The Philippines is tightening oversight of nicotine pouches by bringing the products under a mandatory safety certification system. Under Department Administrative Order No. 26-07, Series of 2026, manufacturers, importers and other businesses must meet Philippine Standard (PS) licensing requirements before placing covered products on the local market.
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has established a 12-month transition period for products already on the market. Once that period ends, nicotine pouches without valid PS licensing will no longer be permitted to enter the Philippine market through manufacturing, importation, packaging, distribution or sales.
The order, signed on September 2 and publicly released in early October 2026, introduces requirements covering product testing, packaging information, manufacturing facilities and ongoing compliance. The move gives businesses time to prepare, but it also makes certification a central condition for continued market access.
Philippines Adds Nicotine Pouches to Mandatory Product Certification
The new order places nicotine pouches within the DTI’s mandatory product certification framework. Companies operating in the category will need to demonstrate that their products and manufacturing facilities comply with applicable Philippine national standards and technical requirements.
Unlike products covered by certain import-specific certification arrangements, nicotine pouches will follow the PS licensing route. The order specifically excludes the Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) scheme from this product category.
This distinction is important for companies importing finished nicotine pouches into the Philippines. A shipment-level clearance alone will not replace the required PS licence. Imported products must come from manufacturing facilities that hold the appropriate valid certification.
The approach shifts regulatory attention beyond individual shipments toward manufacturing standards, quality management and continuing product compliance.
For international brands and contract manufacturers, this means that selecting a compliant production partner will be an important part of preparing for the Philippine market.
Product Testing Will Cover Nicotine Content, pH and Water Activity
The certification process will require nicotine pouches to undergo testing against relevant product standards. The specified parameters include nicotine content, pH value and water activity.
Each measurement addresses a different aspect of product compliance:
- Nicotine content: Helps verify that the actual nicotine level matches the product’s declared specifications.
- pH value: Provides information about the product’s chemical characteristics, which can influence nicotine availability and absorption.
- Water activity: Helps assess product stability and factors associated with microbial growth.
Testing may be carried out by a manufacturer’s qualified internal laboratory or by laboratories accepted under the applicable DTI certification requirements. Companies using internal facilities must demonstrate that they have the necessary equipment, personnel and testing capabilities.
The order also requires manufacturers to submit a written declaration confirming that their products do not contain dangerous drugs listed under the Philippines’ Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
These requirements mean that businesses will need more than a product specification sheet. They should prepare supporting test results, technical documentation and evidence that their manufacturing and quality-control systems meet the relevant standards.
New Packaging Rules Require Detailed Product Information
The Philippine nicotine pouch regulations also introduce specific labelling requirements for retail packaging. Information must be clearly and permanently displayed in English or Filipino.
Required details include:
- Product name and specific product version
- Nicotine content per pouch, expressed in milligrams
- Number of pouches in each package
- Manufacturing date and batch or lot number
- Ingredients listed in descending order by weight
- Allergen information
- Manufacturer’s name, address and contact details
- Importer’s name, address and contact details
- Instructions for product use and disposal
- The PS certification mark and corresponding licence number
- The legally required health warning
The packaging must also communicate relevant health information prescribed by the Philippine health authorities. This includes warnings concerning contraindications, possible interactions with medicines, precautions, adverse reactions and what to do in cases of excessive nicotine intake.
The order further restricts repackaging, relabelling and other packaging changes after manufacture when those changes could affect product quality, safety or traceability.
For brands selling products across multiple countries, existing packaging may therefore need to be reviewed or redesigned for the Philippine market. Companies should not assume that labels prepared for another jurisdiction will automatically meet the local requirements.
Manufacturing Facilities and Contract Producers Face Additional Oversight
The PS licensing framework covers production facilities as well as product compliance. Manufacturers must demonstrate that their facilities have appropriate quality-management systems and testing capabilities.
The rules also address contract manufacturing and packaging operations. These facilities may be subject to registration, audits, production traceability and quality-management requirements.
