DTI urges importers to comply with Import Commodity Clearance scheme

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Trade and Industry-Bureau of Product Standards (DTI-BPS) issued yesterday a warning against importers who are not complying with certification rules.

In a press statement, the DTI reminded importers of critical products covered by the mandatory certification to strictly comply with rules and regulations of the Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) scheme as stipulated in the Department Administrative Order (DAO) 5 Series of 2008.

“Based on our records, there are still importers who fail to comply with the provisions of DAO 5, particularly the terms and conditions of the Conditional Release that specifically prohibit importers to transfer, use, sell or distribute their shipments, in whole or in part, prior to the issuance of an ICC Certificate,” DTI Consumer Welfare Undersecretary Zenaida C. Maglaya said.

“Thus, we have duly notified and warned the importers who intend to apply for ICC and those with pending ICC applications to strictly conform to the rules and regulations on the issuance of ICC or be prepared to face appropriate legal actions under Republic Act 4109, Republic Act 7394 and their respective Implementing Rules and Regulations,” she added.

As stipulated in DAO 05:2008, the BPS issues a Conditional Release to an importer whose importation do not have the required test report in order to allow the temporary release of their shipments from the Bureau of Custom’s (BOC) custody. Authorized representatives of DTI-BPS, DTI Regional/ Provincial Offices, or BPS-recognized inspection bodies will inspect and randomly withdraw samples from the importer’s designated warehouse for testing.

Importers are given three working days to submit or forward the sealed and signed test samples drawn by authorized inspectors to the BPS accredited/ recognized/ designated testing laboratory. The samples submitted shall be duly acknowledged by the concerned laboratory for proper testing based on relevant Philippine National Standards (PNS).

Under the ICC Certification Scheme based on DAO 5 Series of 2008, importers of critical products such as home appliances, electrical and wiring devices, construction/building materials, and consumer and chemical products, are required to secure an ICC certificate prior to sale or distribution of their products in the market. Only importers whose products comply with the requirements of specific PNS are issued with the ICC certificate and are allowed to affix the ICC stickers in their products to guide consumers in their purchases.

“DTI regulates the sale of critical products to protect the consumers from the hazards posed by these products. The DTI Regional and Provincial Offices regularly conduct monitoring activities to check compliance of importers, distributors, and retailers with the Standards Law and more importantly to avert the proliferation of substandard imported products in the market,” Maglaya stressed.

DTI likewise urged the consumers to be vigilant and report stores selling uncertified critical products that can be detrimental to one’s safety. Consumers should only buy DTI-certified products and demand for quality products to get their money’s worth and be assured of the safety and reliability of goods purchased.