THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has warned the consumers to be watchful of substandard and uncertified Christmas lights as the Yuletide Season is fast approaching.

DTI provincial director Rolando Acuña said uncertified and substandard Christmas lights may be cheaper, but are potentially hazardous and can lead to fire, damage to properties, and loss of lives.

Acuña said the public should look for the Philippine Standard (PS) marks and Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) when they buy Christmas lights.

Acuña added that products with PS marks are locally-made, while products with ICC are those that are imported.

“Christmas lights which do not bear these product certification marks have not undergone rigorous product testing done by the DTI’s Bureau of Product Standards and are therefore potential hazards,” he said.

He also warned retailers from selling substandard and uncertified Christmas lights citing those who will be caught will be charged with violation of Republic Act No. 4109 or the Product Standards Law.

R.A. No. 4109 prohibits the distribution and sale of products under mandatory standards without ICC or PS marks.

Acuña said one of the stores was caught selling uncertified Christmas lights during this month’s monitoring and inspection done on local department stores.

He said the owner of the store will be meted with the applicable penalties under the Product Standards Law once proven to have violated the same law.

He said they will continue to regulate businesses and conduct monitoring and inspection in the coming days to ensure compliance to the Product Standards Law.