THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is adopting a global safety standard for portable power banks that will serve as the Philippine National Standard (PNS) by August 2025.
In particular, the DTI is adopting the UL 2056 standard of the US-based global safety organization UL Standards & Engagement.
UL 2056 standard covers the design, construction, and testing of power banks to minimize fire and electrical risks. This will be the formal benchmark for manufacturers to ensure consumer safety.
The move is part of an effort to curb rising global battery-related incidents in portable power banks. It aims to establish the relevant international standard as the national guideline.
Still, the DTI said compliance is voluntary. However, the agency “strongly encourages” the industry to align their products with this updated safety framework.
“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,” Trade Secretary Cristina Roque said.
Roque said proactive steps were needed “to prevent such accidents from happening in the first place.”
She added that the push for higher industry standards is aligned with the “Bagong Pilipinas” goal of developing future-ready industries.
“We are committed to advancing the battery sector by strengthening local manufacturing, and fostering strategic partnerships that prioritize innovation, safety, and consumer protection,” Roque said. (Ronnel W. Domingo © Philippine Daily Inquirer)
