The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), through its Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau (FTEB), lodged consecutive enforcement operations against over P2M worth of uncertified products seized from retail firms in Pampanga.
Consumer Protection Group (CPG) Undersecretary Atty. Ruth B. Castelo and FTEB Officer-In-Charge (OIC) Assistant Director Atty. Joseph Manuel P. Pamittan led the enforcement teams in setting forth the heightened operations in Pampanga last September 29, 2022. The teams inspected firms in Angeles City, San Simon, Arayat, Mabalacat, and Mexico; and cracked down 3,202 pieces of uncertified self-ballasted LED lamps, single-capped fluorescent lamps, ceramic plumbing fixtures (sanitary wares), pipes (uPVC) for potable water supply, uPVC rigid electrical conduit, low carbon steel wires, equal-Leg steel angle bars, GI steel pipes, rerolled steel bars, extension cord sets, monobloc chairs, electric blenders, snap switches, and tires for automotive vehicles worth P917,607.00.
Consumer Protection Group (CPG) Undersecretary Atty. Ruth B. Castelo and FTEB Officer-In-Charge (OIC) Assistant Director Atty. Joseph Manuel Pamittan inspecting GI steel pipes from a firm in Pampanga, 29 September 2022.
Building from the successful kick-off, the DTI enforcement teams scanned San Simon, Minalin, Apalit, San Fernando, and Mexico, 11 October; where DTI cracked down 2,963 pieces of uncertified products worth P1,222,607.00. The sealed products include tires for automotive vehicles, low carbon steel wires, pipes (uPVC) for potable water supply, deformed steel bars, low carbon steel wires, ceramic plumbing fixtures (sanitary wares), tires for automotive vehicles, and PVC electrical tapes.
Consumer Protection Group (CPG) Undersecretary Atty. Ruth B. Castelo conducts indicative tests on rerolled steel bars from a firm in Pampanga, 11 October 2022.
Out of the 28 firms inspected in the province, 21 non-compliant firms were issued Notices of Violation (NOVs), mandating them to explain within 48 hours from the receipt of the notice.
The nationwide campaign of DTI against uncertified items in the market underscores the enforcement of DTI technical regulations mandating compliance with Philippine Standard Certification Mark Schemes, particularly Department Administrative Order No. 02, Series of 2007.
“The DTI upholds consumer protection not only by ensuring that only certified products are being sold in the market but also by educating consumers and businesses on the mandatory certification that they have to observe and comply with,” said Usec. Castelo.
Usec. Castelo underscored that the DTI enforcement teams, along with the enforcement teams of its provincial and regional offices, regularly go out to check products under the mandatory certification as part of their function.
From January to October 2022, DTI has already sealed 126,934 pieces of non-conforming products with retail value of Php37,305,680.32.
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 87 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 enjoins consumers to report retailers, distributors, and manufacturers that sell uncertified items, through the Consumer Care Hotline at DTI (1-384) or consumercare@dti.gov.ph.♦
Date of Release: 24 October 2022
