Hundreds of alcohol measuring devices are at risk of… standard deviation

At the end of 2021, the Vietnam Metrology Institute reported to the leaders of the General Department of Standards, Metrology and Quality on the purchase and use of standard alcohol gas used for testing/calibration/testing for alcohol measuring instruments. used by the traffic police force.

Alcohol concentration meter used by traffic police forces nationwide

Specifically, in 2016, the Department of Physical and Chemical Measurement – Standard Samples (under the Vietnam Metrology Institute) made 73 times to buy standard substances, corresponding to 73 dossier sets. Purchases were spread evenly over 2016.

The quantity of standard alcohol gas purchased in 2016 was determined without clearly showing the origin and origin, without recording the accuracy, but only stating the content of standard alcohol gas on the invoice (shown in the records of purchase, payment and settlement). ). The cost paid by customers is more than 6.2 billion VND. The cost to buy standard substances is about 2.4 billion VND. The total cost of implementation is about 8.7 billion VND.

The verification results of the working group of the Institute of Metrology clearly show that Mr. Ngo Huy Thanh – Head of the Department of Physical and Chemical Measurement – Standard Samples is responsible for the main responsibility. Mr. Thanh and related officials showed signs of serious violations of the provisions of the law, such as: Intentionally violating the regulations in the process of testing the means of measuring alcohol content in the breath according to DLVN 107:2012, causing harm The loss to the State is about 2.4 billion VND.

Using deceitful tricks to change the standard substance (buying or using alcohol of poor quality, unknown origin, not certified metrological standard, not complying with regulations in DLVN 107:2012…) , is a sign of misleading customers to issue certificates of incorrect test results/measurements.

On the basis of the inspection results and conclusions at the meeting, and at the same time evaluating the violations of Mr. Ngo Huy Thanh, the Vietnam Metrology Institute proposed to the leaders of the General Department of Standards, Metrology and Quality a number of contents. For violations of the measurement law, the Vietnam Metrology Institute will consider and handle the employee in accordance with the law; and at the same time recommend the competent person to sanction administrative violations according to the provisions of law.

For acts with signs of serious violations, intentionally violating regulations according to the process of testing means of measuring alcohol content in the breath according to DLVN 107:2012 for the purpose of appropriating property, showing signs of embezzlement , causing a loss of about 2.4 billion VND to the state, the Metrology Institute consulted the leaders of the General Department and proposed handling according to the provisions of law.

For acts showing signs of using fraudulent tricks, such as changing standard substances to deceive customers to issue certificates of incorrect testing/testing results to appropriate customers’ money about VND 6.2 billion. , the Institute proposed the General Department’s leaders to direct the handling in accordance with the provisions of law.

Research more about right and wrong?

Previously, in July 2021, Mr. Ngo Huy Thanh – Head of the Department of Physical and Chemical Measurement – Standard Samples gave feedback to the leaders of the Vietnam Metrology Institute on this issue. In which, Mr. Thanh affirmed: The time limit for storing all kinds of records related to the inspection, calibration and testing of measuring instruments of the Institute is regulated: the period of inspection of measuring instruments is 12 months. ; the time limit for record keeping is from the time the decision is issued to the end of 5 years later. Thus, from 2016 to July 2021, it has been more than 5 years, the Department of Physical and Chemical Measurement – Standard Samples is not responsible for keeping records related to inspection/testing activities since 2016.

Talking to PV Tien Phong, a representative of the General Department of Standards, Metrology and Quality said that the General Department has grasped the case and is in the process of handling it.

Regarding the quality of alcohol, according to this taste, the regulation on the concentration of alcohol tester has DLVN 107:2012, the alcohol must be standard, the breath in the new machine will increase.

Regarding the process of testing the means of measuring alcohol concentration, this person said that all testing procedures are strictly done. If in Hanoi or near, customers bring the meter directly to the Institute for calibration. In remote areas, the Institute of Metrology cooperates with the Department of Science, Technology and Environment Management (H46), the Ministry of Public Security. In the two years 2015 – 2016, when the Institute’s staff went to inspect, there were H46 officers and the local police who went to the police headquarters to conduct the inspection. After testing, the alcohol meter is checked and handed over to the customer.

The representative of the General Department said: “There is no embezzlement because the money to buy is transferred to the account of the unit. Department heads have no authority to buy or receive money into their accounts.

Regarding the report of the Institute from 2021, but so far, the relevant officials have not been handled, the representative of the General Department said, will continue to study more right and wrong at the Institute of Metrology, if there is any mistake, it will continue. Settling according to rules. Initially, the General Department moved the relevant individuals to another unit. “The leader of the General Department has nothing to cover here,” he affirmed.

The leader of the Vietnam Metrology Institute said that using a standard gas to test an alcohol meter of unknown origin will affect the actual measurement of alcohol concentration.