In Viet Nam, a comprehensive initiative is underway to eliminate harmful substances from the healthcare and manufacturing sectors, ensuring that the country’s fast-growing industries develop without threatening public health or the environment. The four-year project, Reduce the Impact and Release of Mercury and POPs in Viet Nam through Lifecycle Approach and Ecolabel, targets mercury, persistent organic pollutants (POPs), and other hazardous chemicals, aiming to mitigate the wide-ranging risks associated with their use and disposal.
Manufacturing has been a major driver of Viet Nam’s economy for more than a decade, and transitioning to cleaner production methods promises significant benefits for both environmental and human health. In the healthcare sector, although many hospitals have adopted electronic alternatives, mercury-containing devices like thermometers, blood pressure monitors, and fluorescent lamps remain in use. Their safe removal requires a coordinated approach involving identification, replacement, and secure disposal.
The GEF-funded, UNDP-implemented project is reviewing Viet Nam’s policies and regulations on hazardous materials to strengthen oversight in line with international standards, including the Minamata and Stockholm Conventions. It is developing a roadmap for safely eliminating mercury-containing healthcare equipment, procuring safe alternatives, and establishing systems for segregation and disposal in medical facilities.
In the manufacturing sector, the project promotes cleaner, safer production through multiple strategies. A green financing framework will provide incentives such as tax breaks, credits, and access to sustainable financing, encouraging companies to adopt circular economy practices, replace POPs with safer alternatives, and manage legacy chemical waste responsibly. An ecolabelling scheme from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment will recognize businesses adopting safer practices, while extended producer responsibility ensures companies bear the cost of toxic waste disposal.
Working with industry associations, the project will map hazardous chemicals across manufacturing value chains and offer certifications for companies that phase out these substances. Technical guidance will support industries in redesigning products to reduce chemical intensity, such as using natural fibers in mattresses instead of flame-retardant memory foam.
Through these measures, Viet Nam aims to foster sustainable growth in healthcare and manufacturing that is environmentally responsible, economically viable, and safer for workers, communities, and ecosystems. The initiative exemplifies how targeted policy, finance, and technical support can drive a transition toward healthier, low-toxicity industries.
