On Wednesday, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Task Force Kalasag raided an appliance store in Plaridel, Bulacan, resulting in the seizure of appliances worth PHP 44 million that lacked certification.
DTI Director Fhilip Sawali stated that the confiscated items included TVs, air conditioners, electric fans, rice cookers, and several other products, all of which were imported without the required Philippine Standard (PS) marks and Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) stickers.
The DTI emphasized that products sold in the Philippine market must bear these stickers, as they signify government approval of a specific brand. These stickers are issued to manufacturers and importers and are not interchangeable.
Products lacking PS marks and ICC stickers have not undergone verification by the Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau's (FTEB) process within the Bureau of Philippine Standards (BPS) laboratories.
In a press briefing, FTEB Director Atty. Fhilip Sawali noted that the confiscated items from previous retailers were not only uncertified but also substandard. He recommended that consumers purchase products that comply with proper technical regulations.
The items seized from the Bulacan warehouse were sourced from unknown brands, with some imported from China and Korea. Operatives suspect that these appliances were mainly sold online and were of poor quality.
“To support our mission to eradicate the sale of non-compliant products, we must educate consumers about the hidden costs associated with cheap goods. Those who purchase these substandard products may face negative consequences,” stated DTI Secretary Fred Pascual.
Assistant Secretary and Fair Trade Group (FTG) Supervising Head Agaton Teodoro Uvero affirmed that their commitment to eliminating non-certified products promotes fair trade and ensures that consumers receive quality and safe products.
“We need to warn consumers to be vigilant, especially when checking the labeling and marking requirements of these products,” he added.
Failure to comply with the regulations will result in violations of Republic Act (RA) No. 4109, or the Product Standards Law, and Department Administrative Order (DAO) No. 02: 2007, which pertains to the PS Certification Mark Scheme.
The Bureau of Philippine Standards (BPS) requires retailers to possess a PS mark and ICC sticker before selling products in retail stores.
