Philippines
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Economy Detail
1. Laws of Metrology
Republic Act No. 9236 - An Act Establishing A National Measurement Infrastructure System (NMIS) For Standards And Measurements, And For Other Purposes.
1.1 Legal requirements for traceability
Section 9 Traceability of Measurements of Republic Act No.9236 states that “All weights, measures and measuring equipment shall be internationally traceable through the National Metrology Laboratory or other laboratories recognized by the National Metrology Board.”
1.1 Legal requirements for traceability
Section 9 Traceability of Measurements of Republic Act No.9236 states that “All weights, measures and measuring equipment shall be internationally traceable through the National Metrology Laboratory or other laboratories recognized by the National Metrology Board.”
2. Legal Units of Measurement
Section 8 System of Units of Republic Act 9236 states that “The system of unit based on the International System of Units (SI) shall be mandatory throughout the country in regulated areas of application. The use of other units on meritorious cases may be allowed by the Board.”
3. Structure of Metrological Control Authorities
3.1 National organization for legal metrology:
Republic Act 9236 created the National Metrology Board which is chaired by the Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). It is composed of the Secretaries of the following agencies, as ex officio members:
One (1) representative each from the business sector, the professional metrology association of national membership and the academe are appointed to the Board.
The NMB is a policy making and implementing body and in the exercise of its functions, duties and responsibilities, has the power to delegate the authority to concerned entities as deputized entities to implement the provisions of the Act.
The ITDI is mandated to serve as the NMB’s Secretariat.
INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE
Metrology Building, DOST Compound
General Santos Avenue, Bicutan
Taguig City, Philippines 1631
Telephone: +63 2 837 2071 local 2266
Email: nmbsecretariat@nml.gov.ph
Website: www.itdi.dost.gov.ph
3.2 Custodian of National Standards
The National Metrology Laboratory of the Philippines (NML), presently existing as the laboratory arm of the ITDI, serves as the custodian of national standards being the Philippines’ national metrology institute. The NML is mandated to carry out the technical, calibration and laboratory functions to implement the provisions of Republic Act 9236.
The NML also represents the interests of the Philippines in scientific and legal metrology.
NATIONAL METROLOGY LABORATORY OF THE PHILIPPINES
Metrology Building, DOST Compound
General Santos Avenue, Bicutan
Taguig City, Philippines 1631
Telephone: +63 2 837 2071 local 2199
Email: avkimura@nml.gov.ph
Website: www.nml.gov.ph
3.3 National organizations responsible for maintaining primary standards
N/A
3.4 Regional and local verification organizations
3.5 Instrument calibration and evaluation systems
Services from the NML, calibration and testing laboratories are available to industries and regulators for their traceability requirements.
Republic Act 9236 created the National Metrology Board which is chaired by the Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). It is composed of the Secretaries of the following agencies, as ex officio members:
- Department of Trade and Industry (DTI);
- Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC);
- Department of Health (DOH);
- Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG);
- Department of Justice (DOJ);
- Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR); and
- Department of Agriculture
One (1) representative each from the business sector, the professional metrology association of national membership and the academe are appointed to the Board.
The NMB is a policy making and implementing body and in the exercise of its functions, duties and responsibilities, has the power to delegate the authority to concerned entities as deputized entities to implement the provisions of the Act.
The ITDI is mandated to serve as the NMB’s Secretariat.
INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE
Metrology Building, DOST Compound
General Santos Avenue, Bicutan
Taguig City, Philippines 1631
Telephone: +63 2 837 2071 local 2266
Email: nmbsecretariat@nml.gov.ph
Website: www.itdi.dost.gov.ph
3.2 Custodian of National Standards
The National Metrology Laboratory of the Philippines (NML), presently existing as the laboratory arm of the ITDI, serves as the custodian of national standards being the Philippines’ national metrology institute. The NML is mandated to carry out the technical, calibration and laboratory functions to implement the provisions of Republic Act 9236.
The NML also represents the interests of the Philippines in scientific and legal metrology.
NATIONAL METROLOGY LABORATORY OF THE PHILIPPINES
Metrology Building, DOST Compound
General Santos Avenue, Bicutan
Taguig City, Philippines 1631
Telephone: +63 2 837 2071 local 2199
Email: avkimura@nml.gov.ph
Website: www.nml.gov.ph
3.3 National organizations responsible for maintaining primary standards
N/A
3.4 Regional and local verification organizations
- Local Government Units (LGUs) for nonautomatic weighing instruments and fuel dispensers
- Food and Drugs Administration for processed food and drugs prepackaged products
3.5 Instrument calibration and evaluation systems
Services from the NML, calibration and testing laboratories are available to industries and regulators for their traceability requirements.
4. Range of Equipment Subject to Legal Metrology
N/A
5. Type Approval
Type / Pattern evaluation is not conducted in the Philippines for measuring instruments.
6. Verification (Conformity Assessment), Inspection and Reverification
6.1 Legal and technical requirements for verification and reverification
Nonautomatic weighing instruments and fuel dispensers can only be used for trade after they have been inspected and sealed by their respective regulators.
6.2 Range of equipment verified and reverified and any statistical information available
The range of equipment subject to verification includes:
6.3 Fee structure
The regulators determine the fees for verification.
Nonautomatic weighing instruments and fuel dispensers can only be used for trade after they have been inspected and sealed by their respective regulators.
6.2 Range of equipment verified and reverified and any statistical information available
The range of equipment subject to verification includes:
- Market scales
- Fuel dispensers
6.3 Fee structure
The regulators determine the fees for verification.
