THE Department of Trade and Industry’s Bureau of Philippine Standards (DTI-BPS) ensures the public that the Department Administrative Orders (DAO) on the issuance of the Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) on products under the mandatory certification of the BPS facilitates the ease in doing business without compromising consumer safety.
In a court decision on November 10, 2017, the Makati Regional Trial court declares DAO 05:2008 or The New Rules and Regulations Concerning the Issuance of Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) under the Product Certification Scheme of the BPS and, DAO 15-01 or the Measure to Facilitate the Issuance of the Import Commodity Clearance ultra vires or has no force of effect.
The DAO 05:2008 prescribes the rules and regulations on the issuance of the ICC to import shipments covered the BPS product certification scheme while DAO 15-01 facilitates faster processing of the Import Commodity Clearance applications.
BPS Director-in-Charge Engr. James E. Empeño explains, “The DTI-BPS maintains a status quo on implementing its product certification scheme on imported products to ensure that only safe and quality steel products are sold and distributed in the Philippine market. The Bureau emphasizes that imported steel products are still subjected to the requirements of the relevant standards and must pass the various mechanical, chemical and physical tests.”
DTI-Consumer Protection Group (DTI-CPG) Assistant Secretary Atty. Ernesto V. Perez clarifies, “The court’s ruling is not yet final and executory as the department has filed a motion for reconsideration to the Makati Regional Trial Court. Therefore, manufacturers and importers are still advised to follow the existing department administrative orders on the issuance of the import commodity clearance.”
“The department has been transparent with the implementation of its certification system to create a balance between the industries and the safety of our consumers,” DTI-CPG Undersecretary Atty. Ruth B. Castelo emphasized.
For more information on DAO 05:2008: 2017 and DAO 15-01:2015, call BPS at (02) 751.4720/ 751.4708., or send an email to bps@dti.gov.ph. Copies of the said DAOs are available at www.bps.gov.ph. (PR)