Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 8093

Introduced by: HON. ROZZANO RUFINO B. BIAZON

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This proposed measure seeks to ban the manufacture, importation, sale, distribution and
use of reef-toxic sunscreens that contain reef-toxic chemicals that severely damage corals and
have been proven fatal to other marine life.

The protection and conservation of the environment is vital in the survival and
continuity of all humanity. But as progress and development come in, the delicate balance
people have with mother nature becomes greatly affected. There is nothing wrong with
enjoying our natural resources so long as we remain responsible and aware of its upkeep. Many
places in the world that are popular with tourism are seeing rapid destruction of their wildlife
and environment due to products containing harmful chemicals such as sunscreens.

These products are meant to protect a person’s skin from the harmful ultra-violet rays
of the sun while staying outdoors. Such products are commonly used by people in beaches and
other resorts offering outdoor water activities. Unbeknownst to many, most of these products
contain chemicals such as oxybenzone and triclosan that have been proven by laboratory
studies to have adverse effects on marine life in general.

A significant income of our tourism industry come from activities in our beaches and
other bodies of water. It is only therefore proper that measures are put into place in order to
protect these for the enjoyment not only of the present generation but also of future generations.

For these reasons, immediate approval this bill is earnestly requested.

RO: wif Aisfon
Representative

Lone District, Muntinlupa City


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 6093

Introduced by: HON. ROZZANO RUFINO B. BIAZON

AN ACT
BANNING THE MANUFACTURE, IMPORTATION, SALE, DISTRIBUTION AND
USE OF REEF-TOXIC SUNSCREENS IN THE PHILIPPINES

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the “Anti-Reef Toxic Sunscreen
Act of 2020".

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is the policy of the State to promote the conservation
of a beautiful, healthful and resourceful national environment. In this regard, the State shall
prohibit anything that can be harmful or destructive to terrestrial, aerial and aquatic flora and
fauna in all its territory.

Sec. 3. Ban on the manufacture, importation, sale, distribution and use of reef-toxic
sunscreens. — No person or enterprise shall manufacture, import, sell, distribute or use for any
purpose, any reef-toxic sunscreen in the Philippines.

For the purposes of this Act, reef-toxic sunscreens are those skin-care products sold for
topical application which contain oxybenzone (BP3), octylmethoxycinnamate (EHMC),
octocrylene (OC), 4-methyl-benzilidene camphor (4MBC), triclosan, methyl paraben, butyl
paraben, benzyl paraben or phenoxyethanol, or other chemical ingredients deemed hazardous
to the environment.

Sec. 4. Penalties. — Any person found to have violated the immediately preceding
provision shall be meted a fine of Five Thousand Pesos (Php 5,000.00).

Any enterprise in violation of this Act shall be meted a fine not exceeding Fifty
‘Thousand Pesos (Php 50,000.00) and revocation of its permit to operate.

Sec. 5. Confiscation of Reef-Toxic Products. — All prohibited reef-toxic products shall
be subject to confiscation by the concerned authorities upon effectivity of this Act.


Sec. 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. ‘The Food and Drug Administration
(FDA) shall prepare and issue the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) within ninety
(90) days upon the effectivity of this Act.

Sec. 7. Separability Clause. ~ If, for any reason, any portion or provision of this Act
shall be held unconstitutional or invalid, the remaining provisions not affected thereby shall
continue to be in full force and effect.

Sec. 8. Repealing Clause. All other laws, executive orders, proclamations, rules,
regulations, and other issuances or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with the provisions of
this Act, are hereby repealed or amended accordingly.

Sec. 9. Effectivity — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
the Official Gazette or in any newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,