Philippines' DTI Reaffirms New Rules: E-Cigarette Products Must Hold PS Certification, Violators Face Heavy Penalties

Jan.14

Philippines DTI mandates all nicotine and non-nicotine aerosol products to obtain PS license by Dec 31, 2024, under RA 11900.

On January 14th, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) of the Philippines announced on its official website that all nicotine-based and non-nicotine aerosol products must obtain a valid Philippine Standard (PS) license by December 31, 2024, in accordance with Administrative Orders 22-06 and 24-02 of 2022 and 2024, respectively.

These certifications requirements apply to all relevant products that are imported, distributed, and sold in online platforms, digital markets, and physical stores in the Philippines. The supplementary technical regulations have been clarified in Administrative Order No. 24-11 of 2024, which covers the products mentioned in the said administrative order.

Manufacturers, importers, and distributors who fail to obtain certification on time will be in violation of Republic Act No. 11900, specifically Article 18, known as the "Regulation of Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Aerosol Products Law." According to Articles 18 and 19, only officially registered aerosol nicotine and non-nicotine products, as well as their devices or new tobacco products, are allowed to be sold, advertised, or distributed in any way.

Failure to comply with these certification requirements will result in the following penalties under RA 11900 section 23(c):

The first violation will result in a fine of 100,000 Philippine pesos (1700 USD); the second violation will result in a fine of 200,000 Philippine pesos (3500 USD); and the third violation will result in a fine of 400,000 Philippine pesos (7000 USD) and may face up to 3 years in prison or both. In addition, violators may have their business permits and licenses revoked or cancelled.

References:

[1] DTI implements vape and HTP regulations, reminds importers and manufacturers to register for PS License

Also Read:

[1] List of Registered E-Cigarette and Heat Not Burn Tobacco Brands

[2] New Regulations for E-cigarette and Non-Nicotine Products in Philippines

[3] Philippines' DTI Registers 10 E-Cigarette Companies

[4] Philippines DTI to Revise E-cigarette Regulations, Major Changes Expected

[5] DTI Takes Action Against Misleading E-Cigarette Companies on Social Media

#Legislation #Asia #Philippines #Nicotine-based and non-nicotine aerosol products

We welcome news tips, article submissions, interview requests, or comments on this piece.

Please contact us at info@2firsts.com, or reach out to Alan Zhao, CEO of 2Firsts, on LinkedIn

Notice

1. This article is intended solely for professional research purposes related to industry, technology, and policy. Any references to brands or products are made purely for objective description and do not constitute any form of endorsement, recommendation, or promotion by 2Firsts.

2. The use of nicotine-containing products — including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouchand heated tobacco products — carries significant health risks. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.

3. This article is not intended to serve as the basis for any investment decisions or financial advice. 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any inaccuracies or errors in the content.

4. Access to this article is strictly prohibited for individuals below the legal age in their jurisdiction.

Copyright

This article is either an original work created by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with proper attribution. All copyrights and usage rights belong to 2Firsts or the original content provider. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other form of unauthorized use by any individual or organization is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally accountable.

For copyright-related inquiries, please contact: info@2firsts.com

AI Assistance Disclaimer

This article may have been enhanced using AI tools to improve translation and editorial efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, inaccuracies may occur. Readers are encouraged to refer to the cited sources for the most accurate information.

We welcome any corrections or feedback. Please contact us at: info@2firsts.com

Over 1,900 e-cigarettes seized in Johor; Malaysia to enforce nationwide ban from 2016

Over 1900 e-cigarette products seized in Johor shopping center; state-wide ban enforced since 2016; 10 illegal traders issued notices; national ban planned by 2026.

Oct.17 by 2FIRSTS.ai

Australian Border Force Seizes 586M Cigarettes and 3M Vapes in Record First Quarter

Australian Border Force (ABF), 586 million cigarettes and over 3 million vapes were seized at Australia’s international border in the first quarter of the 2024–25 financial year (July 1–September 30), marking a continued upward trend over the past two years. Enhanced intelligence and data-sharing have enabled ABF to target suspicious consignments more effectively across all entry points.

Oct.24 by 2FIRSTS.ai

Hungary’s Continental Tobacco Launches New Slay Nicotine Pouch Brand in UK Targeting Female Consumers

Hungary’s Continental Tobacco Group has launched its Slay nicotine pouch brand in the UK, featuring compact, pastel-toned packaging and backed by a multi-million-pound investment and retail pilot programme to build its presence in the local market.

Dec.03 by 2FIRSTS.ai

South Korea Implements Law Requiring Full Disclosure of Tobacco Harmful Substances

South Korea has enacted the Tobacco Harm Management Act, effective November 1, 2025, requiring tobacco manufacturers and importers to test and report harmful substances in their products every two years. Results for all tobacco types—including combustible cigarettes, heated tobacco, and e-cigarettes—will be publicly available from mid-2026.