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THE NE W TECHN ICAL REGULATION CONCERNING THE MANDA TORY PRODUCT CERTIFICATION O F 
MERCURY ADDED PRODUCTS  
 
 
 
 
DEPARTMENT ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO.  ______   
Series of _________  
 
 
SUBJECT:  THE NEW TECHNICAL REGULATION CONCERNING THE 
MANDATORY  PRODUCT CERTIFICATION OF MERCURY ADDED 
PRODUCTS  
 
WHEREAS , the DTI Bureau of Philippine Standards (BPS) [formerly known as 
Bureau of Product Standards] is mandated by Republic Act (RA) 4109 to perform 
standards development, certification, testing, policy formulation, and monitoring 
functions;  
 
WHEREAS , EO 101, Series of 1967 empowers the BPS to promulgate, subject to the 
approv al of the DTI Secretary, such rules and regulations for the marking of goods 
standardized by the BPS and for other purposes;  
 
WHEREAS , such BPS mandates are reiterated in RA 7394 or the “Consumer Act of 
the Philippines” wherein it states that, “ it shall be  the duty of the State to develop and 
provide safety and quality standards for consumer products, including performance or 
use-oriented standards, codes of practice and methods of tests; to assist the 
consumer in evaluating the quality, including safety, p erformance and comparative 
utility of consumer products; to protect the public against unreasonable risks of injury 
associated with consumer products; to undertake research on quality improvement of 
products and investigation into causes and prevention of product related deaths, 
illness and injuries; and to assure the public of the consistency of standardized 
products ”; 
 
WHEREAS , EO 913, Series of 1983, vests with the DTI the adjudicatory powers such 
as to conduct arbitration, conciliation, mediation, forma l investigation; imposition of 
administrative penalties; and issue cease -and-desist orders, seizures, preventive 
measures and other similar orders in case of violation of trade and industry laws 
including those relating to the BPS’ Certification Schemes;  
 
WHEREAS , on October 2013, the Philippines signed the global -legally binding treaty 
on Mercury – the Minamata Convention on Mercury provides controls and reductions 
across a range of products , process and industries where m ercury is used, released, 
and emit ted.  
 
WHEREAS , pursuant to the provisions of the Department of Environment and Natural 
Resources (DENR) Department Administrative Order No. 2019 -20 or the Revised 
Chemical Control Order (CCO) For Mercury and mercury Compounds (Revising DAO 
1997 -38) was pr escribed and promulgated on 20 December 2019;  
WHEREAS , the objectives of the aforementioned DAO are to regulate, restrict or 
prohibit the importation, manufacture, processing, sale, handling, storage, distribution, 
use and disposal of Mercury, Mercury comp ounds, and Mercury -added products that 
present risk and danger to human health and environment;  
      
 
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 THE NEW TECHN ICAL REGULATION CONCERNING THE MANDA TORY PRODUCT CERTIFICATION O F 
MERCURY ADDED PRODUCTS  WHEREAS , Section 8.1b of DENR DAO  2019 -20 clearly states that any person or 
entity importing Mercury added products such as lamps, batteries, relays, and 
switches must secure clearance from DTI -BPS. The phased -out schedule of the 
products with the amount of mercury above the specified limits shall commence on 
the year 2022.  
 
NOW THEREFORE , pursuant to RA 4109; RA 7394; EO 101, Series of 1967; EO 
913, Series  of 1983; EO 292, Series of 1987, and DENR  DAO 2019 -20 the following 
Technical Regulation governing the BPS Mandatory  Product Certification Schemes 
for Mercury Added Products are hereby prescribed and promulgated for the 
compliance, information, and guidan ce of all concerned.  
 
 
Rule 1.  OBJECTIVE  
 
This DAO strictly aims to  ensure that m ercury added products to be imported, 
manufactured, distributed or sold in the Philippines meet the specified safety 
requirements prescribed by this Technical R egulation .  
 
