Permits for hazardous products extended
Companies that make, sell, or distribute household and urban hazardous products can continue using their existing permits, with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) extending their validity until further notice.
Bureau of Customs Memorandum Circular No. 95-2025, signed by Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio on May 8, states that port personnel were instructed to accept expired licenses to operate for household and urban hazardous substances (HUHS) as long as importers meet certain documentary requirements.
The move is meant to avoid disruptions in shipments while the FDA addresses delays in its planned digital overhaul.
The order came following a request from the FDA’s Center for Cosmetics and Household/Urban Hazardous Substances Regulation and Research (CCHUHSRR), which cited technical delays in the rollout of its online renewal system.
The Center explained that “due to unforeseen circumstances, there has been a delay in the implementation of the online application platform” for the renewal of the LTOs.
“As such, the interim guidelines outlined in FDA Advisory No. 2024-1660 will remain in effect until further notice,” the CCHUHSRR continued in its written request dated April 2, 2025.
The FDA had earlier committed to moving HUHS licensing onto its eServices Portal System within the first quarter of 2025, under Advisory No. 2024-1660 issued in December 2024.
Once operational, the system was supposed to centralize all applications for the issuance of licenses.
However, with the platform still offline, the agency sought help from the BOC to ensure continued release of HUHS imports.
