DTI SEIZES UNCERTIFIED STEEL PRODUCTS IN CAVITE

THE Department of Trade and Industry (D TI ), through its Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau (FTEB), clamped down on P245,249 uncertified steel products during its technical regulation enforcement in Cavite on July 14.

Consumer Protection Group (CPG) Undersecretary Ruth B. Castelo and FTEB Officer-in-charge Assistant Director Joseph Manuel P. Pamittan spearheaded the DTI enforcement teams in visiting five hardware stores in Silang and Dasmariñas, Cavite.

The enforcement of DTI technical regulations was mandated by Philippine Standard Certification Mark Schemes, particularly Department Administrative Order No. 02, Series of 2007, which has led to the sealing of 191 uncertified lowcarbon steel wires and GI steel pipes worth P217,548; and 49 uncertified equal-leg steel angle bars worth P27,881.

The DTI issued Notices of Violation (NOV) to the non-compliant stores. Further, the enforcement teams purchased samples of uncertified products to determine if the items are compliant with the technical requirements of parameters set by the Dti-bureau of Philippine Standards (DTI-BPS) under its mandatory certification scheme or process.

Last July 11, FTEB also conducted the enforcement of technical regulations in Manila that led to the seizure and sealing of P108,000 worth of uncertified products such as inner tubes and electrical appliances.

In the first half of the year, the bureau has already confiscated 84,119 pieces of uncertified products worth P21,139,676.89.

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’S Bureau of Philippine Standards implements two Mandatory Product Certification Schemes namely the Philippine Standard (PS) Quality and/ or Safety Certification Mark Licensing Scheme and the Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) Certification Scheme.

Currently, there are 87 products and systems under the BPS’ Mandatory Product Certification Schemes, including steel products such as BI/GI steel pipes, deformed steel bars, equal-leg steel angle bars, rerolled steel bars, low-carbon steel wires, and steel wire nails.