The sob story on substandard products

Using inferior, substandard electrical products are fire accidents waiting to happen.

That fiery warning comes from the Department of Trade and Industry (DT) as Fire Prevention Month draws to a close (sad to say, it’s during summer, when the temperature rises, that the incidence of fire goes up, too). Incidentally, this year’s observance focuses on the theme: "Pamayanan: Sama-sama laban sa sunog."

To prevent fire-related accidents caused by cheaply made products (or cheap imitations), the DTI urges the public to use only home appliances and other electrical products bearing the Philippine Standard (PS) or Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) mark.

Through its product certification scheme, the Bureau of Product Standards (BPS) requires all manufacturers and importers of critical products (such as LPG cylinders, home appliances, wires and cables, fire extinguishers, safety matches, lighters, etc.) to have their products tested and inspected based on the quality and safety requirements of the Philippine National Standard (PNS), prior to sale or distribution, at the BPS Testing Center or at a BPS-accredited laboratory.

As a guide to the public, products which have passed the safety tests of the BPS have the PS mark (for locally manufactured goods) or the ICC mark (for imported products) stamped on them, according to Trade Undersecretary for Consumer Welfare Zenaida Cuison Maglaya, who must have a lot of work on her hands.

Mark her words as she elaborates, "This means these products have been tested against incidents that might lead to fire, such as short-circuiting, overheating or friction."

So, what household products must have the PS/ICC mark?

LPG cylinders, refrigerators, room air conditioners, flat irons, rice cookers, TV sets, electric fans, lighting products (for instance, compact fluorescent lamps or CFLs and self-ballasted lamps, ballasts, Christmas lights, circuit breakers, flexible cords, wires and cables, fuses, switches, fire extinguishers, safety matches, and lighters) are among the the commonly used household appliances or products that are required to have the PS or ICC mark.

To ensure that products sold on the market are safe for consumers, Maglaya points out that it is mandatory that manufacturers comply with the standards required for the aforementioned products.

Undersec Maglaya stresses, "By regulating these products, the DTI is upholding the consumers’ right to safety. At the same time, we are calling on the public to exercise their right to choose products that are safe. They don’t have to buy the most expensive brand on the shelves. As long as the product passed the standards, they can opt for the brand that fits their budget."

We can’t stress this enough: Better safe than sore that you ended up with a lemon and your money went up in smoke.

What risks do substandard products pose to consumers?

Maglaya gives us this friendly (but electrifying) warning: "Consumers must also learn to think critically whenever they buy products. Some electrical and lighting products may be sold at rock-bottom prices, sacrificing quality just to meet the demand for low prices. What’s worse, these products could overheat or cause sparks that might lead to fires. In the end, consumers end up paying more for the damage to property. Be preventive because saving a few pesos is just not worth the risk."

According to BPS Director Jesus L. Motoomull, the bureau has been undertaking wide-scale monitoring and enforcement activities throughout the country to get rid of substandard products sold on the market. As of February 2006, the BPS’ Special Monitoring Assistance to the Regional Operations Group Team (SMART) has monitored 49 establishments and collected P285,000 in administrative fines.

Likewise, Director Motoomull reminds everyone, "As consumers, we have the power to prevent or at least minimize accidents if we use products according to how they are meant to be used by following the instruction manuals. And let us avoid unsafe practices such as overloading circuits or octopus wire connections."

To mark Fire Prevention Month, DTI is holding a mini-exhibit for the whole month of March at the lobby of the DTI office in Makati. The exhibit showcases products, such as LPG cylinders, matches, lighters, compact fluorescent lamps, fire extinguishers, rice cookers and other electrical devices that comply with the safety and quality requirements of relevant standards and bear the PS and ICC marks. More, it offers fire-free tips to guide consumers in choosing and properly using the said products.

Certainly, it pays to patronize only PS and ICC-marked products on the market.

To report or file a complaint against substandard products, call the DTI consumer hotline at 751-3330; visit the i-reklamo website at www.i-reklamo.ph; send e-mail to cwd-btrcp@dti.dti.gov.ph; text DTI<space>(REKLAMO) to 2920 for Globe and Smart subscribers. Visit DTI at 361 Sen. Gil Puyat Ave., Makati City.

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