Certification rules set for LPG ancillary products

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Philippine Standards (BPS) of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has issued a new technical regulation prescribing the mandatory product certification of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) pressure vessels and ancillary products.

The new technical regulation was made through the issuance of Department Administrative Order (DAO) 22-11, which took effect on July 23.

DTI Consumer Protection Group (CPG) Undersecretary Ruth Castelo said the new DAO supports the implementation of Republic Act 11592 or the “LPG Industry Regulation Act” and its implementing rules and regulations.

“With DAO 22-11, we have expanded the scope of certification on LPG products and updated the applicable reference standards. Before, we are only regulating LPG steel cylinders, LPG repair, and auto-LPG containers. Now, we have included LPG ancillary products such as rubber hoses, cylinder valves, and gas regulators, among others, in our mandatory certification since these products are indispensable for the safe and proper operation of LPG cylinders especially in residential and commercial sectors,” Castelo said.

With this technical regulation, we aim to provide our consumers and businesses access to safe and quality LPG cylinders and accessories in the market,” she said.

The DTI said the technical regulation prescribes the mandatory certification of a number of LPG pressure vessels and ancillary products, whether locally manufactured or imported, as well as LPG-related systems and services.

Meanwhile, the DTI stressed that DAO 22-11 does not cover the refilling of LPG pressure vessels and the composition of the refilled LPG as they are under the purview of the Department of Energy (DOE).

”The Philippine Standard (PS) Quality Certification Mark Licensing Scheme shall be available to both local and foreign manufacturers selling or distributing LPG cylinders and ancillary products in the Philippine market,” the DTI said.

For imported LPG and ancillary products, the DTI said the importer shall apply for either statement of confirmation for PS-certified products or import commodity clearance for non-PS certified products on a per shipment per bill of lading/airway bill basis.

“For safety, traceability, and accountability purposes and to eliminate risk of importation of used cylinders and tubes, the imported refillable LPG cylinders shall be sourced only from manufacturing plants holding valid PS licenses,” the DTI said.

It added that the PS quality certification mark shall be the only applicable scheme for LPG cylinder repair and requalification as well as automotive LPG retrofitting systems.

The DTI said only local automotive LPG retrofitters shall be allowed to apply for the PS license.

“For product testing, the relevant Philippine National Standards (PNS) shall be used to verify product conformance,” the DTI said.

Moreover, for traceability and verification purposes, the DTI issued general marking requirements for  all covered LPG cylinders and ancillary products which include the manufacturer’s brand name, trade name of mark; PS quality mark with License number or ICC stickers; lot no./batch no/serial no.; the words “Made in the Philippines” or “Country of Origin” if imported, among others.

The DTI-BPS is the national standards body authorized to promulgate PNS.