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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
Second Regular Session 
) ’  
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
9 irPK 27 P2 5 3  
S E N A T E  
Introduced by Senator Manuel “Lito” M. Lapid 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
It is the duty of the State to protect the interests of the general public and 
promote its general welfare in order to have a vibrant and healthy population. 
Scientific studies show that there are chemicals that are produced in the millions 
of tons annually worldwide called Phthalates. They are principal components of many 
diverse products that consumers come into contact with at home, at work, and in every 
corner of the world. They include products made of flexible polyvinyl chloride plastic 
(PVC), cosmetics and other personal care goods, pesticides, building materials, 
lubricants, adhesives, and film, among other items. Phthalates are released into the 
environment by manufacturers and escape from consumer products in which they are 
used. Consistent toxicologic evidence indicates association between several of these 
phthalate diesters and reproductive effects. In particular, dibutyl phthalate (DBP), 
benzylbutyl phthalate (BzBP), di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), and di-isononyl 
phthalate have been shown to disrupt reproductive tract development in male rodents in 
an antiandrogenic manner. Recent studies have reported significant reductions in 
anogenital distance (AGD) in Sprague-Dawley rats after prenatal exposure at high 
doses to BzBP. DBP and DEHP. 
Worldwide ecosystem contamination and direct contact with phthalate-containing 
products result in virtually ubiquitous human exposures. Health effects that may be 
caused by exposure to phthalates differ among the various individual compounds and 
depend on the timing and the size of the dose. Young, developing organisms are more 
vulnerable to exposure to phthalates. In particular, the developing male reproductive 
tract appears to be the most sensitive endpoint, although effects on the liver, kidneys, 
lungs, and blood clotting are also of concern. In animal tests considered relevant to 
humans, several of the phthalates, including di-(2- ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), di- 
butyl phthalate (DBP), benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP), and perhaps di-isononyl phthalate 
(DINP), interfere with male reproductive tract development and are toxic to cells in the 
testes responsible for assuring normal sperm and hormone production. 
Phthalates permeate the environment and contaminate large populations of 
people throughout the world. Phthalates are in the blood of pregnant women at levels of 
concern, particularly when the contaminants are considered in the aggregate. 
Phthalates cross the placenta and also contaminate breast milk. Relevant animal tests 
show that phthalates interfere with normal fetal and infant development. Manufacturers 
of phthalates continue to produce large amounts and sell them to product 
manufacturers which use them in thousands of products. 
Studies further indicate that the most critical population, women of childbearing 
age whose fetuses are exposed to DBP in the womb, appear to receive the highest 


exposures of phthalates. Exposure to phthalates is sufficient to significantly increase the 
risk of abnormal development in male fetuses and baby boys. 
Data indicate that DBP is used in a variety of cosmetic and personal care 
products. Recent testing identified DBP in some hair spray, fragrances, and deodorants. 
Many nail polishes also have large quantities of DBP. Unfortunately, labeling 
requirements are sufficiently lax so that it is extraordinarily difficult to identify phthalate- 
containing products and to begin to narrow down the search for the sources of 
widespread general population exposures. 
As voluminous studies have already indicated that deleterious health effects 
caused by the exposure of phthalates, this proposed measure seeks to ban the use of 
phthalates in cosmetics and personal care products in order to protect the health of the 
general public. 
In view of the foregoing, the early passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
MANUEL A 0  
“LITO” M. LAPID 
Senator 
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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
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OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session 
APR 27 PZ53 
S E N A T E  
Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid 
AN ACT 
PROHIBITING THE USE AND SALE OF COSMETIC AND PERSONAL 
CARE PRODUCTS CONTAININ6 PHTHALATES, PROVIDING PENALTIES 
THEREOFANDFOROTHERPURPOSES 
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 "Phthalates Ban 
on Cosmetics and Personal Care Products Act of 2009." 
SEC. 2. 
Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to protect the 
interests of consumers, promote their general welfare and to establish quality standards 
in cosmetics and personal care products. As such, the State shall implement measures 
to achieve the protection against hazards to health and safety and provide programs on 
Information, Education and Communication Campaign (IEC) to educate the general 
public. 
Towards this end, the State shall prohibit on the use of phthalates on cosmetics 
and personal care products in order to protect the health of the general public on the 
health effects phthalates. 
SEC. 3. 
Definition of Terms. - 
For purposes of this Act, the term 
"phthalates" refer to esters of phthalic acid mainly used as plasticizers (substances 
added to plastics to increase their flexibility). They are chiefly used to soften polyvinyl 
chloride. Phthalates are also frequently used in soft plastic fishing lures, nail polish, 
adhesives, caulk, paint pigments, and toys made of so-called ')jelly rubber." Phthalates 
are used in a variety of household applications (shower curtains, adhesives, perfume), 
modern pop-culture electronics and medical applications such as catheters. The most 
widely-used phthalates are the di-2-ethyl hexyl phthalate (DEHP), the diisodecyl 
phthalate (DIDP) and the diisononyl phthalate (DINP). DEHP is the dominant plasticizer 


used in PVC, due to its low cost. Benzylbutylphthalate (BBzP) is used in the 
manufacture of foamed PVC, which is mostly used as a flooring material. Phthalate 
esters are the dialkyl or alkyl aryl esters of phthalic acid. The name phthalate derives 
from phthalic acid, which itself is derived from word "naphthalene". When added to 
plastics, phthalates allow the long polyvinyl molecules to slide against one another. 
SEC. 4. 
Prohibition on the Sale of Cosmefic and Personal Care 
Products Containing Phthalates - After six months from the date of effectivity of this 
Act, no cosmetics or personal care products containing phthalates shall be distributed 
for sale in the market or retail outlets for the consumption of the general public. 
Any person found in violation of this Act shall be punished by a penalty of prision 
currecfional, or a fine ranging from Fifty Thousand Pesos (Php50,000,000) to Two 
Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php200,000), or both, at the discretion of the court. 
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, ihe president, vice-president, chief executive officer, 
general manager, managing director or partner directly responsible therefor. 
SEC. 5. 
Information, Education and Communication (IEC) Campaign. - 
The Department of Health (DOH), in cooperation with the Philippine Information 
Agency (PIA), is hereby mandated to conduct a comprehensive and nationwide 
information, education and communication (IEC) campaign in order to inform the 
general public of the purpose and objectives envisioned under this Act. 
SEC. 6. 
Appropriations. - Funds necessary to implement the provisions of 
this Act shall be incorporated in the annual general appropriations of the Department of 
Health (DOH). 
SEC. 7. 
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. 
SEC. 8. 
Repealling Clause - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, 
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to 
or inconsistent with the provision of this act is hereby repealed, modified or amended 
accordingly. 


SEC. 9. 
Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
from the date of its complete publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) 
newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved,