Standards Development Division

Standards Development Division

The Standards Development Division (SDD) is responsible for the development of relevant and science-based Philippine National Standards (PNS) for primary and postharvest agriculture and fishery (AF) products (including organic agriculture and Halal) and machinery. These PNS are developed through Technical Working Groups (TWG) specifically created for such purpose and in consultation with relevant stakeholders. The SDD is also responsible for the harmonization or alignment of the PNS with regional (e.g., ASEAN and APEC) and international standards (e.g., Codex, ISO, IFOAM, etc.), consistent with the Philippines’ obligations and commitment to regional and international trade agreements and cooperation. The PNS developed by the Department of Agriculture (DA)-Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standards (BAFS)-SDD are used as a basis for the development of technical regulations and knowledge products and the conduct of learning and development activities by the DA agencies, academe/research institutions, private sector organizations, and Civil Society Organizations (CSO).

The Standards Development Division is also responsible for the harmonization or alignment of the PNS with regional (e.g. ASEAN and APEC) and international standards (e.g. Codex, ISO, IFOAM, etc.), consistent with the Philippines’ obligations and commitment to regional and international trade agreements and cooperation.

Major functions

Duties and Responsibilities

Livestock and Poultry Section
Development and harmonization/alignment of PNS with regional and international standards (including organic agriculture and Halal) covering livestock and poultry – live, fresh chilled and fresh frozen meat, and by-products from food animals (e.g., cattle, swine, goat, sheep, chicken, duck, etc.)

Crops Section
Development and harmonization/alignment of PNS with regional and international standards (including organic agriculture and Halal) covering the following:

  1. Food crops – primary and postharvest agricultural commodities consumed as food (e.g., cereals, grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes, pulses, etc.); and
  2. Non-food crops – primary and postharvest agricultural commodities not consumed as food (e.g., fiber, ornamentals, rubber, tobacco, etc.).

Fisheries Section
Development and harmonization/alignment of PNS with regional and international standards (including organic agriculture and Halal) covering live, fresh/chilled/frozen finfish, mollusks, crustaceans, echinoderms, marine mammals, and all other species of aquatic flora and fauna and all other products of aquatic living resources in any form (e.g., tuna, shrimp, seaweed, scallop, etc.)

General Food Standards Section
Development and harmonization/alignment of PNS with regional and international standards covering general principles, procedures, guidance, guidelines, and information documents applicable to the agriculture and fishery sector (e.g., Food Defense Guidance for Industry, Code of Practice for Radiation Processing of Food, Principles and Guidelines for National Food Control System, etc.)

Agriculture and Fishery Machinery Section
Development and harmonization/alignment of PNS with regional and international standards covering machinery, tools, and equipment used for the production, harvesting, primary processing, storage, manufacture, transporting, and distribution of agricultural and fishery commodities (e.g., tractors, power tillers, seeders, windmills, harvesting machine, irrigation, postharvest machines, cold storage, reefer vans, etc.).

Functional Structure