The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), through its Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau (FTEB), sealed P882,848.00 worth of uncertified products; and verified the compliance of retail firms to the latest DTI Suggested Retail Price (SRP) bulletin in its simultaneous technical regulation enforcement and price and supply monitoring in Quezon City, on 25 October 2022.
Consumer Protection Group (CPG) Assistant Secretary Atty. Ann Claire C. Cabochan led the DTI monitoring and enforcement teams in visiting two (2) supermarkets and inspecting 14 retail firms.
Out of the 14 firms inspected, six (6) were issued with a Notice of Violation for selling uncertified tires for automotive vehicles and low-carbon steel wires. As part of the due process, the representative of the stores was given 48 hours to provide an explanation related to the findings of noncompliance.
From 02 January to 21 October 2022, DTI has already sealed 212,808 pieces of non-conforming products with an estimated retail value of P63,786,587.99.
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-BPS regulates 87 products and systems through implementing Mandatory Product Certification Schemes: the Philippine Standard (PS) Quality and/or Safety Certification Mark Licensing Scheme and the Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) Certification Scheme.
Meanwhile, through the team’s price monitoring, Asec. Atty. Cabochan affirmed that monitored supermarkets are compliant with the latest SRP bulletin, released last 12 August 2022.
In time with the upcoming All Souls Day, the monitoring teams also checked the prices of candles on mass display. The teams warned the firms of some candle brands without price tags which they immediately acted on.
Anticipating the following holidays, the teams also checked the supply of Noche Buena items to which the firms assured enough supply.
“The Department will continue to intensify its monitoring and enforcement operations to ensure that only safe and reliable products will reach our consumers,” Asec. Atty. Cabochan underscored.
The DTI enjoins consumers to report retailers, distributors, and manufacturers that sell basic necessities above their SRPs or uncertified items, through the Consumer Care Hotline at DTI (1-384) or consumercare@dti.gov.ph.♦
Date of Release: 28 October 2022