Plaridel, Bulacan—As part of the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) ongoing campaign against uncertified products and heightened enforcement efforts to safeguard product quality standards, the DTI Task Force Kalasag seized 9,428 non-compliant items, mostly household appliances, worth PHP 9.3 million during its inspection of two warehouses on 03 July 2024.
The operation, conducted in partnership with the office of Congressman Erwin Tulfo and the Business Permit and Licensing Office (BPLO) of the Municipality of Plaridel, was prompted by efforts to verify a consumer complaint.
Products seized from the first warehouse yielded a total of 656 units of unbranded and uncertified items worth PHP 638,852, which include helmets and visors, electric rice cookers, self-ballasted LED lamps, extension cord sets, and electric food mixers.
The larger haul valued at PHP 8.7 million came from the second warehouse with 8,772 units of confiscated non-compliant electric rice cookers, induction cookers, electric ovens, electric blenders, washing machines, electric fans, and electric multi-cookers.
These seized products lacked the required Philippine Standard (PS) Marks and Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) Stickers, violating Republic Act (RA) No. 4109 or the Products Standards Law and Department Administrative Order No. 02, Series of 2007 on the PS Certification Mark Scheme.
“The DTI is committed in expanding its enforcement operations, sweeping every corner of our markets nationwide to ensure that no product endangering consumer safety remains,” said DTI Secretary Fred Pascual.
Given the potential dangers, DTI Fair Trade Group Assistant Secretary Agaton Teodoro Uvero stressed that consumers must be vigilant.
“It is essential to check for verified quality and safety markings because untested household appliances pose health and safety risks to the consumers,” Asec. Uvero said.
“Such uncertified products pose a heightened risk of faulty electrical wiring, potentially leading to electrical and fire hazards. Let us not be swayed by low prices which could result in costly, if not deadly injuries,” he added.
As such, the DTI issued a notice of violation to these establishments, demanding them to explain within 48 hours upon its receipt. Failure to do so will result in the filing of a formal charge against them, for which a corresponding penalty will be recommended by the prosecutor.
Last month, a total of 9,874 non-compliant household appliances worth PHP 7.8 million were also seized during the DTI’s operations in Valenzuela City.
Since the nationwide enforcement of the DTI Task Force Kalasag in April 2024, a total of 21,829 units of non-compliant and uncertified household appliances amounting to PHP 18.1 million have already been removed from the market.
The Task Force was created by Department Order No. 24-56 to ensure that the rights of consumers and legitimate businesses are protected; that standards of safety and quality of essential consumer products are upheld; and that basic necessities and prime commodities are made available to consumers at reasonable prices especially during times of calamities, disasters, and emergencies.
In promoting consumer welfare and legitimate businesses, the DTI urges the public to report any retailers, distributors, or manufacturers selling uncertified items through the Consumer Care Hotline at DTI (1-384) or by emailing consumercare@dti.gov.ph. ♦
