| MOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
RECCIVED

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SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC )

OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session )
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATI
HB.No. 3943

Introduced by Representative Harry L. Roque Jr.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

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.'

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

Ky

HARRY L. ROQUE JR.

articles intended for children three (3) years of age and below.”

* http-/en. wikipedia, org/wil
? This bill was originally filed during the Fourteenth Congress, First Regular Session., and refiled by Senator Miriam
Defensor Santiago during the Sixteenth Congress, First Regular Session.



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SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC _)
OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

HB.No._ 3042

Introduced by Representative Harry L. Roque Jr.

AN ACT
PROHIBITING THE SALE OF TOYS AND OTHER ARTICLES CONTAINING
PHTHALATES TO CHILDREN THREE YEARS OF AGE AND. BELOW

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Phthalate-Free Toy Act.”

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. ~ Itis a policy of the State to protect the physical, moral
and social well-being of children. Towards this end, the State shall prohibit the sale of toys

containing phthalates to children three (3) years of age or below.

SECTION 3. Definition of Phthalates. ~ For the purposes of this Act, the term “phthalates”
means dialkyl or alkyl aryl esters of 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid including, but not limited to,
dimethy! phthalate, diethyl phthalate, diallyl phthalate, di-n-propyl phthalate, di-nbutyl phthalate,
dliisobutyl phthalate, butyl cyclohexyl phthalate, di-n-pentyl phthalate, dicyclohexyl phthalate, butyl
benzyl phthalate, di-n-hexyl phthalate, diisohexy! phthalate, diisoheptyl phthalate, butyl decyl
Phthalate, di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, di(n-octyl) phthalate, diisooctyl phthalate, n-octyl n-decyl
Phthalate, diisononyl phthalate, diisodecyl phthalate, diundecyl phthalate, diisoundecyl phthalate,

ditridecyl phthalate, and diisotridecy! phthalate.


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SECTION 4. Prohibition on the Sale of Toys Containing Phihalates; Penalties. ~ On or after
one hundred and twenty (120) days from the passage of this Act, no toy or article intended for use by
children three (3) years of age or younger if it contains any measurable amount of phthalates

Any person found in violation of this Act shall be punished by a penalty of prision
correctional, or a fine ranging from Ten Thousand Pesos (P10,000.00) to Fifty Thousand Pesos
(50,000.00), or both, at the discretion of the court, taking into consideration the circumstances of
the case,

If the offender is a corporation, trust or firm, partnership, association or any other entity, the
penalty of imprisonment shall be imposed on the entity's responsible officers, including, but not
limited to, the president, vice-president, chief executive officer, general manager, managing director

or partner directly responsible therefor,

SECTION 5. Separability Clause. ~ If any provision or any part hereof is held invalid or
unconstitutional, the remainder of the Act or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain valid

and subsisting,

SECTION 6. Repealing Clause. ~ Any law, presidential 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 7. Effectivity Clause. ~ This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,