While unauthorized products sold in all-in-one retail stores dubbed “presyong Divisoria” are affordable, these can pose risk to consumers and the environment, the EcoWaste Coalition said.
“While these stores carry a range of affordable items that people use on a daily basis, some of the products being sold there may lack the needed authorization or certification that can put the health and well-being of consumers at risk,” stressed Thony Dizon, a chemical safety campaigner of the EcoWaste Coalition.
“Regardless of where you shop -- offline or online -- consumers should be wary of the quality and safety of unauthorized or uncertified products that have not undergone the evaluation procedures as required by law,” he said.
All-in-one retail stores, which have sprouted in Metro Manila and other urban centers, are quite popular among budget and discount shoppers in need of cosmetics, electronics, hand tools, kitchenware, school supplies, toys and other miscellaneous items within their means.
Test buys conducted by the group from February 22 to 25 indicated the unlawful sale of products requiring prior market authorization or certification at “presyong Divisoria” stores in Caloocan, Makati, Mandaluyong, Manila, Pasay and Quezon Cities.
Among the problematic goods found by the group are products flagged by health authorities for not being notified or registered, or for containing banned or restricted substances.
Some of these problematic goods include lipstick, painting kit, baby wipes, artificial nails, plastic hair band, feeding bottle, and anti-cockroach chalk which are sold from P10 to P40.
Drugs and medical devices, including antiseptic plastic strips, face masks, medicated oil and topical ointment bought in the stores were also found not registered with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The group also found unlabeled electrical and electronic products such as lighting and wiring devices like lamp holders, plugs and sockets whose compliance to appropriate Philippine National Standards is doubtful.
“Health and trade regulators should monitor the operations of ‘presyong Divisoria’ retailers and ensure that products being sold in such stores are not only cheap, but also compliant to applicable health, safety and environmental standards. Consumers need to be assured of access to affordable and non-hazardous products,” the environmental group said.