Good news! On March 24, 2025, the Philippine government officially signed Republic Act No. 12079, launching a VAT refund system for foreign tourists. This means that foreign visitors shopping in the Philippines can now enjoy a 12% VAT refund for purchases over PHP 3,000.
Currently, the Bureau of Product Standards (BPS) implements two mandatory certification programs:
Philippine Standard (PS) Quality Safety Certification Mark Program
Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) Certification Program
Products without a PS or ICC mark cannot be legally sold in the Philippine market. Here, we focus on the PS certification, which has drawn recent attention.
1. About Philippine Standard Certification (PS Certification)
In 2008, the Philippines issued Department Administrative Order (DAO) No. 04:2008, mandating that foreign manufacturers must obtain a PS certification license before exporting products that fall under the mandatory certification product scope.
Scope of PS Certification:
Currently, there are 88 mandatory product standards, including:
Electronics & electrical products: 29 standards
Lighting & related products: 12 standards
Wiring devices: 11 standards
Machinery & construction materials: 14 standards
Chemicals & other consumer goods: 12 standards
Issuing Authority:
The Bureau of Product Standards (BPS), under the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), is responsible for:
Drafting national product standards, testing methods, and guidelines
Providing technical basis for import product inspection, certification, and testing
Issuing mandatory product lists for customs to control every imported shipment
Inspecting and sampling products listed in the BPS mandatory list
Issuing ICC certificates for compliant shipments
Providing conditional clearance letters for products passing customs green channel
Advising customs to seize or detain non-compliant imported goods
2. PS Certification Process & Required Documents
Step-by-Step Process:
Submit application to BPS:
Submit products to a BPS-recognized laboratory or institution
Complete PS mark certification application, including product information and test reports
Pay the applicable fees
BPS review & sample testing:
BPS reviews submitted materials and conducts onsite inspections or sample tests
Issuance of certificate:
Upon approval, BPS issues the PS certification mark, allowing the product to enter the market
Required Documents:
Company documents: Articles of incorporation, business license, subcontract agreements (if any)
Product documents: Product photos, controlled quality manuals, brief manufacturing process description, product identification reference number, process flowchart, materials, process controls, and drawings
Testing documents: Equipment information used in inspections and final product tests, maintenance and calibration certificates, label copies
Supply chain description: Target market identification, local representative for foreign companies, organizational structure, and contact information
Compliance declaration: Commitment to follow PS license terms and conditions (included in application form)
Factory documents & other supporting materials
Additional Notes:
Validity: PS certificate is valid for 3 years
Supervision: Annual surveillance audits are required to ensure compliance
Local importers: Each certificate corresponds to a local importer; the same factory may have multiple importers
Shipment clearance: For each shipment, the importer must obtain a Statement of Confirmation (SOC) to complete customs clearance
Conclusion
PS certification is a must for every importer in the Philippines. The process is complex and requires multiple documents such as DTI business registration, SEC certificate, BIR 2303, import license, and business permits. Professional assistance is available for obtaining these qualifications and certificates.
For inquiries or assistance with PS certification, feel free to contact us.
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