DTI-7 confiscates uncertified Christmas lights

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI-7) yesterday announced that it has confiscated a total of 2,368 uncertified Christmas lights from eight establishments, during a monitoring and enforcement activity conducted recently in Cebu City.

“It is our responsibility to check whether Christmas lights sold in Cebu were manufactured according to standard. We coordinated with the Philippine National Police (PNP) to perform this task,” said DTI-7 regional director Asteria Caberte.

DTI-7 recently visited various commercial establishments in Cebu City that sell Christmas lights to check whether those being offered for sale bear the required identification and product markings.

“From our rounds in Cebu City, we have observed that there are still business establishments in the city which continue to sell uncertified Christmas lights or violate Department Administrative Order (DAO) 05:2008,” Caberte noted.

Under the DTI-Bureau of Product Standards (BPS) Product Certification Scheme that is based on the Department Administrative Order 05:2008: All importers of Christmas lights shall secure an International Commodity Clearance (ICC) certificate, prior to the sale and distribution of their products in the local market.

Only those whose products have successfully complied with the requirements based on the Philippine National Standard on Christmas lights (PNS 189:2000) are appropriately issued the ICC certificate and the ICC stickers should be affixed on each product covered by the specific or corresponding ICC.

Caberte underscored that certified imported Christmas lights must bear the ICC mark to assure buyers of a hazard-free holiday season.

DTI regulates the sale of Christmas lights in the local market to protect consumers from the hazards posed by uncertified and/or substandard products such as electric shock and overheating that often lead to fire, property damage, and even loss of lives.

Earlier, Caberte warned the public against fake and hazardous Christmas lights being sold in the market. She advised the public to be vigilant and immediately report to the DTI those establishments selling uncertified and substandard products.

"We also regularly inform and campaign among establishments to only sell products that have passed the set standards because this is also for them. Through this information dissemination drive, we let them know that if a violation is committed, they have to pay fines and face some charges," Caberte said. (FREEMAN)