Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) strengthens consumer protection and improving safety in the rapidly expanding market for electric bicycles and other light electric vehicles (LEVs).
The agency is proposing mandatory compliance with Philippine National Standards (PNS) for e‑bikes, electric motorcycles, personal mobility devices, and their batteries before these products can be legally sold or distributed in the country.
Now under public consultation until December 13, the proposal demonstrates a rigorous oversight of a sector that has grown faster than existing regulations can keep up with.
In today’s times where e‑bikes have become increasingly popular among Filipino commuters seeking affordable, flexible, and environmentally friendly transport options, the surge in demand has also brought concerns about product quality, electrical hazards, overheating, and fire risks; issues that have surfaced globally as LEVs become mainstream.
DTI’s proposal aims to address these risks by ensuring that only certified, safe, and compliant products enter the Philippine market. But the implications extend far beyond consumer protection: the proposed standards could change the LEV industry, influence pricing, and redefine how cities integrate e‑mobility into their transport systems.
Proposed New Safety Rules
DTI is seeking public feedback on a draft regulation requiring electric bicycles, electrically propelled mopeds, electric motorcycles, personal e‑mobility devices, and their batteries to comply with applicable PNS before they can be sold in the Philippines.
The proposal includes a separate certification process for batteries, recognizing that battery safety is a distinct and critical component of LEV performance.
The DTI‑Bureau of Philippine Standards (BPS) emphasized that the rules aim to protect consumers from electrical hazards, overheating, power malfunctions, and potential fires; risks that have been documented in multiple markets as LEVs proliferate.
The draft regulation also seeks to filter out substandard products from the domestic market. Many low‑cost e‑bikes and electric scooters currently sold online or through informal channels do not undergo rigorous testing, raising concerns about durability, electrical stability, and long‑term safety.
To businesses, the proposed rules could introduce additional testing and certification requirements, though the cost implications remain unclear. The measure is still under consultation, with DTI inviting consumers, manufacturers, importers, and retailers to submit feedback until December 13.
E-Bikes: A Market Growing Faster than Regulation
The timing of DTI’s proposal is aligned with the rapid growth of e‑bike usage in the Philippines.
More Filipinos are biking for daily trips, with cities like Marikina, Metro Manila, and Cebu recording significant increases in cyclist numbers over the past two years. While these figures primarily reflect traditional bicycles, they also an incline toward alternative mobility modes, including e‑bikes and electric scooters.
The rise of e‑bikes is driven mainly by its offering of an affordable alternative to motorcycles and cars, especially amid rising fuel prices and persistent traffic congestion. They also provide a convenient option for short‑distance travel, last‑mile connectivity, and delivery services.
Moreover, e-bikes align with global trends toward low‑carbon mobility and urban transport diversification. However, the rapid adoption of e‑bikes has outpaced existing safety regulations.
Many imported LEVs enter the country without undergoing standardized testing, and consumers often purchase products based solely on price and convenience. This creates a market where substandard or unsafe products can proliferate, exposing users to electrical hazards, battery failures, and mechanical defects.
DTI’s proposal aims to close this regulatory gap by establishing clear safety benchmarks and requiring compliance before products reach consumers.
Battery Safety: The Core of the New Standards
One of the most significant aspects of DTI’s proposal is the separate certification process for batteries. Compliance will not end with testing the complete vehicle; batteries will undergo their own certification to ensure they meet safety requirements.
Focus on battery safety reflects global concerns as lithium‑ion batteries, commonly used in e‑bikes and electric scooters, can pose risks if poorly manufactured or improperly handled. Incidents of battery overheating, thermal runaway, and fires have been reported in multiple countries, prompting regulators to tighten standards.
DTI aims to reduce the risk of electrical hazards and ensure that only high‑quality battery systems enter the Philippine market by requiring battery certification. The approach aligns with international best practices, where battery testing is treated as a separate and critical component of LEV safety.
Higher Safety, But Potentially Higher Costs
DTI’s proposed standards offer clear benefits for consumers: safer products, reduced risk of electrical hazards, and greater confidence in the quality of e‑bikes and LEVs sold in the Philippines. However, the proposal may also lead to higher prices.
The new rules could make e‑bikes costlier, as manufacturers and importers may need to invest in testing, certification, and compliance processes. These costs could be passed on to consumers, particularly for low‑cost models that currently dominate the market.
The hurdle for policymakers is to balance safety with affordability. E‑bikes have become essential for many Filipinos, including delivery riders, students, and workers who rely on them for daily mobility.
Ensuring safety without making LEVs prohibitively expensive will require careful calibration of standards, certification fees, and enforcement mechanisms.
Businesses Now Need to Move on Compliance, Testing, and Market Restructuring
To manufacturers, importers, and retailers, the proposed standards call for preparation measures.
Businesses will need to ensure that their products comply with PNS, undergo testing, and secure certification before entering the market. This may require coordination with testing laboratories, adjustments to supply chains, and stricter quality control.
While the cost implications remain uncertain, the proposal could reshape the LEV market by filtering out substandard products and favoring manufacturers that invest in quality and compliance.
Retailers may need to adjust their product offerings, and importers may need to source from suppliers that meet Philippine standards.
In the long term, the proposal could strengthen the domestic LEV industry by encouraging higher manufacturing standards and reducing the prevalence of unsafe products.
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