Guidance on identifying cases of inaccurate or non-operational electricity meters in Vietnam

Guidance on identifying cases of inaccurate or non-operational electricity meters in Vietnam​ (Image from the Internet)

The Minister of Industry and Trade of Vietnam issued Circular 13/2025/TT-BCT on February 1, 2025, stipulating the determination of electricity payment in cases where the electricity measuring device is inaccurate, inactive, or lost.

Guidance on identifying cases of inaccurate or non-operational electricity meters in Vietnam

According to Article 2 of Circular 13/2025/TT-BCT, guidance on determining cases of inaccurate or inactive electricity measurement devices is as follows:

- The process of detecting, checking inaccurate, inactive electricity measuring devices is carried out as follows:

+ When there is suspicion or detection of inaccurate or inactive electricity measuring device, the electricity seller or buyer is responsible to notify the other party and coordinate to draft a working record to document and resolve the incident. The electricity seller drafts the working record in paper format or in a form of data message valued as a document according to legal regulations for the electricity buyer to sign and confirm.

+ In the absence of the electricity buyer's representative, authorization according to relevant legal regulations is made; if the electricity buyer uses electricity for domestic purposes, the legal representative of the electricity buyer according to legal regulations is entitled to sign the record. If the electricity buyer refuses to sign the record, the electricity seller clearly states the reason in the record and obtains the signature of the local government representative or local police agency.

+ If the electricity measuring device must be removed for inspection, the electricity seller must notify the electricity buyer to witness the removal and inspection of the device together. The removed electricity measuring device must remain sealed by the inspection organization. The electricity measuring device, along with related devices, must be collected, packed, and sealed (the sealing paper must have the signatures of the electricity buyer's and seller's representatives).

+ In the event the electricity buyer refuses to sign the sealing according to point c, clause 1, Article 2 of Circular 13/2025/TT-BCT, the electricity seller must obtain the signature of the local government representative or a representative of the local police agency witnessing the electricity buyer's representative not signing the sealing paper.

- The working record must clearly state the time, inspection location, detailed description of the condition, indications of the electricity measuring device, and the reason for device removal (in the event of removal).

If the electricity measuring device must be removed according to point c, point d, clause 1, Article 2 of Circular 13/2025/TT-BCT, after the device removal concludes and the working record is drafted, when conducting the inspection activities of the electricity measuring device at the inspection organization, relevant parties are responsible for witnessing the inspection, verification of the electricity measuring device by the inspection organization. If absent during the inspection without reasonable cause, the inspection result must still be recognized.

- If the electricity buyer suspects the electricity measuring device is inaccurate, the electricity buyer shall implement the following regulations:

+ Has the right to act according to clause 5, Article 56 of the Electricity Law 2024 and the guidelines at Circular 13/2025/TT-BCT.

+ Is obliged to pay the inspection costs as stipulated at point a, clause 6, Article 56 of the Electricity Law 2024.

+ Coordinates with the electricity seller to draft a working record to document and resolve the incident according to Article 2 of Circular 13/2025/TT-BCT.

Guidance on determining cases of lost electricity meters in Vietnam

According to Article 3 of Circular 13/2025/TT-BCT, guidance on determining cases of lost electricity meters is as follows:

- Upon discovering a lost electricity meter, the electricity seller proposes that the local police agency participate and confirm according to the regulations of this Circular and other relevant laws, and is responsible for notifying the other party, coordinating to draft a working record to document and resolve the incident. The electricity seller drafts the working record in paper format or in a form of data message valued as a document according to legal regulations for the electricity buyer to sign and confirm.

- In the absence of the electricity buyer's representative, authorization according to relevant legal regulations is made; if the electricity buyer uses electricity for domestic purposes, the legal representative of the electricity buyer according to legal regulations is entitled to sign the record. If the electricity buyer refuses to sign the record, the electricity seller clearly states the reason in the record and obtains the signature of the local government representative or local police agency.

- The working record must clearly state the time, inspection location, detailed description of the condition.

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