Leadership and Personnel of the Bureau
- Headed by a Director of Standards and two Assistant Directors (technical and administrative).
- Appointments made by the President with the Commission on Appointments' consent.
- Bureau personnel appointed by the Secretary of Commerce and Industry.
- Technical personnel exempt from Wage and Position Classification Office regulations.
Scope and Functions of the Bureau
- Responsible for establishing standards and inspecting all agricultural, forest, mineral, fish, industrial, and other Philippine products lacking existing standards by law.
- Inspects and certifies the quality of imported commodities.
- Determines the country of origin and compliance with buyer/importer specifications.
- Prohibits release of articles from countries without trade relations with the Philippines.
- Utilizes government facilities for testing until own facilities are established.
Powers and Duties of the Director of Standards
- Possesses general powers of Bureau Chiefs under the law.
- Establishes product standards with Secretary's approval.
- Inspects and samples products to certify standards.
- Inspects government and private products affecting public health and safety.
- Certifies exported products and documents non-standardized shipments.
- Inspects import commodities prior to release by Customs.
- Labels imports not conforming to specifications.
- Confiscates imports from countries without Philippine trade agreements.
- Fixes and collects fees for inspection, certification, testing, and related scientific services.
- Takes testimonies and evidence related to official business.
- Investigates business practices of manufacturers and distributors upon reported violations.
Penalties for Non-Compliance and False Information
- Non-compliance with summons or subpoenas, refusal to testify, or submission of false information results in imprisonment (2-6 months), fines (₱500-₱1,000), and deportation if alien.
- Providing false testimony under oath carries maximum penalties.
Inspection and Certification Requirements for Customs and Commerce
- No export or import customs documents issued without prior inspection and certification.
- Philippine products must be certified to conform to standards before sale or export.
- Small quantity shipments for private use exempted from certification.
- Customs collectors must enforce prohibitions on export/import without certification.
Penalties for Illegal Shipment and Violations
- Imprisonment (6 months to 2 years), fines (₱1,000-₱5,000), and deportation for violations related to shipments lacking required certification.
- Corporate liability extends to responsible officers.
- Naturalized citizens guilty of violations risk cancellation of naturalization and deportation.
- Foreign businesses risk license revocation.
- Public officers face dismissal and disqualification from office.
Transfer of Assets and Responsibilities
- Division of Standards' personnel, funds, equipment, assets, and liabilities are transferred to the new Bureau.
- Powers and functions related to standardization and inspection from earlier executive orders are also transferred.
Appropriations and Funding
- Initial appropriation of ₱1,000,000 from the National Treasury for Bureau operations.
- Twenty-five percent of collected fees set aside for Bureau expenses and personnel enhancement.
- Such funds constitute a "Philippine Standardization and Inspection Fund" for improving Bureau efficiency.
- Special budgets require approval of the President and the Secretary of Commerce and Industry.
Repeal and Separability
- Conflicting laws, executive orders, administrative orders, or proclamations are repealed or modified.
- Invalidity of any part of the Act does not affect the remainder except the directly involved portion.
Effectivity
- The Act takes effect immediately upon approval.