REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session

8393

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by REPS. ENRICO A. PINEDA, MICHAEL ODYLON L. ROMER\
PhD., RICARDO “RJ” T. BELMONTE, SABINIANO S. CANAMA, RON P.
SALO, BENHUR B. LOPEZ, JR., TOMASITO S. VILLARIN, ANICETO BERTIZ,
TEODORO G. MONTORO, SALVADOR B. BELARO, JR., BENHUR B. LOPEZ,
JR., VIRGILIO S. LACSON, MAKMOD D. MENDING, CARLOS ROMAN L.
UYBARRETA, ORESTES T. SALON and MANUEL LUIS T. LOPEZ

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Unbeknownst to a regular consumer, many of the household items made
ready and available over the counter for use in the upkeep of the house contain
chemicals that may cause serious injury and health issues. This is mainly because
the manufacturers of these products only focus on the advertising of their
beneficial uses to boost sales and neglecting the equally important information on
the proper handling and storing of these products.

This bill seeks to require manufacturers precautionary labelling on
household items which may contain substances that are considered toxic,
corrosive, harmful irritants, strong sensitizers or flammable through a standard of
signage and symbols that would alert the consumer of the potential hazards of the
products. It shall also be required by this bill that the label should likewise provide
instructions on the first aid steps to take in case of accidents brought about by the
improper handling and storage of the product.

Early passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

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1st District, MANILA


REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session

House Bit No._°293

Introduced by REPS. ENRICO A. PINEDA, MICHAEL ODYLON L. ROMERO,
PhD., RICARDO “RJ” T. BELMONTE, SABINIANO S. CANAMA, RON P.
SALO, BENHUR B. LOPEZ, JR., TOMASITO S. VILLARIN, ANICETO BERTIZ,
TEODORO G. MONTORO, SALVADOR B. BELARO, JR., BENHUR B. LOPEZ,
JR., VIRGILIO S$. LACSON, MAKMOD D. MENDING, CARLOS ROMAN L.
UYBARRETA, ORESTES T. SALON and MANUEL LUIS T. LOPEZ

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

AN ACT
REQUIRING THE MANDATORY LABELLING OF HOUSEHOLD
PRODUCTS CONTAINING HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES

Section 1. Short Title. This Act shall be known as the Hazardous Household
Substances Labelling Act of 2018.

Section 2. Declaration of Policy. It is the policy of the State to protect the health and
safety of its citizens and promote a regulatory framework that would efficiently
manage their exposure to health and safety hazards in regular activities and items
they may come into contact with.

Section 3. Definition of Terms. For purposes of this Act, the following terms are
defined as follows:

a. Toxic Product. A toxic product is one where its use may result in personal
injury or illness to humans when inhaled, swallowed or absorbed through
the skin.

b. Corrosive Product. A product is corrosive when it destroys living tissue
such as skin or eyes through contact.

¢. Irritant Product. A product is irritant when not being corrosive, it causes
substantial injury to the part of the body it comes in immediate, prolonged
or regular contact with.

d. Strong Sensitizer Product. A product is a strong sensitizer if it has been
considered by the appropriate government agency with a significant
potential to cause hypersensitivity.

e. Flammable Product. A product is flammable when it ignites easily with a
flame or material with flash point below an arbitrary temperature limit of
50°C.

f. Household Products. Household products are those products which,
during reasonably foreseeable purchase, storage, or use, may be brought
into or around a place where people live.

Section 4. Hazard Labelling. Any household product which may be scientifically
found or categorized to contain substances that are toxic, corrosive, irritant, strong
sensitizer or flammable shall be prominently labeled as such in accordance with


internationally recognized signs and symbols as may be prescribed by the Food and
Drug Administration (FDA). The label shall prominently display in conspicuous and
legible type the following information:

a. The name and business address of the manufacturer, packer, distributor, or
seller;

b. The common or usual or chemical name of each hazardous ingredient;

c. The signal word “Danger” for products that are corrosive, extremely
flammable, or highly toxic;

d. The signal word “Caution” or “Warning” for all other hazardous products;

e. Anaffirmative statement of the principal hazard or hazards that the product
presents, for example, “Flammable”, “Harmful if Swallowed”, “Causes
Burns”, “Vapor Harmful’, etc.;

f. Precautionary statements telling users what they must do or what actions
they must avoid to protect themselves;

g. Where it is appropriate, instructions for first aid treatment to perform in the
event that the product injures someone;

h. The word “Poison” for a product that is highly toxic, in addition to the signal
word “Danger”;

i. Ifa product requires special care in handling or storage, instructions for
consumers to follow to protect themselves; and

j. The statement “Keep out of the reach of children”. If a hazardous product
such as a plant does not have a package, it still must have a hang tag that
contains the required precautionary information. That information must also
be printed in any literature that accompanies the product and that contains
instructions for use.

Section 5. Penalty. Any manufacturer, packer, distributor or seller who fails to comply
with requirements set forth shall be liable to pay the penalty of ONE HUNDRED
THOUSAND PESOS (P100,000.00) for every information it failed to display as
prescribed under Section 4 of this Act.

Further, any household product or products found in violation of this Act shall
be confiscated and disposed appropriately with cost against the liable manufacturer,
packer, distributor or seller.

Section 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. The Food and Drug Administration
shall within thirty (30) from the approval of this Act, promulgate the rules and
regulations necessary for its proper implementation.

Section 7. Repealing Clause. All laws, decrees, executive orders, administrative orders
or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed,
amended or modified accordingly

Section 8. Separability Clause. If any provision of this Act is held invalid or
unconstitutional, other provisions not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force
and effect.

Section 9. Effectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its
complete publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspaper of general
circulation.

Adopted,