The Philippine Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has ordered e-commerce platforms to remove illegal vape products from their platforms within seven days, or face heavy fines or suspension of operations. The products in question were found to violate the vape Act and other regulations due to the absence of tax stamps or certification labels.
Key Points:
- The Philippine Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has ordered e-commerce platforms to immediately remove illegal vapes, including uncertified products and those lacking fiscal markings.
- Platforms must remove relevant merchant pages, listings, or applications within seven days; violations may result in multiple legal fines and potential suspension of operations.
- Reporting channels for violations and consumer complaints have been established to strengthen regulatory enforcement.
Philippine e-commerce platforms must remove illegal vapes from their shelves within seven days
According to a report by the Manila Times on August 18. The Philippine Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has ordered e-commerce and other digital platforms to immediately remove webpages related to illegal vape products.
The department stated on social media that some online merchants are selling or providing uncertified vape products.
The Philippine Department of Trade and Industry stated: “These products lack the required fiscal marks or tax stamps, as well as the Philippine Standards License Mark, violating Section 4(d) and Section 18 of Republic Act No. 11900, commonly known as the Standards Act, and Department Administrative Order No. 02 of 2007.”
Otherwise, severe penalties or suspension of operations will be imposed.
Subsequently, all e-commerce and other digital platforms were required to remove, within 7 days, the webpages, listings, or applications of merchants identified as selling illegal or uncertified vape products.
Retailers were reminded to comply with Republic Act No. 11900 and the Internet Transactions Act of 2023 (Republic Act No. 11967), which stipulate that all e-commerce and other digital platforms must prohibit the sale and promotion of regulated goods unless sellers provide the necessary permits, licenses, and related information.
The Department of Trade and Industry stated: “Platforms must ensure that all sellers are contractually obligated to comply with applicable sales procedures, restrictions, and legal or local government requirements.”
Non-compliance may result in penalties under Republic Act No. 11900 (PHP 100,000 to PHP 400,000, approximately USD 1,700 to USD 6,800), Republic Act No. 11967 (20,000 to 1,000,000 Philippine pesos, approximately USD 340 to 17,000), the Consumer Protection Act (500 to 300,000 Philippine pesos, approximately USD 8.5 to 5,100), and other trade and industry-related laws, and their operations in the Philippines may be suspended.
Violations may be reported to the Office of Special Mission for Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products, Their Devices, and New Tobacco Products (OSMV) under the Department of Trade and Industry.
For consumer complaints related to vape products, individuals may register and submit relevant issues through the Department of Trade and Industry’s Consumer Care System (ConsumerCare.dti.gov.ph).
