Over sixty individuals representing hardware stores, construction firms and local government units (LGUs) have attended the Standardization and Conformity Assessment Briefing conducted by the Department of Trade and Industry – Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau (DTI-FTEB).

Held in Kelsey’s Café on 30 August 2017, the said briefing aims to educate hardware stores, construction firms and the local government on the value of standards and the importance of complying with the requirements of mandatory products as provided by law.

With the incoming rehabilitation of Marawi City after the siege, designated government agencies must ensure that mandatory construction supplies on sale are duly certified by the Bureau of Philippine Standards (BPS) and that winning Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB)-accredited contractors shall purchase and utilize these BPS-certified products.

On one hand, the local government units (LGUs) as well, particularly the purchasing personnel shall make sure that technical specifications of the mandatory construction materials must comply with the Philippine National Standards (PNS) requirements.

And in order to give fair treatment to establishments selling mandatory products, it is but appropriate for the concerned government agency to inform them on the value of standardization and why should they conform to the requirements of the mandatory product set by the legally accepted standard prior to the conduct of enforcement activity.

Pursuant to DAO 02:2007, Defining the Responsibilities and Liabilities of Manufacturers, Importers, Traders, Wholesalers, Distributors, Retailers, Service Providers and or their Agents, with Regard to Products/Services Covered by Philippine Standard Certification Mark Schemes, it is also fitting for the business owners to be reminded once again about their responsibilities and liabilities.

The Standardization and Conformity Assessment Briefing also hopes that no confiscations will be made nor sanction to wholesalers / retailers during enforcement and that mutual understanding between the enforcers and the establishment prevail.