Decision on charcoal production and charcoal stove management.

This document is a formal Decision which establishes the comprehensive regulatory framework for managing charcoal production factories and kilns. Its primary objective is to standardize production practices to ensure they are efficient, sustainable, and aligned with the national socio-economic development plan while strictly adhering to the Law on Forestry. By centralizing the management of this sector, the government aims to promote "green" industry practices that protect the environment and provide stable employment opportunities for rural and multi-ethnic communities.
The regulation classifies facilities into specific categories such as charcoal pellet factories, white charcoal kilns, and black charcoal kilns, further dividing them by size (small, medium, or large) based on their workforce, production capacity, and machinery. A critical component of the decision is the strict management of raw materials. To prevent deforestation, the state prohibits the use of wood from protected or conservation forests, instead encouraging producers to source wood from registered private plantations, industrial wood scraps, or cleared land from authorized infrastructure projects. Any harvesting from natural forest areas requires a detailed government survey and the approval of an annual harvest quota.
In terms of environmental and technical standards, the document mandates that factories be situated in industrial zones or designated land far from residential areas, schools, and hospitals to mitigate public health risks. Producers are required to implement standardized waste treatment systems to control the release of smoke, dust, and liquid by-products like wood vinegar. For larger operations, obtaining an Environmental Impact Assessment is a prerequisite for establishment. These technical requirements are designed to modernize the industry and reduce the ecological footprint of traditional charcoal burning.
The decision also outlines rigorous rules for trade and transport. Moving wood or charcoal between regions requires specific transit permits to ensure the legality of the source material. While the government actively promotes the export of high-value products like white charcoal and charcoal briquettes, it maintains a strict ban on the export of black charcoal to ensure domestic energy security. Oversight is maintained through regular inspections by the Department of Forestry, and the document concludes with a clear set of penalties for non-compliance, ranging from educational warnings and fines to the permanent revocation of business licenses for serious violations of forestry laws.