About 10 companies engaged in the manufacture, distribution, and selling of vape products have registered with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Secretary Ma. Cristina Roque said.

Roque said the accredited vape firms have complied with the standards set by the Office for the Special Mandate on Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products, their Devices, and Novel Tobacco Products (OSMV).

This was after the DTI, on June 5, mandated the certification and registration of vape products and the enforcement of product standards and registration starting January 2025.

This means that vape products with no Philippine Standard (PS) mark and Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) sticker for imported products are not allowed to be sold in the local market.

“For the DTI side, what we want to happen is for them to comply and for them to register with us, just to make sure that these vape products, the standards are being met,” Roque said.

She added that most of the registered vape products are imported.

Under Republic Act 11900, or the Vape Law, manufacturers and importers of Heated Tobacco Product (HTP) consumables, HTP devices, vapor product refills, vapor product devices, and novel tobacco products should register with the DTI to ensure that these products have complied with the standards set by the government.

Only products that are registered, have complied with DTI standards, and include the necessary health warnings are allowed to be sold, advertised, or distributed. Products that fail to comply may be subject to immediate recall, a ban, or seizure. 

PIXABAY PHOTO