project duration. Upon completion of work, foreign contractors will make a final settlement for temporarily imported or re-exported equipment and materials on registered lists. Foreign contractors must re-export, sell or destroy all unused equipment or materials after the final settlement.

The new circular supersedes Decision No 3806/QD-BCT of July 29, 2009.

Source: VNS