The Department of Trade and Industry's (DTI) enforcement unit has ramped up its operations in the first half of the year focused on seizing unsafe products and ensuring compliance with the newly implemented Vape Law.
According to the Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau (FTEB), the DTI’s Task Force Kalasag has confiscated over P122 million worth of uncertified, hazardous, and substandard products from establishments across the country.
The seized items include electrical products, construction materials, and household appliances that fail to meet technical regulations and other fair-trade laws.
“Removing these unsafe products from circulation is a top priority for us,” DTI Assistant Secretary Agaton Uvero said. “Our task force has worked tirelessly to ensure that only products that meet our safety standards are available to consumers.”
“This not only protects the Filipino public but also underscores the importance of compliance among businesses,” he added.
The DTI has also expanded its focus to include digital marketplaces, acknowledging the challenges presented by the growth of e-commerce.
The Online Monitoring Unit (OMU) of the FTEB has been responsible for ensuring the compliance of online businesses. It has monitored over 11,000 firms in the first half of the year.
In addition to digital tracking, the FTEB also conducts onsite inspections of more than 104,000 physical shops to guarantee that products sold both online and offline meet the necessary safety and quality standards.
“As online shopping becomes more prevalent, it’s crucial that consumers are protected from substandard products,” FTEB Director Fhillip Sawali said. “Our OMU has been key in identifying and taking action against non-compliant businesses in the digital space.”
In the first six months of 2024, Task Force Kalasag carried out numerous operations to verify that businesses are following these updated regulations and seized vape products that violate the law, amounting to more than P29 million.
“We have been vigilant in our inspections and our efforts have led to the seizure of unregistered vape devices and e-liquids, as well as products being sold without the proper health warnings and age restrictions,” Uvero said.
“Compliance with the Vape Law is essential, and we will continue to enforce these regulations to ensure public safety and health,” he concluded.