Minister Vu Hai Quan: Amend the measurement law to protect consumer rights
Explaining at the National Assembly's discussion session on the morning of October 26 about the Law project amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on Measurement, Minister Vu Hai Quan said that accurate measurement results are the basis for ensuring fairness in transactions and maintaining social trust. Amending the law must not only reduce procedures and costs for businesses, but also protect people from errors and fraud in measurement.
According to the Minister, the draft cuts and simplifies 8 administrative procedures, moves some procedures from registration to declaration of capacity and abolishes certification requirements that are no longer necessary. Management activities also shifted from mass inspections to inspections based on risk levels and actual data.
"However, electricity meters, water meters and gasoline measuring columns are the means that directly determine the amount of money people have to pay, so inspection must still be maintained. Reducing procedures for businesses must go hand in hand with protecting consumers," he emphasized.
According to the Minister of Science and Technology, another important change is that the draft adds the right to request the extraction of measurement data related to people's transactions. This regulation is intended to help users have grounds to compare, complain or request compensation when they suspect inaccurate measurement results.
The Minister said the draft also affirms that organizations and individuals that cause damage due to violations of the law on measurement must compensate according to the provisions of civil law and protect consumer rights. The digital system for measurement management will have a channel to receive feedback and support people in providing evidence when detecting unusual signs.
Regarding the application of technology in monitoring, the Minister emphasized that automatic warnings should not be used as the sole basis to conclude violations. Organizations and individuals have the right to explain and request re-examination of data, ensuring processing is based on accurate information.
Previously, discussing the bill, delegate Bui Van Dung, full-time member of the Economic and Finance Committee, proposed to more specifically regulate people's right to access measurement data and the explanation responsibilities of service providers.
He cited the example of when the water bill increases abnormally, customers need to know the beginning and ending readings, the recording time and the meter's inspection status, instead of just receiving a summary number on the bill. The lookup must be convenient even for people who do not use smartphones, and at the same time save the data editing history for inspection purposes.
If it is determined that the wrong meter is causing the customer to be overcharged, the service provider needs to proactively review the affected people, notify the calculation and refund within a specific time limit. "One should not be forced to pursue a procedure that costs more than the compensation received," he said.
Citing the provisions of the Electricity Law that the seller of excess domestic electricity must refund the interest, delegate Dung requested the Measurement Law to clarify the responsibility to proactively correct errors, the compensation mechanism and the implementation supervision agency. Changing the law must help people have a way to check when they suspect incorrect measurements and get a refund of the overcharged money.
Also interested in compensation responsibility, delegate Pham Van Hoa, Vice Chairman of the Dong Thap Provincial Lawyers Association, suggested clearly defining the responsibilities of organizations and individuals inspecting when measuring instruments do not meet requirements but are still certified to meet standards. Equipment manufacturing enterprises that do not ensure quality and those who commit fraud must also bear corresponding responsibility.
Mr. Hoa believes that it is necessary to control the quality of equipment right from the production stage, especially the technical characteristics, structure and materials to limit the risk of fraud. For measuring devices directly related to human health and life, such as medical equipment and food safety, inspection requirements must be strictly maintained.
Receiving comments, Minister Vu Hai Quan said that the drafting agency will coordinate with the Committee for Science, Technology and Environment to continue completing the draft. Decrees and guiding circulars will also be prepared to take effect at the same time as the law, ensuring the transition does not disrupt the legal operations of businesses.
The draft Law on Measurement amends and supplements 26 out of 58 articles of the current law, focusing on three major policy groups. First of all, the draft adds a national measurement database, identification codes for measuring instruments, electronic certification and data applications to detect and warn of risks.
In addition, the State prioritizes investment in measurement systems in strategic areas, while encouraging businesses, research institutes and universities to participate in developing measurement standards. The draft also promotes decentralization, cuts administrative procedures, moves some activities from pre-inspection to post-inspection to reduce costs for businesses, but still controls measurement quality in areas that directly affect consumers, health and the environment.
It is expected that the draft law will be considered and passed by the National Assembly on November 13.
Son Ha