Hanoi, 6 March 2026 – Nearly 200 delegates from government agencies, businesses, associations, non-governmental organizations, embassies, and development partners attended the Technical Consultation on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), organized by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Viet Nam in collaboration with the Vietnam Environment Agency, Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, through the National Plastic Action Partnership (NPAP) Viet Nam.

The consultation took place in the context of Viet Nam’s ongoing revision and supplementation of several provisions of the Law on Environmental Protection 2020 under the 2026 legislative agenda, aiming to enhance operational effectiveness and ensure greater policy coherence.

The EPR mechanism, stipulated in the 2020 Environmental Protection Law, requires manufacturers and importers to take responsibility for recycling or financially contribute to the collection and treatment of waste from products and packaging they market. This mechanism is expected to promote the circular economy, reduce pressure on waste management systems, and mobilize resources from the private sector for environmental protection.

At the event, Mr. Vu Thai Truong, Head of Climate, Environment and Energy Unit at UNDP Viet Nam, emphasized: "Implementation in practice has shown that several challenges remain. We continue to observe a gap between policy design and the realities of the recycling market in Viet Nam; the capacity for monitoring and data transparency related to EPR is still being developed; the level of readiness among businesses is uneven; and the implementation mechanism still requires further enabling conditions to fully realize its role.”

Mr. Ho Kien Trung, Deputy Director General of the Vietnam Environment Agency (VEA), stated: “The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment and the Vietnam Environment Agency  will continue to review and comprehensively assess the implementation of the EPR policy in order to propose appropriate options for further improvement. We sincerely hope to continue receiving close and long-term support from UNDP and NPAP, not only in the process of developing and refining policies, but also in advancing technical guidance, strengthening the capacity of relevant stakeholders, and promoting public–private dialogue to ensure that the EPR policy is effectively implemented in practice.”

During Session 1, international experts shared practical experiences on effective EPR governance models across various countries. Speakers also discussed financial mechanisms and approaches to transforming EPR fees into measurable and verifiable environmental outcomes, as well as presenting operational experiences of Producer Responsibility Organizations (PROs) worldwide.

Session 2 focused on in-depth discussions regarding proposed revisions to regulations on producers’ and importers’ responsibilities for product and packaging recycling as well as waste treatment. Participants actively exchanged views on practical challenges encountered during implementation.

Technical consultations and multi-stakeholder dialogue play a critical role in improving the effectiveness, transparency, and enforceability of the EPR system in Việt Nam. By strengthening collaboration among government agencies, businesses, and development partners, Viet Nam continues to reaffirm its commitment to advancing the circular economy, promoting sustainable waste management, and fulfilling shared responsibilities for environmental protection./.

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Viet Nam National Plastic Action Partnership (NPAP)
The Viet Nam National Plastic Action Partnership (NPAP), hosted by UNDP Viet Nam, is a nationally led multi-stakeholder platform established through a formal collaboration between the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MAE) and the World Economic Forum (WEF). It enables collaboration between the government and other vital partners to transform the commitments of reducing plastic waste and pollution into action. The Viet Nam NPAP Leadership Board, chaired by the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, is comprised of 31 members who are senior leaders of organizations, associations, and enterprises who play active roles against plastic pollution. NPAP’s impact areas include  informing policy, harmonising metrics. transforming behavior, boosting innovations, unlocking finance, and ensuring gender equality and social inclusion throughout the plastic value chains.

Contact information
Viet Nam National Plastic Action Partnership (NPAP)
Hosted by UNDP

Ms. Le Hoai Linh – NPAP Engagement and Communication Associate 
Email: le.hoai.linh@undp.org 
Website: https://www.globalplasticaction.org/vietnam
Mobile: (+84)843275051

Ms. Phan Huong Giang  - CCEE Media & Communications Analyst 
UNDP Viet Nam
Email: phan.huong.giang@undp.org
Mobile: (+84)948466688