The government has agreed to extend the suspension of Decree 46 pending the issuance of a new law. Date posted: 23-03-2026 09:37:00 View count: 57 1 2 3 4 50/5 - 0 Votes - 57 Views (March 22, 2026) The government agrees to extend the suspension of Decree 46 pending the issuance of a new law. The Standing Committee of the Government unanimously agreed to extend the temporary suspension of Decree No. 46/2026/ND-CP and Resolution No. 66.13/2026/NQ-CP until the amended Law on Food Safety officially comes into effect, in order to promptly address shortcomings arising in practice... >> Government agrees to extend the temporary suspension of Decree 46 The government has agreed to extend the suspension of Decree 46 to allow for the implementation of a new law. The Ministry of Health needs to urgently complete the revised Food Safety Law Project. On March 16, 2026, at the Government Headquarters, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chaired a meeting of the Government Standing Committee to review and address issues related to Decree No. 46/2026/ND-CP and Resolution No. 66.13/2026/NQ-CP on food safety management. Attending the meeting were Deputy Prime Ministers, leaders of the Ministries of Health, Agriculture and Rural Development, Industry and Trade, Science and Technology, Finance, Justice, Culture, Sports and Tourism, and representatives of the Ministry of Public Security. After reviewing the report from the Ministry of Health and the opinions of the delegates, the Standing Committee of the Government agreed on key solutions to ensure the consistency of the legal system and create favorable conditions for production and business activities. The Standing Committee of the Government has assigned the Ministry of Health to take the lead and coordinate with relevant ministries and agencies to urgently implement the following: Specifically, to submit a new Resolution to the Government for promulgation, and before March 28, 2026, to finalize a report for the Government's consideration of extending the temporary suspension of Decree 46 and Resolution 66.13. This suspension will last until the amended Food Safety Law and its implementing decrees come into effect. Expediting the legislative process: The Ministry of Health needs to urgently complete the draft amended Food Safety Law to submit it to the National Assembly at its 2nd session, 16th term. Simultaneously, a draft guiding decree must be developed in parallel to ensure immediate implementation upon the law's approval. An inter-ministerial task force should be established: A task force chaired by the Minister of Health, with members including leaders from the Ministries of Agriculture and Rural Development, Industry and Trade, Public Security, Finance, Justice, and Science and Technology, should be formed to directly address existing difficulties. Besides institutional adjustments, the Government requires regulatory agencies to uphold responsibility and improve the capacity and effectiveness of state management in food safety. In particular, inspection, post-inspection, and supervision need to be strengthened and implemented rigorously to protect consumer health during this transitional period. Decree 46 and Resolution 66.13 will be replaced by a document detailing the implementation guidelines for the new Food Safety Law, ensuring consistency, uniformity, and effectiveness. This option has received strong support from the majority of businesses and industry associations, is in line with practical realities, and avoids creating unnecessary legal instability. Regarding the urgent handling of immediate issues, in the event that the Government decides to continue applying Decree 46 and Resolution 66.13 after April 15, 2026, VCCI recommends that the Prime Minister direct ministries and agencies to urgently restore the mechanism of exemption from state declaration and inspection procedures for raw materials, food additives, processing aids, packaging and utensils in direct contact with food used only for internal production and not for consumption in the domestic market...