A standard is a document, established by consensus and approved by a recognized body that provides, for common and repeated use, rules, guidelines or characteristics for activities or their results, aimed at the achievement of the optimum degree of order in a given context (ISO/IEC Guide 2 definition).

Standardization is an activity of establishing, with regard to actual or potential problems, provisions for common and repeated use, aimed at the achievement of the optimum degree of order in a given context. (ISO/IEC Guide 2 definition). In particular, the activity consists of the processes of formulating, issuing and implementing standards. Important benefits of standardization are improvement of the suitability of products, processes and services for their intended purposes, prevention of barriers to trade and facilitation of technological cooperation.

Philippine National Standards (PNS) are standards developed and promulgated by the DTI Bureau of Philippine Standards (DTI-BPS). International standards (IS), on the other hand, are standards that were developed by an international standardizing organization such as the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), among others.

Anyone can visit the BPS-Standards Data Center (BPS-SDC) at the DTI Main Office in Makati City to purchase Philippine National Standards (PNS) or International Standards. Students and researchers may also visit to study on specific standards for free. The BPS-SDC is open from Monday to Friday, from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.

The following are the terms and conditions on payment and delivery of PNS or International Standards:

1. Pre-Payment is required for any order of PNS or International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Standard.

2. DTI-BPS only accepts a Manager’s Cheque or a Cashier’s Cheque that is payable to the Department of Trade and Industry.

3. Prices are subject to change without prior notice. All orders will be billed at the current price.

4. DTI-BPS encourages the requesting office / organization to arrange for its handling / shipping / postage, and other special services for delivery to its respective address.

The Bureau of Philippine Standards is the National Standards Body of the Philippines created through Republic Act (RA) 4109 known as the Standards Law. The office is within the governmental ambit of Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) under the Consumer Protection Group (CPG).

The authorities and responsibilities of the BPS are grouped into four (4) divisions:

Standards Conformity Division (SCD)

• Operates and implements the BPS Product Certification Scheme for both locally produced and imported products covered by mandatory standards

• Prepares implementing policies and guidelines for every standard approved for mandatory certification;

• Monitor the development of conformity assessment procedures for the country to be at par with internationally-accepted protocols

Standards Development Division (SDD)

• Formulates national standards development policies

• Develops and promulgates Philippine National Standards (PNS) for consumer protection and trade facilitation

• Coordinates national standardization activities in the country and harmonization of standards with international standards

Product Testing Division (BPS-TD)

• Conducts third-party testing of products through the BPS Testing –Laboratory to verify their conformity with specified PNS

• Provides support to the BPS PCS requirements and standards development through the performance of electrical, chemical and mechanical testing of products

• Conducts confirmatory tests when there are conflicts about results of other government and private laboratories

Standards Mainstreaming Division (SMD)

• Conceptualizes, prepares, proposes and implements programs, projects and activities for the mainstreaming and dissemination of new national and international standards to industries, manufacturers, traders, regulators, and other users

• Maintains and updates the Standards and Conformance Portal

• Operates the Enquiry Point and Notification Authority in connection with the country’s obligations to the World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade

• Monitors developments for forging of strategic alliances with international and regional organizations

Part of the DTI-BPS’ mandate is to ensure the quality and safety of use of certain critical products through standards. Thus, the bureau has listed several products which are required to comply with the requirements of relevant Philippine National Standards (PNS) prior to being sold in the market.

The Bureau implements this technical regulation through the Product Certification Scheme (PCS) which is divided into two (2) schemes, the Philippine Standard (PS) Quality and/or Safety Licensing Scheme for manufacturers whether locally or internationally situated and the Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) Certification Scheme for the importers

The PS Quality and/or Safety License is granted to a manufacturer whose factory and products have successfully complied with the requirements of the PNS ISO 9001 and the relevant standard/s, respectively. Whereas, the ICC Certificate is issued to an importer only after the imported products’ has passed its relevant standards, determined through inspection, verification, and product testing by DTI-BPS Recognized Testing Laboratories. Currently, PS License is mandatory to cement and steel products.