 
Rule 2.  SCOPE  
 
2.1 This Technical Regulation prescribes the mandatory product certification of 
the following mercury added products whether locally manufactured or 
imported : 
 
2.1.1  Batteries  
2.1.1.1  Button zinc silver oxide batteries  
2.1.1.2  Button zinc air batteries  
 
2.1.2   Switches and relays with very high accuracy capacitance  and loss   
measurement bridges and high frequency radio frequency  switches 
and relays in monitoring and control instruments such as:  
 
2.1.2.1  Tilt Switch  
2.1.2.2  Inclination Switch  
2.1.2.3  Flame S ensor Switch  
2.1.2.4  Float Switch  
2.1.2.5  Mercury Seismic Switch  
2.1.2.6  Pressure Switch  
2.1.2.7  Temperature Switch  
2.1.2.8  Mercury Displacement Relays  
2.1.2.9  Mercury Reed Relays  
2.1.2.10  Mercury Overcurrent Relay  
2.1.2.11  Mercury Wetted Reed Relay  
2.1.2.12  Mercury Contact Relay  
2.1.2.13  High Frequency  Radio Frequency  Switches (3MHz to 30 MHz)  
2.1.2.14  High Frequency  Radio Frequency  Relays (3MHz t o 30 MHz)  
 
2.1.3  Compact F luores cent L amps (CFLs) for general lighting purposes that are 
≤ 30 watts  
 
2.1.4  Linear Fluorescent Lamps (LFLs) for general lighting purposes:  
 
2.1.4.1  Triband phosphor < 60 watts   
 
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 THE NEW TECHN ICAL REGULATION CONCERNING THE MANDA TORY PRODUCT CERTIFICATION O F 
MERCURY ADDED PRODUCTS  2.1.4.2  Halophosphate phosphor ≤ 40 watts  
 
2.1.5  Cold Cathode Fluorescent L amps  (CCFL ) and External Electrode 
Fluorescent Lamps (EEFL):  
 
2.1.5.1  short length (≤ 500 mm )  
2.1.5.2  medium length (> 500 mm and ≤ 1 500 mm)  
2.1.5.3  long length (> 1 500 mm)      
   
2.2 This Order does not cover mercury added products that are incorporated on the 
manufactured or imported equipment, appliances, or finished products. However, 
manufacture and im portation of the same with mercury levels more than the 
allowable limit is prohibited.  
 
 
Rule 3.  DEFINITION OF TERMS  
For purposes of this Order, the following definitions shall apply:  
 
3.1 Audit  – a systematic, independent and documented process for obtaining audit 
evidence, and evaluating it objectively to determine the extent to which the audit 
criteria are fulfilled. 1 
 
3.2 Audit criteria  – set of policies, procedures or requirements used as a reference 
against which audit evidence is compared. 2 
 
3.3 Accredited Conformity  Assessment Body (CAB)  – inspection body, testing 
laboratory or certification body accredited under PNS ISO/IEC 17020, PNS 
ISO/IEC 17021, PNS ISO/IEC 17025 or PNS ISO/IEC 17065, respectively, in its 
relevant updated version/edition by the Philippine Accred itation Bureau (PAB) or 
by an accreditation body that is a signatory to regional/international agreements 
entered into by the Government of the Republic of the Philippines through DTI [(i.e. 
Asia Pacific Accreditation Cooperation (APAC) , International Laboratory 
Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) , International Accreditation Forum (IAF) ]. 
 
3.4 Attestation  – issuance of a statement of conformity based on a decision following 
review of an audit report, that fulfillment of specified requirements has been 
demonstrate d. 3 
 
3.5 Base Type/Model – one that represents a set of generic characteristics of a group 
of products.  
 
3.6 BPS – Bureau of Philippine Standards of the DTI  
 
3.7 BPS Recognized Conformity Assessment Body (CAB)  – the CAB (inspection 
body, testing laboratory, or certif ication body) duly recognized by BPS to have the 
scope and competence to conduct activities relevant to the requirements set forth 
by BPS, to include but not limited to, CABs accredited by the PAB, CABs 
recognized by BPS under the A ssociation of South East Asian Nations Mutual 
Recognition Arrangement (ASEAN MRA) , Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation 
(APEC)  MRA and other regional and bilateral MRAs entered into by the 
Government of the Philippines through the DTI. BPS shall issue Recognition 
Certificate upon co mpletion of all requirements for application for recognition.      
                                                             
1 ISO 19011:2011  
2 Ibid. 
3 ISO/IEC 17000   
 
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 THE NEW TECHN ICAL REGULATION CONCERNING THE MANDA TORY PRODUCT CERTIFICATION O F 
MERCURY ADDED PRODUCTS   
3.8 Certification Body  – third party conformity assessment body operating a 
certification scheme.  
 
