Circular 26/2026/TT-BCT: Significant decentralisation of procedures for chemicals and dangerous goods – A new step forward for businesses

On 20 May 2026, the Ministry of Industry and Trade officially issued Circular 26/2026/TT-BCT (effective from 29 May 2026) with the aim of streamlining and decentralising a wide range of key administrative procedures. For businesses, this represents a significant legal development that helps optimise compliance time in specialised sectors such as the management of chemicals, explosives and the transport of dangerous goods. 

Clear Delegation of Authority in the Management of Chemicals Requiring Special Control

Identifying the correct competent authority is a key factor for businesses in managing legal risks. The new circular stipulates:

• The Chemicals Agency: Directly receives, assesses and issues licences (for production and trade) for Group 1 chemicals, as well as Group 1 and 2 chemicals (processed simultaneously), or mixtures containing components from both groups.
• Provincial People’s Committees: Have been granted greater authority, responsible for issuing licences for the production and trade of Group 2 chemicals (for facilities not handling Group 1 chemicals). Notably, local authorities also have the power to grant import and export licences for Group 1 and Group 2 chemicals and to issue Certificates of Compliance for the storage of chemicals for facilities required to draw up a Chemical Accident Prevention and Response Plan.

Removing bottlenecks in the transport of dangerous goods

Efforts to ensure chemical safety along transport routes have been facilitated by comprehensive devolution of authority to local levels:

• Provincial People’s Committees retain the authority to process transport permits for dangerous goods of Classes 5 and 8.
• A notable new development: The authority to issue transport permits for Class 1 dangerous goods (excluding explosives and explosive precursors), as well as Classes 2, 3, 4 and 9, has been officially transferred from the Ministry of Industry and Trade to provincial People’s Committees (where the enterprise has its head office or branch).

Streamlining procedures for industrial explosives and explosive precursors

Aimed at removing administrative barriers whilst ensuring strict management:

• Directorate of Industrial Safety and Environment: Processes certificates of eligibility for the production of industrial explosives.
• Chemicals Department: Responsible for issuing licences for the trade and import/export of explosive precursors.
• Provincial People’s Committees: Directly manage the issuing of licences for the use of explosives within their jurisdiction; certify the production of explosive precursors and the trade/import/export of industrial explosives.