Consumers’

Dangers of Substandard Automotive Battery

• Use of substandard materials, poor workmanship or

lack of instructions/warning labels may cause Don’t forget to look for the
explosion of automotive batteries.
• Improper sealing of plastic parts or use of
substandard plastics may cause acid leaks.
PS and ICC marks Guide
• Use of substandard and/or inadequate materials
may lead to short life or premature failure of
for safe and reliable Consumers’ Guide
batteries. automotive battery.
Proper Ways of Maintaining a Battery PRODUCT QUALITY
• Use the right electrolyte battery solution for new AND SAFETY
dry batteries. For topping up purposes, use
distilled water. An increased concentration of acid
may shorten the life of lead acid batteries.
• Always keep the battery and its cables/terminal
connectors clean and tight.
• Maintain battery acid level. Do not overfill battery
cells.
• Check your battery at least once a month, more ICC No. XXXX/ MMYY
often if you have a battery older than six months.
Have your battery checked by qualified technicians PS mark ICC mark
every two to four months to ensure optimum
performance and life.

Proper Ways of Disposing Used Lead Acid Batteries

• Bring your used lead acid batteries to any

authorized recycling center or government-
accredited lead smelter.
Ex: Philippine Recyclers Inc., located in No. 2, Bo.
Patubig, Marilao, Bulacan.
• Participate in recycling or collection events.
• Trade-in your used lead acid batteries when you BUREAU OF PRODUCT STANDARDS
purchase a new one. Department of Trade and Industry
• Keep the used lead acid battery intact. DO NOT
3F Trade and Industry Bldg.,

Automotive Battery
empty the battery acid. 361 Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue, Makati City
Telephone numbers: (632) 751.4740, 751.4736
Facsimile number: (632) 751.4748
Email address: bps@dti.gov.ph
Website: www.bps.dti.gov.ph

Printed May 2008

 Automotive Battery
Product Types
• An automotive lead acid storage battery is a device
that stores chemical energy for later release as
electricity.
• It is the main source of current for the starting,
lighting, and ignition systems in passenger
automobiles, trucks, buses, motorcycles, and
scooters.
• There are three types of automotive batteries:
§ Dry charged - intended for storage in dry or
charged condition within time limits. It functions
satisfactorily after filling with electrolyte even
without initial charge.
§ Maintenance-free - can operate effectively during
its lifetime with minimal terminal corrosion and
without regular topping off with distilled water.
§ Wet charged - intended for immediate use for it is
filled with electrolyte and fully charged. It
requires regular topping off with distilled water.
Product for Mandatory Certification
• Automotive lead acid storage batteries are
regulated by the Department of Trade and
Industry (DTI).
• Manufacturers and importers of automotive
batteries should apply for a Philippine Standard
(PS) license and Import Commodity Clearance
(ICC) certificate, respectively, before the proucts
are distributed and sold.
• The DTI - Bureau of Product Standards (BPS)
acquires a sample of the automotive battery for
inspection and testing based on the Philippine
National Standard (PNS) 06:1987.
Product with the PS or ICC Mark
• Only manufacturers and importers whose
products passed the PNS requirements will be
issued with the PS license and ICC certificate by
the DTI-BPS.
• Only manufacturers and importers with valid
licenses and certificates are allowed to use the
PS and ICC marks on their products.
Product Parts
§ Cover – made of hard rubber, plastic or other • Each shipping container shall be labeled with the
suitable materials equipped with a vent opening following information:
fitted to close the top of the battery § The word “Product of the Philippines”
§ Lead Acid Cell - a cell fitted with plates in which § Name/Brand of product
the component materials are as follows: § Size and quantity contained therein
a. Electrolytes - dilute sulfuric acid which § Name and address of the manufacturer/supplier
reacts with the active materials of the battery § Gross and net weights
b. Separators - made of non-conductive material • Bottles/containers of electrolyte shall bear the
placed between plates of opposite charges/ phrase “Poisonous” or “Not for Human
polarities but freely permits electrolyte flow Consumption”
c. Positive Plates - lead dioxide • PS or ICC mark
d. Negative Plates - spongy lead
§ Container – made of non-absorbent acid-resisting Product Visual Inspection
material that holds the components of the
battery • The DTI-BPS enjoins the consumers to scrutinize
§ Terminal Post – lead alloy post that projects above the automotive battery they buy for product
the lid of the cell of the battery and from which reliability and safety.
connection is made to the external circuit • An automotive battery shall be marked as shown
in the example below:
Negative
plate Cover size and type PS mark
Positive Electrolyte
plate
Cell
Terminal
Post
Container
Separators
Product Labels Based on PNS 06:1987
The following are the required markings on the
automotive lead acid storage battery based on the
PNS 06:1987:
• Each battery shall be labeled with:
§ Trademark or trade name of the manufacturer
§ Coded date of manufacture
§ Type of battery
§ The word “Rebuilt” if battery is rebuilt