The Department of Trade and Industry said Tuesday the Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau confiscated uncertified products in a surprise visit to several retail outlets in Metro Manila to verify their compliance to the agency’s price and supply recommendations.
The DTI, led by Consumer Protection Group Undersecretary Ruth Castelo, inspected the retail establishments to assess their conformity to the latest Suggested Retail Price bulletin prior to Christmas.
“The DTI’s intensified enforcement operation is to ensure that household appliances and other consumer products in the market have undergone and met safety standards,” she said.
CPG confiscated almost P500,000 worth of uncertified products including 67 pieces of self-ballasted LED bulbs; 144 pieces of lavatories and water closets; and 39 pieces of electric fans, electric rice cookers, electric food mixers and induction cookers.
Castelo said the DTI’s enforcement initiative is not to restrict business transactions. Instead, it safeguards product quality that guarantees market competitiveness and consumer safety.
Following the visit, CPG served notices of violations to non-compliant retail firms and get the outlet 48 hours to handle over a written explanation for con-compliance to DTI regulations.
The DTI also conducted a similar activity 609 pieces of uncertified products worth P90,569. About 8 retail firms received NOVs for selling uncertified electric kettles, electric food mixers, electric fans, electric grills, electric cookers, electric food processors, electric rice cookers, electric juicers and self-ballasted LED lamps.
FTEB said from January to November, it confiscated 219,693 pieces of uncertified products worth P67.5 million.
The DTI’s nationwide campaign against uncertified items supports the Philippine Standard Certification Mark schemes.
The BPS regulates 87 products and systems through implementing Mandatory Product Certification schemes: the Philippine Standard quality and/or safety certification mark licensing scheme; and the Import Commodity Clearance certification scheme.
CPG also inspected two major supermarkets in Manila to check their compliance with the latest SRP bulletin which was released on Aug. 12, 2022.
Aside from being compliant with the latest SRP bulletin, both supermarkets conformed with the Noche Buena price guide. Moreover, all of the shelf keeping units including Noche Buena items have appropriate price tags.