Definitions of Key Terms
- "Hard surfactants": Surfactants with low biodegradability including hard or branched alkyl benzene and related compounds.
- "Industrial detergent": Cleaning products used in industries like beverage, textile, meat, fish, and food processing, distinct from household laundry.
- "Laundry detergent": Products formulated to clean household fabrics.
- "Natural oleochemical": Chemicals derived from plant-based oils such as coconut and palm.
Labeling Requirements
- All laundry and industrial detergent labels must comply with the Consumer Act of the Philippines.
- Labels must include:
- Name of the product.
- Trade name and address of manufacturer, importer, or marketer.
- A declaration that the product does not contain hard surfactants.
Prohibition on Hard Surfactants
- Manufacture, importation, distribution, and sale of detergents with hard surfactants are prohibited.
- The Bureau of Product Standards is tasked to revise applicable Philippine National Standards to enforce this Act.
- The Bureau will conduct inspections to ensure compliance.
Administrative Sanctions for Violations
- Violations constitute breaches of trade and industry laws under Executive Order No. 913, as amended.
- The Bureau of Product Standards can recommend administrative sanctions including fines:
- First offense: PHP 200,000
- Second offense within one year: PHP 300,000
- Third offense within one year: PHP 500,000
- Cancellation of manufacturer’s license or Product Standards Quality Mark may also be imposed.
Criminal Penalties
- Offenders face imprisonment from one to five years and/or fines ranging from PHP 500,000 to PHP 1,000,000.
- For corporate violators, the president, manager, or responsible officers who knew or should have known the violation will be penalized.
- Foreign officers guilty of offenses will be deported following sentence.
Implementation and Inspection Procedures
- The Bureau of Product Standards, with other agencies, will issue rules and regulations.
- Allows for product checks and inspections of relevant establishments during business hours.
- Inspections must be accompanied by two responsible company officers.
- Must respect constitutional rights against unreasonable searches.
Fiscal Incentives for Biodegradable Surfactants
- The Board of Investments may grant fiscal incentives to local manufacturers producing biodegradable oleochemical surfactants.
- Incentives include support for modernization, processing plants, and export assistance.
Separability Clause
- Invalidity of any provision or its application does not affect the rest of the Act.
Repealing Clause
- Existing inconsistent laws, decrees, or orders are repealed or amended accordingly.
Effectivity Clause
- The Act takes effect 15 days after publication in the Official Gazette or two newspapers, whichever is earlier.