Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long: "Avoid the situation that a cake is subject to 13 licences”

VCN - That was the answer given by the Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long after listening to reflections by Hai Phong Customs Department on problems related to the implementation of Decree No. 15 guiding some articles of the Law on Safety food.
deputy minister of health nguyen thanh long avoid the situation that a cake is subject to 13 licences Many new points in the management of food safety
deputy minister of health nguyen thanh long avoid the situation that a cake is subject to 13 licences The Government issue specific regulations on using public properties
deputy minister of health nguyen thanh long avoid the situation that a cake is subject to 13 licences Removing obstacles to transfer enterprises to SCIC
deputy minister of health nguyen thanh long avoid the situation that a cake is subject to 13 licences

The meeting of the Minister of Health’s working group at Hai Phong Customs Department. Photo: Q. H

On the morning of 14th March 2018, in Hai Phong, the Ministry of Health’s working group, lead by the Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long, Member of the Central Inter-sectoral Steering Committee on Food Hygiene and Safety, has inspected the implementation of Decree No. 15/2018 / ND-CP (replacing Decree No. 38/2012 / ND-CP guiding some articles of the Law on Food Safety issued by the Government and effectivefrom 2nd February 2018) at Hai Phong Customs Department.

Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long emphasized that Decree 15 was a revolution in food safety management, fundamentally changed the management method from pre-inspection to post-inspection risk management. This management approach is applied by all countries in the world and regions such as the US, Thailand and Singapore.

Thus, Decree 15 removes troublesome administrative procedures for enterprises, creates anengine for development and enhances the responsibility of the business community on food hygiene and safety management.

Changes in administrative procedures will save labor costs. According to calculations, more than 7 million working days and more than VND 3,000 billion will be saved. Administrative procedures are estimated to reduce from 90 to 95 %. Particularly, procedure on State inspection of imported food will decrease by 95%.

Decree 15 is introduced and effective immediately from date of signing for promulgation with sudden changes, so it confuses competent authorities in the implementation.

In addition, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, and the Ministry of Health have closely guided the implementation of Decree 15.

At the meeting, representatives of Hai Phong Customs Department have reflected some problems arising from the practical activities at the unit such as it was necessary to guide the application ofreduced inspection method for shipments and goods stipulated in Clause 1, Article 17 of Decree No. 15/2018 / ND-CP. Point b Clause 1 of Article 19 of Decree No. 15/2018 / ND-CP stipulates that“The Customs authority is responsible for random selection of 5% of the total number of imported shipments subject to the reduced inspection within 01 year for document examination in accordance with regulation”. However, the local customs units have not been guided on the random selection of 5% of the total number of shipments subject to the reduced inspection within 1 year for document examination.

On the other hand, Clause 3 of Article 14 of Decree 15/2018 provides that the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development shall provide the Customs authorities with the list of countries and exporters allowed to export the aforementioned products to Vietnam. But now, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has not been provided the above list to the Customs authorities.

Answering the problems of Hai Phong Customs, the Deputy Minister of Health indicated that the method of self-announcement was completely new and there were no certification in the self- announcement process. When a business registers a product, it must publicize the product and may post it publicly at its headquarters and be entitled to production immediately. At the same time, enterprises shall have to send one copy to the competent State management agency for inspection and examination but not for goods circulation.

Decree 15 clearly stipulates that enterprises send their self-announcement to the competent State authorities designated by the province or city (Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Department of Industry and Trade and Department of Health., etc) .

The Ministry of Health is developing national data on food hygiene and safety in order to make it convenient for search of manufacturing units, products as well as inspection, examination and strict handling of violations.

Regarding the problem on State inspection on imported and exported foods, Article 13 of Decree 15 has expanded the subjects of exemption from State inspection of imported food safety (9 points), except for cases of warning about food safety. Currently, products are granted a certificate of product announcement registration (formerly was certificate of conformity for a definite period) for an indefinite period, allowing the product circulation throughout the life of the product.

Besides, the inspection is exempted for products and raw materials imported for only export production and processing or for internal production of organizations and individuals and not for consumption in the home market and in accordance with the commitments on raw materials for production of products. However, the importers are not allowed to sell those materials to the market.

The Deputy Minister of Health said that "Avoid the situation that a cake is subject to 13 licenses”. According to the previous regulations, each product must have a registration certificate issued by a competent authority when circulating on the market. But now, each product in circulation only needs a self-announcement document of quality issued by the enterprise (and the enterprise is responsible for this document) or the certificate issued by a State agency.

