The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI Philippines) is proposing mandatory product certification for solar energy systems, as solar uptake accelerates among households, businesses, and communities.

The agency said the regulatory push is intended to reinforce safety and performance standards in line with Philippine National Standards (PNS), while tightening oversight of imported equipment entering the local market.

“As more Filipino families, businesses, and communities turn to solar power to lower electricity costs and secure a more stable energy future, it is important that the products entering the Philippine market are safe, reliable, and built to last,” DTI said in a statement.

The agency said the proposed framework is designed to ensure compliance and protect consumers from low-quality systems that may underperform or pose safety risks over time.

“This is about protecting Filipino consumers from low-quality and potentially unsafe products that may fail after only a short period of use or put homes and establishments at risk,” the statement read.

The agency added that the measure is intended to safeguard consumers against the entry of substandard imports, warning against the Philippines becoming a destination for rejected equipment from other markets.

“By upholding clear quality standards, the government seeks to give Filipinos greater confidence that the solar systems they invest in are durable, properly tested, and capable of delivering real savings over the long term,” DTI added.

The Department clarified that the proposal would rely on internationally recognized testing frameworks, with provisions to accept test reports from accredited laboratories. It also stressed that the measure does not extend to installation or mounting services.

DTI also said the initiative is part of broader efforts to support a cleaner energy transition while strengthening consumer trust in renewable technologies.

“As the country continues its transition toward cleaner and more affordable energy, ensuring the quality and safety of solar products is critical to protecting consumers, strengthening trust in renewable energy, and supporting the sustainable growth of the solar industry in the Philippines,” DTI said.

The agency is currently inviting stakeholder input, with submissions open until July 25 via email at [email protected].

 Will mandatory certification accelerate market maturity in the Philippine solar sector—or risk slowing down deployment by raising compliance barriers for suppliers and developers?

Follow Power Philippines on Facebook and LinkedIn or join our Viber community for mor news and updates on the Philippine energy sector.