Monday, September 08, 2008 DTI advises public to buy certified Christmas decors By Bong P. Garcia
AN OFFICIAL of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) called on the buying public to be vigilant when buying electrical decorations for the Christmas season.
DTI Provincial Director Rolando Acuña made the call, pointing out that government offices and the buying public must see to it that the products are certified.
Acuña said the Christmas lights that the public must buy should bear the Philippine Standard (PS) or Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) marks.
The category of electrical products under which Christmas lights belong is covered by Mandatory Product Certification, PNS 189:2000, according to Acuña.
The minimum wire thickness for Christmas lights should be 0.2 millimeter (mm).
Acuña advised the buying public to look into the following: manufacturer or importer's name and address; rated voltage; trademark; suggested usage (whether for indoor or outdoor use); PS or ICC markings either in a form of sticker or embossed onto the product packaging; and when necessary, DTI-issued certificate.
He said the ICC marks are printed on stickers and not pre-printed on the packaging and the marks must bear the unique serial number issued by the Bureau of Product Standards (BPS) on a per shipment or batch basis, or importer's name for easier tracing.
He warned that retailers, distributors, and importers found selling uncertified products under the BPS mandatory certification scheme may be fined from P25,000 to P300,000.
