THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has warned traders selling uncertified Christmas lights.
In a bid to protect consumers, the agency has issued a list of certified Christmas lights manufacturers in time for the Yuletide season.
The list, which can be viewed at DTI Bureau of Philippines Standards (BPS) website at www.bps.dti.gov.ph, includes the Philippine Standards (PS) licenses and Import Commodity Clearances (ICC) of each manufacturer.
The PS and ICC certificates are issued to manufacturers or importers of mandatory products after they have undergone checking and inspection for product standards compliance.
Under a Memorandum issued by BPS Officer-in-Charge Neil Catajay, a total of seven PS licenses and 171 ICC Certificates were approved for selling and distribution to consumers as of September 30 this year.
DTI Central Luzon Director Judith Angeles said the agency will be strictly monitoring the sale of Christmas lights in the market to protect consumers from the hazards posed by substandard products such as electric shock and overheating that often lead to fire, property damages and even loss of lives.
She warned sellers that the DTI will penalized those who are caught selling and distributing uncertified Christmas lights under Republic Act (RA) No. 7394 or the Consumer Act of the Philippines.
Angeles said DTI personnel will be regularly conducting surprise inspection activities across the region and those who will be caught violating the law will be penalized with monetary fines and product confiscation.