From January 15, 2010, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) traders should periodically inspect their attached LPG trading establishments to ensure their strict observance of regulations on fire prevention and fighting, social security and order, labor safety and hygiene, environmental protection, measurement and quality. LPG wholesalers will distribute LPG and bottled LPG on the market through their distribution systems, consisting of member enterprises, LPG subsidiary traders, LPG bottling and filling stations, general sale and sale agents.
From that date, to be permitted to export or import LPG, traders are required to have a business registration certificate which contains LPG export or import registration, own or jointly own piers or wharves within Vietnam’s seaport system and depots of at least 3,000 m3 each, have at least 300,000 LPG bottles of all kinds and bottling stations with eligibility certificates, and organize their own standard LPG distribution systems. They should also comply with mark and brand registration regulations.
They may set selling prices of LPG and bottled LPG within their distribution systems reasonably close to market prices.
Their LPG trading establishments which fail to satisfy the conditions specified in Government Decree No. 107/2009/ND-CP of November 26, are permitted to operate through September 30, 2010.
Under the new regulation, the Ministry of Industry and Trade will work out and publicize a planning on LPG trading establishments nationwide, including LPG production and processing plants and LPG depots with a total capacity of tanks and cisterns of 5,000 m3 or more.-