We recently talked to Thinh Nguyen, Lead Auditor from Eurofins CPA Vietnam, to get an insight into the world of environmental compliance and auditing. Thinh has been in the audit field for almost one decade and has delivered more than 1,700 social, environment, technical and security compliance audits in Vietnam and Southeast Asian regions. Below are some of the highlights from our conversation:
Thinh (first right in front row) in an outing with the Eurofins Vietnam team and Mr. Hanh Tran, Regional Business Line Leader (third from right in second row).
Q: How did you begin your career as a Lead Auditor, and was it difficult to get started?
A: I actually began my career working in the local environment authority department, before I entered textile and garment manufacturing, and then the Testing, Inspection and Certification (TIC) industry. The manufacturing industry is very prosperous in Vietnam and it was a natural choice for me to enter a related field.
It was a long and challenging process to learn the ropes, from government departments to private businesses, as the two sides had different expectations and paces. When working for TIC firms, I was exposed to many more new things, such as local law requirements and COC requirements for countries outside Vietnam and other industry bodies. Doing training and exchanging with experts from other countries helped me to upgrade my knowledge and skills.
I am always a firm believer in continuous learning and improvement, which has helped me to move forward in my career.
Thinh (first right in front row) in an outing with the Eurofins Vietnam team and Mr. Hanh Tran, Regional Business Line Leader (third from right in second row).
Q: You have various qualifications in both social and environmental compliance. How did you manage to achieve those qualifications, and what was it like working in the field?
A: Yes, I’m qualified for both social compliance and environmental compliance, including programmes such as WRAP, BSCI, RBA, ZDHC, several ISO programmes and more. I am also an APSCA Part 2 Completed Registered Auditor and Higg FEM 3 Verifier (Generalist).
Of course, I did not acquire these qualifications all at once. With support from top management, I planned to pursue one qualification subject each year. I followed the company’s business strategies and industry trends.
Q: I’ve heard that it is very demanding to be a Higg FEM 3 Verifier (Generalist). What are the qualification requirements?
A: That’s quite true. The programme has specific requirements, which include a tertiary degree, minimum of three years of relevant working experience in environmental audit (or one year if you obtain a degree in environmental or life science), and certification and training hours focused on environmental sustainability subjects. And most of all, a tough examination, which I managed to pass.
Q: What problems do you usually come across when you run Higg FEM Verification?
A: The biggest obstacle is that facilities are not always aware of the verification details and its requirements, which takes additional time for Higg FEM Verifiers to assess, recommend, and submit reports on time, as Higg FEM is a comprehensive but yet complex programme.
Q: Is running audits in Cambodia, Myanmar, Singapore, and Malaysia different from running them locally in Vietnam?
A: Yes again! There are clear, significant differences between these countries, as each of them has their own unique culture, implementation practices, and mindsets. As an auditor or verifier, it’s essential to change your mindset to put yourself into the facility’s position, and follow the country's culture to conduct the audit effectively.
Sometimes I feel that I am a small fish in the big pond of knowledge, but I very much enjoy exchanging with the facility so that we can both continuously improve.
Q: Are there any new qualifications or new areas you’re planning to study/acquire?
A: Yes, I plan obtain more qualifications in the environmental sector. This year my goal is to become a qualified Chemical Specialist for Higg FEM!
Q: How do you motivate auditors in your team to expand their knowledge, and how do you transfer knowledge to them?
A: I share my plan with them and encourage them to be a part of the road to success. Keeping them engaged is crucial for a great team spirit. I also discuss the issues I have faced in the past so they can equip themselves with the right solutions before making the same mistakes I once did. Experience and knowledge sharing is a valuable part of being a supervisor.
We hope this short interview provides you with some interesting insights, whether you are thinking of joining the TIC field or just looking for more information about environmental compliance. As we move towards a more sustainable future, it’s essential to have experts like Thinh to help companies meet their objectives for a cleaner and greener world.
Further readings
Seven practical questions of Higg FEM Verification and its ETP requirements
Bringing clarity to the environmental performance of factories