Vietnam

The main objectives of the project for the sampling, testing and mapping of Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) inventory and contamination are: 1) to map out the more realistic... Show More + flow of the PCB contaminated equipment and PCB contaminated oil from source to final disposal in Vietnam; 2) to develop a testing protocol to confirm suspected uses of decommissioned equipment and PCB contaminated oils that do not comply with best practices; 3) to produce sample and amend the flow sheet sampling in order to improve the investigation of PCB uses, in different sectors (power, industries); 4) to provide workable, complete, and reliable protocols that could be used by the consultant in charge of the whole inventory; 5) to carry out training to improve the country's capacity in sampling, testing as well as PCB management; 6) to establish practical guidelines for efficient PCBs management based on the best international practices, in function of the discrepancies identified during inspections; and 7) to facilitate cooperation amongst the stakeholders (including the consultants). Show Less -

On July 22, 2002, Vietnam ratified the Stockholm convention to become the 14th party to the convention. As a party, Vietnam committed to target 12 Persistent Organic... Show More + Pollutants (POPs) for reduction and eventual elimination. One of the chemicals targeted by the convention is Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs). The convention requires parties to take action to phase out the use of equipment containing PCBs by 2025 and to treat and eliminate the recovered PCBs by 2028. Vietnam's National Implementation Plan (NIP) commits the country to these international targets. To assist in meeting its commitments for PCBs under the convention, Vietnam has been working with the World Bank to prepare a PCB Management and Disposal Project to be financed under the Global Environment Facility (GEF). The first deliverable prepared under this project was a desk top review. The desk top review was an assessment of Vietnam's policy framework against selected international jurisdictions and the requirements of the Stockholm convention. The draft final report was the second deliverable of the policy project. That report summarized the findings of the desk top report, identified and assessed policy options based on the experiences of best practice jurisdictions and made recommendations for Vietnam to address its policy needs. That report also presented a policy framework and outlines for key technical guidelines and protocols. The purpose of the draft final report was to promote discussion at the August 8 workshop among the ministries and agencies that currently have responsibility for PCB management. At the conclusion of the workshop, copies of the draft final report were circulated for comment. These comments have been taken into consideration in this final report. This final report was submitted to the World Bank and the Vietnam Environmental Protection Agency (VEPA) in September, 2007 in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contract. Show Less -