Prime Minister approves the scheme on reforming quality and food safety inspection model

Customs officials of Nghi Son port Customs Branch checked import-export goods. Photo: N.Linh

Recently, with the Government's drastic direction and the efforts of the ministries and sector, the specialised inspection of imported goods has achieved some important results, but it has not meet the requirements of administrative reform yet, nor has it created a breakthrough change or met the expectations of the business community yet.

To step up the reform of administrative procedures and facilitate the promotion of production and business activities, the Government has directed to create a breakthrough in the specialised inspection of import and export goods.

In Resolution No. 02/NQ-CP dated January 1, 2020 and Resolution No. 99/NQ-CP dated November 13, 2019, the Government assigned the Ministry of Finance to chair “the development of the scheme for reforming specialised inspection in the direction that the Customs authority would be focal point for implementing specialised inspection at the border gate (except for items related to security, defence, quarantine), the specialised management ministry would perform post-inspection”.

Following the Government's instructions, as assigned by the Ministry of Finance, the General Department of Vietnam Customs has developed the draft project "Reforming the model of quality and food safety inspection for imported goods” for the fundamental and comprehensive reform of specialised inspection of imported goods in accordance with the guidelines and instructions of the Government.

To resolve the current shortcomings; reduce administrative procedures, cut resources, reduce costs, reduce customs clearance time; help raise awareness of corporate responsibility in compliance with the law on quality, food safety of goods and safety protection for the community and consumers.

The Ministry of Finance has proposed to the Prime Minister a new model of quality and food safety inspection for imported goods with seven major reform contents.