QuestionsQuestions (Republic Act No. 10657)
RA 10657 declares that chemistry is vital to public safety, the national economy, and protection of the environment. The State’s policy is to promote, regulate, and protect the professional practice of chemistry and ensure its continued development and high international standards in the Philippines.
RA 10657 defines chemistry as the study, analysis, modification, and calculations of physico-chemical or biochemical properties of matter. It expressly includes biochemistry, which is within the scope of chemistry for purposes of the Act.
A registered chemist is a person engaged in the professional practice of chemistry who is duly registered with the Board of Chemistry and the PRC. A registered chemist has authority to undertake the professional practice of chemistry.
Chemical analysis refers to physico-chemical or biochemical procedures that include measuring properties (e.g., pH, density), using methods (e.g., titration, spectroscopy, chromatography), determining atomic/molecular quantities, determining nature/structure at atomic to supramolecular level, preparing samples, separation/purification, computations (including chemometrics and modeling), and other analytical methods characterizing matter at the atomic/molecular/supramolecular level.
The Act covers services related to public interest/public safety, legal or regulatory matters. Functions of registered chemists include performing and certifying chemical analysis or synthesis; inspecting and certifying laboratories; supervising laboratories and analyses/synthesis; teaching/reviewing professional chemistry subjects; consultation/investigation/research for matters involving public interest, public safety, laws or regulations (with signature/seal on certification reports); sale and supervision of sale of chemicals/equipment; and management functions such as chemical safety, waste management, and pollution control.
It is limited to physico-chemical or biochemical analysis, chemical/biochemical synthesis, and sale of chemicals/equipment, but only provided these activities are under the supervision of a registered chemist.
Any report on chemical analysis or synthesis must be signed by and bear the license number of the chemical technician who performed the analysis.
It consists of a Chairperson and two (2) members appointed by the President from lists of recommendees and nominees ranked and submitted through accredited professional organizations and the PRC process.
The Board can hear and decide administrative cases against chemists/chemical technicians and owners/administrators of chemical laboratories. Its decisions may be appealed to the Commission within fifteen (15) days from notice; otherwise, they become final and executory.
They must be PH citizen/resident; of good moral character and sound mind; hold at least a master’s degree in Chemistry; be a registered chemist with at least ten (10) years active practice; have no pecuniary interest in chemistry schools/review centers; be a member in good standing of the APO; not be an APO officer/trustee; and not have been convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude.
Analytical Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, and Physical Chemistry. The relative weight of any subject must not exceed 30% nor be less than 15% of the total (and the Board may modify coverage consistent with the Act’s requirements).
Applicants must be graduates holding a BS in Chemistry or allied degree under CHED supervision, and must have earned at least sixty (60) university units in chemistry including all professional chemistry courses. Allied degrees must be evaluated by the Board. Applicants also must be of good moral character and not convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude.
Applicants must be PH citizens or foreign citizens whose countries grant reciprocal privilege to Filipinos; be of good moral character and of sound mind; and have completed at least thirty (30) units of undergraduate chemistry courses (with lecture and laboratory) in General Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, and Organic Chemistry from an institution recognized by CHED or TESDA. A certified true copy of transcript of records must accompany the application.
For the chemist exam, an examinee must obtain a general average of at least 70% and no subject below 50%. Provided that if the examinee passes any two (2) subjects, the examinee automatically qualifies as a chemical technician.
Upon conviction, imprisonment of not less than one (1) month but not more than one (1) year, or a fine of not less than ₱100,000 but not more than ₱1,000,000, or both—at the court’s discretion.
The person or officer charged with the management or administration of such firm/corporation/government agency shall be held personally liable for violations of the Act.
Only firms, corporations, and government agencies authorized by the Board with a valid certificate may operate a chemical laboratory or engage in chemistry/chemical analysis. Their chemistry practice must be carried out only by registered chemists or registered chemical technicians with valid certificates of registration and professional identification cards.