G/TBT/N/PHL/260  
12 August 2021  
(21-6197) Page: 1/2 
Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade  Original:  English  
 
  
NOTIFICATION  
The following notification is being circulated in accordance with Article 10.6  
 
1. Notifying Member:  PHILIPPINES   
If applicable, name of local government involved (Article 3.2 and 7.2):   
2. Agency responsible:   
Bureau of Plant Industry  
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE  
Name and address (including telephone and fax numbers , email and website 
addresses, if available) of agency or authority designated to handle comments 
regarding the notification shall be indicated if diff erent from above:   
MR. GEORGE Y. CULASTE, Ph.D.  
Director  
692 San Andres Street, Malate, Manila, Philippines  
Email: bpi.do@buplant.da.gov.ph ; bpi.directors office@yahoo.com ; 
iango032879@gmail.com  
www.bpi.da.gov.ph   
3. Notified under Article 2.9.2 [X], 2.10.1 [   ], 5.6.2 [   ], 5.7.1 [   ], other :  
4. Products covered (HS or CCCN where applicable, otherwise national tariff 
heading. ICS numbers may be provided in addition, where applicable):  LIVE 
TREES AND OTHER PLANTS; BULBS, ROOTS AND THE LIKE; CUT FLOWERS AND 
ORNAMENTAL FOLIAGE (HS 06); EDIBLE VEGETABLES AND CERTAIN ROOTS  AND 
TUBERS (HS 07); EDIBLE FRUIT AND NUTS; PEEL OF CITRUS FRUIT OR MELONS (HS 
08); CEREALS (HS 10)  
5. Title, number of pages and language(s) of the notified document:  Updating the 
List of Commodities for Importation Requiring GM Declaration (4 page(s), i n English)  
6. Description of content:  In line with DA Administrative Order 08 Series of 2002 rules 
and regulations for the importation and release into the environment of plants and plants 
products derived from the use of  Modern Technology, the draft Memo randum aims to 
update the list of commodities for importation requiring genetically modified (GM) 
declaration. AO 08 Series of 2002  covers the importation or release into the environment 
of: 1. any plant which has been altered or produced through the use o f modern 
biotechnology if the donor organism, host organism, or vector or vector agent belongs to 
any of the genera or taxa classified by BPS   as meeting the definition of plant pest or is a 
medium for the introduction of noxious weeds; or 2. Any plant or plant product altered or 
produced through the use of modern biotechnology which may pose significant risks to 
human health and the environment based on available scientific and technical 
information.  
7. Objective and rationale, including the nature of urg ent problems where 
applicable:  Consumer information, labelling; Prevention of deceptive practices and 
consumer protection; Protection of human health or safety; Protection of the environment  G/TBT/N/PHL/260  
 
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  8. Relevant documents:   
AO 8 Series of 2002 - Rules and Regulations for the importation and release into the 
environment of plants and plants products derived from the use of   Modern Technology  
MC 8 Series of 2003 - Guidelines for the Phytosanitary Inspection of Regulated Articles 
for Food, Feed and Processing,  Pursuant to AO No. 8 (Series of 2002), "Rules and 
Regulations on the Importation and Release into the Environment of Plants and Plant 
Products Derived from the Use of Modern Biotechnology"  
MC 11 Series of 2002 - Additional Signatories to the Declaration o f GMO Content Pursuant 
to DA MC No. 8 S. 2003.   
MC 12 Series of 2003 - Annexes I, II and III pursuant to Memorandum Circular No. 8 s. 
2003 and DA AO No. 8, s. 2002   
9. Proposed date of adoption:  15 days after signing  
Proposed date of entry into force:  15 days after signing  
10. Final date for comments:  60 days from notification  
11. Texts available from:  National enquiry point [X] or address, telephone and fax 
numbers and email and website addresses, if available , of other body:   
Mr. NEIL P. CATAJAY  
Director  
Bureau of Philippine Standards  
Department of Trade and Industry  
3F Trade and Industry Building  
361 Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue  
Makati City  
Philippines  
1200  
(632) 7751 4700; (632) 77513128  
bps@dti.gov.ph  
http://www.bps.dti.gov.ph  
Head of Organization