To enable a better marketplace and protect consumers from substandard products, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) intensifies its enforcement activities in various business establishments.

Recently, the DTI seized construction materials, household appliances, electrical and other consumer products from establishments in Cebu and Bohol that did not bear the Philippine Standard (PS) and Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) marks.

DTI has issued formal charges to five (5) establishments in Cebu and thirteen (13) establishments in Bohol  for violation of the Standards Law (RA 4109) and Consumer Act of the Philippines  (RA 7394).

DTI Regional Director Asteria Caberte stressed that, as stated in Republic Act No. 4109 or the Standards Law, the distribution or sale of any product that does not conform to the BPS Product Certification Scheme and required PNS quality or safety standards and tests is prohibited.

“The DTI encourages our manufacturers, importers, and distributors to sell only those critical products that passed quality and safety tests. More so, the presence of the required labeling and PS and ICC marks indicates that their products are reliable and safe for use,” RD Caberte added.

To avoid compromising consumers’ safety, Dir. Caberte affirmed that the department shall go after and will crack down establishments that will sell uncertified, inferior, or substandard products.

The department regularly checks the compliance with the relevant standards of products under mandatory certification to ensure that the Products Standards (Republic Act No. 4109) and the Consumer Act of the Philippines are strictly enforced.♦

Date of release: 5 April 2019