7. Accreditation and Certification Systems
7.1 Accreditation systems for legal metrology, calibration and testing laboratories. Traceability to national, regional, international or foreign measurement standards
The Philippine Accreditation Bureau (PAB) formerly Philippine Accreditation Office is the national accreditation body of the Philippines to accredit inspection, testing and certifying bodies, and other bodies offering conformity assessment services.
The PAB operates based on PNS ISO/IEC 17011, General requirements for accreditation bodies accrediting conformity assessment bodies.
The PAB is recognized internationally through its membership to the International Accreditation Forum (IAF), International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC), Pacific Accreditation Cooperation (PAC), Asia Pacific Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (APLAC). PAB is also a signatory to the Multilateral Recognition Arrangement (MLA) for Quality Management System (QMS) and Environmental Management System (EMS) of PAC and IAF and Mutual.
Recognition Arrangement (MRA) for testing and calibration of APLAC and ILAC.
Traceability of national measurement standards to the International System of Units (SI) is achieved in both legal metrology and in scientific/industrial metrology.
7.2 Legal and applied metrological activities in products certification
N/A
7.3 Legal and applied metrological activities in ISO 9000 quality management systems
N/A
The Philippine Accreditation Bureau (PAB) formerly Philippine Accreditation Office is the national accreditation body of the Philippines to accredit inspection, testing and certifying bodies, and other bodies offering conformity assessment services.
The PAB operates based on PNS ISO/IEC 17011, General requirements for accreditation bodies accrediting conformity assessment bodies.
The PAB is recognized internationally through its membership to the International Accreditation Forum (IAF), International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC), Pacific Accreditation Cooperation (PAC), Asia Pacific Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (APLAC). PAB is also a signatory to the Multilateral Recognition Arrangement (MLA) for Quality Management System (QMS) and Environmental Management System (EMS) of PAC and IAF and Mutual.
Recognition Arrangement (MRA) for testing and calibration of APLAC and ILAC.
Traceability of national measurement standards to the International System of Units (SI) is achieved in both legal metrology and in scientific/industrial metrology.
7.2 Legal and applied metrological activities in products certification
N/A
7.3 Legal and applied metrological activities in ISO 9000 quality management systems
N/A
8. Legal Metrology Practitioners
N/A
9. Packaging
9.1 Legislative control for packaging
In the Philippines, there are existing legislations aimed to regulate prepackaged goods such as Republic Act (RA) 4109 that created the Bureau of Standards to provide standardization in the inspection of products and imports of the country and RA 3720 prescribing rules and regulation for the packaging and labelling of foods, drugs and cosmetics. However, some of the tolerances imposed by the regulatory bodies in the inspection of prepackaged products are not yet harmonized with the requirements of international documents such as those recommended by OIML.
Section 10 Labelling of Republic Act 9236 also states that “In addition to the requirements for the labelling of products, commodities, goods and merchandise pursuant to Republic Act. 7394, otherwise known as "The Consumer Act. of the Philippines," the products commodities, goods or merchandise must contain contents and quantities of substances, nutritional and health value and relevant other information in units prescribed in this Act.”
9.2 Organization responsible
According to RA 3720 Section 30, the Philippine Bureau of Customs (BOC) shall deliver samples of food, drugs, and cosmetics for import to the FDA for examination. In the event that the pre-packaged goods arrive at a port of entry other than Manila, the collection of such samples shall be the responsibility of the Regional Health Director having jurisdiction over the port of entry and such samples shall be forwarded to the FDA. For the importation of grains in the country, the National Food Authority (NFA) holds the responsibility of implementing the policies of inspection.
In the Philippines, there are existing legislations aimed to regulate prepackaged goods such as Republic Act (RA) 4109 that created the Bureau of Standards to provide standardization in the inspection of products and imports of the country and RA 3720 prescribing rules and regulation for the packaging and labelling of foods, drugs and cosmetics. However, some of the tolerances imposed by the regulatory bodies in the inspection of prepackaged products are not yet harmonized with the requirements of international documents such as those recommended by OIML.
Section 10 Labelling of Republic Act 9236 also states that “In addition to the requirements for the labelling of products, commodities, goods and merchandise pursuant to Republic Act. 7394, otherwise known as "The Consumer Act. of the Philippines," the products commodities, goods or merchandise must contain contents and quantities of substances, nutritional and health value and relevant other information in units prescribed in this Act.”
9.2 Organization responsible
According to RA 3720 Section 30, the Philippine Bureau of Customs (BOC) shall deliver samples of food, drugs, and cosmetics for import to the FDA for examination. In the event that the pre-packaged goods arrive at a port of entry other than Manila, the collection of such samples shall be the responsibility of the Regional Health Director having jurisdiction over the port of entry and such samples shall be forwarded to the FDA. For the importation of grains in the country, the National Food Authority (NFA) holds the responsibility of implementing the policies of inspection.
10. Sanctions
Section 16 Prohibited Acts of Republic Act 9236 states that the following shall constitute prohibited acts of any person or juridical person:
- Manufacturing for sale, offering for sale, distributing in commerce, or importing any
product which is not measured in conformity with the weight standards provided by this Act;
- Importing of measuring equipment that does not give results expressed in the Board Authorized Units;
- Manufacturing for sale, offering for sale, distributing in commerce or importing consumer products which has not secured clearance from the National Metrology Board;
- Using of confiscated measuring equipment without verification/decalibration from the
- Board or the local government unit having jurisdiction over the offense committed; and
- Failure to comply with the standard provided for under this Act.