3.9 Claim  – information declared by client.  
 
3.10 Confirmation  – an action, declaration, document, or statement that corroborates, 
ratifies,    verifies, gives formal approval, or assures the validity of something.4 
 
3.11 Conformity Assessment Body (CAB)  – a third party inspection body, testing 
laboratory and certification body operating within its scope of com petence.  
 
3.12 Conformity  – fulfillment of a requirement.5 
 
3.13 DENR – Department of Environment and Natural Resources  
 
3.14 Determination  – include assessment activities such as testing, measuring, 
inspection, design appraisal, assessment of services, and auditing to p rovide 
information regarding the product requirements as input to the review and 
attestation functions.  
3.15 DTI – Department of Trade and Industry  
 
3.16 Evaluation  – systematic examination of the extent to which a product, process, or 
service  fulfills specified req uirements.6 
 
3.17 Generic Type/Model – refers to a type/model or series of types/models which 
critical components and materials together with its mechanical and electrical 
designs are similar including the capacity, energy source, electrical characteristics, 
and other physical or functional characteristics with the base type/model.  
 
3.18 International Standard  – a standard developed under the WTO principles for 
international standards development such as those developed by international 
bodies like the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), International 
Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), International Telecommunication Union (ITU) 
and those developed by foreign standards bodies under these principles.  
 
3.19 Inspection – examination of a product, process, se rvice, or installation or their 
design and determination of its conformity with specific requirements, or, on the 
basis of professional judgment, with general requirements.6 This includes inventory 
and sampling.   
 
3.20 Inspection body  – a body that performs in spection.  
 
3.21 ISO/IEC 17029 – Conformity assessment – General principles and requirements 
for validation and verification bodies.  
 
3.22 Lot No./Batch No./Serial No. – an identification number used to identify 
production/lot batch of the product for quality contro l purposes.  
 
3.23 Mercury  – means elemental Mercury, ( Hg (0)), CAS No. 7439 -97-6 7 
 
                                                             
4 Webster’s New World Law Dictionary  
5 ISO/IEC 17000  
6 Ibid 
7 DENR DAO 2019 -20 
  
 
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 THE NEW TECHN ICAL REGULATION CONCERNING THE MANDA TORY PRODUCT CERTIFICATION O F 
MERCURY ADDED PRODUCTS  3.24 Mercury Added Products  – means a product or product components that contain 
Mercury or a Mercury compound that was intentionally added.  8 
 
3.25 PAB  – Philippine Accreditation Bureau of the DTI.  
 
3.26 Philippine National Standards (PNS)  – Standards promulgated by the BPS.  
 
3.27 PNS ISO 9000  – Quality Management System - Fundamentals and Vocabulary  
 
3.28 PNS ISO 9001  – Quality Management Systems – Requirements  
 
3.29 PNS ISO 19011  – Guidelines for Auditing . 
 
3.30 PNS ISO/IEC 17020  – Conformity assessment – Requirements for the operation of 
various types of bodies performing inspection.  
 
3.31 PNS ISO/IEC 17021  – Conformity assessment – Requirements for bodies 
providing audits and certification of management systems.  
 
3.32 PNS ISO/IEC 17025  – General requirements for the competence of testing and 
calibration laboratories.  
 
3.33 PNS ISO/IEC 17065  – Conformity assessment – Requirements for bodies 
certifying products, processes and services  
 
3.34 Product Certification  – the provision of impartial third -party attestation that 
fulfillment of specified requirements has been demonstrated.  9 
 
3.35 PS License  – authority given by BPS to a local/foreign manufacturer, authorizing 
the use of the PS Certification Mark on its product.  
 
3.36 Review  – verificat ion of the suitability, adequacy and effectiveness of selection 
and determination activities, and the results of these activities, with regard to 
fulfillment of specified requirements. 10 
 
3.37 Sampling  – a method of getting a representative sample of a product  according to 
a specified procedure.  
 
3.38 Standard  - a document approved by a recognized body, that provides, for 
common and repeated use, rules, guidelines or characteristics for products or 
related processes and production methods, with which compliance is n ot 
mandatory  
 
3.39 Surveillance – a systematic iteration of conformity assessment activities as a 
basis for maintaining the validity of the statement of conformity.117 
 
