KTR Chemical Regulatory Compliance Center

Vietnam Enacts New Chemicals Law (69/2025/QH15) in 2025 – Significantly Strengthened Chemical Regulations
 

Enforcement in 2026, urgent need for compliance strategies by companies

On June 14, 2025, the National Assembly of Vietnam passed the new Chemicals Law (69/2025/QH15), replacing the existing Chemicals Law (06/2007/QH12). The new law will take effect on January 1, 2026, with some provisions entering into force from July. Unlike the previous focus mainly on safety management, the new law aims at lifecycle management of chemicals and the establishment of a digital-based regulatory system.

Key Changes and Corporate Action Points

1. Introduction of “Chemicals Requiring Special Control”

The law replaces the previous system of “prohibited chemicals / conditional chemicals” with a new classification:

• Conditional chemicals
• Chemicals requiring special control
• Substances under special control include chemicals covered by international conventions, high-risk chemicals, and substances posing environmental or national security threats.
• Companies must cross-check their internal inventories and products against these new categories.

2. Transitional Provisions

• Existing permits and registrations remain valid until their expiration.
• Newly designated special control chemicals are given a grace period until the end of 2026.
• However, certification for chemical storage services will apply immediately from July 2026.

3. Seven Prohibited Acts Codified

Unlike the previous law that vaguely prohibited certain activities, the new law explicitly sets out seven banned acts, including:

• Illegal production and distribution
• Providing false information
• Concealing carcinogenic or environmental hazards
• Forgery of permits

4. Introduction of a National Chemicals Database

The former system relied on fragmented, paper-based management. The amendment establishes a centralized digital database.

• Companies must report production, import, and distribution data online.
• Newly introduced substances will automatically fall under the special control classification.

5. Integration of Sustainability – “Green Chemistry”

The 2007 law lacked elements of industrial strategy and eco-friendliness. The new law incorporates:

• Green Chemistry principles
• A mandatory national chemical industry development strategy

This shift requires companies to minimize the use and generation of hazardous chemicals from the process design and technology selection stages, making sustainability a legal obligation.

Conclusion

The new Chemicals Law shifts from simple safety regulation to lifecycle-based, digital-integrated regulation. For practitioners, it is critical to clearly understand enforcement dates, validity periods, and reporting cycles and to establish internal compliance frameworks and roadmaps before enforcement begins.