DTI vows to strictly monitor glass products to guarantee consumer protection
Published Aug 26, 2019 01:58 pm
By Ben Rosario
Unsafe and substandard glass products are the targets of a new Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) as it assured the public that it will strictly implement regulations to guarantee consumer protection.
DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez
(PCOO / MANILA BULLETIN) Interviewed at the sidelines of the DTI budget presentation before the House Committee on Appropriations, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said the agency will be on the lookout for glass products that could harm Filipino consumers. Lopez said he has ordered the close monitoring of the implementation of Department Administrative Order (DAO) No. 19-05 issued last March, which sets new technical regulations and mandatory product certification for local and imported flat glass and other similar glass products. He pointed out that similar directives have been issued to regulate cement, steel, electrical supplies and other construction materials stop manufacturers and dealers from hoodwinking consumers with inferior and dangerous products. Lopez noted that substandard imports have been flooding the local market, prompting DTI to take swift action. He pointed out that the new set of regulations will also apply to locally produced glass products. "This measure seeks to protect consumers by making sure that all imported flat glass products in the market meet standard compliance requirements. This is really for consumer safety," he said. "What's important really is to make sure these products undergo testing before they go to the market," Lopez stated. DAO 19-05 mandates that local flat glass must be produced by Philippine Standard certified plants. Imported products will have undergo quality tests and secure import commodity clearance marks before they could be sold in the market. Heat-strengthened and fully laminated flat glass, laminated glass and laminated safety glass in buildings as well as bent glass, are also covered by the new regulations. These products will likewise be submitted for sampling by the Bureau of Product Standards (BPS), Trade Regional Office or BPS inspection body within a prescribed time and in accordance with existing BPS inspection and sampling procedures. Glass products affixed with these marks assure consumers of their passing quality and safety tests. Lopez said uncertified products will be seized, while retailers or wholesalers found selling these items will be fined up to P300,000, without prejudice to the filing of criminal or civil actions under applicable laws. It will be recalled that flat glass, most commonly used for windows and doors in houses, buildings and automobiles, was delisted from the BPS’ certification scheme in 2015. Lopez disclosed that the DTI has also recently moved to protect the local industry from the influx of imported flat glass products. This is in response to a petition by the Philippine flat glass industry, and by virtue of Republic Act No. 8800 or the Safeguard Measures Act, the DTI issued DAO No. 19-12 last July 22, imposing temporary safeguard measures in the form of cash bonds for imported float glass products after a preliminary evaluation. Under this latest order, a temporary cash bond is imposed on imported clear flat glass in the amount of P2,552 per metric ton, while a cash bond of P2,835 per metric ton is required for imported tinted glass. The said measure will be effective for 200 days after the 15-day publication of the DAO or the relevant Customs Memorandum Order. After this period, the matter will be decided on by the Tariff Commission if the safeguard measure is needed. The DTI decided to impose the preventive measure after a preliminary investigation of importations of clear and tinted glass from 2013 to 2017. The investigation showed a surge in the volume of importation of glass products which might be injurious to the local flat glass industry. The move was done to protect the local flat glass industry from serious injury, in terms of decreasing market share, sales, capacity utilization, employment and production because of the influx of imported glass products.
DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez(PCOO / MANILA BULLETIN) Interviewed at the sidelines of the DTI budget presentation before the House Committee on Appropriations, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said the agency will be on the lookout for glass products that could harm Filipino consumers. Lopez said he has ordered the close monitoring of the implementation of Department Administrative Order (DAO) No. 19-05 issued last March, which sets new technical regulations and mandatory product certification for local and imported flat glass and other similar glass products. He pointed out that similar directives have been issued to regulate cement, steel, electrical supplies and other construction materials stop manufacturers and dealers from hoodwinking consumers with inferior and dangerous products. Lopez noted that substandard imports have been flooding the local market, prompting DTI to take swift action. He pointed out that the new set of regulations will also apply to locally produced glass products. "This measure seeks to protect consumers by making sure that all imported flat glass products in the market meet standard compliance requirements. This is really for consumer safety," he said. "What's important really is to make sure these products undergo testing before they go to the market," Lopez stated. DAO 19-05 mandates that local flat glass must be produced by Philippine Standard certified plants. Imported products will have undergo quality tests and secure import commodity clearance marks before they could be sold in the market. Heat-strengthened and fully laminated flat glass, laminated glass and laminated safety glass in buildings as well as bent glass, are also covered by the new regulations. These products will likewise be submitted for sampling by the Bureau of Product Standards (BPS), Trade Regional Office or BPS inspection body within a prescribed time and in accordance with existing BPS inspection and sampling procedures. Glass products affixed with these marks assure consumers of their passing quality and safety tests. Lopez said uncertified products will be seized, while retailers or wholesalers found selling these items will be fined up to P300,000, without prejudice to the filing of criminal or civil actions under applicable laws. It will be recalled that flat glass, most commonly used for windows and doors in houses, buildings and automobiles, was delisted from the BPS’ certification scheme in 2015. Lopez disclosed that the DTI has also recently moved to protect the local industry from the influx of imported flat glass products. This is in response to a petition by the Philippine flat glass industry, and by virtue of Republic Act No. 8800 or the Safeguard Measures Act, the DTI issued DAO No. 19-12 last July 22, imposing temporary safeguard measures in the form of cash bonds for imported float glass products after a preliminary evaluation. Under this latest order, a temporary cash bond is imposed on imported clear flat glass in the amount of P2,552 per metric ton, while a cash bond of P2,835 per metric ton is required for imported tinted glass. The said measure will be effective for 200 days after the 15-day publication of the DAO or the relevant Customs Memorandum Order. After this period, the matter will be decided on by the Tariff Commission if the safeguard measure is needed. The DTI decided to impose the preventive measure after a preliminary investigation of importations of clear and tinted glass from 2013 to 2017. The investigation showed a surge in the volume of importation of glass products which might be injurious to the local flat glass industry. The move was done to protect the local flat glass industry from serious injury, in terms of decreasing market share, sales, capacity utilization, employment and production because of the influx of imported glass products.