The training course was conducted via a hybrid format combining online lectures (delivered by Japanese AOTS instructors) and direct in-person sessions (delivered by experts from the Vietnam Chemical Society). Nearly 100 participants representing domestic chemical organizations and enterprises attended the training course.
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| Mr. Le Quoc Khanh - President of the Vietnam Chemical Society speaking at the training course |
Delivering the opening address, Mr. Le Quoc Khanh - President of the Vietnam Chemical Society, noted that the training course received active participation from many enterprises, especially small and medium-sized enterprises in the fields of chemicals, agrochemicals, paints, and coatings. Accordingly, all specialized technical subjects were directly exchanged and discussed by experienced GHS classification experts from Japan and Vietnam.
From the Chemical Department, Mr. Nguyen Xuan Sinh - Deputy Director emphasized that previously, within the Memorandum of Understanding on Chemical Management between Vietnam's Ministry of Industry and Trade and Japan's METI for Phase 2 (2015–2020) aimed at strengthening chemical management capacity in Vietnam, three primary activities were carried out: the annual "Policy Dialogue Forum" to share Japanese experiences and global trends, while evaluating annual achievements and setting cooperative orientations for the coming year.
Next was the Project on "Strengthening Chemical Management Capacity for Vietnam" funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to draft the National Chemical Inventory and establish the national chemical database framework; currently, the National Chemical Database (CSDLHC) functions as an effective tool in chemical administration.
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| Mr. Nguyen Xuan Sinh - Deputy Director of the Chemical Department speaking at the training course |
The subsequent activity is organizing seminars and training programs to enhance chemical management capabilities for ministries, sectors, and chemical-related enterprises. Under this component, METI Japan designated the Association for Overseas Technical Cooperation and Sustainable Partnerships (AOTS) as the coordinating entity. Vietnam's MOIT, through the Chemical Department, introduced the Vietnam Chemical Society to collaborate with AOTS in delivering GHS training.
The series of GHS seminars and training courses under the MOU on Chemical Management between Vietnam's MOIT and Japan's METI has been organized annually since 2012, drawing participants from ministries, departments, provincial Departments of Industry and Trade, and chemical manufacturing facilities nationwide.
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| GHS training course with nearly 100 participants representing domestic chemical enterprises and organizations. |
During the two-day program, the GHS training course for SMEs aimed to provide technical assistance for the business community in implementing Articles 23 and 24 of the Law on Chemicals regarding the mandatory classification, labeling, and preparation of Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for organizations and individuals manufacturing or importing chemicals into Vietnam. Notably, the training provided chemical enterprises in the northern region with specific technical instructions to support GHS classification and labeling.
In addition, Japanese instructors from AOTS presented methodologies for accessing GHS classification data through online platforms and shared GHS classification practices and experiences from Europe, Japan, Malaysia, and other countries for Vietnamese trainees to learn.
Highlighting cooperation in information exchange, seminars, personnel training, and other activities in chemical management between both nations, Mr. Nguyen Xuan Sinh affirmed that with the support of Japan's METI, the Chemical Department will leverage its internal resources to best fulfill all commitments and agreements in the MOU, helping Vietnam's chemical industry develop in a sustainable, eco-friendly manner and contributing to modern industrialization.
Source: congthuong.vn
