Exporters have expressed concern over the possible impact on exporters and businesses of the order reinstating licensing and registration requirements for certain household/urban hazardous substances.
In a recent letter to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Sergio R. Ortiz-Luis Jr., president of the Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc., said the group supports FDA Circular No. 2020-025’s aim to protect people’s health and implement an efficient regulatory system.
“However, we have serious concerns about the adverse impacts of the proposed FDA circular on our competitiveness, noting that it complicates and makes doing business in the country more expensive,” said Ortiz-Luis.
He added that this comes at a critical time when businesses, particularly exporters and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), are fighting for survival amid the fallout from the pandemic and community quarantines.
FDA Circular No. 2020-025, approved last month, provides the implementing guidelines for Administrative Order No. 2019-0019, which was issued June last year and reinstates the licensing and registration requirements for certain household/urban hazardous substances (HUHS).
The newly approved circular covers importers, exporters, manufacturers, toll manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, retailers and repackers of certain HUHS products, who are required to comply with FDA licensing and registration requirements to be able to handle these substances.
