Philippines proposes stricter PV, battery product certification rules

The Philippines’ Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is in the process of placing solar equipment, including PV panels and batteries, under its mandatory product certification program to ensure renewable energy products sold in the country are reliable, safe, and of a high technical standard.

On 25 May 2026, the DTI published a Draft Administrative Order proposing mandatory product certification for PV modules, inverters, battery energy storage systems (BESS), rapid shutdown devices, battery charge controllers, and PV cables, citing reports of various safety incidents involving potential hazards associated with solar energy systems, including panel overheating, electrical fires from faulty wiring or inverters, battery explosions, damage due to improper installation, and electric shock hazards during operation and maintenance.

The DTI’s draft document declared that the rapid growth of solar deployment in the Philippines “has highlighted the need to establish appropriate technical standards, safety requirements, and regulatory measures to ensure the safe, reliable, and compliant installation and operation of solar energy systems.”

All solar and energy storage components – whether locally manufactured or imported – mentioned in the document must comply with the Philippine National Standards, enforced by the DTI’s Bureau of Philippine Standards (PBS). This applies to products for the commercial and residential markets.

The draft document includes recommended procedures in case of non-conformance, including requirements for product recall. If the PBS finds that a product is non-conforming, it will notify the manufacturer or importer, and they will have 15 days from receipt of notice to recall the product.

Under the new proposed system only products bearing the PS Safety Mark and ICC certification will be allowed for distribution in the market.

Manufacturers, assemblers and importers of products operating in the Philippines will have to pay fees for auditing and inspection, testing, processing fees, and licensing fees. Those who fail to comply with the rules will have their license to operate in the Philippines suspended or cancelled. The BPS said it would publish a list of revoked or withdrawn product licenses on its website.

The DTI held a public consultation on the draft document following its publication. Stakeholders such as Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) and the country’s energy regulator attended. They will have 60 days to submit comments and recommendations on the proposed new rules. The industry will be given one year to adjust to the proposed new system once it is enforced.

The Philippines imports much of its solar panels from China. According to a recent report from Ember, the nation imported 4 GW of Chinese solar panels in the period January to April this year. Ember’s tracking of the Philippines’ customs data showed net solar imports have been increasing steadily over the past few years – something the think tank said pointed to an expected surge in rooftop solar deployment in the country. Currently, the Philippines’ rooftop capacity stands at around 1.3 GW, up from 721 MW at the start of 2025.

Domestic manufacturing is also taking off, with Singaporean solar manufacturer Gstar operating two 1 GW plants.