Starlight Business Consulting

Product Certification

Any domestic or foreign entity involved in the manufacture, importation, exportation, distribution, marketing, or advertising of regulated products in the Philippines is required to register and maintain compliance with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

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Regulatory Compliance

Product Certification in the Philippines

Before any regulated product can be legally sold, imported, or marketed, it must carry the right government certification for its nature and risk classification. We manage the full process across every applicable regulator — so your market entry is compliant, documented, and defensible from day one.

Who needs product certification

  • Importers of goods
  • Local manufacturers
  • Distributors & retailers
  • Advertisers & marketers
  • Food & supplement brands
  • Medical device suppliers

Certifications by regulatory agency

Each certification is issued by a specific agency depending on your product. Here's what each one covers, who it applies to, and how long it takes.

FDA · Step 1Start here

FDA License to Operate (LTO)

Establishment-level certification · Required before any product registration

The LTO authorizes a business establishment to handle regulated health products. It must be obtained before any product registration or notification can be filed — making it the first and most critical step for entering the market with food, drug, cosmetic, or medical device products. The LTO covers the establishment, not the individual products.

Applies to

  • Manufacturers
  • Importers
  • Distributors
  • Drug establishments
  • Cosmetic establishments
  • Medical device establishments
  • Food establishments

  • FDA LTO — New ApplicationRequired first

  • FDA LTO — Renewal

  • FDA LTO — Variation (address / establishment details)

  • FDA LTO — ConsigneeNew

  • Pharmacist for FDA Compliance (Outsourced)

Renewal must be filed before expiration. Operating with an expired LTO can result in establishment closure, product recall, and administrative sanctions.

FDA · Product level

FDA Certificate of Product Registration (CPR)

Per-product registration · Food, drugs, supplements, household hazardous products

A CPR is required for each individual product you sell or distribute. Products with different variants, flavors, dosage forms, or packaging sizes must each be registered separately with their own FDA registration number. An active LTO is a non-negotiable prerequisite.

Applies to

  • Food products
  • Drug products
  • Food supplements
  • Household hazardous products
  • Urban hazardous products

  • FDA Certificate of Product Registration (CPR)

Each variant is registered individually — 10 flavors means 10 CPRs. Validity is 2 years for supplements and 5 years for food products.

FDA · Cosmetics

FDA Cosmetic Product Notification (CPN)

Cosmetics only · Per-product notification · LTO required

The CPN is the FDA certification specific to cosmetics — skincare, haircare, makeup, and personal care. It is a notification-based process, but still requires a valid cosmetic-establishment LTO. Each cosmetic product must be notified separately before sale.

Applies to

  • Skincare products
  • Makeup & cosmetics
  • Haircare products
  • Personal care products

  • FDA Cosmetic Product Notification (CPN)

CPN validity is 1 year and renews annually. Foreign brands selling through a local distributor must ensure that distributor holds a valid cosmetic-establishment LTO.

DTI · BPS

DTI Philippine Standard (PS) Quality & Safety Mark

Bureau of Philippine Standards · Mandatory for regulated product categories

The PS Mark certifies that a product conforms to applicable Philippine National Standards for quality and safety. For categories under mandatory certification, it is a legal requirement before a product can be imported, sold, or distributed. Products without it are subject to seizure, recall, and importation ban.

Applies to

  • Electrical appliances
  • Construction materials
  • Electronic products
  • Safety equipment
  • Furniture & fixtures

  • DTI Philippine Standard (PS) Quality and/or Safety Mark Certification

The list of products requiring a PS Mark is updated regularly via DTI Administrative Orders. Verify your category before shipment to avoid customs detention or import rejection.

DOE · DENRNew

Sector-Specific Product Certifications

Department of Energy · Department of Environment & Natural Resources

Certain energy and environmental product categories require certifications beyond the FDA and DTI frameworks. Businesses in petroleum, energy products, chemical handling, or environmentally sensitive industries may need DOE or DENR certification — assessed case by case.

Applies to

  • Petroleum & energy products
  • Hazardous chemicals
  • Environmental compliance
  • Energy equipment

  • Department of Energy (DOE) CertificateNew

  • Department of Environment & Natural Resources (DENR) CertificateNew

DOE and DENR requirements are highly industry specific. Talk to our team to confirm whether your product or facility needs either before importation or operations.

Quick reference

Which certification does your product need?

A fast way to identify the right path before you engage us.

  • Food & beveragesNeeds: LTO + CPR (per product)FDA
  • Food supplementsNeeds: LTO + CPR (per product)FDA
  • Drug productsNeeds: LTO + CPR (per product)FDA
  • Cosmetics & personal careNeeds: LTO + CPN (per product)FDA
  • Medical devicesNeeds: LTO + CMDN / CMDR / IVDRFDA
  • Electronics & electrical appliancesNeeds: PS Mark (or ICC per shipment)DTI – BPS
  • Construction materialsNeeds: PS Mark (or ICC per shipment)DTI – BPS
  • Energy / petroleum productsNeeds: DOE CertificateDOE
  • Environmentally regulated goodsNeeds: DENR CertificateDENR

Not sure where your product fits?

Send us your product details and we'll map the exact certifications you need, the order to file them, and realistic timelines.

Get a Certification Roadmap
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