DTI-BPS, battery makers ink MOA for testing laboratory

The Department of Trade and Industry’s Bureau of Product Standards (DTI-BPS) has signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Philippine Association of Battery Manufacturers Inc. (PABMA) to set up a testing laboratory for locally-manufactured and imported automotive and motorcycle batteries.

DTI-BPS Director Jesus L. Motoomull explained that the joint undertaking with PABMA is a strong move to effectively monitor the quality of imported and locally-produced automotive and motorcycle battery products and to curtail the proliferation of substandard batteries in the local market.

Motoomull said that the testing laboratory would validate test results of automotive and motorcycle batteries to protect consumers from purchasing defective products that may damage vehicles and cause untoward incidents.

Through the MOA, PABMA shall establish a testing laboratory for automotive and motorcycle batteries and other lead acid accumulators such as valve-regulated lead acid batteries (VRLA), traction batteries and others.

This testing laboratory should comply with the requirements set by the BPS Laboratory Accreditation Scheme (BPSLAS), which is based on ISO/IEC 17025 – General Requirements for Competence of Calibration and Testing Laboratories, an international guideline that sets out the basic requirements for a laboratory’s quality management system.

PABMA should operate as an impartial independent testing facility and conduct tests based on the requirements of Philippine National Standard (PNS) 06:1987 (Automotive and Motorcycle Batteries Specification) and internationally accepted standards and guides for manufacturers and importers of battery products applying for Philippine Standard (PS) License or Import Commodity Clearance (ICC).

The DTI-BPS, under the MOA, should recognize the test results that the PABMA’s testing laboratory will issue to support the Department’s need for a third party testing center on the conformance of imported and locally-manufactured automotive batteries to the requirements of PNS 06:1987 – Lead Acid storage batteries – Specification.

"We encourage the industry associations to set up an impartial testing laboratory for their products to ensure that their industry are one in ensuring protection and to assist the government in its consumer programs, as well, " Trade and Industry Secretary Juan B. Santos said.