PPCAI and Industry Leaders Meet with DOH to Discuss Concerns Over Administrative Order No. 2024-0008

Manila, Philippines — In a significant dialogue between industry leaders and government regulators, key stakeholders from the Philippine Paint and Coatings Association, Inc. (PPCAI) and allied organizations met with Atty. Vida Aquino, Head Executive Assistant to Health Secretary Ted Herbosa, at the Department of Health (DOH) Main Office in Manila. The extensive discussion centered on the implementation of Administrative Order (AO) No. 2024-0008, issued by the DOH through the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which seeks to regulate establishments engaged in refilling activities for certain cosmetic and Household/Urban Hazardous Substances (HUHS) products.

Leading the delegation was PPCAI President Reggie Yu, joined by HUHS Task Force Chair Diosdado Cheng, SPIK President Gretchen Fontejon-Enarle, and SPIK Director Jose Racquel Santos. They were also accompanied by Charles Jefferson Sy, Immediate Past President of the Philippine Stationers Association, Inc. (PSAI), as well as representatives from the Department of Trade and Industry-Board of Investments (DTI-BOI), Director Roni Buluran and Geraldine Buela.

The delegation underscored several pressing issues regarding AO No. 2024-0008, including:

1. Regulatory Redundancy – Industry leaders expressed concerns about the overlap of existing regulations, emphasizing that certain provisions in the new administrative order appear to duplicate compliance requirements already covered under other regulatory frameworks.

2. Impractical Provisions – The group highlighted that some provisions, particularly those related to refilling activities, impose operational challenges on businesses. They argued that certain regulatory requirements could be too stringent, making compliance burdensome for small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

3. Removal of Paint and Coatings from the HUHS List – One of the major proposals put forth by the team was the exclusion of paint and coatings from the list of HUHS products covered under the administrative order. Industry experts pointed out that these products already adhere to strict safety and labeling standards, making additional regulatory oversight unnecessary.

Atty. Aquino welcomed the industry representatives and dedicated her entire afternoon to listening to their concerns. She acknowledged the importance of striking a balance between consumer protection, environmental safety, and industry sustainability. She assured the delegation that their recommendations and grievances would be brought directly to Health Secretary Ted Herbosa when they meet next week.

"We understand the industry's concerns, and we appreciate the effort that key stakeholders have put into ensuring that regulatory measures remain practical and effective," Atty. Aquino stated. "We will relay these points to Secretary Herbosa and work towards a fair and balanced approach."

The meeting marks an important step in fostering government-industry collaboration to ensure that regulatory policies remain practical, efficient, and aligned with global standards. PPCAI President Reggie Yu emphasized the importance of continued engagement with regulators.

"We are grateful to Atty. Aquino and the DOH for taking the time to hear our concerns," Yu said. "Our goal is not to resist regulation, but to ensure that it is clear, reasonable, and does not unduly burden businesses that are already compliant with stringent industry standards."

With Secretary Herbosa set to review these concerns in the coming week, industry leaders remain hopeful that meaningful adjustments will be made to AO No. 2024-0008 to better reflect the realities of businesses while still upholding public health and safety.

The dialogue between the PPCAI, SPIK, PSAI, DTI-BOI, and the DOH represents a constructive engagement aimed at refining regulatory policies to be more industry-responsive and practical. As discussions continue, stakeholders remain optimistic that their voices will be heard, and that regulatory decisions will be grounded in both science and industry realities.

With Atty. Aquino's commitment to elevating these concerns to the highest levels of the Department of Health, the industry eagerly anticipates a favorable resolution that ensures compliance without stifling economic growth. 🖌️🖌️🖌️