More than 500 business owners and consumers attended the Seminar on Product Standards and Conformance last March 13-17, 2017 in the key cities and municipalities of Region 02.
With the theme “Awareness on Product Standards – Key to Safety Excellence”, the seminar provided an avenue for businessmen, particularly hardware owners, government representatives, and consumers to be informed on how to determine substandard products and counterfeits from standard products that conform with the requirements of a Philippine National Standard (PNS) on quality and safety.
The seminar was conducted in Tuguegarao City on March 13, 2017; Gamu, Isabela on March 14, 2017; Cauayan City on March 15, 2017;Santiago City on March 16, 2017; and in Solano, Nueva Vizcaya on March 17, 2017.
Resource speakers were technical experts and consultants from industry associations in the country which include Mr. Patrocinio J. Santos of BI-GI Pipes Association, Mr. Wilson Agno of Flat Glass Alliance of the Philippines, Engr. Richard Paglinauan of Chamber of Philippine Electric and Wire and Cable Manufacturers, Inc., Mr. Nelson Gutierrez of Steel Angle Shapes & Section Manufacturers Association of the Philippines, Inc., Engr. Rudolf T. Miranda of Philippine Steelmakers Association, Engr. Jesus Federico Santiago of Panasonic Manufacturing Philippines Corporation, and Mr. Edgar Cruz of Ceramic Tiles Manufacturers Association.
Participants during the Seminar on Product Standards and Conformance in Tuguegarao City, Cagayan on March 13, 2017.
Among the topics discussed during the seminar were PNS requirements, including the manufacturing process, safety and quality tests, and mandatory markings of the following products: BI-GI Pipes, flat glass, electrical wires and devices, equal-leg angle bars, steel bars, plugs and socket outlets snap switches, and Ceramics.
DTI personnel also discussed the salient provisions of Department Administrative Order (DAO) N0. 02, Series of 2007 “Defining the Responsibilities and Duties of Manufacturers, Importers, Traders, Wholesalers, Distributors, Retailers, Service Providers and/or their Agents, with regard to Product Standards/Services covered by Philippine Standard Certification Mark Schemes and Prescribing Penalties for Violations Thereof.”
The DTI Bagwis Program was also presented to encourage business owners to participate in the program which gives due recognition to establishments that uphold the rights of consumers while practicing responsible business operations.
Other participants included some officers and members of business organizations like PCCI-Cagayan Chapter, MSMED Council of Nueva Vizcaya, representatives from the local government units, academe, Bureau of Fire Protection, Metro Tuguegarao Waterworks, consumer organizations, among others.
Part of the seminar was the signing of Pledge of Commitment by the business owners and managers to further strengthen partnership between DTI and business owners in promoting ethical business and nurturing a more business-friendly environment that upholds consumer protection.