Products manufactured and imported by companies granted the PS license and the ICC Certificate are required to bear the PS and ICC marks when distributed in the Philippine Market.

There are currently 75 products and systems under the list of products covered by the BPS Mandatory Certification Scheme which is comprised of household appliances; lamps and lighting products; wiring devices; mechanical / building & construction materials; chemical and other consumer products; and other systems/processes. The list gets updated from time to time. Please visit the BPS Portal for the latest list of mandatory products.

The Philippine Standard (PS) License Scheme is pursuant to DTI Department Administrative Order (DAO) No. 04, Series of 2008. The DTI-BPS operates the scheme by requiring manufacturers of products covered by mandatory certification to acquire the PS Quality and/or Safety License before distributing their goods in the market.

The PS Quality and/or Safety License is only granted to a manufacturer if it has successfully complied with the requirements of the PNS ISO 9001 and the relevant PNS of the products they produce in their facilities.

• Quality System Audit - During the quality system audit, BPS assessors or BPS recognized auditing bodies conduct an actual visit to the company’s plant to check whether the company is capable of managing effectively its quality system for the manufacture and delivery of its products based on the requirements of the applicable PNS ISO 9001:2008 or its future amendment.
• Product Audit

  (b.1)   Compliance checking
  During product audit, the BPS assessors or BPS recognized auditing bodies check the completeness of the inspection, measuring, and testing equipment (IMTE), and its calibration certificates.  Quality control processes are verified through test records, as well as the knowledge, training, and competence of the quality assurance/quality control officers. 
  
  

  (b.2)   In-plant testing
  If the IMTE is complete, the BPS assessors or BPS recognized auditing bodies witness the actual testing of product samples using the company’s own facilities and resources and based on the prescribed test methods/processes. The objective of this activity is to validate the competence of the company’s quality personnel and check whether requirements of the particular technical regulation and standard are complied with.

  (b.3)   Independent testing
  BPS assessors or BPS recognized auditing bodies draw samples of the product from the company’s manufacturing site and submit these for testing by BPS or by BPS recognized testing laboratory. This third party testing is intended to validate the result of the in-plant test.

The Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) Certification Scheme is pursuant to DTI Department Administrative Order (DAO) No. 05, Series of 2008. Importers of products covered by mandatory certification are required to secure the ICC Certification for their shipment, before distributing their goods in the market. The importer applies for ICC certificate on a per shipment, per bill of lading, per product basis.

You are no longer required to secure an Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) Certificate. However, you are still required to secure a Certificate of Exemption (CE) from the DTI-BPS before the Bureau of Customs (BOC) releases your shipment from their custody at the ports.

The responsibilities and liabilities of manufacturers, importers, traders, wholesalers, distributors, retailers, service providers and or their agents, with regard to products/services covered by the BPS Product Certification Scheme as well as the penalties for violation thereof are provided under the DTI Department Administrative Order (DAO) No. 02, Series of 2007. The DTI-BPS conducts seminars on the said DAO for stakeholders. Please email bps@dti.gov.ph to request for a seminar or a resource speaker to discuss the topic on your workshops or meetings.

Products sold in the market should bear the PS/ICC mark. PS Mark is for products certified thru the PS Licensing Scheme both for locally produced or foreign manufactured, while the ICC stickers are is for imported products that went thru the ICC certification process. Under the expanded PS Scheme, foreign manufacturer which had sufficiently complied with the requirements of DAO 4:2008 or DAO 17-06:2017 is issued the PS License and allowed to affix the PS mark on its product.  Products that bear these markings signify that the product went through the quality requirements of the BPS.

If you have complaints regarding the implementation of the DTI-BPS Product Certification Scheme, you may call the Standards Conformity Division (SCD) at 791.3130; 751.4724; 751.4720; 751.4725; 751.4708 and 0917.5036258 or email the details of your complaint to bps@dti.gov.ph.

The DTI-BPS has its own testing facilities located at Construction Manpower Development Center (CMDC) Compound, Carlos Trinidad Avenue, Salawag, Dasmariñas, Cavite which is managed by the DTI-BPS Product Testing Division (PTD). For more information on their services and fees, please call (02) 838.0542 or (02) 838.8344.