AUTHORITIES have warned the management of shopping malls and stores that they could face penalties and pay a maximum of P5 million in fines if found to have been selling substandard Christmas lights.
The Cagayan de Oro City Price Coordinating Council (CPCC) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Northern Mindanao have now heightened their monitoring to ensure establishments only sell decorative lights with Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) and Philippine Standard (PS) markings.
On Wednesday, November 27, the team started its annual surprise inspection in three establishments in the city with minor violations.
Lawyer Edgardo Uy, CPCC chairperson, said one establishment did not properly place the ICC or PS markings in its Christmas lights products, while a number of products in another establishment are not properly packaged.
Uy assured mall and store owners that they will be accorded due process before facing penalties.
But if found to have violated the law, the DTI and CPCC will confiscate the items and fine the establishment of up to P5 million, depending on the store's capital.
Uy noted, however, that unlike in the previous years, the number of substandard Christmas lights confiscated by the team has declined. Last year, the DTI collected about P52,000 from violations.
Meanwhile, DTI and city officials reminded customers anew to also educate themselves and purchase only certified Christmas lights for their safety.
Under the DTI-BPS (Bureau of Product Standards) Product Certification Scheme that is based on the Department Administrative Orders 04:2008 and 05:2008, consumers are urged to look for proper markings and labeling on the packaging of the Christmas lights. These labels include supplier's or distributors name, address and trademark; rated voltage and rated wattage of the set; rated voltage and rated wattage of the lamp; the words, 'For indoor use only'; the number of standard used - PNS 189:2000; country of origin; and the ICC mark in hologram format and or PS mark.
Manufacturers and importers shall secure an ICC or PS license prior to the sale and distribution of their products in the market. When a manufacturer or importer complies with the process and product requirements, only then that BPS issues the ICC or PS mark for the sale of the product.