3.40 Test Report  – a document that presents test results and other information relevant 
to a test . 
 
3.41 Testing Laboratory  – a laboratory which measures, examines, or determines the 
characteristics of performance of material or products. It may also be a laboratory 
that calibrates inspection, measuring and test equipment.  
                                                             
8 DENR DAO 2019 -20 
9 ISO/IEC 17065  
10 ISO/IEC 17000  
11 Ibid  
 
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 THE NEW TECHN ICAL REGULATION CONCERNING THE MANDA TORY PRODUCT CERTIFICATION O F 
MERCURY ADDED PRODUCTS  3.42 Third Party  – a body that is inde pendent of the organization that provides the 
product/service and is not the user of the product/service (testing, inspection, and 
sampling).12 8 
 
3.43 Trade name  – any registered name or designation identifying or distinguishing an 
enterprise . 
 
3.44 Verification – confirmation of a claim, through the provision of objective evidence, 
that specified requirements have been fulfilled.139 This may include product testing.  
 
3.45 Warehouse – secured premises built purposely for storage of products and to 
preserve the quality a nd integrity of the same.  
 
 
Rule 4.  PRODUCT CERTIFICATION SCHEMES  
 
4.1 Philippine Standard  (PS) Safety Certification Mark Licensing Scheme  
 
4.1.1  All manufacturers of products covered by this technical r egulation , shall apply 
for the Philippine Standard (PS) Certificati on M ark License in accordance with  
the requirements of DAO 04:2008,  its implementing rules and regulation s, 
and their future amendments.  
 
4.2 Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) Certification Mark Scheme  
 
4.2.1  All importers of products  covered by this technical r egulatio n, shall apply for the 
Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) in accordance with the requirements of 
DAO 05:2008,  its implementing rules and regulations , and their future 
amendments . 
 
 
Rule 5.  DOCUMENTARY REQUIREMEN TS 
 
All documentary requirements required under DAO 04: 2008 for PS and DAO 05:2008 
for ICC.  
 
 
Rule 6.  MARKING REQUIREMENTS  
 
6.1. For traceability and verification purposes, the required markings for manufactured or 
imported products stated in Rule 2  shall be available at all times for verification by the 
BPS, FTEB, and DTI  RO/PO, their authorized representatives, and by the duly 
authorized enforcement teams either at the manufacturer’s/importer’s warehouse or 
traders’/distributors’/retailers’ warehouse, if applicable.   
 
6.1.1.  Marking/labels by relevant PNS ; 
 
6.1.2.  PS or ICC Mark, as ap plicable  
 
6.1.3.  Markings/labels prescribed by the Consumer Act of the Philippines  
(Republic Act No. 7394) ; 
 
6.1.4.  Mercury content in milligrams (mg) . 
 
                                                             
12 ISO/IEC 17000  
13 ISO/IEC 17029   
 
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 THE NEW TECHN ICAL REGULATION CONCERNING THE MANDA TORY PRODUCT CERTIFICATION O F 
MERCURY ADDED PRODUCTS  6.2. In the absence of any of the required markings or submission of incomplete markings, 
the application for PS License or ICC shall not be processed until such time that the 
required markings are submitted or corrected.  
 
 
Rule 7.   INSPECTION /AUDIT  AND SAMPLING  
7.1. Audit, inspection and sampling shall be conducted by the BPS, DTI RO/PO or the 
BPS-recognized inspection/auditing body in  accordance with the existing BPS 
Audit, Inspection and Sampling Procedure  and with the requirements of DAO 
4:2008 or DAO 5:2008, their implementing rules and regulations, and their future 
amendments.  
7.2. Sampling Size  
7.2.1  For PS initial, surveillance, recertifica tion, or inclusion audits, two (2) 
sets of five  (5) pieces per type/model/brand for safety testing shall be 
randomly drawn from the manufacturer’s production line. The first set 
shall be tested in -plant as witnessed by the authorized DTI -BPS 
representative . The remaining set shall be sent to the BPSTL or BPS 
recognized testing laboratory for independent testing upon satisfactory 
results of the in -plant test.  
7.2.2  For ICC application, two (2) sets of five (5) pieces per 
type/model/brand for safety testing shall b e randomly drawn at the 
importer’s warehouse. The first set shall be sent to the BPSTL or BPS 
recognized testing laboratory for independent testing. The remaining 
set shall be kept by the importer as reserved samples.  
7.2.3  For generic type/model, three  (3) piec es per type/model/brand for 
safety  testing shall be drawn and shall be sent together with its base  
type/model to the BPSTL or BPS -recognized testing laboratory for 
actual verification purposes . 
7.3. Sampling Procedure  
7.3.1  The BPS, DTI RO/PO, BPS -recognized auditing /inspection body, the 
PS applicant/license holder, and ICC applicant’s authorized 
representative shall ensure that the drawn samples are traceable to the 
particular lot/batch or shipment where they were drawn.  
7.3.2  Test samples drawn shall be packed/sealed and signed, in the 
presence of importer or manufacturer authorized representatives, by 
the BPS, DTI RO/PO or BPS -recognized auditing/inspection body who 
shall ensure that the Request for Test form is properly filled -up and 
signed by the manufacturer or importe r.  
7.3.3  The auditor or the inspector shall ensure that the Request for Test form 
together with the drawn samples is directly submitted to the BPS -
recognized testing laboratory within three (3) working days from the 
date of audit/inspection and furnish BPS with  a copy thereof within 
three (3) working days from submission. For foreign -based PS License 
holders/applicants, the auditor shall ensure that the samples drawn 
shall be shipped to the BPS -recognized testing laboratory within three 
(3) working days from the  date of audit.   
 
