The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is ramping up efforts to enforce safety and quality standards for vape products in the local market, targeting the accreditation and tax compliance of nine to ten vape companies by the end of the year.
“A lot have been accredited already. Hopefully by the end of the year, we'll have nine to 10 companies that have already registered and complied with the DTI,” DTI Secretary Ma. Cristina A. Roque said during last week’s press briefing.
Roque stressed that the national agency is “particularly strict with vapes because a significant number of companies were found to be unregistered and non-compliant a few months ago.”
“When we started, we identified just one case. Over time, the number of non-compliant vape sellers grew, and now we’re addressing the 10th case,” Roque added.
She emphasized the need to ensure the safety of products sold in the market. This explains the stricter implementation of quality assessments for items under the Consumer Protection and Fair Trade Group (FTG), such as Christmas lights, fireworks, and similar products.
Roque stressed that the same level of scrutiny applies to vape products.
“For the DTI registration, our primary goal is to ensure compliance and proper registration. This is essential to guarantee that these vape products meet the required standards,” Roque said.
“We need to remember that vapes are being sold in the market, and these involve chemicals that could either pose health risks or be acceptable for public consumption,” she added.
Roque also noted that most vape brands are imported, but their distribution is handled locally by Filipino businesses.
Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Commissioner Romeo D. Lumagui Jr. recently vowed to continue cracking down on illicit vape retailers and resellers until the industry fully complies with tax laws and regulations.
The BIR’s recent raids revealed common violations, including non-payment of excise taxes, absence of revenue stamps, and the sale of unregistered vape products, resulting in significant tax liabilities.
Republic Act No. 11900, also known as the Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act, states that all manufacturers and importers are mandated to register their products and obtain operational licenses, alongside adhering to packaging regulations and fulfilling tax obligations.