11 August 2026, UNDP Viet Nam, through the National Plastic Action Partnership (NPAP) and the Viet Nam Circular Economy Hub (CE Hub), convened a workshop on “Pathways for a Robust Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) System in Viet Nam”, bringing together the Viet Nam Environment Agency, government agencies, businesses, industry associations, recyclers, development partners, research institutions and other stakeholders.
The discussion comes at an important time as Viet Nam is revising the 2020 Law on Environmental Protection and its implementing regulations, including provisions on EPR.
The discussion comes at an important time as Viet Nam is revising the 2020 Law on Environmental Protection and its implementing regulations, including provisions on EPR.
Mr. Tang The Cuong, Director General of the Viet Nam Environment Agency, highlighted that EPR should go beyond being viewed as a financial obligation. It should create incentives for businesses to rethink product design and materials, strengthen collection and recycling, and invest in circular economy solutions.
Among the key directions discussed were a roadmap towards greater direct responsibility of producers and importers for collection and recycling; a stronger role for Producer Responsibility Organizations (PROs); clearer requirements for transparency, accountability and data management; and a predictable pathway for increasing recycling targets in line with collection capacity, recycling technologies and market conditions.
Sharing international experience, Dr. Fritz Flanderka, Managing Director of Reclay Group, emphasized that there is no single EPR model that works everywhere. Effective systems need to reflect each country’s institutional, market, collection and recycling conditions.
Among the key directions discussed were a roadmap towards greater direct responsibility of producers and importers for collection and recycling; a stronger role for Producer Responsibility Organizations (PROs); clearer requirements for transparency, accountability and data management; and a predictable pathway for increasing recycling targets in line with collection capacity, recycling technologies and market conditions.
Sharing international experience, Dr. Fritz Flanderka, Managing Director of Reclay Group, emphasized that there is no single EPR model that works everywhere. Effective systems need to reflect each country’s institutional, market, collection and recycling conditions.
UNDP Deputy Resident Representative Francesca Nardini emphasized: “Because ultimately, EPR is about more than compliance and recycling targets. It is about changing how resources move through the economy—creating value from materials that would otherwise become waste, encouraging investment and innovation, and building a more circular and resource-efficient Viet Nam.”
The workshop also examined practical challenges across packaging, electronics and batteries, and vehicles, tyres and lubricants, helping identify solutions that can support a more effective, transparent and inclusive EPR system in Viet Nam.
The workshop also examined practical challenges across packaging, electronics and batteries, and vehicles, tyres and lubricants, helping identify solutions that can support a more effective, transparent and inclusive EPR system in Viet Nam.
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