On the afternoon of June 18, with 425/426 delegates participating in the vote, the National Assembly passed the Law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on Energy Efficiency and Savings Use.
Reporting on the explanation, acceptance and revision of the draft law, Chairman of the National Assembly's Committee on Science, Technology and Environment Le Quang Huy said that there were opinions suggesting considering adding regulations on energy labeling for construction materials.
Some opinions agreed with the addition of energy labeling for construction materials, but suggested continuing to review to ensure synchronization of some other provisions in the draft law.
The National Assembly Standing Committee finds that the group of construction materials for buildings and works is a product that greatly affects the energy efficiency of works.
The addition of regulations on energy labeling for construction materials is a legal basis for organizing the implementation of energy-saving and efficient use measures in the construction industry.
The policy impact assessment report when drafting the law has research content on the application roadmap, conditions for quality standards, testing rooms, and human resources for implementation. Therefore, this regulation is feasible.
Mr. Le Quang Huy also said that there are opinions suggesting considering removing incentives in the draft law, including: corporate income tax and other taxes; exemption and reduction of import tax.
In response to the above opinions, the National Assembly Standing Committee has directed the agency in charge of the review and the agency in charge of the drafting to study, review and remove preferential tax regulations in the draft law to ensure consistency with tax laws.
Many opinions agreed with the establishment of a Fund to promote energy saving and efficiency; some opinions suggested not establishing this fund.
The National Assembly Standing Committee said that the establishment of the Fund to promote energy-saving and efficient use is an institutionalization of the policy of Resolution No. 55-NQ/TW of the Politburo.
Including the task of "Building a legal basis to be able to form and effectively operate funds for sustainable energy development, promote energy use to be economical and efficient in the direction of socialization, ensure financial independence, not overlap with state budget revenue and expenditure tasks and limit employment to increase operating and production costs for businesses and production and business establishments".
Accordingly, the draft law stipulates the establishment of a Fund to promote energy-saving and efficient use of energy in the country, contributing to the implementation of the commitment to reduce net emissions by0 by 2050; not forming a new organization.
Regarding the business investment activities of energy service organizations, the National Assembly Standing Committee found that the current Law on Energy Efficiency and Savings has no specific regulations on this organization.
The draft law has added a terminological explanation for energy service organization; Clause 3, Article 43 of the draft law has added investment activities for this type of organization.
Therefore, it is necessary to add content to the term interpretation regulations to clarify the legal basis for investment and business activities of energy service organizations, ensuring competitiveness in the current legal system. Therefore, it is recommended to keep this regulation as in the draft law.
There are opinions suggesting clarifying the effectiveness of the draft law; reviewing transitional provisions to create conditions for businesses, organizations and individuals to have enough time to adapt when the law comes into effect.
In response to the opinions of delegates, the draft law stipulates the effective date from January 1, 2026 and has revised the transitional regulations in accordance with the practical situation.
