IDENTIFYING THE VAPE PROBLEM Doctors at Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital, together with their peers from other health institutions, listen on Friday to a presentation on how vaping and smoking affect the human body. —Lyn Rillon
MANILA, Philippines — The mandatory certification of imported and locally manufactured vape products begins this week, marking the next step in the government’s efforts for better regulation of these merchandise.
The new regulation will begin on June 5, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) announced Saturday on dzBB’s radio morning program.
“This means we won’t accept those that have no [Philippine standards] license or [Import Commodity Clearance] stickers,” said Trade Assistant Secretary Amanda Nograles. She also heads the department’s Consumer Protection Group, which enforces laws that protect consumers.
She added the measure is aimed to ensure the safety of vape products for consumers and is applicable to a wide range of consumer products such as electronic appliances.
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The trade official said they want to ensure that vape users are not ingesting any harmful materials like plastic during the device’s heating process.
She added the batteries being used and the consumables will also be checked.
Nograles, however, lamented the DTI has no capacity yet to test the consumables but she stressed they are accepting submitted analyses from certified laboratories.
Illegal vape products
The Vape Act, or the Republic Act No. 11900, lapsed into law in July 2022.
The implementing rules and regulations were released in December of the same year.
From January to May this year, the DTI has confiscated P25.87-million worth of illegal vape products.
“Nearly halfway through the year, the significant rise in confiscated illegal vapes demonstrates our unwavering commitment to safeguard Filipino consumers, especially our youth,” Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual said in a statement over the weekend.