THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said manufacturers and distributors of vape products have until end of August to register their products and for them to clear out their inventories of unregistered ones.
DTI Assistant Secretary Amanda Nograles said vapes with no Philippine Standard or Import Commodity Clearance marks will be confiscated beginning September.
Nograles said manufacturers and distributors found selling unregistered products will face administrative fines and imprisonment.
The DTI in Department Administrative Order (DAO) 22-06 Series of 2022 on June 15 established the mandatory product certification for all vapor and nicotine products under Republic Act (RA) No. 11900 or the “Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation” Act.
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.
The certification process includes comprehensive testing for various risks associated with vape devices, heated tobacco products devices, secondary batteries, and battery chargers.
Nograles said the DTI is strengthening its monitoring of the enforcement of RA 11900 which also includes banning of the marketing and sale to the youth both online and in physical stores.
DTI is also exploring partnership with the Department of Education to raise awareness on the dangers of vaping.
Nograles said DTI is also coordinating with local governments and the Department of Interior and Local Government in cracking down unauthorized sales of vapes.
