On July 11 in Hanoi, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), organized a workshop to kick off the project titled “Reducing emissions and impacts of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and mercury through life cycle management and eco-labeling.”

Funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the project aims to strengthen Vietnam’s capacity to control hazardous chemicals, promote cleaner production, and support sustainable consumption.

Nearly 70 delegates from central and local government agencies, international organizations, funds, associations, businesses, and experts in the fields of environment, chemicals, and healthcare gathered for the project launch discussion.

Currently, many POPs such as PBDEs, PFOS, HBCDD, and SCCP are not produced domestically in Vietnam but are still imported and used in various industries including paints, plastics, metal plating, insulation materials, and textiles.

At the same time, regulations and incentive mechanisms for transitioning toward non-POP production and emissions remain insufficient, particularly posing challenges for small and medium-sized enterprises.

Mercury is still widely found in medical devices such as thermometers, sphygmomanometers, and fluorescent lamps. The collection, classification, and safe disposal systems for expired mercury-containing products are not yet synchronized, resulting in continued risks of contamination affecting communities and the environment.

Vietnam has ratified two major international conventions to control chemical pollution: the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (2001) and the Minamata Convention on Mercury (2013). However, these substances are still in use, particularly in industrial sectors such as plastics, paints, electroplating, insulation, and medical equipment.

The timing of this project’s launch aligns with the recent decision under the Stockholm Convention to ban three additional groups of globally hazardous chemicals (chlorpyrifos, long-chain PFCAs, and MCCP). This underscores the urgency and relevance of the project as Vietnam works to update its national policies and regulations on hazardous chemical management.

Speaking at the event, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Le Cong Thanh emphasized: “This project will contribute to improving environmental management, minimizing POPs, U-POPs, and mercury emissions through the development and enhancement of standards and technical guidelines for life cycle product management. It will also promote green finance solutions, eco-labeling systems, green procurement, and support businesses in adopting environmentally friendly technologies and product designs, thereby moving toward a circular economy and sustainable consumption.”

Patrick Haverman, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative in Vietnam, added: “The project launched today is vital for Vietnam. It will directly reduce chemical pollution risks and help meet new requirements under the Stockholm and Minamata Conventions. The project also aligns with Vietnam’s current legal framework, including the 2020 Environmental Protection Law and guiding decrees such as Decree 08/2022 and Decree 05/2025, as well as the Chemicals Law.”

The project will run for four years with a budget of over USD 4.6 million funded by GEF and a domestic counterpart contribution of USD 28.5 million. The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment will lead implementation, in collaboration with relevant ministries, financial institutions, businesses, and communities.

During the event, stakeholders contributed feedback on the project implementation plan, focusing on assessing the current use of POPs and mercury in key industries in Vietnam, promoting technological and financial transformation solutions, and developing a roadmap for eco-labeling and green consumption.

PV