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Advocates Philippines
DTI Tightens Rules On Solar Products
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The Department of Trade and Industry is moving to impose stricter regulations on solar energy products as the government pushes for stronger consumer protection amid the rapid growth of solar installations in the country.
On May 26, the DTI conducted a public consultation for a proposed Department Administrative Order that would require mandatory certification of solar energy systems and their components before they can be sold or used in the Philippine market.
The proposed rules, to be issued by the Bureau of Philippine Standards, will cover major solar products such as solar photovoltaic modules, inverters, battery energy storage systems, rapid shutdown devices, battery charge controllers, and photovoltaic cables.
Under the draft regulation, all covered solar products — whether imported or locally manufactured — must comply with Philippine National Standards before they can be distributed, installed, or sold in the country.
The DTI said the move aims to protect consumers from substandard and potentially unsafe solar products as rooftop solar systems continue to expand across the Philippines.
DTI-BPS Assistant Director Margarita F. Magsaysay said stricter certification would also help prevent unqualified and unreliable solar providers from taking advantage of consumers.
"The certification of solar panels also serves to protect consumers from fly-by-night solar power providers installers whose primary motivation is profit at the expense of consumer welfare. This is where standards and technical regulation play a critical role," Magsaysay said.
During the consultation, Frankincense M. Macula clarified that the proposed regulation will not impose new taxes or additional costs on solar products. Instead, it seeks tighter monitoring of manufacturers, importers, and installers.
The draft order also includes stricter compliance measures such as laboratory testing, factory audits, product sampling, and post-market surveillance.
Manufacturers and importers will likewise be required to implement product traceability systems, proper labeling, and mechanisms for handling consumer complaints and product recalls.
Following the consultation, the DTI said stakeholders will be given 60 days to submit comments and recommendations before the regulation is finalized. Once approved, implementation will be done in phases to give businesses and industry players enough time to comply with the new standards.
On May 26, the DTI conducted a public consultation for a proposed Department Administrative Order that would require mandatory certification of solar energy systems and their components before they can be sold or used in the Philippine market.
The proposed rules, to be issued by the Bureau of Philippine Standards, will cover major solar products such as solar photovoltaic modules, inverters, battery energy storage systems, rapid shutdown devices, battery charge controllers, and photovoltaic cables.
Under the draft regulation, all covered solar products — whether imported or locally manufactured — must comply with Philippine National Standards before they can be distributed, installed, or sold in the country.
The DTI said the move aims to protect consumers from substandard and potentially unsafe solar products as rooftop solar systems continue to expand across the Philippines.
DTI-BPS Assistant Director Margarita F. Magsaysay said stricter certification would also help prevent unqualified and unreliable solar providers from taking advantage of consumers.
"The certification of solar panels also serves to protect consumers from fly-by-night solar power providers installers whose primary motivation is profit at the expense of consumer welfare. This is where standards and technical regulation play a critical role," Magsaysay said.
During the consultation, Frankincense M. Macula clarified that the proposed regulation will not impose new taxes or additional costs on solar products. Instead, it seeks tighter monitoring of manufacturers, importers, and installers.
The draft order also includes stricter compliance measures such as laboratory testing, factory audits, product sampling, and post-market surveillance.
Manufacturers and importers will likewise be required to implement product traceability systems, proper labeling, and mechanisms for handling consumer complaints and product recalls.
Following the consultation, the DTI said stakeholders will be given 60 days to submit comments and recommendations before the regulation is finalized. Once approved, implementation will be done in phases to give businesses and industry players enough time to comply with the new standards.
May 27, 2026
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