The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has sealed uncertified Christmas lights and unlicensed fireworks as it ramped up enforcement operations to ensure compliance and standards of manufactured products commonly used during the holiday season’s festivities.

DTI Consumer Protection Group (CPG) Undersecretary Ruth B. Castelo, who led the Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau (DTI-FTEB) enforcement teams said they sealed uncertified Christmas lights worth P235,505.00 being sold in the Metro from September to 27 December 2022, and P11,885.00 unlicensed fireworks in Bocaue, Bulacan, on Dec. 27, 2022.

The heightened inspection resulted in the seizure of 675 units of uncertified Christmas lights and 227 pieces of unlicensed fireworks.

Therefore, out of the 71 monitored retail firms 10 were issued with a Notice of Violation (NOV) for selling uncertified Christmas Lights. Moreover, out of the 31 inspected establishments six received an NOV for selling unlicensed fireworks. As part of the due process, the representative of the stores was given 48 hours to provide an explanation related to the findings of noncompliance.

To ensure product quality and safety, the DTI encouraged the public to purchase fireworks with the Philippine Standard (PS) mark; and Christmas lights bearing either the PS Mark or the Import Commodity Clearance (ICC).

The Department also advised consumers to be guided by the list of PS-licensed fireworks brands and companies released by the DTI – Bureau of Philippine Standards (DTI-BPS) on Dec. 19, 2022.

The nationwide campaign of DTI against unlicensed fireworks and 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.

“Upholding consumer safety makes the Holiday celebration brighter; with this, we always remind the consuming public to only buy licensed fireworks and certified Christmas lights that have undergone and passed the DTI testing schemes,” said Castelo.

Castelo also reiterated that while the DTI enforcement activities aim to protect Filipino consumers’ right to safety; these also serve as a reminder of the consumers’ responsibility to be vigilant, especially when buying Christmas lights and fireworks to celebrate the Holidays.

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 111 products and systems through implementing Mandatory Product Certification Schemes: the PS Quality and/or Safety Certification Mark Licensing Scheme and the ICC Certification Scheme.

The DTI enjoins consumers to report retailers, distributors, and manufacturers that sell uncertified items, through the Consumer Care Hotline at DTI (1-384) or [email protected].