Philippines Establishes New Technical Regulation on Mandatory Product Certification for Air Conditioners, Refrigerators, TVs, and Lighting Fixtures 
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Administrative Order No. 1 of 2022 “The New Technical Regulation Concerning the Mandatory Product Certification of Energy Consuming Products” was enacted in the Philippines on February 16, 2022. In addition to expanding the scope of mandatory product certification for air conditioners, refrigerators, TVs and lighting fixtures, this Administrative Order imposes new performance requirements for energy efficiency, in addition to the safety requirements that are already required. The Administrative Order shall come into effect 15 days after its promulgation in the common press.
The Administrative Order can be viewed at the following URL:
http://www.bps.dti.gov.ph/index.php/component/edocman/1239-department-administrative-order-dao-no-22-01-series-of-2022/download?Itemid=
Products Subject to the Administrative Order
This Administrative Order provides for mandatory product certification for the following 9 products. The specific scope is specified in Regulation 2 of the Administrative Order.
- Room Air Conditioners
- Refrigerators
- TVs
- Stabilizer Built-in Model Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFL)
- Double Compact Fluorescent Lamps (DCFL)
- Single Compact Fluorescent Lamps (SCFL)
- Preheated/Magnetic Stabilizers
- Electronic Stabilizers
- Built-in Stabilizer LED Lighting (SBLL)
Manufacturers or importers of these products must obtain a Philippine Standard (PS) Certified Mark Permit or Import Commodity Clearance (ICC). Product testing is performed by the BPS testing laboratory or a BPS accredited testing laboratory according to the safety requirements specified in the existing Administrative Order and the performance requirements in the Philippine National Standard (PNS) specified in the Administrative Order. The test results for the performance requirements must comply with the tolerance limits specified in Appendix A to the Administrative Order. PS mark permits and ICCs are granted only if the product is found to be compliant with the technical specification.
However, if the following is submitted, the above tests related to performance requirements are exempted.
- Philippine Energy Label Program (PELP) label issued by the Department of Energy Energy Utilization Management Bureau (DOE-EUMB)
- Proof of application for product registration with DOE-EUMB
- Proof of an ongoing test for the application for product registration with DOE-EUMB, or
- Acknowledgement of the Sample Collection Form signed by DOE-EUMB and the store/retailer representative
After the effective date of this Administrative Order, compliance with the prescribed safety and performance requirements is required. However, a grace period of 12 months is established for compliance with the safety requirements of the following products. During the grace period, it is also possible to receive safety certification on a voluntary basis in accordance with the procedures and requirements specified in this Administrative Order.
- Non-inverter, wind and split type (wall-mounted, floor-mounted) air conditioners with a cooling capacity of more than 36,000 kJ/h and equal to or less than 50,000 kJ/h
- Inverter air conditioners with a cooling capacity greater than 36,000 kJ/h and and equal to or less than 50,000 kJ/h
- Cassette and ceiling suspended air conditioners with a cooling capacity of 50,000 kJ/h or less
- Refrigerators with a storage capacity more than 567 L and less than or equal to 600 L
- TVs with a display size greater than 1400 mm (55 in) and less than or equal to 1524 mm (60 in)
- Built-in stabilizer type LED lighting with a rated wattage greater than 30W and less than 60W
After 18 months from the entry into force of this Administrative Order, the sale in the Philippines of products that do not bear the PC mark and the ICC mark is prohibited.
For details on PS marks and ICC, refer to relevant laws and regulations, such as DAO04:2008 and DAO05:2008.
