MANILA – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is ramping up efforts to regulate the vape industry in the Philippines with consumer safety of Filipinos, especially the youth, as top of mind.
In a statement from the DTI, it reiterated its commitment to removing harmful and unregulated products from the market, particularly vape products that did not pass the regulatory standards set by law.
According to the DTI, to ensure compliance with the Philippine National Standards (PNS), all vape products, both locally-made and imported, must undergo mandatory certification starting June 5, 2024.
The PNS shall be used as reference in the inspection, verification, testing and certification of the covered products, to maintain objectivity in the conformity assessment processes, and observe good regulatory practices, the DTI added.
Meanwhile, Department Administrative Order (DAO) 22-06 Series of 2022, issued by the DTI on June 15, 2022, established the mandatory product certification for all vapor and nicotine products under Republic Act No. 11900 or the "Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation” Act. Supplemental guidelines are being finalized to ensure comprehensive coverage of this certification mandate, the DTI stated.
Product testing is also a critical component of the DTI’s Bureau of Philippine Standards (BPS) certification schemes, which includes “comprehensive testing for various risks associated with vape devices, heated tobacco products (HTP) devices, secondary batteries, and battery chargers. A team of qualified professionals, including chemists, chemical engineers, and electrical/electronic engineers, oversees the testing process.”
Facing budgetary constraints, the DTI explains that it is committed to establishing testing facilities for consumables (e-liquids) and proposals for such funding have been included in past and current budget requests.
At present, DTI-BPS is collaborating with the Department of Science and Technology-Industrial Technology Development Institute (DOST-ITDI), the Toxicological Nurses Association of the Philippines, and the Philippine Society of Clinical and Occupational Toxicology, to explore further cooperation in product testing and evaluation.
Such collaborations are maintained with the Department of Health’s Food and Drug Administration (DOH-FDA) to strengthen enforcement and ensure standardized testing for consumer safety, the DTI said.
The DTI is also closely collaborating with Philippine law enforcement agencies and the Philippine National Police (PNP) during seizing of illegal vape products, such as the recent operation in Paranaque City wherein nearly PHP25 million worth of illegal vape products were confiscated.
The DTI assured the public that since the enactment of RA No. 11900 in 2022, implementation of the law has been the priority, including issuing regulations, conducting inspections, and educating consumers and businesses.
The DTI urges consumers to report violators through the Consumer Care Hotline DTI (1-384) or [email protected].
