The ‘Green Choice’ eco-logo

Q. Carmela Moncada of Ilocos Sur writes: "Many of our manufacturers and distributors claim that their products are environment-friendly. Are we supposed to believe them? How do we know that they are indeed telling the truth? Is there some sort of proof that we should look for? Does the government require it?

A. The environmental claims that a consumer reads on products found in the market today are mostly self-declarations. Examples of these are "organically grown", "energy-efficient", "ozone friendly" and "recycled content".

The Philippine Ecolabeling Program Board, led by DTI’s Bureau of Product Standards, has recently developed the "Green Choice" logo as the national ecolabel. To acquire this certification, manufacturers and distributors must pass the criteria set for each product.

Synthetic detergent and tissue paper are on the top of the priority products list of the ELP Board that should bear the "Green Choice" logo. Next in line are batteries and plastic packaging materials.

Consumers are encouraged to buy products that have indications of being environmentally sound.

From the archives, here’s a case of the defective burner.

In 1991, Gottard Sison filed a case with DTI-NCR against Sanyo Phils., Inc. He claimed that the mechanical defect on his single burner gas stove almost burned his house down.

Initially, a mediation hearing was conducted at the DTI-NCR. However, it failed and the case was elevated to the DTI-Office of Legal Affairs for adjudication.

The Director of Legal Affairs ruled in favor of Sanyo, saying it was not the defective gas stove that caused the house fire.

Mr. Sison then filed the case with the Office of the President. It was dismissed on Jan. 24, 2003 although Sanyo was ordered to replace Mr. Sison’s one-burner with a two-burner gas stove without payment for the difference in price. (By that time, Sanyo had already stopped production of single burner gas stoves).

Republic Act 7394 or the Consumer Act of the Philippines provides relief to a consumer who has bought a defective product. Chapter V, Article 97 (which discusses the liability for defective products) states that "any manufacturer/producer shall be liable for redress, independently of fault, for damages caused to consumers by defects resulting from design, construction, assembly in the use and hazard thereof."

DTI Advisory: Beware of text messages that bring good tidings.

It has been observed that there is a proliferation of text messages sent to cellular phones, informing subscribers that they have won prizes in a raffle draw. These text messages claim that the cellular phone number of the subscriber was drawn at random.

This type of raffle/sales promotion does not have any approval from DTI. Winners of any DTI-approved sales promotions are not notified through text messages.

According to the Consumer Act and its implementing rules and regulations, winners of prizes that amount to more than P500 must be notified in writing, by registered mail or any other form of communication where proof of notice or service of said notification can be verified. For prizes below P500, the names of winners are either announced or published in the same manner that the sales promotion campaign was announced.

(You may send your consumer complaints and comments to the Bureau of Trade Regulation and Consumer Protection, DTI-Domestic Bldg., 361 Sen. Gil Puyat Ave., Makati City. You may also call us at our consumer hotlines 896-5740 or 890-4938. Our e-mail address is www.e-reklamo.net.ph)