[Complete] Environmental records required for the textile and garment industry

Environmental records for the textile industry is a collection of legal documents expressing a business’s commitment and responsibility to protect the environment during its operations. This record not only helps businesses comply with the law but also serves as a basis for state management agencies to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of businesses’ environmental protection work. This article will provide detailed information about the types of environmental records needed for the textile industry and important notes.

The importance of environmental records for the textile industry

The textile and garment industry is characterized by many production stages that use chemicals, water and energy, thus generating a lot of waste that affects the environment. Creating and managing environmental records helps businesses:

• Comply with legal regulations on environmental protection and avoid penalties.
• Control and minimize negative impacts on the environment.
• Enhance the reputation and brand of the business to customers and the community.
• Optimize production processes, save waste treatment costs.

Summary of all environmental records for the textile industry

Textile factories need to prepare a detailed and complete set of environmental records. This record will help businesses comply with the law and minimize negative impacts on the environment. Profile includes:

• Dossier of environmental impact assessment report (EIA);
• Environmental license file (GPMT);
• Records of trial operation of environmental works;
• Records of periodic reports on environmental protection work.

Dossier of environmental impact assessment report (EIA)

Object: Textile facility with dyeing, washing, grinding or yarn cooking process, falling into one of the following cases:

• Capacity from 50,000,000 m2/year or more.
• Capacity from 5,000,000 to less than 50,000,000 m2/year and has environmentally sensitive factors.

Implementation time: Environmental impact assessment is performed concurrently with the process of preparing a feasibility study report or document equivalent to the project’s feasibility study report.

Environmental impact assessment report documents are often applied to textile factories that have not yet come into operation.

Environmental Permit Document

Pursuant to Article 39 of the Law on Environmental Protection 2020 and Decree 08/2022/ND-CP, textile facilities with dyeing, washing, grinding or fiber cooking stages that generate wastewater, dust, and emissions discharged into the environment must be treated or generate hazardous waste that must be managed according to waste management regulations. When officially put into operation, they must have an environmental license.

The application for an environmental permit includes:

• Written request for environmental permit;
• Report proposing environmental licensing;
• Other legal and technical documents of investment projects, facilities, concentrated production, business, service zones, and industrial clusters.

The time limit for granting an environmental permit is calculated from the date of receipt of complete and valid documents and is specified as follows:

• No more than 45 days for environmental permits under the authority of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment
• No more than 30 days for environmental permits under the authority of the Provincial People’s Committee or District People’s Committee;
• The agency competent to issue environmental permits may stipulate a shorter term for granting an environmental permit than the above term, consistent with the type, scale, and nature of the investment project, facility, production, business, concentrated service zone, and industrial cluster.

Records of trial operation of waste treatment works

According to the provisions of Clause 6, Article 31 of Decree 08/2022/ND-CP amended and supplemented by Decree 05/2025/ND-CP, the duration of trial operation of waste treatment works is determined as follows:

• From 03 to 06 months for projects that are concentrated production, business, and service zones, industrial clusters, and investment projects of the type of production, business, and services that have the risk of causing environmental pollution with large capacity.
• Maximum 06 months for remaining projects.
• In case the trial operation process must be extended, the investment project owner must notify in writing, clearly stating the reason for the extension and the extension period but not exceeding 06 months; In case it does not meet the requirements, it is necessary to renovate and upgrade waste treatment works and carry out trial operations according to regulations. For large-scale investment projects, invested in each phase, the trial operation period is extended according to the regulations of the licensing agency.

Records of periodic reports on environmental protection work

Pursuant to Article 119 of the Law on Environmental Protection 2020 and Articles 65 and 66 of Circular 02/2022/TT-BTNMT regulating periodic environmental protection reports as follows:

Object: All textile facilities are operating.

Frequency of execution: 01 time/year.  The reporting period is from January 1 to December 31 of the reporting year.

Report submission time: Before January 15 of the following year.

Report form: Report in paper form, signed by an authorized person, stamped by the unit and electronic version (file.doc).

Method of sending reports: The report is sent to the reporting agency by one of the following methods:

• Sent via national document communication axis;
• Submit via the local reporting information system and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment;
• Send and receive directly;
• Send and receive via postal service;
• Send and receive via Fax;
• Send and receive via email system;
• Other methods as prescribed by law.

Report content:

• Operational results of projects and environmental protection measures for waste;
• Results of overcoming environmental protection requirements of inspection agencies and competent state agencies (if any);
• Results of periodic, automatic and continuous environmental monitoring and monitoring;
• Solid waste management, hazardous waste management;
• Management of imported scrap (if any);
• Environmental monitoring service activities (if any);
• Other results, activities, and environmental protection measures.

Difficulties in the process of preparing environmental records and solutions

During the process of environmental profiling, many difficulties may exist. Here are some common difficulties and solutions to overcome them:

Hard:

• Legal regulations are complex and change frequently.
• Lack of professional human resources.
• Difficulty in collecting and processing data.
• Require detailed information on the origin of chemicals used, wastewater treatment processes, and sludge management.

Solution:

• Regularly update legal regulations.
• Training and capacity building for officers in charge of environmental work.
• Use specialized environment management software.
• Look for environmental consulting units.

Consulting services and support for preparing all reputable environmental records at Long Phan

Long Phan provides consulting services and support for preparing all environmental records for the textile industry, including:

• Survey and evaluate the current environmental status of the enterprise.
• Prepare EIA reports, environmental permits, test operation records, and periodic environmental protection reports.
• Support businesses in the process of appraisal and approval of documents.
• Research and evaluate the environmental impacts of the project.
• Develop measures to minimize negative impacts on the environment.
• Guide businesses to implement environmental protection measures after EIA approval.
• Guide businesses to carry out procedures for applying for environmental permits.
• Instructions on procedures for environmental monitoring reports.
• Provide guidance and advice on other environmental procedures.
• Consulting and answering other related issues.

Environmental records are an important part of production and business activities of textile enterprises. Establishing and managing environmental records in accordance with regulations not only helps businesses comply with the law but also contributes to protecting the environment and building a green and sustainable brand image. If customers have any questions about environmental records or need advice and support, please contact Long Phan via the hotline: 0906735386.