The Board of Investments (BOI) with the Samahan sa Pilipinas ng mga Industriyang Kimika (SPIK), representing the chemical industry sector, will organize workshops with stakeholders in the first quarter of the year to develop recommendations to streamline processes for securing the different permits, licenses, and registration documents required by the various regulatory agencies. The workshop will invite members of associations under SPIK and various government agencies involved in issuing permits to the chemicals industry sector.
The streamlining of business processes is one of the hurdles to competitiveness identified in the Chemical Industry Roadmap prepared under the Industry Development Program (IDP) of the BOI. Identifying gaps and implementing programs to support competitiveness of the industry are among the tasks of the Technical Working Groups of the IDP.
“The DTI is working closely with stakeholders, relevant agencies, and the private sector to sustain partnerships which align and strongly link with our common goal to create jobs, and boost economic growth. With more than 30 industry roadmaps, our private sector partners are ” said DTI Assistant Secretary for Industry Development Rafaelita Aldaba.
The chemical industry sector is highly regulated with at least six (6) different government agencies issuing licenses and permits to chemical companies. These agencies are Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Fertilizers and Pesticides Authority (FPA), Philippine National Police - Firearms and Explosives Office (PNP-FEO), Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Environmental Management Bureau (EMB), and Bureau of Customs (BOC) .
Around 48 chemicals require a Priority Chemicals List (PCL) Certification from the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB). Six of these chemicals are covered by the Chemical Control Order (CCO). The PNP regulates around 109 chemicals while the PDEA requires a Permit to Import and License to Possess for 24 Controlled Precursors and Essential Chemicals (CPECs). The FDA requires a License to Operate and a Certificate of Product Notification for selected product categories.
The workshop will also address overlaps of required tests and documents and different regulations issued by the various agencies. Examples of these are: (1) importations of toluene, hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, potassium permanganate. These chemicals are regulated by both PNP and PDEA. The PNP and FPA both regulate the importation of nitrates.
“The recommendations of the workshop will be endorsed to the National Competitiveness Council in support of efforts to improve the Philippine ranking in global “ease of doing business” surveys,” added Aldaba.
For more information on how to participate in the workshops, contact Director Eries M. Cagatan at telephone numbers 895-3997 and email address: EMCagatan@boi.gov.ph or visit https://industrytradephilippines.com/.
Launched in 2012, the Industry Roadmaps identify vertical and horizontal issues affecting industries. To date, 30 industry roadmaps have been integrated into a broader Manufacturing Industry Roadmap.