Công văn 105/TCMT-QTMT

To: Environment monitoring units

Below are instructions of Vietnam Environment Administration on environmental monitoring:

1. Equipment inspection

Pursuant to Circular No. 23/2013/TT-BKHCN dated September 26, 2013 of the Ministry of Science and Technology on Category 2 measurement instruments, the following environmental monitoring equipment must undergo inspection:

- Automatic continuous air monitoring stations (dust, SO₂, NO, NO₂, CO, CO₂);

- Automatic continuous water monitoring stations (pH, EC, DO, opacity, TDS);

- Hand-operated air measurers (SO₂, NO, NO₂, CO, CO₂);

- Hand-operated water measurers (pH, EC, DO, opacity, TDS);

- Equipment for measuring noise, vibration, total suspended particles (TSP);

- Analytical balance, E2 class weights, F1 class weights.

Inspection cycles: initial inspection, annual inspection and post-repair inspection. Initial inspection means the first inspection of the equipment before it is put into operation; annual inspection means inspection of the equipment every 12 months during its use; post-repair inspection means inspection after repair of a environmental monitoring equipment because the equipment fails to satisfy technical measurement requirements, the certificate of inspection (inspection seal, inspection stamp or document) is lost or damaged or the equipment user suspects that the equipment fails to satisfy technical measurement requirements and request another inspection.

Inspecting units: units having the environmental monitoring equipment that needs inspecting shall select an inspecting unit whose operating scope and capacity are conformable with Circular No. 24/2013/TT-BKHCN.

Document retention: documentary evidence of inspection of environmental monitoring equipment (inspection stamps and certificates) must be retained, systematically managed and provided for competent authorities on demand.

2. Equipment calibration

List of equipment that needs calibrating: equipment that needs to undergo periodic calibration is specified in some legislative documents on environmental monitoring and environment analysis. Certification and accreditation organizations also recommended that the equipment should be calibrated at least once a year. Therefore, environmental monitoring equipment must be calibrated before being put into use and maintained throughout its use and between two calibrations.

Calibrating units: environmental monitoring equipment must be calibrated by organizations that are capable (in terms of equipment and personnel) and have registered in accordance with Circular No. 24/2013/TT-BKHCN Equipment that exceeds the capacity of available calibrating organizations may be calibrated by its manufacturer or an official representative of the manufacturer if capable.

Document retention: documentary evidence of calibration of environmental monitoring equipment (calibration stamps and certificates) must be retained, systematically managed and provided for competent authorities on demand.

3. Inspection and calibration costs

Inspection and calibration costs shall be determined according to the reasonable costs of provision of inspection and calibration services, the contents, volume, nature and deadline of work as agreed between the service provider and the client. These costs include costs of supply, labor, equipment depreciation, transport.

Difficulties that arise during implementation of this document should be reported to Vietnam Environment Administration at: 556 Nguyen Van Cu, Long Bien, Hanoi; Phone number: 04.38726846; Fax: 04.38726847; email: [email protected].

Instructions on equipment inspection and calibration can be found on quantracmoitruong.gov.vn.