Industrial production activities are growing rapidly, placing increasing pressure on the natural environment. Complying with environmental protection regulations in factory design and construction is not only a legal requirement but also a core factor that helps enterprises achieve sustainable development. A factory that is properly planned and designed will minimize air, water, and noise pollution, while also creating a safe working environment for workers and surrounding communities.
In Vietnam, the legal system on environmental protection has been continuously improved, with many decrees, circulars, and specific technical standards requiring investors to comply from the stages of project preparation, design construction to operation. For enterprises operating in the field of factory design and construction, understanding and correctly applying these regulations ensures faster project approval, reduces legal risks, and strengthens their brand reputation in the field of green industrial construction.
In the following article, BIC will present the main legal regulations, technical standards, and environmentally friendly factory design solutions to help investors and engineers grasp the most important requirements in current environmental protection practices.
Complying with environmental protection regulations is an inseparable factor in the process of factory design, construction, and operation. A properly designed facility helps minimize pollution, improve energy efficiency, and reduce long-term operating costs. When waste, wastewater, and exhaust gas treatment systems are technically designed and properly installed, enterprises can control risks and prevent incidents that might affect production activities and corporate reputation.
Environmental protection also carries strategic value in enhancing the image of a modern enterprise with social responsibility. It is an important criterion in international certifications such as ISO 14001, LEED, LOTUS, or EDGE. Compliance with these regulations helps enterprises gain a competitive advantage and strengthen the trust of partners, customers, and the community.
Compliance with environmental regulations is no longer a mere obligation but has become an inevitable trend of modern industry. The earlier enterprises invest in green infrastructure, clean technologies, and safe production processes, the greater their brand value and long-term development potential in the market.
The legal framework on environmental protection in Vietnam today has been comprehensively developed, covering all stages of the project life cycle from planning and design to construction and operation. This system of documents is divided into three main levels: laws, decrees and circulars, and technical standards (QCVN/TCVN). Each level plays a specific role in orienting, supervising, and ensuring enterprise responsibility in environmental protection.
The Law on Environmental Protection 2020 is the most important legal foundation, marking a strong shift from post-impact management to lifecycle-based project management. The law clearly stipulates the obligations of investors to prepare an Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIA) or an Environmental Protection Plan, depending on the project’s scale and potential impact.
Decree 08/2022/NĐ-CP provides detailed implementation guidelines, specifying the steps of appraisal, approval, and monitoring of the EIA process. It also sets out requirements for environmental monitoring, waste treatment, hazardous waste management, and post-project environmental restoration.
Circular 02/2022/TT-BTNMT stipulates sampling methods, monitoring frequency, and reporting formats for environmental data, forming the basis for an automated, transparent, and remotely monitored environmental supervision system.
The Vietnamese Technical Regulations (QCVN) and Vietnamese Standards (TCVN) serve as specific benchmarks for each environmental factor in production activities.
- QCVN defines mandatory threshold limits for industrial emissions, domestic wastewater, noise, vibration, solid waste, and hazardous chemical discharges.
- TCVN provides technical guidance to help enterprises select appropriate design and operational solutions to meet QCVN standards.
Thanks to this combination, enterprises can proactively establish effective environmental management systems from site planning and material selection to installing gas and wastewater treatment equipment.
In addition to domestic standards, many advanced manufacturers in Vietnam also apply international standards such as ISO 14001 (Environmental Management System), LEED, LOTUS, and EDGE, aiming toward green, energy-saving, and low-carbon factory models. Applying these standards not only enhances corporate reputation but also improves access to international markets where strict environmental certification and sustainability requirements are imposed.
Environmental management by the state is clearly decentralized. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE) is responsible for policy formulation, issuing national standards, and inspecting large-scale projects. At the local level, Departments of Natural Resources and Environment are responsible for checking the implementation of environmental commitments, conducting periodic monitoring, and handling violations.
Strict compliance with regulations helps enterprises avoid legal risks such as suspension of operations, revocation of investment licenses, or administrative penalties, while also reinforcing the trust of authorities, partners, and nearby communities.
Every factory must have its own wastewater treatment system or be connected to a centralized industrial park treatment plant. Wastewater must be treated to meet QCVN standards before being discharged into the environment. In practice, factories with a capacity of 200–1,000 m³/day often use AAO or MBR technology, which saves space and ensures stable operation.
Industrial solid waste must be classified at the source and stored in a separate area with an impermeable floor and roof, ensuring no leakage into the surrounding environment.
Factories in industries such as mechanical manufacturing, textile dyeing, or chemicals must install electrostatic dust filters, gas absorption towers, or activated carbon filters to ensure emissions meet standards.
Noise reduction can be achieved through soundproofing machinery, insulated panel walls, and green buffer zones around factory boundaries. In production areas near residential zones, noise levels must not exceed 70 dBA during the day and 55 dBA at night.
The green area in factories must account for at least 20% of the total land area as required by many industrial zones. Trees should be planted around production zones, along internal roads, and in living areas to absorb dust, reduce temperature, and improve the microclimate.
Many enterprises also integrate ecological landscapes such as ponds, lawns, or green walls to enhance aesthetics and environmental friendliness.
Green factory design is an inevitable trend in modern industry, helping to reduce emissions, save energy, and promote sustainable development. A green factory is planned based on principles of optimized production flow, natural light and ventilation, and reduced energy consumption.
Environmentally friendly materials such as insulated roofing sheets, lightweight concrete, and VOC-free paints are increasingly used.
Many enterprises install rooftop solar power systems to supply part or all of their energy demand, reducing operating costs and CO₂ emissions. Additionally, rainwater collection, wastewater recycling for irrigation or cooling equipment, and smart monitoring systems also provide significant benefits.
Modern factory models often integrate IoT-based environmental management solutions and sensor systems that continuously monitor air quality, humidity, and power consumption, automatically adjusting lighting and ventilation systems when necessary.
Currently, the global ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) movement and Vietnam’s Net-Zero 2050 commitment are motivating industrial enterprises to invest heavily in green design. Factories achieving LEED or LOTUS certification can save up to 30% energy while increasing asset value and attracting international investors.
Violations of environmental protection regulations are strictly handled under Decree 45/2022/NĐ-CP. Fines can reach hundreds of millions of VND, depending on the severity, and violators must remediate damages and pay for environmental restoration costs.
Moreover, such violations directly impact production schedules, corporate reputation, and the ability to secure future investment projects.
Strict compliance not only helps enterprises avoid legal risks but also contributes to natural resource conservation and ecological balance.
Environmental protection in factory construction and operation is an essential requirement for modern industrial development. Enterprises must proactively update legal regulations, invest in clean technologies, and develop green infrastructure to ensure sustainable and long-term operations.
The integration of standardized engineering design, efficient operation, and social responsibility is a strategic direction for environmentally friendly industrial development, contributing to the goals of green growth and national emission reduction.
Investors should work closely with design consultants, supervisors, and regulatory authorities to ensure all environmental aspects are fully implemented according to legal requirements. This is not only a condition for project approval but also the foundation for achieving a sustainable, efficient, and safe production model for the future.
BIC is proud to be a contractor with many years of experience in industrial factory design and construction, providing comprehensive services from legal consulting to full-scale implementation.
