Detergents Regulatory Compliance in the Philippines

Regulatory Overview: Detergents in the Philippines

The Philippine detergent market is expanding rapidly, fueled by urbanization, heightened hygiene awareness, and demand for innovative cleaning solutions. For manufacturers and importers looking to enter or grow in this market, regulatory compliance is not optional—it is central to lawful entry, brand credibility, and long-term success.

Detergents in the Philippines are not treated as general consumer goods. They fall under a regulated category known as Household/Urban Hazardous Substances (HUHS), governed by specific safety and labeling standards.

Classification of Detergents

Under:

• Republic Act No. 7394 (Consumer Act of the Philippines), and

• FDA Administrative Order No. 2019-001

...detergents are officially classified as HUHS. This includes:

• Laundry detergents

• Dishwashing liquids

• Multi-surface cleaners

Products making disinfectant or biocidal claims (e.g., “kills 99.9% of germs”) fall under a stricter category and require additional evaluation and registration.

Regulatory Authorities

Agency

Role

Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Philippines

Lead regulatory body via the Center for Cosmetics and HUHS Regulation and Research (CCHUHSRR)

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)

Monitors compliance with product standards and labeling enforcement

Key Regulatory Requirements

1. Pre-Market Approval

• Classification: All detergent products must be registered under the HUHS category.

• Certificate of Product Notification (CPN): Required for standard detergent products; submitted via the FDA ePortal.

• Submission Dossier includes:

  • Product information sheet

  • Safety Data Sheets (SDS)

  • Proposed label artwork

  • Full formula disclosure

  • Toxicological data (as needed)

Imports:Foreign manufacturers must work with a Philippine-registered importer holding a valid License to Operate (LTO).The country does not recognize an “authorized representative” model.

2. Labeling Requirements

Labels must conform to HUHS-specific guidelines:

• Language: English and/or Filipino

• Mandatory content:

  • Product name

  • Net content (weight/volume)

  • Usage instructions

  • Cautionary statements and warnings

  • Manufacturer/importer name and address

• Compliance with AO 2019-001 on detergent labeling is required

Claims must be truthful, non-misleading, and substantiated.

3. Technical Documentation

Required documents for regulatory review:

• Full formulation breakdown (with percentage of each ingredient)

• Label and packaging design mockups

• Safety Data Sheets (SDS)

• Toxicology data for ingredients flagged as hazardous (if applicable)

4. Legal Representation

• Only Philippine-registered entities with an FDA-issued LTO can submit applications.

• These local importers act as the legal Marketing Authorization Holder (MAH) and are responsible for:

  • Product compliance

  • Labeling accuracy

  • Recalls (if necessary)

Approval Timelines

Certificate Type

Application Purpose

Typical Timeline

CPN (Certificate of Product Notification)

For standard detergent products

1–2 months

CPR (Certificate of Product Registration)

Required for products with disinfectant/biocidal claims

3–6 months

Regional Data Reusability

Regulatory data prepared for HUHS registration in the Philippines can often be adapted for use in:

• ASEAN countries (e.g., Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia) under their own HUHS/biocide frameworks

• Vietnam – For household chemical product registration

• Singapore – Especially for low-risk consumer chemical products

• South Korea – May serve as supporting data for K-BPR applications (subject to local evaluation)

Conclusion

The Philippine detergent sector offers high growth potential, but market success hinges on strict compliance with HUHS regulations.

Companies that take early action on:

• Product classification

• Technical dossier preparation

• Label compliance

• Local importer partnerships

...can accelerate approvals, minimize compliance risks, and build sustainable market presence.

How Freyr Can Help

Freyr offers full-spectrum regulatory support for detergent manufacturers and importers navigating the Philippine market.

Our Services Include:

• ✅ Regulatory Strategy & Product Classification

• 🧪 Dossier Preparation (SDS, formula, toxicology)

• 📝 CPN/CPR Filing via ePortal

• 🏷️ Label and Claims Compliance Review

• 🌐 Translation and Localization

• 🔍 Importer Identification & LTO Support

• 📢 Post-market Monitoring

With Freyr as your regulatory partner, you can streamline market entry, ensure regulatory compliance, and unlock growth potential—not just in the Philippines, but across the Southeast Asian region.