DTI-BPS Director Jesus L. Motoomull explains, “The Department has amended the Product Certification Scheme to align it with international guidelines, specifically with the International Organization for Standardization/ International Electrotechnical Commission (ISO/IEC) Guide 65 or the general requirements for third parties operating a product certification system, and to enable the said scheme to be internationally recognized as competent and reliable, at the same time to be at par with all the product certification bodies worldwide.”

“With the amendments, the Product Certification Scheme shall be applicable to both local and foreign manufacturers, which is in line with the principle of fair playing field for all stakeholders.  Correspondingly, the Department intends to enhance the quality and competitiveness of products and impede the proliferation of substandard goods sold in the local market through the said amended scheme,” adds Director Motoomull.

One of the salient features of this scheme is the creation of an Advisory Committee, which shall act as an advisory body on the formulation of policies/guidelines, and shall recommend policies to ensure impartiality in the operation of the scheme. The said Committee shall also create an appeal Committee when necessary. 

Moreover, the said scheme requires the compliance of the quality system requirements of local and foreign companies with the ISO 9001:2000. It also emphasizes that only the Bureau Director or its duly designated representative shall approve, sign and issue the PS Certification Mark License.

Furthermore, a new clause prohibits the use of PS Quality and/or Safety Mark on products not covered by the license and in any misleading manner or when the license has been suspended, withdrawn or cancelled.  It further specifies that the maximum fine as per Executive Order 913 shall be imposed to any person found guilty of forging the signature of the Bureau director in order to secure and/or use the PS Certification Mark License. In case of a juridical entity, the president or general manager of such entity shall be liable, without prejudice to the separate filing of civil and/or criminal case.

On the other hand, one of the major changes in the new rules and regulations on the Import Commodity Clearance Scheme includes the compliance of the foreign manufacturers to ISO 9001:2000 QMS. A new provision also emphasizes the security of shipment to ensure that the imported products are intact, prior its approval or denial.

Director Motoomull stresses, “The Bureau operates the PS and ICC Mark Certification Schemes to assure consumers that critical products such as electrical and electronic devices, home appliances, building and construction materials, and chemical and consumer products made available in the market are safe and reliable.  The Bureau has declared 91 Philippine National Standards (PNS) for mandatory product certification as these products greatly affect life, health, property, and safety.” 

Under the said product certification schemes, all manufacturers and importers of products under mandatory certification are required to apply for the PS License and the ICC Certificate, respectively, and have their products inspected and tested based on relevant PNS, prior its sale and distribution in the market.  

As of December 2007, the Bureau has issued a total of 967 PS mark certificates and it has issued 2,706 ICC certificates for products mostly imported from China, Thailand, Japan, Indonesia and Vietnam.

DTI-BPS, as the National Standards Body of the Philippines, develops, implements and promulgates standards and conformity assessment activities that are at par with international standards to enhance the competitive advantage of the local industries, and more importantly to protect the interests of consumers.

For more information, call DTI-BPS at 751-4740, send e-mail messages through This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or visit the BPS Standards and Conformance portal at www.bps.dti.gov.ph.