Vietnam Proposes Streamlining Fire Prevention and Fighting Inspection Procedures

The Vietnamese government has submitted a proposal to the National Assembly to abolish pre-operation inspection procedures for fire prevention and fighting, and to implement post-operation checks. This move is part of a broader legislative effort to streamline administrative processes and reduce burdens on citizens and businesses. Under the proposed amendment, instead of conducting pre-operation inspections, authorities will conduct post-operation checks to verify compliance with fire prevention and fighting regulations by project owners, owners of structures, and owners of vehicles. This shift from a pre-inspection to a post-inspection regime is intended to reduce compliance time and costs, thereby facilitating business operations. The proposal is included in the draft law amending and supplementing several articles of the Law on Management and Use of Weapons, Explosive Materials, and Support Tools, and the Law on Fire Prevention, Fighting, and Rescue. Lieutenant General Le Van Tuyen, Deputy Minister of Public Security, presented the proposal, highlighting its role in promoting decentralization and simplifying administrative procedures. "The construction of the draft law aims to promote decentralization, cut down and simplify administrative procedures, shift from a pre-inspection mechanism to a post-inspection one, reduce compliance time and costs, and create favorable conditions for citizens and businesses," stated Lt. Gen. Tuyen. Beyond fire safety, the amendments also address the management of weapons, explosives, and support tools. The draft law proposes to decentralize the authority to revoke weapons, explosives, and support tools, as well as related licenses and certificates, to competent agencies designated by the Minister of Public Security. It also suggests abolishing the licensing procedure for the business of support tools, replacing it with management through "Certificates of Security and Order Eligibility." Furthermore, the proposal aims to simplify the dossier requirements for equipping military and sports weapons, and support tools, and to shorten the processing time for licenses related to the export and import of explosive precursors. Regarding the Law on Fire Prevention, Fighting, and Rescue, the draft proposes to abolish the pre-operation inspection for fire prevention and fighting and to replace it with post-operation checks. It also seeks to remove the requirement for pre-circulation permits for fire prevention and rescue equipment, and fire-resistant materials, managing them instead under product quality laws. Le Tan Toi, Chairman of the National Assembly's Committee for Defense and Security, affirmed the necessity of the law. However, he raised several points for consideration. For the Law on Management and Use of Weapons, Explosive Materials, and Support Tools, he suggested supplementing transitional provisions to address existing support tool business licenses and reviewing regulations on hunting firearms. For the Law on Fire Prevention, Fighting, and Rescue, he emphasized the need to clearly define the responsibilities of facility managers, household heads, and vehicle owners in adhering to fire prevention standards. He also called for clarity on the legal responsibilities of project owners, owners, and vehicle owners, and the competency standards for independent inspection units to prevent safety risks. The committee also recommended adding provisions to address challenges faced by merged provinces and cities and to establish mechanisms for post-operation checks, electronic data sharing, and risk-based management. These measures are intended to ensure that administrative streamlining does not compromise state management effectiveness and to provide a basis for inspection and violation handling after projects are put into operation.