FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
1[' 
d 
Iii;D~'f,vrf) (W' 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
t/ 
,~,,,,,,.,,-, .. ,",~. 
Studies by the United States Center for Disease Control show that most people carry 
in their bodies concentrations of a family of synthetic chemicals known as phthalates, 
, 
Phthalates,: or phthalate esters, are a group of chemical compounds that are mainly used as 
plasticizers or substances added to plastics to increase their flexibility, They are chiefly used 
to turn polyvinyl chloride from a hard plastic into a flexible plastic, I 
Phthalates are commonly found in plastics, pesticides, and personal care products 
like shampoos, soaps, and makeup, Exposure to phthalates has been linked to malformed sex 
organs in male lab animals. Alarmingly enough, a recent study revealed that there is a link 
between mothers exposed to phthalates and genital birth defects in male infants. 
As the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Thus, this bill 
seeks to avoid the hazardous effects of phthalates on children by prohibiting the sale of toys 
and other articles intended for children three (3) years of age and below? 
1 http://e,,.wikipedia.orglwikilPlitlialates 
2 This bill.was originally filed during the Fourteenth Congress, First Regular Session. 
I 


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
S.No. 1596 
,0' 
'" ' 
i&''''~," "1'" "I .''1' . ' 1./ 
1i1't:f.~t_ ~'t! ~·t_j n 
.~,.-,k.;.,..".7'."''''''''' 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
' 
',j 
I 
AN ACT 
2 
PROHIBITING THE SALE OF TOYS AND OTHER ARTICLES CONTAINING 
3 
PHTHALATES TO CHILDREN THREE YEARS OF AGE AND BELOW 
4 
5 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
6 
Congress assembled: 
7 
8 
SECTION L Short Title. - This Act shalI be known as the "Phthalate-Free Toy Act." 
9 
10 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is a policy of the State to protect the 
II 
physical, moral and social welI-being of children. Towards this end, the State shall prohibit 
12 
the sale of toys containing phthalates to children three (3) years of age or below. 
13 
14 
SECTION 3. Definition of Phthalates. • For the purposes of this Act, the term 
IS 
"phthalate~" means dialkyl or alkyl aryl esters of 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid including, 
16 
but not 'limited to, dimethyl phthalate, diethyl phthalate, diallyl phthalate, di-n-propyl 
17 
phthalate, di-nbutyl phthalate, diisobutyl phthalate, butyl cyclohexyl phthalate, di-n-pentyl 
18 
phthalate, dicyclohexyl phthalate, butyl benzyl phthalate, di-n-hexyl phthalate, diisohexyl 
19 
phthalate, diisoheptyl phthalate, butyl decyl phthalate, di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, di(n-octyl) 
20 
phthalate, diisooctyl phthalate, n-octyl n-decyl phthalate, diisononyl phthalate, diisodecyl 
21 
phthalate, diundecyl phthalate, diisoundecyl phthalate, ditridecyl phthalate, and diisotridecyl 
22 
phthalate. 
23 
24 
SECTION 4. Prohibition on the Sale of Toys Containing Phthalates; Penalties. - On 
25 
or after one hundred and twenty (120) days from the passage of this Act, no toy or article 
I 


I 
intended for use by children three (3) years of age or younger if it contains any measurable 
2 
amount of phthalates. 
3 
Any person found in violation of this Act shall be punished by a penalty of prision 
4 
correctional, or a fine ranging from Ten Thousand Pesos (PIO,OOO.OO) to Fifty Thousand 
5 
Pesos (P50,OOO.00), or both, at the discretion of the court, taking into consideration the 
6 
circumstances of the case. 
7 
If the offender is a corporation, trust or firm, partnership, association or any other 
8 
entity, the penalty of imprisonment shall be imposed on the entity's responsible officers, 
9 
including, but not limited to, the president, vice-president, chief executive officer, general 
10 
manager, managing director or partner directly responsible therefor. 
II 
12 
SECTION 5. Separability Clause. - If any part hereof, is held invalid or 
13 
unconstitutional, the remainder of the provision not otherwise affected shall remain valid 
14 
and subsisting. 
15 
16 
SECTION 6. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
17 
order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or inconsistent 
18 
with, the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended accordingly. 
19 
20 
SECTION 7. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
21 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved. 
2