The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has sealed 177,00 pieces of threaded BI-GI steel pipes labeled as fence tubes worth over P110 million following their confiscation in almost all retail establishments in Davao City during a heightened crackdown against substandard steel products.
DTI-Consumer Protection Group (DTI-CPG) Undersecretary Atty. Ruth B. Castelo led the verification and inspection of BI-GI (black iron and galvanized iron) steel pipes in Davao City last June 23 together with the Bureau of Philippine Standards (BPS) and Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau (FTEB). The operation led to the confiscation of the mislabeled products in almost all retail establishments visited by the DTI-CPG.
In a statement, DTI said that mislabeling is a deceptive act or practice by a seller or supplier and violates Republic Act No. 7394 or the Consumer Act of the Philippines.
Article 50 of the said Act prescribes that “the act or practice of a seller or supplier is deceptive when it represents that a consumer product or service is of a particular standard, quality, grade, style, or model when in fact it is not.”
“The DTI upholds its authority to inspect warehouses to ensure that consumer products being distributed to different hardware stores/retailers in the country are safe and of good quality, and will not mislead the consumers as to their intended use,” said Castelo.
“May this serve as a reminder to all manufacturers and importers that the department shall not cease in performing its regular function of inspection, monitoring, and enforcement to check on consumer products covered under our jurisdiction,” Castelo added.
The Davao operation followed the information campaign of the DTI-CPG and Philippine Association of Black Iron and Galvanized Iron Pipes and Tubes Manufacturers, Inc. (BI-GI) with the theme “Promoting the New Standards for Steel Pipes” on the new standard for steel pipes in Davao City on June 21.
The DTI-CPG served as resource speakers and discussed the technical regulations covering steel pipes including its recently issued supplementary guidelines.
Bureau of Philippine Standards (BPS) Director Neil Catajay and Fair-Trade Enforcement Bureau (FTEB) Director Atty. Fhillip D. Sawali provided the participants with an overview of their respective mandates, both of which aim to protect consumers.
The information campaign affirms the industry’s support to the Department Administrative Order (DAO) No. 19-16, Series of 2019, or “The New Technical Regulations Concerning the Mandatory Product Certification of Steel - Black and Hot-Dipped Zinc-Coated (Galvanized) Longitudinally Welded Steel Pipes (For Ordinary Uses),” issued on 20 December 2019, responsive to the call of promoting consumer safety amidst the influx of black and galvanized steel pipes importation.
The FTEB emphasized the rules on light steel tubes under Memorandum Circular Nos. 22-08 and 22-14, Series of 2022, as supplementary guidelines to further refine DAO No. 19-16, Series of 2019.
In addition, DTI Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 23-07 issued on June 15, 2023 mandates steel manufacturers to apply for certification starting Dec. 16, 2023 to 15 June 2024. Market monitoring and enforcement will commence on June 16, 2024.
The activity also gave an opportunity for the participants, particularly representatives of hardware stores to raise concerns about the implementation of regulations governing the sale of steel pipes.
BI-GI President Mauro Dela Rosa Arce expressed continued support to providing consumer protection initiatives.
“As key players of the iron steel pipe industry, I implore each hardware retailer in this event to view consumers as part of your family whom you protect and give your best. Surely, this perspective will drive us toward higher regard for the technical regulations set by the mandatory product certification of steel,” said Arce.
Castelo expressed appreciation for the iron steel pipe industry, represented by the BI-GI, which champions consumer protection.
“The steel pipe industry has been an active partner of the DTI in its quest to provide consumers with high-quality steel pipes. Our longstanding cooperation through the years manifests our common appreciation of these iron steel pipes as raw materials which must be of the highest standard to ensure that consumers will produce the most durable and safest steam, water, gas, and air lines, and steel frame structures” Castelo said.
DTI’s the Philippine Standard (PS) Quality and/or Safety Certification Mark Licensing Scheme and the Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) Certification Scheme require mandatory product certification, including electrical and electronic products, mechanical or building and construction materials, and chemical and other consumer products and systems.
The DTI urges consumers to report violators of retailers, distributors, and manufacturers that sell uncertified items, through the Consumer Care Hotline at DTI (1-384) or [email protected].