Ahead of the holiday season, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) launched the first Philippine National Standard (PNS) for Christmas star lanterns, commonly known as parol, to promote its safe craftsmanship.

The DTI said it has issued PNS 2296-1:2025 – Lamps and Related Equipment – Part 1: Construction and Marking Requirements, which was developed in collaboration with the global safety organization UL Standards & Engagement (ULSE).

The standard details the construction and marking requirements that aim to ensure parols are safe and durable, suitable for both indoor and outdoor use.

Trade Secretary Cristina Roque said the new policy empowers parol makers to ensure the safety and quality of their products, enabling them to compete globally.

Roque added that it also reinforces the government’s support for domestic manufacturers under the Tatak Pinoy brand.

“More than ensuring product safety, these standards uplift our parol makers whose craftsmanship reflects Filipino pride,” the official said.

“By guiding them toward quality and reliability, we empower their businesses to grow and thrive globally while protecting Filipino consumers,” she added.

Regino Mallari Jr., supervising head of the DTI’s Fair Trade Group, said the launch of the first PNS for parol is an important step toward the industry’s economic growth.

“Although it is voluntary and not mandatory, it provides clear guidelines for manufacturers to produce high-quality, safe, and reliable products for consumers,” said Mallari.

The DTI, through the Bureau of Philippine Standards (BPS), is mandated by law to develop, promulgate, implement, and coordinate standardization activities across the country.

The BPS serves as the national standards body of the Philippines.