The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has started an early monitoring of fireworks and firecrackers manufacturers in Bocaue, Bulacan to ensure that consumers are safe and protected from faulty fireworks.
Trade Assistant Secretary and Consumer Protection Group head Amanda Nograles reiterated that only locally-manufactured fireworks are allowed for domestic sale, while finished imported fireworks and firecrackers are prohibited for entry and sale in the Philippines.
Nograles said the DTI has visited 33 establishments in Bocaue, of which four have been issued notices of violation (NOV).
“The violations are license-related. We confiscated a total of 1,543 pieces of fireworks,” she said.
While the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) promotes a total ban on fireworks and firecrackers for New Year festivities, DTI allows the sale and use of fireworks provided these adhere to product standards set by the DTI and contains the mandatory Philippines Standard (PS) mark.
“We urge consumers to watch out for fake PS marks. The seller has to have license or permit for selling fireworks and firecrackers.
It’s hard to monitor all, but we do the same for all products that need PS marks,” Nograles said. She added only category 1, 2, and 3 fireworks or low-hazard fireworks such as the “sawa” (snake-type fireworks) are allowed for sale in the Philippines, CPG said.
Category 4 fireworks are already considered as explosives and may cause harm to revelers. The Department also advised consumers to be guided by the list of PS-licensed fireworks brands and companies released by the DTI’s Bureau of Philippine Standards (DTI-BPS).
Following Republic Act (RA) No. 7183 or the Law on Pyrotechnic Devices which prohibits the importation of finished firecrackers and fireworks, the list includes 14 local brand names and companies.
They include Dragon Fireworks by Dragon Fireworks Inc.; Diamond by Diamond Fireworks Inc.; LF Fireworks by Legendary Fireworks Inc; Pegasus by Pegasus Fireworks; Phoenix by Phoenix Fireworks; Double L by Double L Fireworks and Nation by Nation Fireworks.
The DTI’s nationwide campaign 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.