Companies relying on third-party manufacturers should confirm that the relevant facility can meet the certification conditions and maintain the required documentation. Where testing is outsourced, businesses must use laboratories that satisfy the applicable recognition or accreditation requirements.
Importantly, PS licensing is not simply a one-time product registration. Facilities and products may remain subject to surveillance audits and compliance checks during the licence’s validity period.
This creates an ongoing responsibility for manufacturers and brand owners. Maintaining certification may require continued monitoring of production quality, testing records, packaging information and changes to manufacturing processes.
Existing Products Have a 12-Month Transition Period
The DTI has provided a 12-month transition period to give businesses time to adapt to the new framework.
During this period, companies with products already in the Philippine market can work toward obtaining the necessary PS licence. That preparation may involve laboratory testing, document submissions, manufacturing-facility audits and packaging updates.
Once the transition period ends, nicotine pouches without a valid PS licence will no longer be allowed to be manufactured, imported, packaged, distributed, offered for sale or sold in the Philippines.
The transition period should not be treated as an exemption from all other applicable laws. Companies must continue to comply with existing requirements while preparing for the new certification obligations.
Businesses should also confirm the applicable deadlines and procedural details directly with the DTI and its Bureau of Philippine Standards, particularly if they plan to introduce new products or change manufacturing partners during the transition.
How the New Rules Could Affect Nicotine Pouch Suppliers
The certification requirement could influence several parts of the nicotine pouch supply chain.
Companies selling nicotine pouches internationally should also compare regulatory approaches in other markets, including the UK framework explained in our guide to nicotine pouch laws in England.
Manufacturers may need to invest in testing, documentation and quality-management procedures to demonstrate compliance.
Importers and distributors will need to verify that products originate from appropriately licensed manufacturing facilities. They may also need to coordinate with suppliers to obtain updated technical documents and packaging information.
International brands may need to assess whether their current manufacturing arrangements can satisfy Philippine certification requirements. Products that are compliant in another market will not necessarily qualify automatically under the PS system.
Contract manufacturers and packaging providers should review their traceability procedures, audit readiness and ability to maintain consistent product specifications.
These changes could increase the administrative work involved in launching or maintaining nicotine pouch products in the Philippines. For businesses with established quality systems, however, preparing early may help reduce delays and avoid disruptions when the transition period expires.
Philippines Builds a More Specific Regulatory Framework for Nicotine Pouches
The Philippines already has certification and regulatory arrangements covering products such as vaping devices and heated tobacco equipment. Nicotine pouches differ because they are oral products rather than electronic devices or e-liquids.
As the Philippine nicotine pouch market develops, brands are also expanding their product ranges, as seen in ZYN’s expansion of low-nicotine options in the Philippines.
The new order introduces requirements tailored to their characteristics, with particular attention to nicotine content, chemical parameters, packaging disclosures and manufacturing quality.
The measure follows an earlier DTI consultation on a proposed certification order in April 2026. The September order formalises the move to mandatory PS licensing for nicotine pouches.
It also adds another layer to the regulatory requirements facing companies involved in the international nicotine products market. Businesses will need to consider not only product registration and import procedures but also manufacturing-facility certification and continuing compliance.
Companies seeking further details should consult the Philippine Department of Trade and Industry and the DTI Bureau of Philippine Standards for official information on certification procedures and applicable standards.
What Businesses Should Do Next
Companies supplying nicotine pouches to the Philippines should begin reviewing their compliance position well before the 12-month transition period expires.
Priority actions include checking whether the relevant manufacturing facility can obtain a PS licence, arranging the required product tests, reviewing labels against the new information requirements and preparing documentation for regulatory assessment.
Importers should also communicate with their suppliers early to establish who will handle certification, testing and packaging updates. Clear responsibilities can help prevent delays as the deadline approaches.
The central takeaway is that valid PS licensing will become a key market-access requirement for nicotine pouches in the Philippines. Businesses that prepare their documentation, production facilities and product labels in advance will be better positioned to navigate the new framework.
This article is an independent English-language rewrite for industry news purposes. Businesses should consult the official administrative order and relevant Philippine authorities for the complete legal requirements.