Lack of standards for green products
Talking to reporters of the Industry and Trade Newspaper, Mr. Cu Huy Quang, Head of the Department of Energy Efficiency and Green Transformation (Department of Innovation, Green Transformation and Industrial Promotion - Ministry of Industry and Trade ) said that the trend of producing and consuming green and clean products is growing strongly, contributing to changing the market structure. However, we still lack many specific standards on what is considered a clean and green product.
According to Mr. Cu Huy Quang, for sustainable development enterprises, there is a set of ESG criteria for reference. However, up to now, no ministry, department or sector has issued a unified set of criteria, officially defining what a green product is. This is a major limitation that makes the development, production and dissemination of green products difficult, making it difficult for consumers to have enough clear information to choose.
However, in certain areas there have been specific regulations, for example the Ministry of Industry and Trade has issued regulations on Energy Labels, a very successful form of Green Labels.
“This program has been implemented since 2006 and has created a big change in the market: low-efficiency, energy-consuming electrical appliances have been gradually replaced by higher-efficiency products. Consumers today, when buying electrical and electronic products such as televisions, refrigerators, air conditioners, etc., are familiar with checking the energy label on the product, which is a testament to the effectiveness of the Green Label,” said Mr. Quang.
However, in many other product groups, green product standards, regulations and labels are still lacking and weak. As the agency implementing Sustainable Development Goal 12 on sustainable production and consumption, the Ministry of Industry and Trade has developed a National Action Program on sustainable production and consumption for the period 2021-2030, approved by the Prime Minister in Decision 889/QD-TTg in 2020 (Program). Over the past 5 years, the Program has actively integrated ESG content and promoted the development of green standards and criteria.
“Specifically, in 2024, the Ministry of Industry and Trade has developed 3 standards for recycled plastic products. It is expected that in 2025, the Ministry will continue to develop 5 new standards in this field,” said Mr. Quang.
Cu Huy Quang, Head of Energy Efficiency and Green Transformation Department (Department of Innovation, Green Transformation and Industrial Promotion. Photo: Thu Huong
In addition, since 2021, the Ministry of Industry and Trade has conducted research and developed many models for recycling and reusing waste and developing new sources of raw materials for production. Circular economic models have been promoted in industrial clusters and areas with great potential, aiming to create a shift in both awareness and production practices.
In the period 2026-2030, the Ministry of Industry and Trade focuses on implementing the Program to promote the application of science and technology in sustainable production and consumption. This will be a large-scale program with the expectation of creating many new green products, strengthening green criteria, and promoting the circular economy in potential industries, fields, and localities. The goal is to reduce and save input materials and improve production efficiency for businesses.
Along with that, the Ministry will also focus on promoting international cooperation and linkages to research and produce new and greener products, while helping businesses access green financial resources, especially incentives for small and micro enterprises that are converting to green production models.
Mr. Cu Huy Quang frankly admitted that the number of green products in the country is still quite limited, mainly concentrated in the food and beverage group, while many other fields have not developed accordingly. In the coming time, the Ministry of Industry and Trade hopes to further promote research programs, perfect policy mechanisms, and create a favorable environment for businesses and consumers to access and produce more green products.
Mr. Quang also shared that currently, the capital support for the green manufacturing sector is still limited. With Resolution 57, the Ministry of Industry and Trade expects to have more financial resources to support businesses. Within its management scope, the Ministry currently has a number of capital sources focused on supporting businesses to improve energy efficiency, through technology conversion, contributing to greening the production process.
In the coming time, taking advantage of science, technology and environmental funds will be an important opportunity for businesses to innovate technology, innovate products, and produce more greener and more sustainable products.
Businesses need transparent information about product origin
Sharing about the difficulties in consuming green products, Mr. Le Van Tam, Director of the Red River Agricultural Service Cooperative, shared that his cooperative specializes in producing straws from the main raw materials of vegetable and root powder. The cooperative's products can be used to make straws and can also be eaten directly. The products are exported abroad but the domestic market has not yet accepted them, making them very difficult to consume.
Regarding this issue, Mr. Cu Huy Quang said that the Ministry of Industry and Trade is currently trying to introduce many standards and criteria for green products and goods so that consumers can recognize green products, but on the contrary, it requires businesses to transparently announce their products, the origin of raw materials, and product certifications. "If consumers do not have enough information, it will be difficult for them to choose, consumer behavior is a prerequisite to promote sustainable consumption ", Mr. Quang emphasized.
Businesses need to be transparent about the origin and certification of green products to protect consumers. Illustrative photo
Meanwhile, Ms. Nguyen Thi Bich Huong, Head of Communications Department of Vietnam Association of Small and Medium Enterprises, said that it is necessary to promote propaganda work to raise awareness for both businesses and consumers.
“The government has asked financial institutions to develop green credit packages to support businesses in accessing them, but they are required to have ESG reports, and we are ready to support businesses and production facilities in making these reports, and businesses should consider the cost of developing these reports as investment costs for their sustainable development,” Ms. Huong emphasized.
In order for the Sustainable Production and Consumption Program to be more widely spread in the coming time, becoming a pillar of green development, Dr. Ta Dinh Thi, Vice Chairman of the National Assembly's Committee on Science, Technology and Environment, affirmed that green technology is the core driving force, so it is necessary to prioritize the development of technology that optimizes resources, reduces pollution, and promotes the circular economy. At the same time, he proposed that the state have preferential tax policies and capital support for green transformation enterprises.
In addition, information transparency is also needed, because this is the foundation for consumer protection, through the construction of a national database of green products, strict control of advertising on e-commerce platforms; calling on the media to promote propaganda and popularize "green" standards to the community.
Source: https://moit.gov.vn/tin-tuc/phat-trien-nguon-nhan-luc/cung-co-tieu-chi-xanh-day-manh-kinh-te-tuan-hoan.html
Comment (0)