A practical scenario: a Hungarian manufacturer opens its second factory in Vietnam. It brings a thick “EU environmental dossier” — then discovers Vietnam requires a Vietnamese-format EIA and a Vietnamese environmental permit, from scratch. “But we already meet EU standards!” — EU standards don’t replace Vietnamese procedures. Each country, its own permits.
1. Vietnam: EIA + environmental permit
Under Environmental Protection Law 2020 (72/2020/QH14), factory projects must prepare an EIA (environmental impact assessment) approved before implementation — the EIA is the project’s entry ticket. Since 2022, component environmental permits (wastewater, emissions…) have been integrated into a single environmental permit — simpler procedure but demanding more rigorous overall dossiers. Operating factories must hold a valid environmental permit — unpermitted operation means suspension and heavy fines. Note: an approved EIA is not the end — monitoring and periodic reporting duties run for the factory’s lifetime.
2. Hungary/the EU: IED, EIA, and BAT standards
Hungary applies the EU framework: the IED (Industrial Emissions Directive 2010/75/EU) — covered factories need an integrated permit with emission limits based on BAT (Best Available Techniques). EIA (under the EU EIA Directive) is mandatory before construction permitting for major projects. The big difference from Vietnam: EU BAT standards are often stricter than Vietnamese parameters — EU-compliant factories usually exceed Vietnamese requirements, but must still complete Vietnamese procedures (EIA and environmental permits in domestic format and sequence).
3. An environmental checklist for two-country factories
- Vietnam: EIA approved before construction; environmental permit before operation; periodic monitoring and reporting.
- Hungary: EIA + IED integrated permit under BAT; compliance with permit emission limits.
- Leverage: EU technical dossiers (measurements, treatment technology) as reference material for the Vietnamese EIA — saving preparation time.
- Timing: both countries’ environmental procedures take months — start in parallel with design, not after.
- Operation: both conduct surprise inspections — treatment systems must run genuinely, not “only when inspectors come”.
Environment: highest standards, country-by-country procedures
This article is general information. Each project needs its own environmental procedures. FLAT Law Firm supports investors on environmental law in Vietnam. Contact us for advice.
This article is general information only and does not replace legal advice for any specific case. Regulations may change; please check the current texts.
Frequently asked questions
1. What is EIA in Vietnam?
Environmental impact assessment — approved before project implementation, under the 2020 Environment Law.
2. What is the integrated environmental permit?
Since 2022, component permits (wastewater, emissions…) merged into one single environmental permit.
3. What is IED?
The EU Industrial Emissions Directive (2010/75/EU) — integrated permits with BAT-based emission limits.
4. What is BAT?
Best Available Techniques — the basis for EU permit emission limits.
5. Does EU compliance exempt Vietnamese procedures?
No — Vietnamese EIA and environmental permits in domestic procedure are still mandatory.
This article has been quality-reviewed by the FLAW AI Legal Council