REGULATIONS ON ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION FOR ENTERPRISES

Enterprises have an important role to play in environmental protection, because their business activities can negatively affect the environment, but at the same time can also contribute to environmental protection.

I. What is environmental protection? Regulations for businesses?

Environmental protection is the preservation and improvement of the quality of habitats, including air, water, soil and other natural resources, in order to ensure the survival of organisms and people on Earth. Environmental protection is one of the most important issues of the world today.

The Law on Environmental Protection 2020, effective from January 1, 2022, consists of 16 chapters and 171 articles. This Law has been updated and put regulations on the protection of environmental components on top, emphasizing the goal of protecting environmental components and people's health, which is the decisive focus for other environmental protection policies.

Clause 1, Article 4 of the Law on Environmental Protection stipulates: "Environmental protection is the responsibility and obligation of all agencies, organizations, households and individuals." In the current high-speed economic growth situation, thanks to open door policies, it has created favorable conditions for the development and growth of businesses. Many industrial parks, export processing zones, factories and works have been springing up in all parts of the country. Therefore, the responsibility and obligation to protect the environment of enterprises is extremely important. 

II. Benefits of participating in environmental protection for enterprises:

Participating in environmental protection brings many benefits to enterprises, including:

Enhancing the prestige and image of enterprises: enhancing their reputation and image in the eyes of customers, investors, community and business partners.

Reduce costs and increase production efficiency: reduce production costs by using resources and energy more economically and efficiently. The reduction of waste and energy saving also help businesses increase production efficiency and reduce the risk of labor and environmental accidents.

Promoting sustainable development: promoting sustainable development, contributing to the mitigation of environmental and social problems; help businesses achieve sustainable business goals and enhance community development.

Compliance with environmental regulations and standards: compliance with environmental regulations and standards stipulated by laws and state management agencies; help businesses avoid legal risks and penalties, while ensuring business operations are legal and sustainable.

Create a better work environment: create a better work environment, which enhances employee satisfaction and productivity; Help businesses attract and retain better and more talented employees in the company.

III. How enterprises participate in environmental protection:

- It is necessary to change the perception of environmental protection in general and in the commercial field in particular, change behavior in the production and business process and apply clean technology solutions. 

- Strictly implement regulations on environmental protection, including the implementation of impact assessment reports and environmental protection commitments when planning to implement project investment, pay environmental protection fees, and build appropriate discharge systems.

- Increase participation in intensive training programs on environmental management and update knowledge of laws. It is necessary to constantly update domestic environmental laws to meet regulations on taxes, environmental fees and penalties for administrative violations.

- Carry out technological improvements: improve the techniques of waste treatment equipment and use clean technologies that cause little or no pollution; build a waste treatment system meeting environmental standards and invest in technological innovation, apply clean production methods for sustainable development.

- Improve the financial capacity of enterprises: there must be a specific and effective business strategy to fully exploit its inherent potential and make the most of the support capital from the State. 

- It is necessary to improve the environmental management apparatus at enterprises by investing in building environmental management organizations, specializing environmental management staff in enterprises.

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For more information, please contact:

Hoang Pham (James) / Managing Partner at: hoang.pham@vselawyers.com

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Attention: This legal update is not an advice and should not be treated as such.