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 THE NEW TECHN ICAL REGULATION CONCERNING THE MANDA TORY PRODUCT CERTIFICATION O F 
MERCURY ADDED PRODUCTS  7.3.4  The BPS -recognized testing laboratory shall document properly the 
receipt of the product samples to include but not limited to taking 
pictures of the following:  
7.3.4.1  Request for Test ; 
7.3.4.2   Packaging of the sealed and signed samples and as 
submitted  and received  
7.3.5  Pending the promulgation of relevant PNS  for button zinc silver oxide 
batteries  and button zinc air batteries , drawing of samples and conduct 
of independent product testing shall be waived . The PS license or ICC 
stickers shall only be issued upon satisfactory results of inspection or 
factory audit, respectively. The conduct of inspection or factory audit 
shall validate the  mercury content marked on  button zinc silver oxide 
batteries  and button zinc air batteries  which is prescribed in  Rule 9 o f 
this Order.  
 
7.3.6  BPS shall issue a supplemental guideline once the PNS for button zinc 
silver oxide batteries and button zinc air batteries are available and 
promulgated.  
 
 
Rule 8.  PRODUCT TESTING  
8.1. The drawn samples shall be tested by the BPS Testing Laboratory or o ther BPS -
recognized testing laboratory . 
 
8.2. Considering the regular updating of standards, the latest edition of the PNS shall 
be used as reference. It is understood that future amendments of the PNS 
indicated in this Order shall be used twelve (12) months af ter its promulgation to 
provide ample time to all stakeholders to adjust and conform to the new 
requirements, if any . 
 
8.3. All manufacturers of products listed in Rule 2 of this technical regulation, shall 
have the capability to determine the mercury content a s prescribed by Rule 9 using 
their relevant PNS . 
 
8.4. For PS initial, surveillance, recertification, or inclusion audits,  samples drawn shall 
be tested in -plant.  The manufacturer shall have testing capability to conduct the 
following minimum test methods:  
 
8.4.1  Fluorescent Lamps:  
 
8.4.1.1  Cold spotting method  
8.4.1.2  Non-cold spotting method (section and crushing)  
8.4.1.3  Nitric acid rinse method  
8.4.1.4  Direct mercury measurement  
 
8.5. In order to determine the mercury content of the product s fluorescent lamps, 
switches and relays , all manufacturers s hall have their own X-ray Fluorescent 
Spectrometer (XRF).  
 
8.6. All manufacturers shall establish a system and procedure of ensuring the full 
compliance of their products to the requirements of the relevant PNS as part  of its 
quality control.  
  
 
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 THE NEW TECHN ICAL REGULATION CONCERNING THE MANDA TORY PRODUCT CERTIFICATION O F 
MERCURY ADDED PRODUCTS  8.7. The original test  reports shall be sent directly to the BPS by the BPS-recognized 
testing laboratory together with the pictures of samples as received, pictures of 
samples showing the required markings, and copy of the Request for Test.  
 
8.8. Full product testing shall be condu cted in accordance with the requirements of the 
relevant PNS as follows:  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
8.9. The BPS reserves the right to be present at any point of the certification process.  
 
