DTI-BPS Now Requires Product Certification for Plywood

The Department of Trade and Industry’s Bureau of Philippine Standards (DTI-BPS) has recently included plywood under the list of products required to undergo its Product Certification Schemes through the issuance of DTI Department Administrative Order (DAO) No. 20-06, series of 2020 on 15 October 2020. With the issuance of DAO No. 20-06, the new technical regulation concerning the mandatory product certification of locally manufactured or imported plywood, manufacturers of plywood are now required to secure the Philippine Standard (PS) Quality Certification Mark License before they can sell or distribute their products to the market. Importers, on the other hand, are now required to acquire their products from foreign manufacturers holding valid PS Licenses only. This technical regulation aims to strictly ensure compliance to specified quality requirements for plywood being sold in the Philippine market.

Plywood is one of the most commonly used construction materials in the country. Many Filipino homes have facades, exterior and interior walls made with plywood. Equipment in construction and/or manufacturing industries also utilize plywood as a means to support loads or products. Moreover, marine ports, docks, vessels, and boats use plywood for sturdier built since shipments of high masses are often transported through sea freights for lower cost. Plywood has become the go-to component in every construction activity due to their usage versatility, durability, and lower cost. Their ready availability in the market makes them essential to every Filipino household.

Pursuant also to DAO No. 20-06, s. 2020, imported or locally manufactured plywood products shall now have the minimum required markings as follows:

• Correct and registered trade name or brand name;
• Duly registered trademark;
• Duly registered Business Name and address of importer and manufacturer (if imported) or duly registered Business Name and address of manufacturer (if locally manufactured);
• Country of Origin;
• Type of plywood (Softwood or Hardwood);
• Bonding Class (1, 2 or 3);
• Thickness, mm;
• Formaldehyde Emission "FE" and the star rating (In reference to PNS 2103:2017, Formaldehyde Emissions - Specifications or its future amendments);
• Lot/Batch Number or Serial Number;
• PS Mark with License Number

These markings are not only for traceability and verification purposes but will also serve as guide for consumers in ensuring that the plywood products they purchase comply with the quality and safety requirements of the DTI-BPS.

“Through this technical regulation, the DTI-BPS aims to promote safer working and living environment for everyone.”, underscores DTI-BPS Director, Neil P. Catajay. “Knowing that we all have the same vision, we are confident that the wood and construction industry will cooperate with the implementation of this technical regulation to combat the proliferation of substandard plywood in the Philippine Market.” Director Catajay states.

DAO No. 20-06, series of 2020, and other issuances may be downloaded from the BPS Standards and Conformance Portal, www.bps.dti.gov.ph (direct link: https://bit.ly/BPSissuances).

For more updates and information on standards, technical regulations, and conformity assessment procedures (STRACAP), please visit the DTI – BPS portal: www.bps.dti.gov.ph. Emails and messages may also be sent to our official Facebook page “DTI Bureau of Philippine Standards” or through bps@dti.gov.ph.

DTI Releases Technical Regulations on Mandatory Product Certifications of Flat Glass

MAKATI – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has issued a Department Administrative Order (DAO) on the new technical regulations concerning the mandatory product certification of flat glass.

The DAO stated that “only glass products sourced from glass manufacturing plant(s) holding a valid PS Quality and/or Safety Certification Mark License(s) shall be permitted to be distributed, sold, and used in the Philippines”. It covers various glass products such as heat-strengthened and fully tempered flat glass, laminated glass, and laminated safety glass in building and bent glass.

“This is one of our ways to protect our consumers. DTI would like to ensure that they are provided with safe, quality standard glass in the market,” said DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez.

The companies applying for PS License shall be subject to factory and product audit to be conducted by the DTI-Bureau of Philippine Standards (BPS), DTI Regional or Provincial office, or BPS-recognized auditing bodies. During the audit, samples will be drawn for all types and sizes of the product. The DAO specifies the amount of samples and decision parameters per volume of shipment. A license will only be issued upon satisfactory evaluation of the factory as well as product conformance to specific PNS of the audited product. The PS License will be effective for three years.

For imported glass products, the importers shall apply for a Statement of Confirmation (SOC) on a per product, per Bill of Lading basis. This is to ensure that the imported glass was sourced from a PS Licensed manufacturer and conforms with the requirements of the Standards. Likewise, a Surety Bond will be posted for imported glass on a per shipment basis equivalent to 10% of the declared value.  Glass importers will also be required to have at least Php 20 million capitalization prior to importation.

The glass products covered in the DAO, both imported and locally manufactured, will have required markings for traceability and verification purposes. The markings include tradename or trademark, thickness in millimeter (mm), type, class, and PS License number or SOC number.

Non-conforming products shall be subject to recall within 15 days from the receipt of notice from BPS. A Show Cause Order will also be issued against a manufacturer or importer who fails to comply with legal and technical requirements. The Surety Bond may also be forfeited depending on the degree of non-conformity or non-compliance.

According to the Trade Secretary, the DAO will take effect 15 days after publication.