THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) last week released supplemental guidelines to the mandatory certification requirements for selling Portland cement and blended hydraulic cement.
The updated rules aim to strengthen consumer protection, ensure accurate product labeling, and close regulatory gaps that emerged after the original rules took effect.
Portland and blended hydraulic cements are the foundational binding agents for modern concrete. They are popular because they are highly economical, widely available, and harden underwater. They also offer superior long-term durability and a lower carbon footprint.
Memorandum Circular 26-02, series of 2026 — which supplements Department Administrative Order (DAO) 17-06 and adopts revised Philippine National Standards for Portland cement and blended hydraulic cement — addresses reported violations and irregularities involving imported cement products being sold in the market before undergoing the required testing and inspection procedures, DTI said, noting such practices undermine regulatory compliance and may compromise product safety and quality.
The new rules require manufacturers of Portland cement containing limestone to declare the amount of limestone used, expressed as a percentage of cement mass, along with the carbon dioxide content and equivalent alkalis.
These declarations must have requests for testing and will be reflected in test reports issued by the Bureau of Philippine Standards (BPS) or BPS-recognized laboratories.
Procedures for obtaining a Statement of Confirmation (SOC) for imported cement shipments have also been revised. Importers must now notify the concerned BPS or DTI regional or provincial office once shipments are transferred or ready for inspection.
Products covered by applications must not be used or offered for sale while still awaiting inspection and testing.
Product inspection and sampling shall be conducted by the BPS, DTI regional and provincial offices, or recognized inspection bodies within 16 working hours after notification. If inspection confirms that the shipment is consistent with importation documents, product samples will undergo regular surveillance testing.
In case of discrepancies, authorities may issue a Show Cause Order and apply the provisions of DAO 17-06. The new guidelines further require importers to submit samples to BPS-recognized testing laboratories within 16 working hours after inspection.
Extensions may be allowed if proof is provided that the samples are already in transit. Failure to comply with applicable standards will need second and third sets of samples for retesting.
An SOC will be issued only if succeeding tests confirm compliance. Otherwise, the application will be denied and the shipment will be disposed.
Local and foreign cement manufacturers are given six months from the effectivity of the circular to comply with the chemical and physical requirements under the updated standards.
All SOC applications must undergo post-shipment inspection and testing once the circular takes effect 15 days after its publication in a newspaper of general circulation.
