DTI starts campaign against sub-standard automotive parts

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has started its campaign to crack down on the proliferation of substandard automotive parts and components in the local market.

Through its Special Monitoring Assistance to the Regional Operation Group Team (SMART), the DTI made the rounds in Banawe, Quezon City - a popular area for trading auto parts and accessories - and found four establishments selling uncertified motor vehicle parts.

From the four establishments, SMART seized a total of 13 pieces of uncertified imported automotive safety glass (FRR standard for Isuzu), eight units of uncertified lead storage batteries (brand name: Napa), six sets of uncertified imported safety belt (brand names: Auto Friend and Auto Freind) and two uncertified bottles of brake fluid (brand name: Pitt Penn).

Jesus L. Motoomull, director of the DTI’s Bureau of Product Standards (BPS) said the uncertified automotive parts did not undergo proper testing based on the requirements of the Philippine National Standard (PNS), thus lacking assurance of safety and quality performance.

"These establishments are now facing administrative charges under Republic Act 4109 or the Product Standards Law and have been issued notices of mediation meeting," Motoomull said.

He added that in order to protect motorists and consumers from defective automotive spare parts, the bureau has declared six products for mandatory product certification: safety belts, brake fluid, safety glass, pneumatic tire, inner tube for pneumatic tire and lead acid storage batteries.

Under the BPS product certification scheme, all manufacturers and importers of these products have to subject their products to tests based on a relevant PNS at the BPS Testing Center or at any BPS-accredited or recognized laboratory prior to their sale.

Only those whose products pass the safety and quality requirements are then issued with a PS license and ICC for locally-made and imported products, respectively.

Manufacturers, distributors and retailers who fail to comply with the provisions of the DTI and are found with uncertified products are subject to administrative actions under Executive Order 913 and RA 7394.

These include a maximum fine of P300,000 per violation, without prejudice to the filling of criminal or civil actions under applicable laws.

Since Jan. 2005, the DTI-SMART has conducted monitoring and enforcement activities covering the NCR, Regions III, IV and VII.

As a result, a total of 14 establishments were found selling uncertified automotive batteries, pneumatic tires and automotive safety glass.

Eight cases have been resolved, which means that the establishments that were found selling uncertified goods have paid administrative fines and submitted their oath of undertaking to sell only products that conform to the safety and quality requirements of the PNS.