Circular No. 02/2022/TT-BTNMT on detailing a number of articles of law on environmental protection

Circular No. 02/2022/TT-BTNMT is a comprehensive implementation document for the Law on Environmental Protection 2020. It clarifies procedures, templates, and responsibilities for managing environmental elements such as water, soil, air, natural heritage, and both solid and liquid waste. It serves as a key regulatory tool for both government agencies and enterprises.

1. Solid Waste Management 

• Updates waste classification (Appendix III), including new types such as food processing and animal-based waste; 

• Household waste: rules on collection points, storage equipment, sanitation, and fee setting by the provincial People’s Committee; 

• General industrial waste: transport vehicles must display “WASTE TRANSPORT”; 

• Hazardous waste: must be declared and classified upon generation or transfer; tracked using a reporting system if not fully documented within 6 months. 

2. Environmental Reporting & Procedures 

• Provides detailed templates, timelines, and responsibilities for submitting environmental protection reports, registering or applying for environmental licenses. 

3. Post-Incident Environmental Restoration 

• Restoration plans must be developed immediately after incidents, and submitted to the commune-level People’s Committee at least 3 days in advance for supervision. 

4. Soil & Natural Heritage Protection 

• Soil contamination: classified into light (<40 points), serious (40–75), and very serious (>75); 

• Requires standardized preliminary or detailed soil assessment and remediation plans (Appendix I); 

• Natural heritage: environmental management regulations must be prepared using standardized templates, subject to public consultation, and approved by the provincial People’s Committee or MONRE (if inter-provincial); 

• Validity: 5 years, with annual reporting and database updates. 

5. Templates & Administrative Tools 

Appendix I of the Circular includes 10 standard templates covering: 

• Soil pollution classification; 

• Preliminary and detailed soil environment reports; 

• Environmental management of natural heritage sites; 

• Plus annexes on waste management, environmental registration, and licensing.