Standardized Date Labels on Consumer Products

Senate Man office of the sa retary TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE AUG 27 P2:20 REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session ) RECEIVED BY. SENATE S. B. No. 1286 INTRODUCED BY SENATOR CHRISTOPHER LAWRENCE "BONG" T. GO AN ACT REQUIRING THE USE OF STANDARDIZED DATE LABELS ON CONSUMER PRODUCTS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7394 OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "CONSUMER ACT OF THE PHILIPPINES EXPLANATORY NOTE Republic Act No. 7394 or the Consumer Act of the Philippines provides that it is the policy of the State to protect the interest of the consumer, promote general welfare and to establish standards of conduct for business and industry. The objectives of this Act are all focused on the welfare, protection and rights of all the consumers in the Philippines. Many food and drug products available in the Philippine market lack standardized labeling formats, leading to confusion and potential health risks for consumers. Current regulations fall short in requiring clear and consistent information on product packaging, particularly regarding dates that are critical to consumer safety and product quality. This proposed measure seeks to mandate a uniform labeling system for food and drug products. Specifically, it requires the clear and consistent use of the following terms: "Manufacturing Date," "Expiration Date," and, when applicable, "Best Before

Date." The use of alternative or ambiguous phrases such as "use by," "consume before," or "best if used by" shall be expressly prohibited to avoid misinterpretation. By establishing a clear and uniform system of date labeling, this measure aims to protect public health, promote consumer awareness, and improve regulatory compliance in the food and drug industries In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly, sought. SENATOR CHRISTOPHER LAWRENCE "BONG" T. GO

Dellate Office of the scarlarp TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 25 AUG 27 P2:20 REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) First Regular Session RECEIVED 8T. SENATE S. B. No. 1286 INTRODUCED BY SENATOR CHRISTOPHER LAWRENCE "BONG" T. GO AN ACT REQUIRING THE USE OF STANDARDIZED DATE LABELS ON CONSUMER PRODUCTS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7394 OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "CONSUMER ACT OF THE PHILIPPINES Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

Section 1. This Act shall be known as the "Standardization of Date Labels Act

of 2025."

Sec. 2. Article 76 of Republic Act No. 7394, otherwise known as the "Consumer

Act of the Philippines" is hereby amended to read as follows: "Art 76. Prohibited Act on Labeling and Packaging - It shall be unlawful for any person, either as principal or agent, engaged in the SALE, DISTRIBUTION, MANUFACTURER labeling or packaging of any consumer product, to display, SELL or distribute or to cause to be displayed, SOLD or distributed in commerce any consumer product whose package or label does not conform to the provisions of this chapter. ALL CONSUMER PRODUCTS THAT DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE DATE LABEL REQUIREMENTS AS PROVIDED IN THIS ACT SHALL NOT BE SOLD OR DISTRIBUTED IN THE MARKET AFTER JANUARY 1, 2026.

The prohibition in this chapter shall not apply to persons engaged in the business of wholesale or retail distributors of consumer products OR CONSUMER PRODUCTS MANUFACTURED OUTSIDE THE COUNTRY AND DIRECTLY SHIPPED FROM THE MANUFACTURER TO CONSUMER BY MAIL OR OTHER DELIVERY SERVICE except to the extent that such persons: (1) are engaged in the packaging or labeling of such (2) prescribe or specify by any means the manner in which such products are packaged or labeled; or (3) having knowledge, refuse to disclose the source of the mislabeled or mispackaged products."

Sec. 3. Article 77 of the same Act is hereby amended by adding a new

paragraph to be denominated a paragraph (i) to read as follows: "Art. 77. Minimum Labeling Requirements for Consumer Products. - All consumer products domestically sold whether manufactured locally or imported shall indicate the following in their respective labels of packaging: a) xxx b) "xxx g) country of manufacture, if imported; [and] h) If a consumer product is manufactured. refilled or repacked under license from a principal, the label shall so State the-fact; AND "I) ITS "MANUFACTURING DATE," "EXPIRATION DATE", AND IF APPLICABLE, THE "BEST BEFORE DATE". THE UNIFORM DATE LABEL MUST BE PRINTED CLEARLY AND LEGIBLY ON THE LABEL IN THE FOLLOWING ORDER: MONTH, DAY AND YEAR. THE DAY AND THE YEAR MUST BE WRITTEN IN FIGURES WHILE THE MONTH MUST BE WRITTEN IN WORDS. THE TEXT MUST BE SINGLE EASY-TO-READ TYPE STYLE USING UPPER- AND LOWER-CASE LETTERS IN THE STANDARD FORM. THE USE OF "USE-BY," "CONSUME BEFORE," "BEST IF USED BY"

