A one-day information campaign organized by the Philippine Association of Black Iron and Galvanized Iron Pipes and Tubes Manufacturers, Inc. (BI-GI) was held in Davao City on 21 June 2023. The DTI-Consumer Protection Group (CPG) served as resource speakers and discussed the technical regulations covering steel pipes including its recently issued supplementary guidelines. 

Themed “Promoting the New Standards for Steel Pipes,” the  Bureau of Philippine Standards (BPS) Director Neil Catajay and Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau (FTEB) Director Atty. Fhillip D. Sawali, along with their dedicated teams, provided the participants with an overview of their respective mandates both of which aim to protect consumers. 

The information campaign affirms the industry’s support to the Department Administrative Order (DAO) No. 19-16, Series of 2019, or “The New Technical Regulations Concerning the Mandatory Product Certification of Steel – Black and Hot-Dipped Zinc-Coated (Galvanized) Longitudinally Welded Steel Pipes (For Ordinary Uses),” issued on 20 December 2019, responsive to the call of promoting consumer safety amidst the influx of black and galvanized steel pipes importation.  

During the said campaign, Memorandum Circular Nos. 22-08 and 22-14, Series of 2022, as supplementary guidelines to further refine DAO No. 19-16, Series of 2019,  such as the inclusion of light steel tubes were also given emphasis.  The features of DTI Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 23-07 issued on 15 June 2023, which mandates manufacturers to apply for certification from 16 December 2023 to 15 June 2024 were also highlighted. With this, the market monitoring and enforcement were set to commence on 16 June 2024. 

The activity also gave an opportunity for the participants, particularly representatives of hardware stores to raise concerns about the implementation of regulations governing the sale of steel pipes, which were addressed by the DTI-CPG. 

With the event’s success, BI-GI President Mr. Mauro Dela Rosa Arce expressed continued support to providing consumer protection initiatives.  

“As key players of the iron steel pipe industry, I implore each hardware retailer in this event to view consumers as part of your family whom you protect and give your best. Surely, this perspective will drive us toward higher regard for the technical regulations set by the mandatory product certification of steel,” BI-GI President Mr. Arce said. 

Meanwhile, CPG Undersecretary Atty. Ruth B. Castelo expressed appreciation for the iron steel pipe industry, represented by the BI-GI, which has always been a champion of consumer protection. 

“The steel pipe industry has been an active partner of the DTI in its quest to provide consumers with high-quality steel pipes. Our longstanding cooperation through the years manifests our common appreciation of these iron steel pipes as raw materials which must be of the highest standard to ensure that consumers will produce the most durable and safest steam, water, gas, and air lines, and steel frame structures” Usec Castelo underscored. 

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–Bureau of Philippine Standards (DTI-BPS) covers 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 urges consumers to report violators of 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: 22 June 2023