The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) extended the filing of applications for renewal of Service and Repair Enterprises (SREs) pursuant to DTI Memorandum Circular No. 22-03 Series of 2022: Grant of Grace Period on the Filing of Applications for Renewal of Accreditation of Service and Repair Enterprises which was issued in 31 January 2022.

Holders of Certificates of Accreditation expiring on 31 December 2021 are granted until 31 March 2022 to file their application for the renewal accreditation. During the said period, covered SREs shall be allowed to operate under the same terms and conditions unless their Certificate of Accreditation is revoked or cancelled for any reason other than the expiration of its validity.

Accordingly, the grace period was granted by the government to ensure that SREs shall continue to operate and render their services during the implementation of the new alert levels system this pandemic.

“The law mandates the accreditation of Service and Repair Enterprises in order to protect the interest of the consumers who avail and utilize their services,” DTI-Consumer Protection Group (DTI-CPG) Undersecretary Atty. Ruth B. Castelo underscored.

“Notwithstanding the said MC, enforcement activities shall continue against SREs not covered by this MC or those operating without prior accreditation and/or those which accreditation expired on or before 31 December 2021,” said DTI-CPG Assistant Secretary and DTI-Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau (DTI-FTEB) Concurrent Director Ronnel O. Abrenica.

Thus, the DTI-FTEB and the DTI Regional Offices will continue to ensure strict compliance of the service and repair shops with the accreditation requirements by conducting regular monitoring and enforcement activities in the country.

As per Presidential Decree No. 1572 and Republic Act 7394, otherwise known as Consumer Act of the Philippines, the DTI aims to regulate SREs in order to provide adequate protection to safeguard the interest of the public against unethical, unfair, and incompetent practice of SREs and to protect reliable and competent SREs against malpractices which undermine their good name and established reputation.

For questions and clarifications regarding the filing of applications for renewal of SREs, dial 1-DTI (1-384) or email consumercare@dti.gov.ph. ♦

Date of Release: 22 February 2022