DTI enforcement unit seizes ₧418,578 worth of uncertified products in Manila, Bulacan
THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said it has seized P418,578 worth of uncertified products including electric fans and electric rice cookers in its recent enforcement operation in Manila.
On December 16, the DTI-FAIR Trade Enforcement Bureau (FTEB) spearheaded by Consumer Protection Group (CPG) Undersecretary Ruth B. Castelo, conducted monitoring and enforcement operations to inspect retail firms within the Manila area.
According to the trade department, the heightened enforcement resulted in the confiscation of 650 pieces of uncertified products, including 67 pieces of self-ballasted LED bulbs; 144 pieces of lavatories and water closets and 39 pieces of electric fans, electric rice cookers, electric food mixers and induction cookers.
“The DTI’S intensified enforcement operation is to ensure that household appliances and other consumer products in the market have undergone and met safety standards,” Castelo said.
Castelo, however, explained that DTI’S enforcement initiative is not to restrict business transactions. Instead, it “safeguards” product quality that guarantees market competitiveness and consumer safety.
The agency said all nine firms inspected were issued a notice of violation (NOV). With this, as part of the due process, the representative of the stores was given 48 hours to provide an explanation related to the findings of noncompliance.
For her part, CPG Assistant Secretary Ann Claire C. Cabochan led the monitoring and enforcement teams in inspecting 23 retail firms within Bulacan last November 18.
Through the enforcement conducted, DTI said it tracked assorted products that did not go through Mandatory Product Certification Schemes implemented by the Dti-bureau of Philippine Standards (DTIBPS), as they do not have the Philippine Standard Quality and/ or Safety Certification Mark and the Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) Certification.
DTI said it confiscated P457,188 worth of “nonconforming” products. These products include 11 roles of Pipes (PE) for potable water supply; 42 rolls of low carbon steel wires; 697 pieces of motorcycle helmets; induction cookers; monobloc chairs or stools; electric blenders; electric grills; microwave ovens, extension cord sets; Edison screw lamp holders; GI steel pipes and fire extinguishers.
Out of the 23 firms inspected in the province of Bulacan, four non-compliant firms were NOVS, mandating them to explain within 48 hours from the receipt of the notice.
The standards arm of DTI regulates 87 products and systems by implementing the Mandatory Product Certification Schemes 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.
Meanwhile, Cabochan, along with the agency’s price monitoring teams, also inspected five supermarkets in Bulacan to check their compliance with the latest Suggested Retail Price (SRP) bulletin, released last August 12.
Out of the five supermarkets, the DTI said three are compliant; while two received letters of inquiry (LOI) for selling basic necessities and prime commodities (BNPCS) priced above their SRP.