DTI proposes mandatory certification for e-bikes, batteries

The Department of Trade and Industry is proposing mandatory safety certification for electric bicycles and other light electric vehicles before they can be distributed or sold in the Philippines.

The proposal would also require separate certification for the batteries powering covered vehicles.

The Department of Trade and Industry said the rules are intended to protect consumers against electrical hazards, severe overheating, power malfunctions, and potential fires as more Filipinos use light electric vehicles for daily travel.

Under the draft technical regulation, covered vehicles and battery units must comply with applicable Philippine National Standards.

Batteries would undergo a certification process separate from that for complete vehicles to address risks specific to their electrical and energy-storage systems.

The proposed standards would cover electric bicycles, personal e-mobility devices, electrically propelled mopeds, electric motorcycles, and the batteries designed to power them.

Standalone electric vehicle supply equipment, charging stations and infrastructure, battery-swapping stations, stationary battery energy storage systems, and separate electrical parts not explicitly listed are excluded from the proposal.

Relevant subcomponents may still be tested as part of a complete light electric vehicle assembly when required by the applicable Philippine National Standard.

The DTI, through the Bureau of Philippine Standards, held a public consultation on the draft Technical Regulation Concerning the Mandatory Certification of Micromobility on Oct. 14, 2026.

The consultation took place at Seda BGC in Taguig City.

Participants included industry associations, testing and certification bodies, e-commerce platforms, local manufacturers, and other trade representatives.

DTI-BPS officials presented the proposed compliance requirements and responded to technical questions from participants.

International safety science organization UL Standards & Engagement also discussed market-safety trends and international benchmarks for batteries and electrical systems used in light electric vehicles.

The organization highlighted UL 2271 for batteries used in light electric vehicle applications.

It also discussed UL 2272 for the electrical systems of personal e-mobility devices and UL 2849 for e-bike electrical systems.

UL Standards & Engagement said these standards address risks associated with batteries, chargers, electrical components, overheating, overcharging, water exposure, vibration, and other conditions that the devices may encounter during normal use.

For consumers, the proposed regulation would make compliance with applicable safety standards a requirement before covered products enter the domestic market.

The Bureau of Philippine Standards currently implements mandatory product-certification systems for locally manufactured and imported regulated products.

Products already covered by mandatory certification generally cannot be distributed in the Philippine market without the required Philippine Standard certification mark or Import Commodity Clearance sticker.

DTI-BPS said the proposed micromobility rules aim to prevent substandard electric transport products from reaching Filipino consumers.

Stakeholders, technical experts, and industry participants may submit comments and recommendations to help refine the proposed regulation.

Feedback may be filed through the 1-BPS Portal or emailed to bps@dti.gov.ph until Dec. 13, 2026.