Building and construction materials are among the product groups under the BPS mandatory certification schemes, and products under mandatory certification cannot be distributed in the Philippine market without the required PS or ICC marks[3]. Buyers should check for the PS mark or ICC sticker before purchase[1].
Key facts
| BPS coverage | The BPS covers 113 products under three categories, including building and construction materials[1]. |
|---|---|
| Certification schemes | The BPS implements two mandatory certification schemes: the PS Quality/Safety Certification Mark Licensing Scheme and the Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) Certification Scheme[3]. |
| Distribution rule | Locally manufactured or imported products under mandatory certification cannot be distributed in the Philippine market without the required PS or ICC marks[3]. |
| Steel products | Manufacturers and importers of steel products must obtain a PS Quality/Safety Certification Mark License or Statement of Confirmation before selling[4]. |
Which building and construction materials need a PS mark or ICC sticker?
Building and construction materials are one of three major product groups covered by the BPS Mandatory Product Certification Schemes[3]. The BPS covers 113 products under three categories: building and construction materials, electrical and electronic products, and chemicals and other consumer products[1]. Not all products require these marks; only those covered by mandatory certification requirements need them[1].
For steel products specifically, manufacturers and importers of deformed steel bars, rerolled steel bars and equal leg steel angle bars are required to apply for the PS Quality/Safety Certification Mark License and the Statement of Confirmation (SOC), respectively, before distributing their commodities to the market[4].
What is the difference between the PS mark and the ICC sticker?
The PS Quality/Safety Certification Mark License is granted to a local or foreign manufacturer whose factory and product have complied with the requirements of PNS ISO 9001 and the relevant product standard[3]. The ICC Certificate is issued to an importer whose imported products have shown conformance to relevant PNS through inspection and product testing by the BPS Testing Laboratory or a BPS-recognized testing laboratory[3].
Both schemes are mandatory for products covered by certification[3].
What documents should buyers ask suppliers for?
For steel products, the PS License No. or SOC No. must be marked on the tags attached to the bundled steel products[4]. For imported products under the ICC scheme, the ICC Certificate is issued to the importer[3].
If you are the importer, you must obtain accreditation through the Accounts Management Office (AMO) before transacting with the Bureau of Customs[2]. You must also lodge the Goods Declaration electronically via the E2M System within 15 days from discharge of the last package[2]. To check whether goods are regulated and need import permits or licenses, use the DTI's Philippine National Trade Repository (PNTR)[2].
How do buyers verify that a PS mark or ICC sticker is genuine?
Manufacturers are required to clearly emboss their BPS-approved logo on steel products for traceability and verification[4]. The BPS directory lists all approved logos for steel products[4].
The DTI has cautioned consumers against counterfeit certification marks and urged them to learn how to verify their authenticity[1].
Where can buyers find building material suppliers in the Philippines?
IndustryConnect (industryconnect.ai) is a free-to-search directory of industrial suppliers in Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines, Myanmar, Laos, Brunei and Timor-Leste. You can browse the Philippines supplier directory for building materials and construction product categories. The ASEAN supplier directories page links to supplier listings across the region.
Suppliers to contact in Philippines
- A&D construction suppliesCebu City
- A.M. Builders' DepotIloilo City
- Arpuhla Construction Supplies TradingDavao City
- AspenrockQuezon City
- Badan Building Materials CorporationPorac
- Blocks N GravelCebu City
- Boycon Construction Supply and Trading CorporationSan Pedro
- Builders Outlet Global Construct City On SaleMexico
See all building materials suppliers in Philippines →
Listed in the directory; contact suppliers directly and run your own checks before ordering.
Questions buyers ask
Do all imported building materials need an ICC sticker in the Philippines?
No. Building and construction materials are one of the product groups covered[3].
Who issues the PS mark and ICC certificate in the Philippines?
The Bureau of Philippine Standards (BPS) of the Department of Trade and Industry implements the two mandatory certification schemes[3]. The PS Quality/Safety Certification Mark License is granted to manufacturers, and the ICC Certificate is issued to importers whose products pass BPS inspection and testing[3].
What happens if building materials are sold without a PS or ICC mark in the Philippines?
Products covered by mandatory certification, whether locally manufactured or imported, are not allowed to be distributed in the Philippine market without the necessary PS or ICC marks[3]. Importers, distributors and retailers must ensure that the products they offer for sale or distribute have certification marks[1].
How does a contractor check if a steel product has the required BPS mark?
Consumers, hardware stores, construction companies and building contractors are encouraged to look for the BPS-approved logo when purchasing steel products[4].
Sources
- DTI urges consumers to check product safety marks Philippine News Agency (PNA); accessed 2026-10-31
- Guidelines on Importation – Bureau of Customs Bureau of Customs (customs.gov.ph); accessed 2026-10-31
- Product Certification Bureau of Philippine Standards (BPS), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI); accessed 2026-10-31
- Approved Logos for Steel Products Department of Trade and Industry (DTI); accessed 2026-10-31
How this article was made: it was produced with AI from the public sources listed above, and a second AI model checked every figure and claim against those sources before it was published. No person reviewed it before publishing. Spotted an error? Email [email protected] and we will correct it.