Environmental Permit Application Procedures – Full-Service Consulting with Vĩnh Hà

Environmental Permit Application Procedures – Full-Service Consulting with Vĩnh Hà

As Vietnam strengthens its environmental protection regulations, the Environmental Permit (EPL) has become a mandatory condition for manufacturing facilities, investment projects, and businesses to operate legally. Understanding the scope of permits, procedures, documentation, and timelines helps companies avoid compliance risks and stay legally secure.

Below is a detailed guide compiled by Vĩnh Hà Investment Consulting Co., Ltd., an experienced consulting firm in environmental and legal licensing.

1. Who needs an environmental permit?

According to the Law on Environmental Protection 2020 and Decree No. 08/2022/NĐ-CP, an Environmental Permit is required for:

• Investment projects, production or service facilities generating wastewater, emissions, noise, or solid waste.

• Facilities involved in hazardous waste or industrial waste treatment.

• Industrial parks, export processing zones, and industrial clusters with centralized wastewater treatment systems.

• Hospitals, laboratories, food processing plants, textile dyeing, plating, electronics, chemical or manufacturing factories, etc.

👉 In short, any entity with significant environmental impact must obtain this permit before official operation.

2. Environmental permit application process

Step 1: Identify the correct permit and authority

Classify your project’s size and impact level to determine whether the permit is issued by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE) or the Provincial Department of Natural Resources and Environment (DONRE).

Step 2: Prepare the application dossier

Required documents include:

• Application form for environmental permit;

• Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) or Environmental Protection Plan;

• Technical drawings and descriptions of waste and emission treatment systems;

• Latest environmental monitoring reports;

• Business registration or investment certificate;

• Trial operation report for waste treatment facilities.

Step 3: Submit and undergo appraisal

Submit the dossier to the competent authority (DONRE or MONRE). The authority will conduct a technical appraisal, possibly including a site inspection and expert consultation.

Step 4: Issuance of environmental permit

If the dossier is valid, the permit will be issued within 20–45 working days.

3. Is it difficult to apply by yourself? How long does it take?

Self-preparing an environmental permit requires:

• In-depth knowledge of environmental law and waste treatment technology;

• Complete technical and monitoring data;

• Coordination with multiple government agencies (DONRE, Environmental Monitoring Center, EIA review council, etc.).

⏱ Average timeframe if done internally:

• Preparing documents, testing, and reports: 20–30 days

• Appraisal and approval: 20–45 days
  ➡️ Total: 40–75 working days

⚠️ Incomplete or incorrect dossiers may lead to rejection, long delays, or administrative fines for operating without a valid permit.

4. Advantages of using professional consulting services

When authorizing Vĩnh Hà Investment Consulting Co., Ltd., businesses benefit from:

✅ Accurate consultation on the type of permit and applicable regulations
✅ Professionally prepared dossiers that pass appraisal quickly
✅ Support for on-site sampling, monitoring, and technical reporting
✅ Full representation in submission, tracking, and result collection
✅ 30–40% faster processing time compared to self-handling
✅ Transparent, fixed cost with no hidden fees

5. Seven main types of environmental permits in Vietnam

1. Permit for discharging wastewater into natural water sources

2. Permit for discharging wastewater into irrigation works

3. Permit for exploitation and use of groundwater or surface water

4. Permit for hazardous waste management and treatment

5. Permit for industrial gas emission treatment

6. Permit for management of solid waste (domestic & industrial)

7. Comprehensive Environmental Permit (for facilities with multiple waste types)

6. Why is a waste treatment permit important?

A waste treatment permit is the legal foundation for:

• Ensuring compliance with national environmental standards;

• Allowing authorities to control discharge and pollution levels;

• Serving as a prerequisite for operating waste treatment systems, VAT refund, or environmental-related project bidding;

• Avoiding administrative fines up to 500 million VND for operating without a valid permit.

7. Environmental permit procedures in Bắc Ninh

As one of the leading industrial and high-tech provinces in northern Vietnam, Bắc Ninh requires all manufacturing enterprises (electronics, textile, mechanical, etc.) to obtain an environmental permit before operation.

Competent authorities:

• Bắc Ninh Department of Natural Resources and Environment (DONRE) – for medium and small-scale projects

• Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE) – for large-scale or interprovincial projects

Average processing time: 30 – 45 working days after a valid submission.

Required documents:

• Application form;

• Environmental impact report or protection plan;

• Wastewater and emission treatment system drawings;

• Investment license and business registration;

• Latest environmental monitoring results.

8. Full-service environmental permit consulting by Vĩnh Hà

👉 Vĩnh Hà Investment Consulting Co., Ltd. provides end-to-end environmental permit consulting services in Bắc Ninh and northern Vietnam.

Our expert team helps clients:

• Identify correct procedures and permit type

• Prepare technically compliant dossiers

• Represent clients in all government submissions

• Receive permits quickly with minimal cost

📞 Contact for Free Consultation
VINH HA INVESTMENT CONSULTING CO., LTD.