However, the technical requirements of petrol and diesel with level-5 emission standards have not been issued.

According to the Vietnam Petroleum Association, the Prime Minister’s Decision 49 released in 2011 stipulates that level-5 exhaust emission standards have been applied for manufactured, assembled and imported brand-new cars since January 1, 2022.

However, because of the lack of technical requirements, when importing petroleum products with level-5 emission standards, businesses receive customs clearance according to level-4 emission standards, and then, based on basic level-5 standards announced by enterprises themselves, define the types of goods launched into the market. 

However, this is just a temporary solution. It puts enterprises in a passive mode in controlling resources and affects the implementation of the Decision 49.

Level-4 and level-5 are standards on the limits of pollutants in exhaust gases, equivalent to Euro-4 and Euro-5.

On January 6, 2022, the Vietnam Petroleum Association asked the  Minister of Science and Technology to soon set forth national standards on the technical requirements of petroleum products with level-5 emission standards.

On January 21, 2022, the association had a working session with the General Department of Standards, Metrology, and Quality, asking to set forth standards so as to have a basis to import products and control product quality.

The association has also been cooperating with the Vietnam Automobile Manufacturers Association (VAMA) to run media campaigns to heighten consumer awareness about using level-5 emission standard fuel for vehicles meeting level-5 emission standards. 

Fuel with level-5 emission standards have not been sold on a large scale, but is available only in some localities and areas. 

This causes difficulties for consumers seeking suitable fuel for their vehicles. Vehicle users' awareness of using the right type of fuel for their vehicle's technical requirements is important. The petroleum association and VAMA have expanded the fuel distribution network, and helped consumers find fuel sale points that meet level-5 standards via an app.

In the time to come, the petroleum association will work with VAMA on ensuring the supply of fuel meeting level-5 (Euro 5) standards based on a selection of sale points of member enterprises and directions to sale points on enterprises’ apps and Logigo app. 

“This is our responsibility to both implement the Prime Minister’s decision and satisfy the requirements of the market, while avoiding unnecessary troubles related to vehicle quality due to the use of inappropriate fuel.” 

Fuels with lower-levels of emission standards may cause damage to cars equipped with a level-5 engine. 

Luong Bang