THE Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) Consumer Protection Group enforcement teams have clamped down uncertified products in some key retail areas in the country.
The two-day operations in Cebu on Sept. 1-2, 2022, resulted in the crack down on 81,649 pieces of uncertified tires for automotive vehicles, G.I. steel pipes, deformed steel bars, and low carbon steel wires worth P14,776,550, according to the DTI.
After Cebu, the DTI cracked down 1,765 pieces of uncertified products worth P830,520 in its Davao del Norte operation on Sept. 15 and 16. The sealed products include self-ballasted LED lamps, PVC electrical tapes, plugs, socket outlets, snap switches, BI/GI steel pipes, low carbon steel wires, pipes (uPVC) for potable water supply, uPVC rigid electrical conduit, ceramic plumbing fixtures (sanitary wares), lead acid storage batteries, inner tubes for tires, and tires for automotive vehicles.
The operations in Malolos and Meycauayan, Bulacan last Sept. 22 also led to the sealing of 1,472 pieces of uncertified low carbon steel wires, tires for automotive vehicles, and lead acid storage batteries worth P1,626,430.
DTI said out of the 37 firms inspected, 23 non-compliant stores were issued notices of violation (NOVs), mandating them to explain within 48 hours from the receipt of the notice.
“The DTI and its provincial and regional offices are one in ensuring that only certified products are being sold in the market; hence, as part of our regular function all of our enforcement teams regularly go out to check products under the mandatory certification,” said DTI-CPG undersecretary Ruth Castelo, in a statement.
Castelo, a lawyer, reiterated that aside from upholding consumer protection, intensified enforcement operations are also a great way to educate businesses about mandatory certification that they have to comply with for a fair trading environment.
From January to August 2022, DTI has already sealed 113,825 pieces of non-conforming products with an estimated retail value of P34,345,283.98. To protect consumers or potential buyers of electrical and electronic products; mechanical or building and construction materials; and chemical and other consumer products and systems, DTI-BPS regulates 111 products and systems through implementing Mandatory Product Certification Schemes: the Philippine Standard (PS) Quality and/or Safety Certification Mark Licensing Scheme and the Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) Certification Scheme.
The DTI encouraged consumers to report retailers, distributors and manufacturers that sell necessities above their suggested retail prices.