On October 14, 2025, the Government promulgated Decree No. 262/2025/NĐ-CP detailing and guiding the implementation of several provisions of the Law on Science, Technology, and Innovation regarding information, statistics, evaluation, digital transformation, and general matters (“Decree 262”). Below is a summary of key highlights and noteworthy provisions under this Decree as updated by ATA Legal Services.
Decree 262 focuses on strengthening accountability and professional ethics in the fields of science, technology, and innovation, while also introducing regulations to encourage business activities by science and technology organizations.
1. Individuals violating scientific integrity and professional ethics shall have their information recorded on the National Digital Platform for Science, Technology, and Innovation Management
1.1. Acts constituting violations of scientific integrity include:
a) Fabricating data or research results;
b) Falsifying data;
c) Plagiarizing in any form;
d) Misrepresenting or omitting the names of actual contributors in authorship;
đ) Obstructing, threatening, coercing, or interfering with the process of evaluation, peer review, or manuscript approval for scientific publications;
e) Other acts violating the principles of integrity, including honesty, objectivity, transparency, and accountability.
1.2. Acts constituting violations of professional ethics include:
a) Concealing risks that may cause serious consequences;
b) Disseminating false or distorted research results;
c) Conducting research involving human subjects without their voluntary and informed consent (in writing or equivalent form);
d) Disclosing sensitive data collected during research without authorization;
đ) Using research equipment, funds, or materials for personal purposes;
e) Failing to disclose financial relationships, research funding sources, or conflicts of interest that may compromise objectivity and independence;
g) Testing new technologies or products that negatively affect the environment, natural resources, or public health without appropriate impact assessment and control measures;
h) Conducting research that violates human dignity, honor, or privacy of individuals or communities;
i) Other acts violating professional ethical principles, including: compliance with law, social ethics, and humanistic values; respect for and protection of research subjects’ rights and interests; respect for colleagues and the scientific community; and prohibition of using research resources for personal gain.
1.3. Consequences of violating scientific integrity and professional ethics
Individuals found in violation may, in addition to being subject to disciplinary actions or other forms of legal sanctions, have their violations recorded on the National Digital Platform for Science, Technology, and Innovation Management within five (05) days from the issuance of a conclusion on the violation.
The information recorded (including in cases where the conclusion of violation is later annulled) shall include: the individual’s name; affiliated organization; description of the violation; affected academic products; conclusions and disciplinary measures; and the effective date of the conclusion document.
2. Science and technology organizations are permitted to conduct business activities consistent with their registered fields
2.1. Expanded definition of science and technology organizations
Decree 262 broadens the definition to include:
academies, research institutes, research centers, laboratories, hospitals, higher education institutions, technology incubators, science and technology exchanges, technology transfer centers, innovation centers, technology assessment, inspection, testing, and certification organizations, as well as other entities as prescribed by the Minister of Science and Technology.
2.2. Science and technology organizations may be granted business registration certificates and use their own seals for business operations
a) Conditions for conducting business activities:
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Having been granted a certificate of registration as a science and technology organization;
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Including business activities in the organization’s charter;
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Completing business registration procedures with the Business Registration Authority (exempt from registration fees) prior to commencing operations;
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Ensuring that the registered business lines are consistent with the organization’s approved fields of operation as stated in the science and technology registration certificate;
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For conditional business lines, meeting all applicable investment and business conditions as prescribed by law.
b) Revocation of the business registration certificate:
The business registration certificate granted to a science and technology organization shall be revoked in any of the following cases:
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The organization’s certificate of registration as a science and technology organization is revoked or annulled;
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False information is provided in the business registration application;
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The organization fails to submit required reports to the Business Registration Authority within six (06) months from the reporting deadline;
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Upon request by a court or competent authority as prescribed by law.
Decree 262 takes effect as of October 14, 2025./.
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