The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is taking steps to prohibit the manufacture, importation, distribution, and sale of vape open pods and uncertified e-liquids in the Philippines.
Open pod systems, which allow users to refill cartridges with non-certified liquids, have raised safety and health concerns.
As part of its regulatory action, the DTI has removed an open pod model from the scope of a manufacturer’s Certificate of Philippine Standards (PS) License to ensure that only compliant vapor products are available in the market.
The Phantom Vape Group has voluntarily reduced the scope of its PS License No. Q-00002, excluding open pod models under its VAGEND brand such as the VPRIME Device, XLIM PRO 2 Device, NEXLIM Device, XLIM GO Device, and XLIM SQ PRO 2 Device. These products are no longer authorized for manufacture, importation, or retail sale in the country.
The DTI’s action follows reports of vape products allegedly containing synthetic cannabinoids — chemicals that mimic cannabis — recently found in “Tuklaw” cigarettes identified by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).
To address these risks, the DTI’s Office for the Special Mandate on Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products (OSMV) is finalizing an order that will formalize the nationwide ban on open pod systems and uncertified e-liquids.
An updated list of Certified Philippine Standards License Holders can be accessed on the OSMV homepage.
