Administrative Order No. 18 A. 1997 on Standards of Quality and Requirements for the Processing, Packaging and Labeling of Bottled Drinking Water.

This Administrative Order, consisting of 13 sections and two Annexes, pursuant to Articles 7, 17, 21 and 22 of R.A. 7394 known as the Consumer Act of Philippines, establishes the quality standards to be met for processing, packaging and labelling of bottled drinking water. In particular, it establishes that no person or establishment shall process bottled water for being put on the market without a valid license to operate, (LTO) a processing plant for bottled water from the Bureau of Food and Drugs. A licence to operate a processing plant for bottled water may be issued after applicants capability to comply with good manufacturing practice (GMP) (Section V and List of Annex "A"). All bottled drinking water shall be originated from an approved source, based on water safety inspection prepared by a qualified engineer/geologist who shall declare the integrity of the said source and safety of the catchment operations. Bottled water processing plants shall be located in areas which are free from objectionable odors, smoke, dust or other contaminants and possible flood or inundation.