Water use and wastewater management in industrial parks enters a new standardization phase with National Technical Regulation QCVN 40:2025/BTNMT on industrial wastewater. In parallel, Decree 346/2025/ND-CP imposes environmental protection fees on wastewater from 01/01/2026, while the 2023 Law on Water Resources together with Decrees 53/2024/ND-CP and 23/2026/ND-CP tighten water extraction and use conditions. Businesses in industrial parks must identify which case applies to them to apply the correct standard.
1. Unified discharge standards — QCVN 40:2025/BTNMT
- New projects from 01/09/2025: apply QCVN 40:2025/BTNMT immediately.
- Existing facilities: continue under the old standards until 31/12/2031; QCVN 40:2025/BTNMT becomes mandatory from 01/01/2032.
- Limit values per parameter (BOD, COD, TSS, heavy metals, etc.) must be cited directly from the QCVN 40:2025/BTNMT text — do not rely on secondary sources when designing treatment systems.
2. Two cases for businesses in industrial parks
- Case 1 — connected to the park centralized wastewater treatment system: the business discharges into the park developer system and complies with the connection requirements and influent standards set by the developer in the connection agreement.
- Case 2 — discharge to natural receiving sources: treated wastewater discharged directly to receiving waters must meet QCVN 40:2025/BTNMT per the roadmap above.
Misidentifying the case leads to applying the wrong standard — check the land lease contract and infrastructure connection agreement with the park developer.
3. Environmental protection fees on wastewater — Decree 346/2025
Decree 346/2025/ND-CP sets environmental protection fees on wastewater, applicable from 01/01/2026. Specific fee levels must be verified directly from the original text of Decree 346/2025/ND-CP before budgeting, as compiled sources may not be fully updated.
4. Water extraction licensing and levy — 2023 Law on Water Resources
- Licensing: extraction and use of water resources (surface and groundwater) requires a license under the 2023 Law on Water Resources and guiding decrees (53/2024/ND-CP, 23/2026/ND-CP).
- Extraction levy: organizations and individuals extracting water resources must pay the water resource extraction levy.
- Clean water tariffs: decided by the provincial People Committee — there is no national unified clean water tariff table; check the local pricing decision where the factory is located.
5. Recommendations for industrial park tenants
- Determine whether you are on centralized connection or direct discharge to apply the correct standard.
- Cite parameter limit values directly from QCVN 40:2025/BTNMT; existing facilities should plan compliance before 01/01/2032.
- Verify wastewater fee levels from the original Decree 346/2025/ND-CP (effective 01/01/2026).
- Review water extraction licenses and levy obligations under the 2023 Law on Water Resources.
Frequently asked questions
When must operating factories apply QCVN 40:2025?
Existing facilities may continue under the old standards until 31/12/2031; QCVN 40:2025/BTNMT is mandatory from 01/01/2032. New projects from 01/09/2025 apply it immediately.
Does a tenant connected to the park centralized system follow QCVN 40:2025?
Such tenants discharge into the park developer system and follow the developer connection requirements; QCVN 40:2025 applies to wastewater discharged to natural receiving sources.
Is there a national clean water tariff table?
No. Clean water tariffs are decided by each provincial People Committee; check the local decision.
Cited legal instruments
- QCVN 40:2025/BTNMT
- Decree 346/2025/ND-CP (effective 01/01/2026)
- 2023 Law on Water Resources
- Decrees 53/2024/ND-CP, 23/2026/ND-CP
See also: Corporate Legal Services.
Legal notice
The legal content of this article is reviewed by the FLAW AI Legal Council and submitted to the owner for approval; it is not an opinion of a licensed lawyer and does not replace legal advice for specific cases.
Need advice on environmental and water resource compliance for your factory? Contact FLAT Law Firm for support.
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