Philippines to Require Safety Certification for Nicotine Pouches Within a Year
The Philippines has placed nicotine pouches under a mandatory Philippine Standard licensing system through Department Administrative Order No. 26-07. Manufacturers and importers get a 12-month transition period before products without valid PS licensing cannot be made, imported, packaged, distributed, or sold. The certification process includes testing for nicotine content, pH, and water activity, and it excludes the Import Commodity Clearance route.
The Philippine order, DAO No. 26-07, Series of 2026, places nicotine pouches under DTI’s PS licensing framework. Firms already selling have twelve months to adjust; afterward, products lacking valid PS certification cannot be manufactured, imported, packaged, distributed, or sold. The ICC route is unavailable for this category, so importers must rely on certified manufacturing facilities.
Certification involves testing nicotine levels, pH, and water activity. Manufacturers must also declare that products contain no dangerous drugs listed under the country’s Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. Retail packaging must show specified details in English or Filipino, including product name/version, nicotine milligrams per pouch, and pouch count.
The shift could affect manufacturers, importers, distributors, retailers, and adult consumers. Compliance costs and testing may favor larger firms with certified facilities, potentially