DTI destroys P1-million seized products

MANILA, Philippines –  The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has destroyed P1 million worth of seized uncertified products to raise consumers’ awareness on safe and quality products.

DTI Consumer Welfare Undersecretary Zenaida Maglaya said the confiscated uncertified products do not bear the Philippine Standard (PS) and Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) marks. This means that these goods did not undergo the mandatory safety and quality tests of the DTI and makes the sale of these goods unlawful, she explained further.

“We wanted to make sure that these unsafe products, which were seized by DTI’s Regional and Provincial Offices during their market enforcement operations, will never be sold back to the public, thus it is necessary to have these products destroyed,” Maglaya said.

“This destruction activity is part of the Department’s campaign to rid the market from substandard products and inform the consumers on the dangers and risks of using these unsafe products,” she added.

Among the products destroyed are Christmas lights, electrical devices (outlet, switch, socket, starter, ballast, extension cord, and plug), electrical tapes, compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), fluorescent lamps, incandescent bulbs, flat irons, rice cookers, electric fans, lighters, monobloc chairs, flat glass, and G.I. wires. These uncertified products were turned over to DTI-BPS by DTI-NCR, Region IVB and Region XI.

The establishments found with these uncertified products face administrative charges for violation of Republic Act 4109, or the Standards Law, and Section 6 of Department Administrative Order (DAO) 2 Series of 2007 for the illegal distribution and sale of products covered by the mandatory product certification of DTI. They have paid the corresponding administrative fine and took an oath of undertaking to signify their strict compliance with the requirements of the standard and other related trade laws.

DTI regulates critical consumer products such as home appliances, electrical devices, construction/building materials and chemical and consumer products that greatly affect life, property, health and safety such as flat glass products.

DTI-BPS operates a Product Certification Scheme, wherein manufacturers and importers of critical products under its list of Philippine National Standards (PNS) for mandatory certification shall secure a PS License or ICC Certificate prior to the sale and distribution of products to the local market. Only those whose products have successfully complied with the PNS requirements are appropriately issued with the PS License or the ICC Certificate and are allowed to affix the PS and ICC stickers on their products or product packages to guide consumers in choosing safe and quality products.