No factory operates without clearing the environmental gate — but the “gate” differs fundamentally between Vietnam and the UK. Vietnam uses an integrated environmental licence (GPMT) replacing multiple component permits; the UK uses bespoke environmental permits with tailor-made discharge conditions. Get it right or face suspension over a missing piece of paper.
Vietnam: EIA and the integrated environmental licence
Under the Law on Environmental Protection 72/2020/QH14 and Decree 08/2022/ND-CP, industrial projects in groups I/II (by scale and risk profile) must complete an environmental impact assessment (EIA) approved before implementation.
The big reform: the environmental licence (GPMT) consolidates the old component permits (wastewater discharge, air emissions, hazardous-waste management). One GPMT sets everything: emission sources, flow rates, applicable national technical regulations (QCVN), monitoring frequency and periodic reporting. Operating without a GPMT is a serious administrative violation risking suspension.
The UK: environmental permits and EIA
In England & Wales, the Environmental Permitting Regulations 2016 require regulated industrial installations to hold an environmental permit from the Environment Agency. Its hallmark: site-specific conditions (emission limit values, best available techniques — BAT), not rigid one-size standards.
New projects also pass EIA under the Town and Country Planning (EIA) Regulations 2017 during planning. Breaching permit conditions can mean criminal prosecution — UK environmental law has criminal “teeth” applied more sparingly in Vietnam.
Discharge standards: QCVN vs BAT
Vietnam: the QCVN system of national technical regulations by sector: industrial wastewater (QCVN 40), air emissions (QCVN 19, 20 and others), noise, solid waste. Enterprises must monitor periodically and report; large facilities stream automatic monitoring data to regulators.
The UK: discharge standards sit directly in each site’s permit, built on BAT (best available techniques) and sector guidance (BREF). More flexible than rigid QCVN, but the operator must prove its technology meets BAT — the burden of proof is on the site.
Environmental checklist for plants in both countries
- Pre-investment: determine EIA applicability; budget environmental treatment (wastewater and emission plants) from the design stage.
- Permitting: Vietnam — approved EIA then GPMT (procedures can be combined); the UK — EIA in planning plus environmental permit before operation.
- Operation: monitor and report periodically; keep full environmental records for surprise inspections.
- Capacity/technology changes: both countries require permit reassessment on change — never raise capacity unilaterally.
Frequently asked questions
What if a Vietnamese factory operates without a GPMT?
A serious administrative violation: heavy fines and suspension until the environmental licence is granted under Decree 08/2022/ND-CP.
How do EIA and GPMT differ?
EIA assesses the project’s environmental impact, done and approved before implementation; the GPMT licences operation with specific discharge and monitoring conditions for the facility’s lifetime.
What is special about the UK environmental permit?
Conditions are site-specific, built on BAT (best available techniques), issued by the Environment Agency; breaches can lead to criminal prosecution.
Does changing plant capacity require a new environmental permit?
Yes, in both countries. Vietnam requires GPMT adjustment (or a fresh EIA for major changes); the UK requires permit variation — unilateral capacity increases breach the permit.
Contact FLAT Law Firm
FLAT Law Firm advises on environmental law for factories in Vietnam and the UK: EIA preparation, GPMT/environmental permit applications and compliant monitoring systems. Contact us from the project design stage.
This article has been quality-reviewed by the FLAW AI Legal Council