Request a DemoThe Vietnam National Chemical Inventory (NCI) is the overall list of existing chemical substances in Vietnam. The Ministry of Industry and Trade started the compilation of the National Chemical Inventory (NCI) in 2012. The first draft of NCI was published in 2016, which included 4,927 substances. The authority has opened up the nomination of chemical substances for 5 times and the latest nomination period concluded on April 15th, 2021. The current draft NCI contains 41,672 substances.
The draft NCI can be queried on the Vietnam National Chemical Database.
Figure 1 - A Snapshot of National Chemical Inventory (NCI)
The substance nomination window has been closed for years since April 2021. However, the authorities has signaled that it will reopen it soon. It is expected the NCI will be finalized by 2028.
What is New Chemical?
A New Chemical is defined as any chemical substance that is not included in Vietnam's National Chemical Inventory (NCI). The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT) is tasked with building and issuing the NCI before 2028.
After the finalization and promulgation of NCI, all new chemicals must be registered before production or import.
Registration Process and Requirements
The registration process is managed by MOIT and involves two main pathways: the standard assessment process and a simplified process for chemicals recognized on foreign inventories.
A. Standard Registration
This process requires a full assessment of the chemical's properties and hazards. The required documentation include:
Registration Document
New Chemical Assessment Results (including physical, chemical, and hazardous properties) from a designated assessment organization
MOIT shall review the dossier for completenss and validity and organize a New Chemical Assessment Council to evaluate the chemical's safety profile. If the Council reaches 100% consensus for approval, MOIT confirms the registration. If the Council recommends a ban, MOIT notifies the applicant.
B. Simplified Registration
Vietnam recognizes the chemical inventories of several major international bodies, allowing for a simplified registration process if the chemical is already listed on at least two of them.
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) TSCA
Japan Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) ENCS
Simplified Dossier Requirements:
Registration Document.
Summary Assessment Report (with CAS or UN number from at least two recognized foreign inventories).
Proof of market circulation (report on production/business volume).
Post Registration Management
Once a new chemical is successfully registered, it is subject to a strict management regime for a transitional period:
Initial Management: The new chemical is immediately managed under the regulations for Chemicals Requiring Special Control
Annual Reporting: For a period of five years from the date of registration, the organization must submit an annual report to MOIT detailing all activities related to the new chemical.
Future Classification: Based on the initial assessment results and the five years of annual activity reports, MOIT will propose to the Government to formally add the chemical to one of the permanent management lists:
List of Conditional Chemicals
List of Chemicals Requiring Special Control
List of Banned Chemicals
