Question & AnswerQ&A (DEPARTMENT ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 18-02)
The subject of Department Administrative Order No. 18-02 is the mandatory Philippine National Standard (PNS) for self-ballasted LED lamps for general lighting services, specifically adopting PNS IEC 62560:2012 for safety requirements for these lamps operating by voltage greater than 50V.
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), through the Bureau of Philippine Standards (BPS), is responsible for the implementation of the standards for self-ballasted LED lamps under DAO No. 18-02.
All manufacturers, distributors, importers, and retailers of self-ballasted LED lamps shall comply with the requirements of the Philippine National Standard as mandated by DAO No. 18-02.
Manufacturers must secure a Philippine Standard (PS) Quality and/or Safety Certification Mark License, while importers must secure an Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) prior to distribution and sale of self-ballasted LED lamps.
A Self-ballasted LED Lamp is defined as a unit that cannot be dismantled without being permanently damaged, provided with a lamp cap, and incorporating a LED light source along with any additional elements necessary for stable operation of the light source.
The scope covers self-ballasted LED lamps for general lighting services with a rated wattage up to 30 W, rated voltage greater than 50 V up to 250 V, and having E14 and E27 caps, intended for domestic and similar purposes.
For ICC application by importers, ten (10) pieces of samples per basic model/type per brand shall be randomly drawn from the shipment. For PS Certification Mark License application by manufacturers, twenty (20) pieces of samples per basic model/type per brand shall be drawn from the production line or warehouse.
Manufacturers must be capable of conducting interchangeability tests, protection against accidental contact with live parts, insulation resistance and electric strength tests, mechanical strength test (torsion resistance), and cap temperature rise tests as prescribed by PNS IEC 62560:2012.
Manufacturers or importers have six (6) months from the date of effectivity of this Order to apply for voluntary certification of self-ballasted LED lamps.
After 18 months from the effectivity date, all self-ballasted LED lamps distributed or offered for sale in the market must bear a valid PS mark or ICC sticker, with compliance verified through market monitoring and enforcement activities.
The adoption is pursuant to Republic Act 4109, Republic Act 7394, various Executive Orders (No. 913, 133, 101), and Department Administrative Orders Nos. 2, 4, and 5 of 2007 and 2008, including Section 10 (4), Title X, Book IV of the Administrative Code of 1987.
The BPS, Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau (FTEB), and DTI Regional and Provincial Offices are tasked to monitor and inspect products in the market to ensure conformity to standards, and to impose legal actions or sanctions if products fail to comply.
Samples that fail to meet the requirements may be kept by the testing laboratory for reference or contestation by the manufacturer/importer; after two months without contesting, the test report is considered final and samples may be returned or disposed of according to rules and regulations.
Markings required include those prescribed by PNS IEC 62560:2012, DAO 04:2008/DAO 05:2008 and their amendments, and the Consumer Act of the Philippines (RA 7394).
The Order took effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in a national newspaper of general circulation, with publication and submission to the UP Office of National Administrative Register.