Proposal to reduce construction permit procedures to a maximum of 7 days
The draft amended Construction Law expands the scope of exemption from construction permits and shortens the maximum licensing time to 7 days, aiming at post-audit management.
On the afternoon of October 16, submitting the draft amended Construction Law to the National Assembly Standing Committee, Deputy Minister of Construction Bui Xuan Dung said that the bill expands the scope of exemption from construction permits and simplifies administrative procedures in this field. Accordingly, works subject to appraisal by specialized construction agencies will not have to be licensed, such as works in public investment projects, PPP projects or large-scale business investment projects that impact safety and public interests.
For the remaining small-scale works, state management agencies will still issue construction permits, but the process will be simplified to the maximum in terms of conditions, order and procedures. The bill stipulates that the entire process of submitting documents, assessing and granting licenses will be done online, reducing processing time to a maximum of 7 working days. According to Deputy Minister Bui Xuan Dung, detailed regulations will be specifically guided in the Government’s decree after the law is passed.
Deputy Minister of Construction Bui Xuan Dung. Photo: National Assembly Portal
Chairman of the Law and Justice Committee Hoang Thanh Tung commented that cutting down on procedures is necessary but poses risks to construction quality if there is a lack of a strict monitoring mechanism. He suggested adding strong sanctions and specific post-inspection regulations for constructions that have a major impact on safety and community interests, while minimizing design changes after appraisal.
Chairman of the Delegation Work Committee Nguyen Thanh Hai assessed that reducing the licensing time is a positive step, in line with administrative reform requirements. However, she said that the shift to post-inspection will only be effective when there is synchronization between the Construction Law and related laws such as Investment, Bidding, and Environmental Protection. “If there is no synchronization, investors may have to face many inspection agencies, causing overlap and trouble,” Ms. Hai said.
The Committee for Science, Technology and Environment, when examining, considered that construction permits are not a “barrier” but a tool to ensure rights and social order. The problem lies in the quality and licensing process, so it is necessary to simplify procedures but clearly define responsibilities, processing time limits and publicize information for people and businesses to easily monitor. The Committee also proposed clarifying regulations on property ownership on land when exempting permits, as well as adding a mechanism to handle cases of construction that does not conform to design, changes in function or violates regulations, ensuring consistency and clarity of responsibilities between parties.
National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man said that violations in the construction sector do not only stem from the licensing mechanism but also from a lack of transparency and inconsistency in regulations on types of works, conditions and licensing authority. He suggested that the Government clearly stipulate the post-inspection mechanism, publicize information, avoid abuse or laxity in inspection, ensure technical requirements, environment, fire prevention and fighting and people’s rights.
“It is necessary to pay attention to quality, methods and procedures so that construction permits do not become barriers or procedures that cause inconvenience to people and businesses,” the National Assembly Chairman emphasized.
The revised Construction Law will be submitted to the National Assembly for consideration and approval according to a shortened process at the 10th session.
