Updates to Vape Licensing in the Philippines: What You Need to Know

The vaping landscape in the Philippines has recently undergone significant changes, as the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has issued new regulations that update the licensing scheme for vape products sold across the nation. This move is a response to the growing popularity of vaping and aims to enhance the safety and quality of products available in the market.

Overview of New Regulations

On Thursday, the DTI announced the changes under department administrative order (DAO) no. 24-11 (2024). The issuing authority for vaporized nicotine, non-nicotine products, and novel tobacco products falls under the Office for the Special Mandate on Vaporized Products (OSMV). This initiative mandates new marking requirements aligned with the Philippine Standards (PS) system.

These adjustments supplement earlier regulations bestowed by DAO no. 22-06 (2022) and DAO no. 24-02 (2024), outlined to ensure mandatory product certification procedures for both vape and non-nicotine products.

Changes to Certification and Licensing

One of the pivotal changes introduced in this new issuance is the discontinuation of the import commodity clearance licensing scheme previously established under DAO 22-06 and DAO 24-02. However, products that currently hold valid Import Commodity Clearances (ICCs) can still be sold until existing stocks are depleted. This means that sellers must now comply with the newly issued guidelines to continue operations past this transitional phase.

Previously, products featuring ICC stickers indicated compliance with the DTI’s certified quality and safety checks. This reassured consumers about the reliability of the products, but the relationship with these stickers has now evolved.

New Marking and Certification Requirements

Alongside the changes in licensing, the PS certification mark logo has received a facelift. The updated logo will be required for all products as soon as feasible to ensure consumers can easily distinguish certified items from non-certified ones. Notably, the DTI allows the continued use of the previous PS certification mark from DAO 22-06 and DAO 24-02, which signifies ongoing compliance until the updated logos are distributed.

Volume Indications on Vape Products

In an endeavor to improve transparency, manufacturers are now required to clearly indicate the volume of consumables in vape products, both on the device itself and on its packaging.

Specific volume increments have been outlined as follows:

• Nicotine Salt/Salt Nicotine: Volumes must be indicated in increments of 1 mL, 2 mL, 3 mL, 5 mL, or 10 mL.
• Freebase Nicotine/Classic Nicotine: Volumes must be noted as 2 mL, 3 mL, 10 mL, 30 mL, or 60 mL.

The Vape Act and Regulatory Timeline

These changes take root following the enactment of Republic Act No. 11900, more commonly known as the Vape Act, which was signed into law in July 2022. The implementing rules and regulations (IRR) for this act were made available by December of the same year, marking a significant milestone in the regulation of vape products in the country.

According to the IRR, compulsory certification and registration for vape products will take full effect on June 5, 2024, leading to a more structured oversight of the vapor products industry in the Philippines.

Current Market Certification Status

As the DTI continues to ramp up its certification efforts, it has successfully certified a range of vape brands that have met the new compliance criteria. To date, the following brands are certified:

• DON BARS
• KLIQ
• ONE BAR
• PHANTOM VAPE
• RELX
• TOMORO
• TRUEZ
• VAGEND
• X-VAPE

Conclusion

The recent updates to the vape licensing scheme and certification procedures in the Philippines signal a significant step towards ensuring consumer safety and product quality. As the vaping industry continues to grow, these regulations will play a crucial role in shaping a responsible market. It is essential for manufacturers and retailers to stay informed about these changes to comply with the new requirements and maintain their standing in the market.