 
Rule 9.  EVALUATION OF RESULTS  
9.1. The PS License and ICC Certificate shall only be issued  if results of tests are  
within   the allowable mercury content prescribed below:  Product  Reference Standards  
Button zinc silver oxide batteries   
IEC 62321 -4 
 Button zinc air batteries  
Tilt Switch   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PNS IEC 62321 -3-1:2021  Inclination Switch  
Flame s ensor Switch  
Float Switch  
Mercury Seismic Switch  
Pressure Switch  
Temperature Switch  
Mercury Displacement Relays  
Mercury Reed Relays  
Mercury Overcurrent Relay  
Mercury Wetted Reed Relay  
Mercury Contact Relay  
High Frequency Switches (3MHz to 
30 MHz)  
High Frequency Relays (3MHz to 30 
MHz 
Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) for 
general lighting purposes   
 
 
PNS IEC 62554:2021 &  
PNS IEC 62321 -3-1:2021  
 Linear fluorescent lamps (LFLs) for 
general lighting purposes  
Cold Cathode Fluorescent L amps 
(CCFL) and External Electrode 
Fluorescent Lamps (EEFL)  
Product  Allowable Mercury Content  
Button zinc silver oxide batteries  Mercury content less than 2% of the unit 
mass  Button zinc air batteries  
Tilt Switch   
 
 
Mercury conten t less than 20 mg per 
bridge  
 
 
 
 Inclination Switch  
Flame sensor Switch  
Float Switch  
Mercury Seismic Switch  
Pressure Switch  
Temperature Switch  
Mercury Displacement Relays  
Mercury Reed Relays   
 
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 THE NEW TECHN ICAL REGULATION CONCERNING THE MANDA TORY PRODUCT CERTIFICATION O F 
MERCURY ADDED PRODUCTS   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
9.2. The is suance of ICC stickers for the products button zinc silver oxide and 
button zinc air batteries shall be per set. One (1) set of button zinc batteries 
shall consist of up to ten (10) pieces.  
9.3. If the drawn samples did not meet the allowable mercury content, t he BPS shall:  
9.3.1  For PS application:  
 
9.3.1.1  For new and extension of the scope applications, inform the 
applicant of the result and direct the same to undertake corrective 
measures otherwise, the application shall be denied.  
 
If corrective measure was undertaken, applicant shall submit 
proposed corrective measures. If approved, another product audit 
shall be conducted.  
 
9.3.1.2  For PS surveillance/recertification, inform the applicant of the 
result and suspension/cancellation order in accordance with DAO 
04:2008. BPS shall  give order to submit the reserved samples for 
testing otherwise. If the applicant refused to submit the reserved 
samples and opted to undertake corrective measures, a Product 
Recall Order shall be required in accordance with DAO 04:2008.  
 
If the reserved samples showed conformance with the relevant 
PNS, the suspension/cancellation order shall be lifted otherwise, Mercury Overcurrent Relay   
 
 
Mercury content less than 20 mg per 
bridge  Mercury Wetted Reed Relay  
Mercury Contact Relay  
High Frequency Switches (3MHz to 
30 MHz)  
High Frequency Relays (3MHz to 30 
MHz 
Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) for 
general lighting purposes ≤ 30 watts  
Mercury content less than 5 mg per lamp  Linear fluorescent lamps (LFLs) for 
general lighting purposes:  
Triband phosphor < 60 watts  
 
Linear fluorescent lamps (LFLs) for 
general lighting purposes:  
Halophosphate phosphor ≤ 40 watts   
Mercury content less than 10 mg per lamp  
Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamps 
(CCFL) and External Electrode 
Fluorescent Lamps (EEFL ):  
short length (≤ 500 mm)   
Mercury content less than 3.5 mg per lamp  
Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamps 
(CCFL) and External Electrode 
Fluorescent Lamps (EEFL ):  
medium leng th (> 500 mm and ≤ 1 
500 mm)  
  
Mercury content less than 5 mg per lamp  
Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamps 
(CCFL) and External Electrode 
Fluorescent Lamps (EEFL ): 
long length (> 1 500 mm)         Mercury content less than 13 mg per lamp   
 
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 THE NEW TECHN ICAL REGULATION CONCERNING THE MANDA TORY PRODUCT CERTIFICATION O F 
MERCURY ADDED PRODUCTS  the suspension/cancellation order shall be maintained and Product 
Recall Order shall be required in accordance with DAO 04:2008.  
 
