The Philippines Department of Trade and Industry – Bureau of Philippine Standards (DTI-BPS), as the National Standards Body (NSB) of the Philippines, is responsible for developing, promulgating, and implementing standards for all products in the country to promote standardization activities and ensure the manufacture, production, and distribution of quality products to protect consumers. The bureau was established on June 20, 1964, under Republic Act (RA) 4109, known as the “Standards Act.” Prior to the formal establishment of DTI-BPS, the office operated as the Standards Division under the then Bureau of Commerce within the Department of Commerce and Industry (now DTI).
RA 7394, or the Philippine Consumer Act, reaffirmed the mandate of RA 4109, stating that the nation is responsible for developing and providing safety and quality standards for consumer goods, including performance or usage-oriented standards, codes of practice, and testing methods.
Currently, the bureau falls under the management of the Department of Trade and Industry’s Consumer Protection Group (CPG), collaborating with the Consumer Policy and Advocacy Bureau (CPAB) and the Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau (FTEB).
Philippines BPS Certification FAQ Summary Table
1. What is the Philippine National Standard (PNS)?
The Philippine National Standard (PNS) is a standard developed, adopted, and promulgated by the Philippines Bureau of Standards (BPS).
2.What are the BPS product certification programs?
BPS implements two (2) mandatory product certification programs: the Philippine Standard (PS) Quality and/or Safety Certification Mark Licensing Program and the Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) Certification Program. Products covered by mandatory certification, whether locally manufactured or imported, are not allowed to be sold in the Philippine market without the required PS or ICC mark.
The PS license is granted to local or foreign manufacturers whose factories and products successfully comply with the PNS ISO 9001 and relevant product standard requirements.
On the other hand, the ICC certificate is issued to importers whose imported products have been inspected, verified, and tested by BPS-accredited testing laboratories to comply with the relevant standards.
3.What types of audits are conducted under the Philippine Standard (PS) Quality and/or Safety Certification Mark Licensing Program?
– Quality system audit
During the quality system audit, BPS or a BPS audit body conducts an on-site visit to the company’s factory to verify whether the company has the capability to effectively manage its manufacturing quality system and deliver its products in accordance with the requirements of the latest version of PNS ISO 9001.
- Product audit
Compliance inspection
During the product audit, BPS or a BPS audit body examines the integrity of inspection, measurement, and testing equipment (IMTE) and its calibration certificates. The quality control processes, as well as the knowledge, training, and competence of quality assurance/quality control personnel, are also verified.
In-house testing
BPS or a BPS audit body uses the company’s own IMTE, facilities, and resources to witness the actual testing of product samples according to the specified test methods/procedures. The purpose of this activity is to verify whether the product samples comply with the applicable PNS and technical regulations, as well as to validate the competence of the company’s quality personnel.
Independent testing
If the results of the in-house testing are satisfactory, BPS or the BPS audit body will take product samples from the company’s production site for independent testing by a BPS testing laboratory or a BPS-accredited independent testing laboratory. Independent product testing is the means by which BPS verifies the results of the in-house testing.
4.Which products are covered by BPS mandatory certification?
Products are divided into three (3) main categories: (a) electrical and electronic products, (b) machinery/construction materials, and (c) chemicals and other consumer goods. For detailed information, please visit our website: https://uat.weitest.net.ph/bps-icc-certificate/
5.How can we verify if a product has passed BPS certification?
The Philippine Standard (PS) mark and Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) label serve as guides and assurances for consumers, ensuring that the products they purchase have passed quality and safety certification in accordance with the relevant Philippine National Standards (PNS). Products covered by the BPS mandatory product certification programs, whether locally manufactured or imported, must bear the PS mark or ICC label before being sold in the Philippine market.
6.How to identify counterfeit ICC labels?
You can use the ICC Label Verification System mobile app, which is available for download from Google Play (for Android users) and the App Store (for iOS users). Simply locate the QR code on the ICC label, scan it, and check the results.
7.What is the cost of product testing?
For the cost of Philippines BPS certification, you can submit your product details to a Weites Testing service engineer, who will provide you with a certification price.
Alternatively, you can directly call the company phone number at +63 956 274 9266 to request a quotation.
8.How to identify counterfeit ICC labels?
You can use the ICC Label Verification System mobile app, available for download on Google Play (for Android users) and the App Store (for iOS users). Simply locate the QR code on the ICC label, scan it, and verify the results.
If you have products to export to the Philippines and need to understand the relevant certification requirements and details, you are welcome to contact and consult with our engineers at any time.