DTI to Set Power Bank Safety Rule by August 2025

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will adopt a global safety standard for portable power banks as the official Philippine National Standard (PNS) by August 2025, in a move to reduce battery-related hazards and promote consumer safety.

The updated safety benchmark, based on the international UL 2056 standard, will provide guidance for manufacturers to ensure that power banks sold in the country meet stringent safety requirements.

Though compliance with the new standard is voluntary, the DTI strongly urges local producers and importers to align their products with the protocol.

“With the growing use of power banks and the global surge of battery-related incidents… we must ensure that only safe, reliable, and high-quality power banks and batteries reach our consumers,” said Trade Secretary Cristina Roque.

Roque emphasized the urgency of taking “proactive steps to prevent such accidents from happening in the first place.”

The announcement was made during a technical forum hosted by the DTI in partnership with UL Standards & Engagement (ULSE), a global authority on safety science.

The DTI’s Bureau of Philippine Standards (DTI-BPS) organized the conference, which was attended by 88 participants, including manufacturers, regulators, and representatives from the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines and the Bureau of Fire Protection.

Experts at the event explained how the UL 2056 standard covers key safety aspects such as product design, construction integrity, and fire risk mitigation.

The standard aims to prevent incidents caused by overheating, overcharging, and electrical failures that have plagued substandard power banks globally.

Roque said the policy supports the government’s broader industrial goals under the “Bagong Pilipinas” agenda, focusing on modernization, innovation, and consumer protection.

“We are committed to advancing the battery sector by strengthening local manufacturing, and fostering strategic partnerships that prioritize innovation, safety, and consumer protection,” she said.

DTI-BPS, the national body responsible for standardization, plays a critical role in developing industry guidelines to boost product competitiveness and consumer trust.

Further details and updates can be accessed through the DTI-BPS website or by contacting bps@dti.gov.ph.