Key Takeaways
- The Philippine Department of Trade and Industry plans to impose mandatory product certification on nicotine pouches under the Philippine Standard Licensing Scheme.
- The DTI said the public and relevant stakeholders may submit comments on the draft administrative order until April 17.
- The draft says nicotine pouches may only be imported, distributed, or sold in the Philippines if sourced from a manufacturing facility with a valid PS license.
- Retail packaging would be required to show the product name, nicotine content, quantity, manufacturing date, batch or lot number, allergens, PS mark, health warnings, and manufacturer and importer information.
- The draft provides a one-year transition period for stakeholders to comply with the nicotine product requirements under the PS Licensing Scheme.
2Firsts, April 13, 2026
According to DTI, Philippine Department of Trade and Industry is planning to impose mandatory product certification on nicotine pouches to curb illicit trade in nicotine products.
Philippines plans mandatory certification for nicotine pouches
According to a draft administrative order, the DTI is considering mandatory product certification of nicotine pouches under the Philippine Standard Licensing Scheme. In a Facebook post on Wednesday, the department said the public and other relevant stakeholders may comment on the draft order until April 17.
The draft defines a nicotine pouch as a novel tobacco product in the form of pre-portioned pouches containing nicotine and designed for buccal absorption without combustion or vaporization.
Products would need to come from licensed manufacturing facilities
The draft states that such products may only be imported, distributed, or sold in the Philippines if they are sourced from a manufacturing facility holding a valid PS license.
The DTI said compliance would be certified by a written declaration from the manufacturer submitted as part of the PS license application.
Retail packaging would need nicotine content and health warnings
Under the draft, each retail package of nicotine pouches must carry legible and indelible markings in English or Filipino showing the product name, nicotine content, quantity, manufacturing date, batch or lot number, consumable consumption, allergens, PS mark, health warnings, manufacturer information, and importer information.
The draft also requires packaging to include instructions for use and disposal, as well as health warnings.
It further states that any activity that alters or modifies the nicotine pouch or its packaging configuration after manufacture, including changes in labeling, batch traceability, or exposure conditions that may compromise product quality and consumer safety, will not be permitted.
The draft says stakeholders will be given a one-year transition period to comply with the nicotine product requirements under the PS Licensing Scheme.
Image source: DTI
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