VIETNAM ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION AGENCY PATH TO DEVELOPMENT

   

FUNCTIONS

The Vietnam Environment Protection Agency (VEPA) was established as per Decision No. 14/2005/QD-BTNMT dated 2 December 2005 by the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment. VEPA performs the functions of assisting the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment in execution of State management tasks regarding environmental protection including such areas as examination, supervision, prevention, mitigation and remediation of environmental pollution, degradation and incidents; improvement of environmental quality; conservation of bio-diversity; environmental monitoring; application of technologies; developing databases, statistics, information and reports on environment; implementing integrated coastal zone management; and education to enhance the awareness of the community on environment.

 

Responsibilities, tasks and authority

 

  1. Participating in the development of policies, legal normative documents, strategies, planning, plans and national programs on environmental protection;

  2. Submitting to the Minister of MONRE for consideration and approval action plans for the implementation of national strategies on environmental protection, national plans for protection of bio-diversity, State planning and plans, national programs, processes, procedures and norms in regards of environmental protection, and implementation arrangements as assigned by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment; 

  3. Inspecting the law enforcement by the organizations, individuals and families, People’s Committees at all levels as assigned by MONRE; responding to requests and questions filed by organizations and individuals on issues and problems related to environmental protection as assigned by MONRE; In association with the Inspectorate of MONRE conducting environment-specialized inspections;

  4. Submitting to the Minister of MONRE for consideration and approval the planning of the national environmental monitoring system; maintaining and managing unified management of data and information on environmental surveys and environmental monitoring; management and execution of national monitoring; formulation and development database on environmental matters; development of annual reports on national state of environmental and other specific environmental reports as assigned by MONRE;

  5. Conducting surveys, statistics, assessments and recommended solutions and measures for management, conservation and sustainable exploitation of the natural resources and bio-diversity; management of biosafety as assigned by MONRE;

  6. Developing and guiding the implementation of the strategies, action plans on integrated management and models in protection of river basins, coastal marine environment; acting as focal point for coordination of environmental protection activities at the trans-provincial, inter-sectoral, inter-regional and transboundary levels;

  7. Examining and supervising post-EIA operations for the projects of which EIA reports approved by MONRE;

  8. Conducting surveys, inventories and management of waste generating sources; proposing and organizing for the implementation of technological solutions and models in waste collection, treatment, disposal and recycling; proposing management options dealing with environmental polluting establishments; monitoring and assessing the transboundary environmental pollution;

  9. Organizing study, development, proposing and organizing implementation of the measures in prevention and response in environmental incidents;

  10. Submitting to the Minister of MONRE for consideration and approval of guidelines on the registration of environmentally friendly establishments and products; on the granting environmental permits and other permits in the field of environmental protection according the laws and regulations; guiding and organizing implementation of the guidelines as assigned by MONRE;

  11. Submitting to the Minister of MONRE for consideration and approval processes and procedures for assessment and appraisal of technologies and equipment for waste treatment that are assembled, installed or manufactured domestically or imported for use in Vietnam; imported waste materials for use as production raw materials and/or fuels, and organizing for the implementation thereof after approval has been obtained; selection of environmental technologies for dissemination and application;

  12. Examining, monitoring and supervising the execution of measures and solutions for environmental protection in the course of international economic integration;

  13. Organizing training, propaganda legal education, enhancing awareness; development of models for community-based participation in environmental protection; implementing socialization of environmental protection; organizing rewards and recognition for organizations and individuals that have achieved excellence in environmental protection;

  14. Organizing editing and publishing printed materials on environment as per given authority provided for by law;

  15. Conducting researches and development of environmental management models; clean technologies models; environmentally-friendly technologies; ecological industrial estates; ecological villages; conducting researches and application of scientific and technological advancements in management, preventing and overcoming environmental pollution, degradation and incidents, and environmental improvement;

  16. Participating in activities to ensure environmental requirements in land use planning, in national strategy on water resources and inter-provincial integrated planning of river basin; national master plan on basic survey, exploration, exploitation and processing of mineral resources;

  17. Organizing for the implementation of and coordinating international treaties, multi-lateral and bilateral cooperation programs, and international programs and projects in the area of environmental protection as assigned by MONRE;

  18. Providing consultancy and advisory services to sectors, local governments, organizations and individuals regarding environment-related legislation, professional techniques and technologies; organizing and delivering training and upgrading courses and programs on technical/ professional subject matters and technology transfer in the area of environmental protection;

  19. Participating in guiding and management of the collection and utilization of environmental fees as authorized by the laws;

  20. Operating as the focal point to provide assistance and support to the national steering committee, the inter-sectoral/disciplinary steering committee with regards to issues and problems related to environmental protection as assigned by MONRE;

  21. Effectively and efficiently managing and utilizing given financial and physical resources; managing capital construction projects as ruled by law and as assigned by MONRE;

  22. Formulating and submitting to the Minister of MONRE for consideration and approval rules and regulations for management of environmental protection services; and organizing for the implementation thereof as assigned by MONRE;

  23. Management of the organizational structuring, staffing, cadres, civil servants and public employees of the Vietnam Environment Protection Agency as per decentralized functions, responsibilities and authority provided for by MONRE;

  24. Statistics, periodical and ad hoc reports on the implementation of given tasks and duties; and

  25. Performing other tasks and assignments as requested by the Minister of MONRE.