DTI warns retailers anew on sub-standard products

Whoever is caught selling sub-standard products will be liable for violating the Product Standards Law of the Philippines. Teolulo T. Pasawa, provincial director of the Department of Trade and Industry-Davao City Field Office (DTI-DCFO) issued this statement in response to protests of some store owners who insist that they should not be penalized since they are only selling what their suppliers provide them.

In commenting on questions and issues raised by the participants of the consumer welfare desk officers meeting recently, Pasawa explained that manufacturers and importers must ensure that what they manufacture or bring into the country comply with Philippine product standards.

But he quickly added that retailers must also offer for sale only products that comply with the Philippine Product Standards if what they are selling is covered by mandatory standards. Pasawa said Department Administrative Order No. 2 series of 2007 clearly states the responsibilities of manufacturers, importers, traders, wholesalers, distributors, retailers and their agents.

There are about 90 products covered by mandatory standards which includes the following: electrical products such as switches, plugs and outlets, wires, compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), fluorescent tubes, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) electrical tape; construction materials such as cement, nails, steel bars, galvanized iron (GI) sheets; fire extinguishers, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders, ceramic and sanitary wares. DTI-DCFO/BoyC/jmm