WHEREAS, Sec. 13 of RA 9236, or œThe National Metrology Act of 2003,  strengthens and recognizes the laboratory accrediting body attached to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) as the national accrediting body;

WHEREAS, the Bureau of Product Standards of the DTI assumed the laboratory accrediting function, in addition to its standards development and certification functions.

WHEREAS, pursuant to ISO/IEC 17011:2004 which became effective on 01 January 2006, a centralized accrediting office independent from BPS needs to be created;

WHEREAS, Section 31, Chapter 10, Book III of the Administrative Code of 1987 grants the President the continuing power to reorganize the Executive Branch of government;

NOW THEREFORE, I, GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, President of the Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me, do hereby order:

SECTION 1. Pursuant to Section 13 of RA 9236, the Philippine Accreditation Office (PAO), which shall be attached to the DTI, is hereby strengthened and recognized as the national accreditation body. It shall be the central body to accredit inspection, testing and certifying bodies, and other bodies offering conformity assessment services needed by the country.

SECTION 2. The PAO Council, to be chaired by the Secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry, is hereby created to give policy advice and provide guidance to PAO. The Council shall have ten (10) members, seven (7) from the government sector and three (3) from the private sector.

The government sector shall be represented by the heads of the following departments or agencies or their authorized representatives, who must be at least an Undersecretary:

1. Department of Science and Technology
2. Department of Health
3. Department of Agriculture
4. Department of Environment and Natural Resources
5. Department of Public Works and Highways
6. Department of Energy
7. Department of National Defense

The members from the private sector shall be appointed by the President from any of following: Trade or Industry Association, Quality and Safety Foundation, Philippine Exporter ™s Confederation, Professional Association, or the Academe.

The Council is authorized to create the necessary Advisory Committees where other stakeholders are given opportunity to provide inputs in the formulation of accreditation policies.

SECTION 3. The DTI shall act as the PAO Council Secretariat. It shall ensure the immediate coordination among members of the Council and the implementation of a centralized facilitation, processing and release of accreditations.

SECTION 4. Funding requirement that will enable PAO to pursue and implement its mandate shall be included in the annual appropriations of the Department of Trade and Industry. Government entities that seek accreditation from PAO for purposes of international recognition shall provide funds for said purpose.

SECTION 5. Laboratories that have already been accredited by other government agencies shall be given one year from effective date of this Order within which to seek accreditation against applicable international standards from PAO.

SECTION 6. All executive orders, rules and regulations and other issuances or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Order are hereby revoked, amended, or modified accordingly.

SECTION 7. This Order shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in a national newspaper of general circulation.

Adopted: 18 May 2009

(SGD.) GLORIA M. ARROYO
President of the Philippines  

BY THE PRESIDENT:

(SGD.) EDUARDO R. ERMITA
Executive Secretary