MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is subjecting flat glass products to mandatory certification once again and setting a minimum capital requirement of P20 million for importers to make sure those sold in the market are of good quality and safe for use.
Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said he signed the department administrative order on the mandatory compliance requirement for flat glass yesterday.
He said the order aims “to ensure quality standard and protect consumers.”
Flat glass, which is used for primarily buildings, was previously part of the list of products under mandatory certification. It was delisted in 2015 to facilitate the issuance of import commodity clearance (ICC) and to limit the list only to products considered life threatening.
Imports of products under the mandatory certification list need to secure an ICC before being allowed to be sold in the market to ensure they comply with product standards.
Under the new order, all locally manufactured or imported flat glass, heat-strengthened and fully tempered flat glass, laminated glass and laminated safety glass, as well as bent glass products could only be sold in the market if they are sourced from manufacturing plants with a valid Philippine Standard (PS) quality mark and/or safety certification mark.
A PS mark means a product meets Philippine national standards (PNS).
For importers, the order is requiring a minimum capitalization of P20 million prior to bringing in flat glass products to the country.
To ensure the imported glass was sourced from a PS licensed manufacturer and consistently conforms to the requirements of the standards, the importer will also have to secure a statement of confirmation on a per product, per bill of loading basis.
In addition, an importer would have to post surety bond on a per shipment basis equivalent to 10 percent of the declared value or dutiable value of the imported product in peso, whichever is higher, as a guarantee it would perform its duties and obligations.
The surety bond may be forfeited partially or in full, depending on the degree of non-conformity or non-compliance.
Regular surveillance activities would be conducted to ensure products comply with the standards.
For local companies holding a valid PS license, there will be an annual system and product audit at the factory, and random product audit at the warehouse or market.
For foreign companies holding a valid PS license, an annual system and product audit at the factory and regular product audit per shipment would be undertaken.
PS licenses of firms would be cancelled or revoked should any of the following apply: failure to conform to the requirements of a specific PNS; failure to comply with monitoring, surveillance or enforcement notices; failure to comply with terms and conditions of license; false statements or alterations in connection with application for or re-certification of the license; and violations of any of the provisions of the order.