DTI warns consumers anew on shoddy Christmas lights

CEBU, Philippines - As Christmas draws near with the start of the “ber” months, the Department of Trade and Industry has warned consumers against buying substandard Christmas decorations and lights.

DTI-7 director Asteria Caberte reminded consumers to only buy products, especially those using electricity, that  bear  Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) and Philippine Standard (PS) marks to ensure their reliability and safety.

Starting next month, DTI will inspect Christmas lights sold in the market. Caberte noted that substandard and uncertified products pose danger to consumers as these may overheat easily that often leads to fire and loss of properties and lives.

“Christmas lights are under mandatory standards. Don’t give yourselves inconvenience. Just comply with the mandatory standards because we are really serious with it. It involves life and limbs,” she told reporters at the Capitol yesterday.

While ICC stickers are used to determine quality and safety of products, THE FREEMAN observed that pre-printed ICC marks on the product packages are still proliferating everywhere.

 “One cue, if the product is extremely cheap, start doubting,” Caberte cautioned.

Under the DTI-Bureau of Product Standards (BPS) Product Certification Scheme pursuant to the Department Administrative Order 05:2008, all importers of Christmas lights must secure an ICC certificate prior to the sale and distribution of their products in the local market.

Only those whose products have complied with the requirements based on the Philippine National Standard on Christmas lights (PNS 189:2000) are appropriately issued with the ICC Certificate and can bear ICC stickers on their products or product packages.

ICC mark is in sticker form and has a unique serial number. Locally-made products are required to bear the Product Safety mark.— (FREEMAN)