THE DEPARTMENT of Trade and Industry (DTI) vowed on Tuesday to further step up the crackdown on the sale of uncertified products after it tracked almost P1 million worth of non-conforming products in Manila and Bulacan.
This is “to ensure that household appliances and other consumer products in the market have undergone and met safety standards,” Consumer Protection Group (CPG) Undersecretary Ruth B. Castelo said in an e-mailed statement.
The department said that it seized P418,578 worth of uncertified products in Manila on Dec. 16.
At the same time, the department said it verified the compliance of the retail firms with the latest DTI suggested retail price (SRP) bulletin in its simultaneous regulation enforcement and price and supply monitoring in Manila.
“All nine firms inspected were issued a notice of violation,” the department said.
“The heightened enforcement resulted in the confiscation of 650 pieces of uncertified products including 67 pieces of self-ballasted LED bulbs; 144 pieces of lavatories and water closets; and 39 pieces of electric fans, electric rice cookers, electric food mixers, and induction cookers,” the DTI added.
Ms. Castelo noted that the initiative is not to restrict business transactions, but to safeguard “product quality that guarantees market competitiveness and consumer safety.”
In Bulacan, the department found P457,188.60 worth of nonconforming products on Nov. 18.
It also verified the compliance of the retail firms with the latest DTI SRP bulletin.
“The DTI tracked assorted products that did not go through the mandatory product certification schemes implemented by the DTI-Bureau of Philippine Standards,” the department said in a separate e-mailed statement.
The products included pipes for potable water supply, low carbon steel wires, motorcycle helmets, induction cookers, monobloc chairs/stools, electrical appliances, GI steel pipes, and fire extinguishers, among others.
“Out of the 23 firms inspected in the province, four non-compliant firms were issued notices of violation, mandating them to explain within 48 hours from the receipt of the notice,” the department also said. — Arjay L. Balinbin