QuestionsQuestions (DEPARTMENT ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 18-03)
DAO No. 18-03 cited Republic Act (RA) 4109, RA 7394, Executive Order (EO) No. 913 (s. 1983), EO No. 133 (s. 1987), EO No. 101 (s. 1967), Department Administrative Orders (DAOs) 4 and 5 (both s. 2008), DAO 2 (s. 2007), and Section 10(4), Title X, Book IV of the Administrative Code of 1987.
The order adopts mandatory PNS corresponding to: PNS IEC 60335-1:2011; PNS IEC 60335-2-3:2005; PNS IEC 60335-2-4:2016; PNS IEC 60335-2-7:2016; PNS IEC 60335-2-9:2016; PNS IEC 60335-2-14:2016; PNS IEC 60335-2-15:2015; PNS IEC 60335-2-24:2013; PNS IEC 60335-2-25:2015; PNS IEC 60335-2-40:2013; PNS IEC 60335-2-80:2016; and PNS IEC 60065:2013.
All manufacturers and importers of the covered products must comply with the standards. They must secure either a Philippine Standard (PS) Certification Mark License (for manufacturers) or an Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) (for importers) prior to distribution and sale.
They are documents/authorizations within the product certification scheme administered through DTI and BPS, attesting that a product meets the applicable Philippine National Standards (PNS) or recognized standards. Manufacturers use a PS Certification Mark License; importers use an ICC.
The order provides: scope of coverage (Clause 5.1), responsibilities (Clause 5.2), application requirements for PS/ICC (Clause 5.3), sampling and in-plant testing (Clauses 5.4 and 5.5), independent testing by BPS-recognized labs (Clause 5.6), required markings (Clause 5.7), disposition of samples (Clause 5.8), and monitoring/market surveillance with possible sanctions (Clause 5.9).
Examples include electric dry/steam irons (PNS IEC 60335-2-3:2005); spin extractors (PNS IEC 60335-2-4:2016); washing machines (PNS IEC 60335-2-7:2016); toasters/stoves/hotplates/grills/ovens/turbo broilers/induction cookers (PNS IEC 60335-2-9:2016); kitchen machines/blenders/juicers/food mixers/processors (PNS IEC 60335-2-14:2016); refrigerators (up to 567 liters) (PNS IEC 60335-2-24:2013); microwave ovens (PNS IEC 60335-2-25:2015); air-conditioners (PNS IEC 60335-2-40:2013); fans (PNS IEC 60335-2-80:2016); and certain audio/video disc players and TV sets (PNS IEC 60065:2013).
It states that appliances not intended for normal household use but that may nevertheless be a source of danger to the public (e.g., for use in commercial establishments) are within the scope, reflecting public safety concerns.
The order does not cover appliances exclusively for industrial purposes.
Manufacturers apply for a PS Quality and/or Safety Certification Mark License under DAO 4:2008, its implementing rules and regulations, and future amendments. Importers apply for an Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) under DAO 5:2008, its implementing rules and regulations, and future amendments.
For ICC: three (3) complete units for electric fans and two (2) complete units for other appliances are randomly drawn from the shipment at the importer’s warehouse by a duly authorized DTI/BPS representative.
For PS: six (6) units for electric fans or four (4) units for other appliances are drawn from the manufacturer’s production line or warehouse. The first three (3) (fans) or two (2) (others) are tested in-plant as witnessed by the authorized DTI/BPS representative; the remaining units are packed/sealed and signed for independent testing if in-plant results are satisfactory.
Test samples for independent testing must be sent by the manufacturer or importer to a BPS-recognized testing laboratory within seven (7) working days upon drawing of samples.
Yes. Clause 5.4.4 provides that the BPS-recognized testing laboratory may require the applicant to submit the PCB wiring diagram and spare parts necessary for safety testing and any needed certificate of compliance of critical components.
Prior to testing, there must be no special preparation, modification, or adjustment, quality control, testing, or assembly procedure on a test sample or its parts/sub-assemblies unless it is normally performed during production and assembly.
BPS-recognized labs conduct full tests on the base model and verification only on generic models. However, if verification shows the generic model does not meet the definition of generic model under Clause 4.2.11, full testing is required.
Samples shall be tested at 230 V a.c., 60 Hz.
BPS/FTEB/DTI regional and provincial offices may make appropriate legal actions or impose necessary sanctions in accordance with the relevant laws, rules, and regulations.
Manufacturers/importers may apply for voluntary certification within six (6) months after effectivity (8.1). Mandatory PS/ICC procedures must be undertaken six (6) months after effectivity (8.2). After 18 months from effectivity, products offered for sale must bear a valid PS mark or ICC stickers, verified through market monitoring (8.3). Existing PS licenses issued under DAO 4:2008 and prior implementing guidelines remain valid until expiration unless revoked (8.4).
It takes effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in a national newspaper of general circulation, with a copy submitted to the UP Office of the National Administrative Register.