The Department of Trade and Industry – Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau (DTI-FTEB) has confiscated more uncertified products, including steel, from 22 establishments located in Laguna and Batangas.
Consumer Protection Group (CPG) Undersecretary Atty. Ruth B. Castelo and Atty. Joseph Manuel P. Pamittan, FTEB OIC Assistant Director led the FTEB and DTI 4A monitoring teams, in inspecting the establishments. The uncertified and confiscated items were valued at P662,680.
The teams confiscated 1,655 uncertified products worth P479,588.25 in Laguna and 207 uncertified items worth P183.092.00 in Batangas. Clamped down items include household appliances, lighting and wiring devices, steel products, plastic pipes, ceramic products, brake fluids, and Monoblock chairs.
The DTI thereby issued Notices of Violation (NOV) to the non-compliant stores mandating them to explain within 48 hours from the receipt of the notice.
The nationwide campaign of DTI against uncertified items in the market underscores the enforcement of DTI technical regulations mandating compliance with Philippine Standard Certification Mark Schemes, particularly Department Administrative Order No. 02, Series of 2007.
“Aside from promoting consumer protection and welfare, our relentless monitoring and enforcement efforts also aims to protect retailers by expanding their awareness of the mandatory certification and markings,” said Castelo.
Castelo also reiterated that the enforcement operations of the Department are not to disrupt businesses but to create a fair trading environment for both the entrepreneurs and consumers by ensuring that only certified products are being sold in the market.
To protect consumers or potential buyers of electrical and electronic products; mechanical or building and construction materials; and chemical and other consumer products and systems, DTI-BPS regulates eighty-nine (89) products and systems through implementing Mandatory Product Certification Schemes: the Philippine Standard (PS) Quality and/or Safety Certification Mark Licensing Scheme and the Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) Certification Scheme.
Earlier this year, the team also seized 2,658 uncertified items in Region 4-A with an estimated retail value of P2,254,494.00. Meanwhile, from January to July 2022, FTEB has clamped down on 92,995 uncertified items with an estimated retail value of P22,375,136.66.