The Administrative Decree on Energy Efficiency Requirements of the Philippine DTI Will Be Officially Implemented

The administrative order DAO 22-01 issued by the Philippine Bureau of Product Standards (BPS) under the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) on March 5, 2022, has officially taken effect and will beformally implemented on September 5, 2023. This order aims to ensure that all energy-consuming products used by Philippine consumers are safe, high-quality, and comply with the latest safety and performance requirements set by BPS and the Department of Energy (DOE). The order supports the implementation of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act, requiring DTI through BPS to consult with DOE to mandate manufacturers, importers, and distributors to comply with Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) and display energy efficiency labels on products and packaging.

Key Points of 《DAO 22-01》 Decree:

1. The product scope covered by this order is shown in the table below. PS Mark certificates or ICC permits can only be issued when products meet both safety and MEPS standards.
2. To allow sufficient time for local manufacturers and importers to comply with the order, an 18-month transition period is provided, with the formal implementation date set for September 5, 2023.

After the enactment of Decree 《DAO 22-01》, stakeholders raised questions regarding the specific product details, procedures, and certification implementation transition period involved in the decree. According to Article 14 of the decree, BPS should provide more detailed guidance on the certification process. Taking various factors into consideration, DTI issued Memorandum 《DAO 22-09》 on June 1, 2022 as a supplementary document to 《DAO 22-01》, elaborating on more detailed issues. Partial summary of 《DAO 22-09》 Memorandum:

(1) Product Scope Update

(2) Implementation Transition Period

1. Starting from September 5, 2023, all products listed in the scope tables of DAO 22-01 and DAO 22-09 mentioned above must comply with safety and energy efficiency certification requirements.
2. From September 5, 2023, to March 5, 2024, energy-consuming products already sold or in stock in the local market before the order takes effect must obtain certification from BPS.
3. Market surveillance will begin on March 5, 2024. Only energy-consuming products bearing the PS, ICC marks, or other BPS-issued certification marks will be allowed for sale in the local market.

(3) Certification Mark Comparison

1. Figure A applies to products that need to meet both safety and energy efficiency standards.
2. Figure B applies to products that only need to meet safety standards, such as household refrigerators with a capacity below 113 liters and dimmable/color-changing LED bulbs.