Vietnam has banned imports of used machinery, equipment and production line technology aged more than 10-years-old.

The age limitation was regulated in a new Governmental decision – Decision No18/2019/QD-TTg – on the import of used machinery, equipment and production line technology.

The decision was signed by Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung and will take effect from June 15, 2019, replacing regulations in circular No 23/2015/TT –BKHCN issued by the Ministry of Science and Technology in 2015.

The ban aims to stop outdated, poor quality, polluting and unsafe used machinery, equipment and production line technology being used in the country.

Only used machinery, equipment and production line technology directly serving production in Vietnam will be imported to the country.

In addition, they must be manufactured in accordance with a National Technical Regulation (QCVN) or Vietnam’s Standard (TCVN) or Standards of G7 countries and the Republic of Korea with regard to safety, energy saving and environmental protection.

The imported used production line technology must have capacity of at least 85 percent of their designed capacity and energy. Their consumption of materials, fuel and energy can't exceed 15 percent of designed consumption.

The Ministry of Science and Technology will be responsible for announcing the lists of used machinery, equipment and production line technology that other countries have banned.