There are revised product standards on roofing materials and ceramic tiles. I understand the new guidelines took effect on April 16, 2021.
The product standards on roofing materials promote safety and quality, while the mandatory certification of ceramic tiles is a form of restrictive government regulation .
For the information of the consumers , construction materials are listed as prime commodity that may be subject to Suggested Retail Prices in normal times and to a mandated price ceiling in times of calamity and emergencies.
I shall inform consumers of what to look for when buying roofing materials at their favorite barangay hardware shops and hardware depots.
I will discuss markings, labeling, thickness and measurements in addition to the Product Standards or P S mark.
Consumers should look for the label “ For roofing use only “. This applies to all hot dipped metallic coated and pre painted galvanized coils and sheets for roofing .
A minimum total coated thickness of 0.4mm for all steel coils and sheets intended for the manufacture/fabrication/forming of roofing materials is required and negative tolerance shall not apply.
All hardwares stores and home depots must perform random and on the spot measurements of roofing materials that are offered for sale . They use a calliper instrument to measure the minimum total coated thickness of a roofing material. Consumers should demand that the roofing materials they buy comply with marking and labeling as well as the total coated thickness. These two items are what the consumers must demand at the retail stores. Otherwise, go to another stores.
In support of the updated standard, there shall be nationwide product auditing, sampling and testing by the implementing agency. The updated product standards will mitigate the on and off arguments when a calamity hits a place and destroys roofing of houses–whether caused by substandard roofing materials, the method of installation or plain and simple force majeure. Hopefully, the 0.4 mm total coated thickness of the roofing materials will be the desired thickness for product safety as well as quality .
The second set of construction materials are ceramic tiles. The mandatory products standards certification for ceramic tiles was restored this year thru a process called the Import Commodity Clearance or I C C Certification. I do not agree with this restrictive business policy .
I remember that I wrote the newly promoted Director of the implementing agency a letter requesting for information and justification of product testing results of the past years that show an enormous volume of substandard ceramic tiles brought into the country during the time the products were removed from mandatory certification. I recall that ceramic tiles were deemed not hazardous products and are safe materials and which formed the basis of the removal from mandatory product certification. I did not receive a reply or any information. In the absence of the data , it is safe to assume that there were no such derogatory data on substandard ceramic tiles. However, I learned that imported ceramic tiles were levied safeguard duties on top of the mandatory product certification. Indeed a highly suspicious and double whammy restrictive decisions that hit the ceramics industry .
I also noted that there is no provision that requires product audit, sampling and testing by the implementing agency by a recognized ceramic testing laboratory, unlike in the case of the roofing materials Actually, recognized consumer organizations across the country may be able to participate in product sampling and testing . This collaborative effort is one of those commitments in empowering consumer organizations under the Asean framework of consumer protection. An ad hoc body can be empowered to monitor the market, buy samples and send to accredited laboratories for testing . A market monitoring teams shall be organized that will go to the retail stores and can include other products simultaneously. It is no secret that we consumers hardly receive information on results of product testing and seal of safety products subject to mandatory certification.
Given the above bureaucratic red tapes and restrictive policies , I will share practical and safety tips to consumers with the objective that consumers are assured that ceramic tiles are safe for the intended use .
First, consumers should be informed that wall tiles should not be used for floor tiles and that kitchen tiles and toilet tiles should be installed in the kitchen and toilet .
Second, the correct installation is necessary especially if you live in a flood prone area.
Third, prevent the slip and fall accidents by cleaning regularly the floor tiles of dirt and moistures.
Fourth, if you are the consumers who prefer heavily decorative tiles , ensure that it will not distract vision whether in darkness or sunlight .
Fifth , ask for the warranty rights on defective tiles and seek replacement without added costs.
Atty . Vic Dimagiba, AB, LLB. LLM
President, Laban Konsyumer Inc.