The suspension/ cancellation order shall only be lifted upon the 
compliance of the applicant to this Order and the conformance of 
the product to the relevant Philippine National Standard.  
 
9.3.2  For ICC application:  
 
9.3.2.1  Inform the applicant of the result and present the following options ; 
9.3.2.1.1  Submit the reserved samples for testing;  
 
9.3.2.1.2  Undertake remedial or corrective measures subject to 
actual inspection, verification, inventory, and re -sampling 
(if necessary) by the BPS, DTI RO/PO, or the BPS -
recognized inspection body ; 
 
9.3.2.1.3  Export the shi pment back to the country of origin  in 
accordance with the existing rules and regulations of 
DENR , at its own expense, subject to inventory and 
inspection by an authorized DTI/BPS representative prior 
to the exportation. Export documents (i.e. Bill of Ladi ng 
and Import Entry or any other document that will serve as 
proof that the non -compliant products arrived at the 
country of origin) shall be submitted by the importer to the 
BPS; or  
 
9.3.2.1.4  Destroy the non -conforming products in accordance with 
the existing rule s and regulations  of DENR , at its own 
expense, and to be witnessed by a duly authorized 
DTI/BPS representative. Inspection and inventory shall be 
conducted by the DTI/BPS representative prior to the 
actual destruction.  
 
Rule 10.  MONITORING AND MARKET SURVEILLANCE  
 
The BPS/FTEB/DTI -Regional and Provincial Offices shall at any time monitor and 
inspect products in the market for conformance to the requirements of DAO 04:2008, 
DAO 05:2008, and their future amendments. If the products are found not conformity, 
the BPS/F TEB/DTI -Regional and Provincial Offices shall make appropriate legal 
actions or impose necessary sanctions, in accordance with the relevant laws, rules 
and regulations.  
 
 
Rule 11.  FEES, CHARGES, BOND REQUIREMENT AND OTHER EXPENSES  
All corresponding fees, charges, costs, and other related ex penses shall be for the 
account of manufacturer/importer as per DAO 04:2008 for PS and DAO 05:2008 for 
ICC. 
  
 
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 THE NEW TECHN ICAL REGULATION CONCERNING THE MANDA TORY PRODUCT CERTIFICATION O F 
MERCURY ADDED PRODUCTS  Rule 12.  NON -CONFORMANCE  
 
Products that do not conform to the requirements of the PNS, factory audit and/or 
BPS rules and regula tions/guidelines, the following provisions on the Product Recall, 
issuance for Show Cause Order and/or Bond Forfeiture under DAO 04:2008 for PS 
and DAO 05:2008 for ICC shall apply.  
 
Rule 13.  ISSUANCE OF GUIDELINES/PROCEDURES  
BPS may issue such procedural guidelines  as may be necessary in the 
implementation of this Order.  
 
 
 
Rule 14.   REPEALING CLAUSE  
 
All provisions of existing Department Administrative Orders, circulars, and guidelines 
inconsistent with this Administrative Order are hereby repealed subject to t he 
transitory provisions below.  
 
 
Rule 15.   SEPARABILITY CLAUSE  
 
If any term or provision of this Order should be declared illegal or invalid by a court of 
competent jurisdiction, the remaining terms and provisions thereof shall remain 
unimpaired and in full force.  
 
 
Rule 16.   TRANSITORY PROVISIONS  
16.1.  Upon effectivity of this Technical Regula tion, importation and manufacture  of 
High-Pressure  Mercury Vapour Lamps  (HPMV) for general lighting purposes  
shall not be allowed.  
16.2.  All new PS and ICC applications for products listed in Rul e 2 shall comply with 
the procedures and requirements of this Order upon effectivity.  
16.3.  All manufacturers with existing valid PS License shall comply with the procedures 
and requirements of this Order after six (6) months upon effectivity of this Order. 
All pending PS applications for Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFL) and Linear 
Fluorescent Lamps (LFL) received prior to the effectivity of this Order shall be 
processed in accordance with the existing requirements and after the issuance of 
their PS License, manuf acturers shall comply with the procedures and 
requirements of this Order on the subsequent surveillance audit.  
16.4.  In the absence of a BPS -recognized testing laboratory, the PS License 
applicants/holders shall nominate a testing laboratory accredited by an 
accreditation body signatory to ILAC/APAC MRA to conduct the product testing 
as per Rule 8 of this Order.  
16.5.  Meanwhile, in lieu of product testing, the importers shall warrant that the mercury 
added  products they import into the country conform to the allowable limit as 
prescribed in Rule 9 through the following:   
 
