CALABARZON — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), through the Fair-Trade Enforcement Bureau (FTEB), has issued Notices of Violation (NOV) against sellers of uncertified BI/GI steel pipes, plywood, deformed steel bars, ceramic tiles, low carbon steel wires worth almost Php7 million sealed during the enforcement operations in Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon from August 1 to 10, 2023.

FTEB Director Atty. Fhillip D. Sawali and FTEB Enforcement Division Chief Perpetua Werlina R. Lim led the enforcement operations across Region 4-A.

The first day of enforcement began on 01 August 2023, in Rizal, where the team clamped down on the sale of 288 units of uncertified BI/GI steel pipes and plywood worth Php14,776,550.00.

This was immediately followed by another operation in Batangas, on 02 August, seizing 8,502 units of BI/GI steel pipes, deformed steel bars, low carbon steel wires, plywood, and ceramic tiles worth Php2,463,489.00.

Sustaining the momentum of the initiative, the team launched another enforcement operation in Laguna on 03 August, where they swept 488 units of BI/GI steel pipes, deformed steel bars, low carbon steel wires, plywood, ceramic tiles, electric fan, black and galvanized longitudinally welded lightweight steel tubes worth Php485,384.00. 

On 04 August 2023, the DTI team then proceeded to Cavite and seized 856 units of uncertified BI/GI steel pipes, deformed steel bars, low carbon steel wires, and plywood worth Php 626,250.00.

On August 10, the enforcement operations in Laguna and Quezon continued, and the teams seized 16,248 units of uncertified BI/GI steel pipes, deformed steel bars, low carbon steel wires, ceramic tiles, and plywood worth Php3,844,278.00.

Of the 79 firms inspected in Region 4-A provinces, 40 sellers of uncertified consumer products were issued with Notices of Violation (NOV) and ordered to submit an explanation within 48 hours from receipt thereof.

DTI-FTEB Director Atty. Sawali emphasized that the Department may have Regional and Provincial Offices, but the DTI remains consistent in enforcing Trade and Industry Laws.

“Safeguarding consumer protection and leveling the playing field through business regulation is an overwhelming task shared among DTI regional and provincial offices. We are certain that with the skilled and dedicated enforcers in the NCR, Regional, and Provincial Offices, we are going to win the campaign against uncertified and substandard consumer products,” DTI-FTEB Director Atty. Sawali said.

Meanwhile, FTEB Enforcement Division Chief Lim clarified that the expanded enforcement operations in the regions are not to disrupt businesses but to ensure a fair-trading environment between consumers and legitimate sellers.

DTI-FTEB’s random enforcement in other regions strives to increase its continuing efforts of strengthening consumer protection by ensuring safe and quality products.

The DTI engages in a market-wide campaign against selling or offering for sale non-compliant of and uncertified products, including the enforcement of technical regulations mandating compliance with Philippine Standard Certification Mark Schemes in accordance with Department Administrative Order No. 02, Series of 2007, as well as the Consumer Act of the Philippines.  

To protect consumers or potential buyers of electrical and electronic products; mechanical or building and construction materials; and chemical and other consumer products and systems, DTI – Bureau of Philippine Standards (DTI-BPS) covers products and systems through implementing Mandatory Product Certification Schemes: the PS Quality and/or Safety Certification Mark Licensing Scheme and the ICC Certification Scheme.

The DTI urges consumers to report retailers, distributors, and manufacturers that sell uncertified items, through the Consumer Care Hotline at DTI (1-384) or consumercare@dti.gov.ph. ♦

Date of release: 15 August 2023

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