Transitioning to Eco-Industrial Parks: From RECP to Eco-Enterprise certification

In previous articles, VNCPC shared the benefits of implementing Resource Efficient and Cleaner Production (RECP), as well as opportunities for continuous improvement and enhanced collaboration among enterprises within industrial parks (IPs).

As enterprises begin implementing these activities, a further question arises: What conditions must they meet to be recognized as eco-enterprises? Is implementing resource-saving solutions alone sufficient?

Question

What criteria must enterprises meet, and what procedures must they follow to obtain an Eco-Enterprise Certificate?

VNCPC Expert’s Answer

According to Clause 2, Article 37 of Decree No. 35/2022/ND-CP, the identification of an eco-enterprise is associated with three main groups of criteria:

First, legal compliance: Enterprises must comply with regulations on investment, enterprises, construction, land, environmental protection, and labor for three years prior to the registration for eco-industrial park certification.

Enterprises must comply with regulations on investment, enterprises, construction, land, environmental protection, and labor for three years prior to the registration for eco-industrial park certification.

Second, industrial symbiosis: Enterprises must participate in at least one industrial symbiosis activity. Participating enterprises must apply production and environmental management systems in accordance with relevant ISO standards.

Third, RECP implementation with measurable results: At least 20% of enterprises within the IP must implement RECP solutions that achieve resource savings and reductions in waste, scrap materials, and environmental emissions.

It is important to note that the 20% threshold refers to the proportion of enterprises implementing RECP across the entire IP. It does not mean that each enterprise is required to achieve a 20% reduction in resource consumption.

What documents must enterprises prepare, and how should they apply for certification?

According to Article 42 of Decree No. 35/2022/ND-CP, enterprises located in eco-industrial parks must prepare five sets of application documents and submit them to the Industrial Park and Economic Zone Management Board. The application includes a written request for certification, a report on the enterprise’s operations, an assessment and explanation of its compliance with the prescribed criteria accompanied by supporting evidence, and other relevant documents (if any).

The Management Board consults relevant specialized authorities, evaluates the application, and considers issuing the Eco-Enterprise Certificate in accordance with applicable regulations.

Application and reporting templates are provided in Article 6 and Appendix B of Circular No. 05/2025/TT-BKHDT.

Where should enterprises begin?

Eco-enterprise certification is not merely about completing an application dossier. Preparation should begin as part of the enterprise’s ongoing production improvement process.

VNCPC recommends that enterprises proactively document their RECP results, retain evidence of resource savings, and collaborate with industrial park infrastructure developers to identify and implement industrial symbiosis opportunities.

RECP helps enterprises improve resource efficiency within their own factories, while industrial symbiosis creates broader opportunities for collaboration across the IP. When these activities are implemented and deliver tangible results, enterprises will have a stronger basis for assessing their ability to meet the eco-enterprise certification criteria.

VNCPC