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 THE NEW TECHN ICAL REGULATION CONCERNING THE MANDA TORY PRODUCT CERTIFICATION O F 
MERCURY ADDED PRODUCTS  16.5.1  Importers shall submit supplier’s/manufacturer’s declaration of 
conformity on a per shipment per Bill of Lading/Airway Bill basis ; 
 
16.5.2  Copy of valid test report for each type/model per brand of products 
covered by this technical regulation issued within one (1) year from the 
date of issuance by a testing laboratory accredited by an accreditation 
body signatory to ILAC/APAC – MRA; and  
 
16.5.3  Copy of valid ISO 9001 Certificate of the manufacturer ; 
 
16.5.4  Importers shall s ubmit supplier’s/manufacturer’s declaration of 
conformity on a per shipment per Bill of Lading/Airway Bill basis;  
 
16.6.  To ensure strict compliance of products covered by this technical regulation , 
market monitoring and enforcement shall be conducted twel ve (12) months after 
the effectivity of this Order. After this period, only products bearing the PS Mark 
or ICC stickers shall be allowed for distribution in the local market. All non -
compliant products shall be subjected to the following:  
16.6.1  First Offense – Notice of Violation shall be issued but 
retailers/distributors shall only be advised to pull -out the items from the 
selling area.  
16.6.2  Second Offense onwards – Notice of Violation shall be issued subject to 
the regular adjudication process . 
16.7 All uncertified products pulled -out from the local market and/or remaining 
inventories after the effectivity of the  market monitoring and enforcement  activity 
may undergo the BPS product certification process within six (6) months in 
accordance with the requirements  of th e relevant technical regulations. The 
application shall be supported by the following documents:  
 
16.7.1  For PS application:  
16.7.1.1  List of batch/lot/serial numbers of the products being applied for 
certification;  
 
16.7.1.2  Production record/s of the products being applied for c ertification 
or any documentary proof showing the manufacturing date/s of 
the products;  
 
16.7.2  For ICC application:  
16.7.2.1  The application for ICC shall be filed by the importer on a per 
product and per manufacturer basis ;  
  
16.7.2.2  The importers shall submit summary of produ cts being applied 
for certification listed in accordance to the format provided in 
Annex A ; 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
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 THE NEW TECHN ICAL REGULATION CONCERNING THE MANDA TORY PRODUCT CERTIFICATION O F 
MERCURY ADDED PRODUCTS   
 
 
Rule 17.  EFFECTIVITY  
 
This Order shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in a national 
newspaper of general circulation, a copy of which shall be  submitted to the UP Office 
of National Administrative Register.  
 
Done in the City of Makati this ________ day of _________________ in the year 
2021. 
 
 
Recommended by:  
 
 
_______________________________                 _______________________________  
                     NEIL P. CATAJAY                                           ATTY. RUTH B. CASTELO  
      Director, Bureau of Philippine Standards                            Undersecretary, CPG  
 
Approved:  
 
 
_____________________________  
RAMON M. LOPEZ  
Secretary  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
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THE NE W TECHN ICAL REGULATION CONCERNING THE MANDA TORY PRODUCT CERTIFICATION O F 
MERCURY ADDED PRODUCTS  
 
 
 
 
 
Name of Company:  __________________________________________________________    Date:  _______ ____________________  
Importer’s Office  Address:  _____________________________________________________________ ________________________  
Product:  ____ _________________________  
Product Details:  
Model  Date of Arrival in 
the Philippines  Manufacturer  Country of 
Origin  Value of Product  
(in PhP)  Warehouse Address  Batch/Serial Nos.  Quantity  
        
        
 
Declared by:                                                                                                                                                                                        Total = _________ _ 
 
______________________ __________________  
                     Name and Signature of Compa ny Representative         
           Annex A  
Application for ICC Certification of Household Appliances  
Manufactured and Distributed in the Market  
Prior to the Effectivity of DAO _______  
 
 
Annex B  
 
Application for ICC Certification of Household Appliances  
Manufactured and Distributed in the Market  
Prior to the Effectivity of DAO 18 -03:2018