The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is intensifying its efforts to regulate the vape industry following the seizure of P25 million worth of illegal vape products in Paranaque City recently.
This developed as the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) raided seven makeshift warehouses of illicit cigarettes in Palawan, with tax liability estimated at P150 million. The Bureau of Customs – Manila International Container Port (BOC-MICP) meanwhile intercepted three containers containing an estimated total of P791 million worth of illicit cigarettes and vape products of various brands from Singapore.
The DTI in a statement said all vape products, both locally-made and imported, must undergo mandatory certification starting June 5.
The Philippine National Standards 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.
Department Administrative Order (DAO) 22-06 Series of 2022, issued by the DTI in June 15, 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 certification process includes comprehensive testing for various risks associated with vape devices, heated tobacco products devices, secondary batteries, and battery chargers. A team of qualified professionals, including chemists, chemical engineers, and electrical/electronic engineers, oversees the testing process.
The Bureau of Product Standards is collaborating with organizations like Department of Science and Technology-Industrial Technology Development
Institute, 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.
To identify certified products, locally-made items will have a Philippine Standard (PS) mark, while imports will have Import Commodity Clearance stickers.
The DTI is committed to establishing testing facilities for vape consumables (e-liquids). Proposals for such funding have been included in past and current budget requests.
Meanwhile, the BIR in a statement yesterday, the BIR said it seized 227,351 packs of illicit cigarettes in the operation held in Brooke’s Point, Palawan last May 1.
After inventory of the seized illicit products, the illicit traders and possessors were found responsible for over P150 million in tax liability.
The BIR said Palawan is considered a hotspot for the illicit cigarette trade.
The tax agency said eight individuals were confirmed to be in possession of the illegal contraband and will face criminal charges in accordance with Sections 6C, 15, 130, 131, 144, 145, 154, 171, 172, 254, 263A, and 265 of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended.
Last Tuesday, BOC-MICP also intercepted three containers containing an estimated total of P791 million worth of illicit cigarettes and vape products of various brands from Singapore.
Records showed the shipment arrived at the MICP last May 11, and was said to contain 3,845 cases of tobacco products.
However, upon physical examination, it was found to actually contain 4,215 master cases of cigarettes and 1,053 master cases of heat sticks.
The BOC said the subject cigarettes and heat sticks do not bear mandatory printed graphic health warnings on its packaging.
Upon verification with the National Tobacco Administration, it was discovered that consignee of record is not a registered importer of tobacco and other tobacco related products.
A Warrant of Seizure and Detention will be issued against the subject shipment for violation of Section 117 (Regulated Importation) in relation to Section 1113 of Republic Act (RA) 10863 or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, RA 11900 or the “Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act of 2022” as implemented by Department of Trade Industry Administrative Order No. 22-16 series of 2022, RA 10643 or “The Graphic Health Warnings Law of 2014 and NTA Board Resolution no 079-2005. – Irma Isip and Angela Celis
