Chemical Regulatory Updates – Latest Global Changes

Normative Instruction 32, 13 November 2025.

Distribution date: 16 October 2025

Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock – MAPA amends Normative Instruction No. 39, 8 August 2018 to include the requirement to declare the solubility of P2O5 in water for complex mineral fertilizers. The Normative Instruction No. 29, 5 September 2025 are revoke.

Products Covered: (HS 31) Mineral fertilizers.

Regulation Type: Addendum to Regular Notification

Department Circular No. ___, Series of 2025: Rules and Regulations Governing the Importation of Agricultural, Fish, Fishery/Aquatic, and its Products and By-Products, Animal Feeds, Feed Ingredients and Feed Additives; and Fertilizers, Pesticides, and Other Agricultural Chemical Products into the Philippines

Distribution date: 13 October 2025 | Final date for Comment: 12 December 2025

This Circular aims to amend the existing regulatory regime for the importation of agricultural, fish, fishery/aquatic, its products, by-products, fertilizers, pesticides, and other agricultural chemical products into the Philippines in view of recent legislative developments. The objective is to protect human, animal, and plant life from risks associated with contaminants, pests, and diseases.

Products Covered: Importation of agricultural and fishery commodities, including:Plants, plant products, and related materials capable of harboring plant pests (e.g., seeds, fresh fruits, vegetables, fibers, grains, cereals, GM plants, wood packaging materials) (HS codes: 06-15, 44);Live animals; animal products and by-products; other products of animal origin, such as embryos and semen, including egg and honey either in natural state, manufactured, or in processed form; unprocessed animal products of exotic origin such as untanned and/or untreated hide/skin/fur, and animal manure (HS codes: 01, 02, 04, 05);Animal feeds, feed ingredients, feed additives and supplements, pet food, and other feed products (HS code: 23);Meat and meat by-products either in natural state (frozen/chilled), manufactured, or in processed form such as not fully heat-treated/not fully cooked meat products (HS codes: 02, 16);Laboratory biological samples of animal or animal product (such as but not limited to blood, serum, pancreatic cells, and neuronal cells) (HS codes: 30.02, 30.04);Non-therapeutic animal feed premixes and water solubles (HS code: 23);Live/fresh/chilled/frozen fish and fishery and aquatic products including microorganisms, biomolecules, algae cultures, and rhizobial cultures as legume inoculant (HS code: 03);Fertilizer, pesticides, and other agricultural chemicals for crop protection and use in animal facilities (HS codes: 31, 38);Biological control agents (BCAs) limited to bio-rational (HS codes: 38.08, 30.02.90); and Goods referred to the DA or goods, not being listed elsewhere in this Circular, discovered by the DA at a Port of Entry and suspected of harboring regulated pests or organisms.