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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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Second Regular Session 
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SENATE 
S. B. No. 
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Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution, Article 2, Section 15 provides: 
The State shall protect and promote the right to health of the 
people and instill health consciousness among them. 
A teratogen is an agent which can cause a birth defect. It is something in the 
environment that the mother may be exposed to during her pregnancy. It can be a 
prescribed medication, alcohol use, a street drug, or a disease that the mother has, which 
may increase the chance for the baby to be born with a birth defect. Birth defects are 
functional or structural abnormalities present at birth that cause mental or physical 
disability. Some of these birth defects may be fatal. Researchers have identified 
thousands of different birth defects. Currently, birth defects are the leading cause of death 
for infants during the first year of life. 
It is estimated that 10% of all birth defects are caused by a prenatal exposure or 
teratogen. These exposures include, but are not limited to, medication or drug exposures, 
maternal infections and diseases, and environmental and occupational exposures such as 
ionizing radiation or environmental chemicals. Teratogen-caused birth defects are 
potentially preventable. Studies have shown that nearly 50% of pregnant women have 
been exposed to at least one medication during gestation. An additional study found that 


of 200 individuals referred for genetic counseling for a teratogenic exposure, 52% were 
exposed to more than one potential teratogen. 
This bill seeks to inform consumers of the potential risk posed by the teratogens 
found in consumer products or in the industries they may be exposed to. 


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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
Second Regular Session 
1 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
REGULATING TERATOGENS 
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 “Teratogen Regulatory Act of 
2009.” 
SECTION 2. Definition of terms. -As used in this Act, the term- 
(A) “Teratogen” refers to an agent, such as a virus, a drug, or radiation, that causes 
malformation of an embryo or fetus; 
(B) “Department” means the Department of Health; 
SECTION 3. Packaging Requirement. - Any person who offers for sale any consumer 
product that contains a known teratogen as identified by the Department shall include a clear, 
conspicuous, and easily readable label on the packaging stating: 
WARNING: This product contains a teratogen known to cause birth 
defects and other reproductive hazards. 
SECTION 4. Duty of the Department ofHealth. -The Department is required to come up 
with a list of all known and proven teratogens and to infomi the public of their presence in 
products or the environment. It shall coordinate with the proper government agencies to identify 
the presence of these teratogens in products and industries. 
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remains in violation. 
SECTION 5. Penalties. - The Department is empowered to establish and assess penalties 
or fines against any person for violations of this Act or regulations adopted under this Act. In no 
circumstance will any penalties or fines exceed P10,OOO.OO for each day the permit holder 
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SECTION 6. Separability Clause. - If any provision, or part hereof is held invalid or 
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain 
valid and subsisting. 
SECTION 7. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidentia1 decree or issuance, executive 
order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or inconsistent 
with, the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly. 
SECTION 8. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
labgo72509 
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