The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is moving to prohibit the manufacture, importation, distribution, and retail sale of vape open pods and uncertified e-liquids in the domestic market, citing health and safety risks.
In a statement on Thursday, Oct. 9, DTI said the agency is intensifying efforts to protect consumers from products that allow users to refill cartridges with uncertified e-liquids.
In a move aligning with this objective, the DTI removed an open pod model from the scope of a manufacturer’s Certificate of Philippine Standards (PS) License, ensuring only compliant vapor product systems are available.
Consequently, the Phantom Vape Group, Inc. voluntarily reduced the scope of its PS License No. Q-00002. It removed several open pod models under its VAGEND brand, including the VPRIME Device, XLIM PRO 2 Device, NEXLIM Device, XLIM GO Device, and XLIM SQ PRO 2 Device. These products are no longer authorized for sale in the country.
The DTI’s action follows public concern over vape products allegedly containing synthetic cannabinoids, or chemicals that mimic cannabis, similar to substances recently found in “Tuklaw” cigarettes reported by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.
The DTI’s Office for the Special Mandate on Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products (OSMV) is finalizing an issuance to formalize the nationwide ban on vape open pods and uncertified e-liquids.
The department emphasized its commitment to protecting the public from the hazards of vapes and novel tobacco products, including substance abuse, pursuant to the Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act (RA 11900).
The DTI maintains an updated list of Certified Philippine Standards License Holders on the OSMV Homepage. Violations can be reported to the OSMV via email.