Article 14 of Decree 15 also stipulates requirements for products of terrestrial animals, products of aquatic animals and plant products used as imported food. This plays an important role in protecting the domestic agricultural production. In the trading process, countries often set technical barriers, each country wanting to export pangasius to Vietnam must be a certified exporting country by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. Specifically, Clause 3, Article 14 of Decree 15 also regulates that the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development shall provide the customs office with a list of countries and territories and organizations and individuals that are permitted to export the product into Vietnam.

deputy minister of health nguyen thanh long avoid the situation that a cake is subject to 13 licences Customs officers deal with problems related to Decree 15 on food safety

VCN- Related to the fact that the media cited information at a public meeting on Government Decree ...

Article 15 of Decree 15 also stipulates the State inspection agencies for imported food (which is appointed or designated by the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development or the Ministry of Industry and Trade). It means that the appointed State inspection agencies for food safety must notify the Customs authority (in additional case)

Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long praised the General Department of Customs and the provincial and city Customs Departments for their drastic measures in implementing Decree 15, because this is a new task and there is a lack of specialized knowledge of food safety. This big change is to hand over to the customs authority to be in charge of document examination. Especially, the process of implementation has shown many obstacles and proposed solutions to remove.
By Quang Hung/ Huyen Trang

Related News

Singapore is a market with high and strict requirements for food safety

Singapore is a market with high and strict requirements for food safety

VCN - In response to a business illegally operating two cold storage warehouses and illegally importing a number of food products from Vietnam, it was subject to a fine of SG $36,000 (Singapore dollar) from Singapore authorities, the Vietnam Trade Office in Singapore recommends that Vietnamese food exporters need to pay attention to regulations in this market.
New regulations create facilitation in the origin management of imported and exported goods

New regulations create facilitation in the origin management of imported and exported goods

VCN - The Ministry of Finance has just issued Circular 33/2023/TT-BTC regulating the determination of origin of exported and imported goods. Circular 33 takes effect from July 15 and replaces circulars No. 38/2018/TT-BTC, 62/2019/TT-BTC, 47/2020/TT-BTC, and 07/2021/TT-BTC.
Lang Son Customs encounters difficulties in implementing solutions to facilitate the export of agricultural products

Lang Son Customs encounters difficulties in implementing solutions to facilitate the export of agricultural products

VCN - Implementing Official Dispatch No. 492/CD-TTg dated May 31, 2023, of the Prime Minister on proactively implementing urgent measures to reduce congestion and promote the export of agricultural products at Northern border gates, Lang Son Customs Department has requested its units to implement solutions to create maximum facilitation for agricultural export activities. However, this is facing difficulties, especially in fruit and agricultural products.
EU relaxes food safety regulation for Vietnamese instant noodles

EU relaxes food safety regulation for Vietnamese instant noodles

Vietnamese instant noodle products imported into the European Union (EU) market will not be required of certificates of food safety inspection issued by Vietnam’s authorised agencies from June 27.

Latest News

Thanh Hoa Customs creates attraction from the support and company

Thanh Hoa Customs creates attraction from the support and company

VCN - Always grasping the “medical condition” of import and export enterprises and timely disseminate new policies to enterprises… are implementing by Thanh Hoa Customs Department. It aims to help businesses recover and develop import-export activities as well as ensure state management of customs.
Can Tho City Customs Department’s revenue increases by 85%

Can Tho City Customs Department’s revenue increases by 85%

VCN – The revenue from items such as coal, machinery and equipment, electronic products and imported components increase, improving the revenue of Can Tho Customs Department.
Off – Airport Cargo Terminal facilitates import and export enterprises

Off – Airport Cargo Terminal facilitates import and export enterprises

VCN - The method of importing and exporting goods through Off – Airport Cargo Terminal will help businesses to save time and costs of transporting goods to the airport, reduce time of carrying out customs procedures, and increase the speed of international goods transportation…
Quang Tri Customs makes great effort to foster imports and exports across area

Quang Tri Customs makes great effort to foster imports and exports across area

VCN – Quang Tri Customs Department determines that accompanying businesses is a requirement and responsibility to support businesses in overcoming difficulties, contributing to the socio-economic development in the area.