AND OTHER SIMILAR PHRASES MUST NOT BE USED AS DATE LABELS ON THE PACKAGING OF CONSUMER PRODUCTS. FOR PURPOSES OF THIS ACT, "MANUFACTURING DATE" REFERS TO THE DATE WHEN THE PRODUCT WAS PRODUCED OR MADE BY THE MANUFACTURER; "BEST BEFORE DATE" REFERS TO THE DATE WHEN THE QUALITY OF THE PRODUCT BEGINS TO DETERIORATE, BUT STILL ACCEPTABLE FOR CONSUMPTION BEFORE THE EXPIRATION DATE; AND "EXPIRATION DATE" REFERS TO THE DATE STATED ON THE LABEL OF FOOD, DRUG, COSMETIC, OR SIMILAR CONSUMER PRODUCT = AFTER THE SAFETY, EFFICACY, QUALITY OR POTENCY MUST HAVE RUN ITS COURSE." "The following may be required by the concerned department in accordance with the rules and regulations they will promulgate under authority of this Act: a) xxx XXX e) xxX

Sec 4. Article 84 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

"SEC. 84. Additional Labeling Requirement for Food. - The following additional labeling requirements shall be imposed by the concerned department for food: "a) MANUFACTURING DATE, EXPIRATION DATE, AND WHENEVER APPLICABLE, THE BEST BEFORE DATE; "Xxx "e) xxX."

Sec. 5. Article 86 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Art. 86. Labeling of Drugs. - The Generics Act shall apply in the labeling of drugs. THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION SHALL ENSURE THAT ALL DRUGS MANUFACTURED AND DISTRIBUTED LOCALLY SHALL

HAVE "MANUFACTURING DATE," AND "EXPIRATION DATE" IN THEIR LABELS. THE UNIFORM DATE LABELS REQUIRED MUST BE PRINTED CLEARLY AND LEGIBLY ON THE LABEL IN THE FOLLOWING ORDER: MONTH, DAY AND YEAR. THE DAY AND THE YEAR MUST BE WRITTEN IN FIGURES WHILE THE MONTH MUST BE WRITTEN IN WORDS. THE TEXT MUST BE SINGLE EASY-TO-READ TYPE STYLE USING UPPER- AND LOWER-CASE LETTERS IN THE STANDARD FORM. FOR PURPOSES OF THIS ACT, "MANUFACTURING DATE" REFERS TO THE DATE WHEN THE PRODUCT WAS PRODUCED OR MADE BY THE MANUFACTURER; AND "EXPIRATION DATE" REFERS TO THE DATE STATED ON THE LABEL OF FOOD, DRUG, COSMETIC, OR SIMILAR CONSUMER PRODUCT AFTER THE SAFETY, EFFICACY, QUALITY OR POTENCY MUST HAVE RUN ITS COURSE." FOR PRODUCTS RECONSTITUTED PRIOR TO USE AND THOSE WHICH CAN BE ADMINISTERED MULTIPLE TIMES, THE LABEL SHALL INCLUDE THE PERIOD OF GUARANTEED SAFETY, EFFICACY, AND QUALITY OF THE RECONSTITUTED PREPARATION AFTER FIRST OPENING AT GIVEN STORAGE CONDITIONS."

Sec. 6. Article 87 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Art. 87. Additional Labeling Requirements for Cosmetics- - The following additional requirements may be required for cosmetics: "a) MANUFACTURING DATE AND expiry or expiration date; b) xxX c) xxX,"

Sec. 7. Article 95 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows;

"Art. 95. Penalties. - a) xXX XXX

"C) ANY MANUFACTURER OR DISTRIBUTOR WHO VIOLATES THE PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE 76, PARAGRAPH I OF ARTICLE 77, PARAGRAPH A OF ARTICLE 84, ARTICLE 86 AND PARAGRAPH A OF ARTICLE 87 OF THIS ACT SHALL BE PUNISHED WITH A FINE OF NOT LESS THAN TWENTY THOUSAND PESOS (P20,000.00) BUT NOT MORE THAN FIFTY THOUSAND PESOS (P50,000.00) OR IMPRISONMENT OF NOT LESS THAN THREE (3) MONTH BUT NOT MORE THAN TWO (2) YEARS, OR BOTH SUCH FINE AND IMPRISONMENT, AT THE DISCRETION OF THE PROPER COURT. "IF THE OFFENDER IS AN ALIEN, THE OFFENDER SHALL BE DEPORTED AFTER SERVICE OF SENTENCE AND PAYMENT OF FINE WITHOUT DEPORTATION PROCEEDINGS. "IF THE VIOLATION IS COMMITTED BY A JURIDICAL PERSON, THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, OFFICERS AND ALL PERSONS DIRECTLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE VIOLATION SHALL SUFFER THE PENALTY IMPOSED UNDER THIS SECTION."

Sec. 8. Within ninety (90) days from the effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of

Trade and Industry, in coordination with the Secretary of Health, and the Director General of the Food and Drug Administration, shall issue the necessary rules and 20 regulations for the effective implementation of the provisions of this Act,

Sec. 9. If for any reason any part or provision of this Act is declared invalid or

unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect.

Sec. 10. All laws, executive orders, issuances, decrees, rules and regulations

inconsistent with or contrary to the provisions of this Act are deemed amended, modified or repealed accordingly,

Sec. 11. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the

Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.