The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), through its enforcement arm, sealed uncertified products, including household appliances, lighting devices and ceramic products worth P482,121 during its enforcement operation in Quezon City last week.
DTI-Consumer Protection Group (CPG) Undersecretary Ruth B. Castelo and Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau (FTEB) Officer-in-Charge Assistant Director Joseph Manuel P. Pamittan led the trade department’s enforcement teams in inspecting 19 retail firms in Balintawak, Quezon City.
According to DTI, its enforcement arm was able to confiscate 2,152 units of assorted consumer products particularly sanitary wares, electric kettles, electric grills, electric fans, washing machines, and self-ballasted LED lamps, incandescent lamps and ceramic tiles.
Consequently, the enforcement bureau said seven non-compliant firms were issued with a Notice of Violation (NOV), mandating them to explain within 48 hours from the receipt of the notice.
Castelo stressed that the uncertified household appliances team confiscated “translate to risks and hazards” the moment they reach the homes of Filipino families.
“Thus, as long as we find these items in the Philippine market, regardless of their number or value, we will continue our enforcement operations,” Castelo said.
The agency said it is boosting its enforcement activities to push conformance to the Philippine National Standards (PNS).
According to the website of the Bureau of Philippine Standards (BPS), part of its mandate, as provided in the Consumer Act of the Philippines, is to protect consumers against hazards to health and safety as well as to assure the public of the consistency of standardized products in the market.
Further, to carry out its mandate, the BPS said it provides for the standardization and certification of products, both locally manufactured and imported ones, giving the consumers access to quality and safe products compliant to PNS.
According to BPS, it currently implements two Mandatory Product Certification Schemes: the PS Quality and/or Safety Certification Mark Licensing Scheme and the Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) Certification Scheme.
Product categories under mandatory certification by the standards arm of the agency are household appliances; plastic pipes and ceramic products; consumer electronics; lighting and wiring devices; steel products; cement and other construction materials; chemical products; automotive-related products; and other consumer products.
The DTI-FTEB also conducts operations in regions outside the metropolis to expand its advocacy on consumer protection and education.
Its most recent regional enforcement operation was held in Sta. Maria, Bulacan, as the enforcement arm of DTI inspected fireworks establishments.