More News

Director of HCM City Customs Department Dinh Ngoc Thang is appointed Deputy Director General of Vietnam Customs

Director of HCM City Customs Department Dinh Ngoc Thang is appointed Deputy Director General of Vietnam Customs

VCN - On March 27, 2024, at the headquarters of General Department of Vietnam Customs, the Ministry of Finance held a conference to announce the Decision to appoint Mr. Dinh Ngoc Thang, Director of HCM City Customs Department to the position of Deputy Director General of Vietnam Customs. Deputy Minister of Finance Nguyen Duc Chi chaired the conference.
Propose to extend customs clearance time across La Lay International Border Gate

Propose to extend customs clearance time across La Lay International Border Gate

VCN - The People's Committee of Quang Tri province has sent an official dispatch to the Government Committee of Salavan province (Laos) on changing working hours at the pair of international border gates of La Lay (Dakrong district) and La Lay (Salavan province).
Imported goods increased, customs clearance was slow at Huu Nghi international border gate

Imported goods increased, customs clearance was slow at Huu Nghi international border gate

VCN - Information from border gates in Lang Son province, in recent days, the number of imported goods and vehicles entering Vietnam through Huu Nghi international border gate has increased, leading to slow customs clearance activities.
Pilot customs clearance for passengers using passports and entry and exit permits across Bac Luan II Bridge

Pilot customs clearance for passengers using passports and entry and exit permits across Bac Luan II Bridge

VCN – Mong Cai City People’s Committee has just piloted customs clearance for passengers using passports and entry and exit permits across Mong Cai International Border Gate in Bac Luan II Bridge on Saturday and Sunday.
Hai Phong and Quang Ninh Customs Departments promote cooperation

Hai Phong and Quang Ninh Customs Departments promote cooperation

VCN – The cooperation between Hai Phong and Quang Ninh Customs Departments has achieved many practical and effective results.
HCM City: Export production and processing enterprises drop sharply

HCM City: Export production and processing enterprises drop sharply

VCN - The number of processing and export production enterprises completing procedures at the Processing Customs Branch - HCM City Customs Department in 2023 decreased by more than 31% compared to 2022. It is only about 1,200 enterprises.
Lang Son Customs faces difficulties in tax debt recovery

Lang Son Customs faces difficulties in tax debt recovery

VCN - Recently, Lang Son Customs Department has implemented many tax debt enforcement measures to reduce tax debt to the lowest level. However, the results have not met expectations. Customs branches at border gates in the province are currently facing difficulty in collecting tax debt.
Bac Ninh Customs held a dialogue with over 200 import and export business

Bac Ninh Customs held a dialogue with over 200 import and export business

VCN - On March 21, Bac Ninh Customs Department held a dialogue of Customs-Business in 2024 with the participation of more than 500 representatives of over 200 enterprises operating imports and exports in Bac Ninh, Bac Giang and Thai Nguyen province.
Customs finalization report is the stage to decide whether business eligible for  tax exemption or not

Customs finalization report is the stage to decide whether business eligible for tax exemption or not

VCN - Customs finalization report is the final step to decide whether the business is eligible for tax exemption or not. To do this, the business is required to implement effective internal management methods, and has transparent accounting systems and management software...
Read More

Your care

Latest Most read
Thanh Hoa Customs creates attraction from the support and company

Thanh Hoa Customs creates attraction from the support and company

Always grasping “medical condition” of import and export enterprises and timely disseminate new policies to enterprises… are implementing by Thanh Hoa Customs Department.
Can Tho City Customs Department’s revenue increases by 85%

Can Tho City Customs Department’s revenue increases by 85%

VCN - According to report of Can Tho Customs Department, as of March 15, the department processed 26,000 declarations of imports and exports, up about 12%. The import and export turnover rose 17% year-on-year to US$ 1.1 billion.
Off – Airport Cargo Terminal facilitates import and export enterprises

Off – Airport Cargo Terminal facilitates import and export enterprises

The method of importing and exporting goods through Off – Airport Cargo Terminal will help businesses to save time and costs of transporting goods to the airport and increase the speed of international goods transportation…
Quang Tri Customs makes great effort to foster imports and exports across area

Quang Tri Customs makes great effort to foster imports and exports across area

VCN - Statistics from the Quang Tri Customs Department show that import-export, immigration, and transit activities in the area in the first quarter of 2024 soar.
Director of HCM City Customs Department Dinh Ngoc Thang is appointed Deputy Director General of Vietnam Customs

Director of HCM City Customs Department Dinh Ngoc Thang is appointed Deputy Director General of Vietnam Customs

The Ministry of Finance held a conference to announce the Decision to appoint Mr. Dinh Ngoc Thang to the position of Deputy Director General of Vietnam Customs
Mobile Version