Philippine Allows Sale of Uncertified Vape Products Until September

The Department of Trade and Industry-Bureau of Philippine Standards (DTI-BPS) has announced that retailers, distributors, wholesalers, and traders of vape products are permitted to sell their remaining inventories of uncertified vape products until September 7, 2024. This decision comes as a result of the Department Administrative Order (DAO) 24-02, which aims to regulate the sale of vaporized nicotine and non-nicotine products in the country.

Opportunity for Registration and Certification

Leah Ann Arella, Chief of Standards Conformity Division of the DTI-BPS, stated in a radio interview that the period until September 7 provides an opportunity for vape retailers, distributors, wholesalers, and traders to register their remaining inventories and have their products certified. She emphasized that after this period, starting from September 8, any vape products found in the market without proper certification will be confiscated.

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Certification Marks for Vape Products

Arella explained that certified vape products bear specific certification marks, such as the PS license mark for manufacturers or the Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) mark for importers. These marks indicate that the products have undergone the necessary testing and have met the required standards set by the DTI-BPS.

“Products certified by the BPS have certification marks. The PS license has a PS mark with a unique license number per manufacturer. For ICC, which is for importers, we certify per shipment. We take samples from the arrived shipment, test them, and if they pass, we issue an ICC sticker for each product,” Arella said in Filipino.

Extension of Deadline for Market Clearing

Initially, the market clearing process for unregistered or uncertified vape products was scheduled for January 2025. However, according to DTI-Consumer Protection Group Assistant Secretary Amanda Nograles, the deadline has been moved to September 7, 2024. This change in the deadline was confirmed by Nograles in a Viber message on Monday.

Crackdown on Illegal Vape Products

The DTI has been actively working to combat the sale of illegal vape products in the country. In the first five months of 2024 alone, the agency confiscated P25.87 million worth of illegal vape products, surpassing the seizures made in the entire year of 2023, which amounted to P5.45 million.

The majority of the confiscated vape products were found to be in violation of Republic Act (RA) No. 11900, also known as the Vape Law. Specifically, they violated Rule 6, Section 1(j), which prohibits the sale of vape products packaged, labeled, presented, and marketed with flavor descriptors or cartoon characters that appeal to minors.

Mandatory Registration for Vape Products

As of June 5, 2024, the mandatory registration for vape products has taken effect. Nograles explained that this means no vape products can enter the market without going through the DTI registration process, either through the PS license of the factory where it originated from or by obtaining an ICC for each importation.

The DTI’s efforts to regulate the vape industry and protect consumers from illegal and potentially harmful products demonstrate the government’s commitment to public health and safety. As the September 7 deadline approaches, retailers, distributors, wholesalers, and traders are encouraged to comply with the certification requirements to ensure a safer and more responsible vape market in the Philippines.

News Source: Traders allowed to sell remaining inventories of uncertified vape products until. Sept. 7

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Matthew Ma

Marketing at Ecigator

With over a decade of experience in the e-cigarette industry, Matthew Ma is a seasoned expert in both the manufacturing and usage aspects of vaping products. His extensive background has provided him with a deep understanding of the intricacies and evolving dynamics of e-cigarettes.